Tim Benz stories, Page 66
Tim Benz: 5 ways the Steelers must improve coming out of the bye
It would be foolish to suggest that we could sum up everything that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do to improve themselves coming out of the bye weekend in one column. As far as division-leading teams at the quarter pole go, this one is about as flawed as I’ve ever...
U mad, bro?: When Penguins fans are openly heckling Steelers coaches, you know things are at a boiling point
The Pittsburgh Steelers feel like the worst 3-2 team in the history of the NFL. The Penguins blew a two-goal lead in their home opener. And the Steelers offensive coordinator is apparently getting booed everywhere in the 412 and 724 area codes. So, as you may be able to assume,...
First Call: Fox rates Mike Tomlin 3rd-best coach; James Harrison on T.J. Watt setting the sack record
Thursday’s “First Call” illustrates the love the national media still has for Mike Tomlin. James Harrison applauds T.J. Watt while J.J. Watt discusses the scrutiny of Matt Canada. Also, Connor Bedard scores his first NHL goal, and an ex-Pittsburgh Penguin gets off on the right foot. Laying it on a...
First Call: Update on T.J. Watt’s injured finger sounds nasty; a ‘Fire Canada’ chant at the Penguins game?
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a gnarly update on the finger injury suffered by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Joey Porter Jr. goes in-depth on his first career interception. The Steelers’ next opponent made a trade. And we have some NHL-opening gambling lines. Dislocated digit Not much attention was paid to...
Tim Benz: Old storylines emerge in season-opening loss for ‘whole new group’ of Penguins
So the Chicago Blackhawks came to Pittsburgh and spoiled a Penguins party. If Mike Lange was still doing play-by-play, this would be a perfect spot to drop in, “I’ve seen that fish before.” There was one significant difference between the Blackhawks winning 5-2 at PPG Paints Arena in the Pens’...
Tim Benz: Biggest questions in need of answers heading into Penguins’ opening night
The Pittsburgh Penguins open their season Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the first of 82 games and the start of six months worth of angst, tension, excitement and agony. That’s why we love it. Here are the five biggest questions I...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger calls Steelers’ pass game ‘non-existent,’ gives thoughts on Matt Canada’s future
Tuesday’s “First Call” features some opinions from former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the state of the franchise’s offense. We check in on a former Penguins goalie. And we have some honors for Robert Morris hockey and Duquesne football. Big Ben’s big advice During his latest “Footbahlin’” podcast, retired...
First Call: Ravens explain weird 2nd-quarter decision; looking at Steelers’ 1st opponent after the bye
Monday’s “First Call” has an explanation for a weird moment in Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens game. We review some of the odds for this weekend’s college football action. There’s a hockey trade involving a former Penguin. We take a look at what may be lying ahead for the Steelers after their bye....
Madden Monday: After Steelers’ win, fans calling for Matt Canada’s firing won’t get their wish
It’s not often Pittsburgh Steelers fans come up with a nightmare scenario that involves their team winning. But for those who wanted offensive coordinator Matt Canada fired, this was it. All week, the various possibilities had been discussed. If the Steelers get blown out by the Baltimore Ravens, will they...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Steelers’ splash plays outweigh offensive struggles to beat Ravens
All week long, it’s been hard to explain how the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans last week. Now it might be even harder to explain how they beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The boos and “Fire Canada” chants were cascading down from the Acrisure Stadium seats...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey players embrace emotions surrounding Saturday’s return to the ice
Butler’s Paul Maust remembers exactly where he was in May 2021 when he found out that the Robert Morris hockey teams were getting cut from the school’s athletic department. The Mercyhurst player was working out at the Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale with two members of the Colonials team —...
First Call: An ex-Steeler just bought a hockey team; Aaron Donald’s plan to stop Eagles QB sneak
For Friday’s “First Call,” we’ve got a surprising career choice for a former Steeler. An ex-Raven is stirring the pot when it comes to the Steelers rivalry. Aaron Donald thinks he may be able to combat the Philadelphia Eagles’ allegedly unstoppable play. And the internet is having a field day...
Friday Football Footnotes: An all Steelers-Ravens rivalry edition
Neither the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) nor the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) are playing like they were in 2010 when they were both 12-4. But the rivalry between the clubs is still strong. And with the entire AFC North already beating itself up and a bye looming in Pittsburgh, refusing to let...
