Tim Benz stories, Page 67
First Call: Dodgers reportedly have interest in Pirates’ Mitch Keller; Jets coach raves about new Steeler Kwon Alexander
Monday’s “First Call” has a rumored suitor to land Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Plus, Kwon Alexander’s former head coach is pumping his tires as the linebacker acclimates to the Steelers. We look for updates on Nick Bosa’s contract situation in advance of the Steelers-49ers opener....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Dan Moore fighting to keep his left tackle job, while helping Broderick Jones improve
Before Saturday’s Pittsburgh Steelers practice at Saint Vincent College, Mike Tomlin addressed the crowd. He took a moment to introduce two-time Super Bowl champion defensive end Aaron Smith on the day it was announced that he was getting inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor. He also jokingly referred to...
First Call: Art Rooney II on Mike Tomlin’s contract; Le’Veon Bell won’t rule out comeback
Friday’s “First Call” has comments from Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II on Mike Tomlin’s contract situation. Le’Veon Bell won’t rule out a comeback. A well-known Pittsburgh hockey name explains his a change of heart about his future. Ex-Steeler Chris Hubbard has a new home. And we look at the...
Steelers GM Omar Khan on NFL running back pay debate: ‘You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure it out’
By now, football fans have heard or seen the angry opinions of NFL running backs who believe the league’s cost structure is working against them. Third-year Pittsburgh Steeler Najee Harris is one of those grumbling. The franchise has to determine if they are going to keep Harris through his fifth-year...
Rod Woodson shares advice for young Steelers corners, reflects on memories at Saint Vincent College
When asked for words of advice that he’d pass along to rookie cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Rod Woodson kept it simple. “No seams, no posts, no goes. OK? Don’t get beat deep,” Woodson said Thursday. Those were the words from defensive coordinator Tony Dungy...
First Call: Mike Tomlin on his left tackle battle; Bears’ tight end contract could influence Steelers
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle position, even though head coach Mike Tomlin is trying to make it a non-story. An NFL signing of note may have some ramifications for a Steelers player next year. A former Steeler is getting a boost for his Hall of...
U mad, bro?: Aliens have arrived — and they have angry opinions on Steelers, Pirates
Even the Pittsburgh Steelers reporting to training camp was dwarfed by the UFO hearings in front of Congress on Wednesday. Not only do I now believe in aliens, I believe they are coming for Christian Kuntz’s massage chair. The Steelers’ specialists massage chair saga continues, but it’s in the dorm...
Tim Benz: Steelers training camp challenge — the defense must make the offense better
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has a lot to accomplish between now and the end of training camp. Coordinator Teryl Austin’s unit has to: • Straighten out any communication issues that may result from weaving a fistful of new players into the secondary — many of whom are playing in multiple...
Tim Benz: A different spin on the Pittsburgh sports ‘GOAT Mountain’ list
On Monday, Sporting News writer Mike DeCourcy took us for a hike up Pittsburgh’s “GOAT Mountain.” Last summer, the outlet decided on a Mount Rushmore style, greatest-of-all-time list for 13 of America’s cities that have all four major pro sports teams (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL). This year, they expanded the...
A 6-pack of tasks that should be on Mike Tomlin’s to-do list at Steelers training camp
There’s no doubt what the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top priority should be for their training camp when it begins Thursday. It has to be expanding the offensive playbook and developing Kenny Pickett as the