Tim Benz: Pirates know next step will be harder than this one
It takes a special talent to lose 100 games in Major League Baseball. Or, in the case of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a special lack of talent. The only thing that prevented the Pirates from losing 100 games three years in a row from 2020-22 was the small matter of a...
First Call: Ravens LB has a grudge against Mike Tomlin; Cooper Kupp should be ready to face Steelers in L.A.
Thursday’s “First Call” features a Baltimore Raven with an axe to grind against Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. A potential threat to the Steelers in a few weeks is returning to practice. So is former Penn State star Saquon Barkley. And we now have a diagnosis on that knee injury suffered...
U mad, bro?: After a 30-6 loss in Houston, angry Steelers fans swarm on Mike Tomlin, Kenny Pickett, Matt Canada
After a 30-6 loss in Houston Sunday, the sharks are circling for Steelers coaches and players. And even the media that covers them. If they lose again at home to Baltimore this weekend, well…. Enjoy the apricot brandy. Here’s this week’s edition of “U mad, bro?” We start with Calvin....
First Call: Aaron Rodgers thinks Ben Roethlisberger could be an offensive coordinator; Steelers beef up O-line
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers roster move, thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger as an offensive coordinator, and an injury update from the Ravens in Baltimore. Plus, we include the latest in the ongoing Chase Claypool situation in Chicago. Adding depth The Steelers signed a big man to help address...
Memories of former Pirates pitcher Tim Wakefield shared by GM Ben Cherington and others
When Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Kent Tekulve was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this summer, we posted a story at “Breakfast With Benz” about how every young Pirates fan in the late 1970s and early ’80s tried to mimic his trademark submarine delivery. I’m old enough to admit...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin was asked the necessary questions. You decide if he gave appropriate answers
Before we dive into some of the things that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to say during his weekly press conference, I feel the need to channel Mick Jagger’s lyrics from the Rolling Stones’ new single, “Angry.” “My mouth’s getting sore, I can’t take anymore Why you angry with...
Ben Roethlisberger on Steelers’ busted 4th-and-1 in Houston: ‘I hated the play call’
During his latest “Footbahlin’” podcast, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger panned the team’s late third-quarter decision to throw the ball from the shotgun on fourth-and-1 in Texans territory during their 30-6 loss in Houston on Sunday. “I hated the play call,” Roethlisberger said. “When they called timeout, I’m thinking...
Taking joy in other NFL struggles as Steelers wander through first quarter of 2023
Few cities in America wallow in the negative fallout of a loss by their NFL team as intensely as Pittsburgh does for the Steelers. Don’t get me wrong. I say that as a compliment of the highest order. It’s an indication of passion within a fanbase. It also may indicate...
First Call: Steelers alumni trash Matt Canada; Kevin Dotson’s praise in L.A.; Chase Claypool may be out in Chicago
The Pittsburgh Steelers alumni base has seen just about enough of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. One former Steeler had a fine debut in Los Angeles, while another may be on the way out in Chicago. And we’ve got awards to hand out for Duquesne football and Robert Morris women’s hockey....
Madden Monday: Kenny Pickett is ‘awful … if Mitch (Trubisky) plays next week, that’s an upgrade’
On the heels of an embarrassing 30-6 loss in Houston on Sunday, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X has a big picture point to raise about the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Maybe this is the real Steelers. Maybe they got kind of lucky to win the last two games. They...
First Call: Ex-Steelers bask in afterglow of beating former team in Houston; Matt Canada angst extends to ‘College GameDay’
Monday’s “First Call” features some very happy ex-Pittsburgh Steelers after their Houston Texans dispatched the Black and Gold on Sunday. The “Fire Canada” movement is expanding to previously unforeseen territory. And Chase Claypool may have already worn out his welcome in Chicago. Salty Steve Ex-Steeler Steven Nelson admitted playing against...
Airing of Grievances: Baffling offensive decisions, lousy defense lead to Steelers’ horror show in Houston
You know what I think this Pittsburgh Steelers team needs now? Some “mojo!” Think that’ll help? Anyone know where I can find some? If you don’t, just make up an answer. I hear that works. As if losing 30-6 in Houston wasn’t bad enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday,...
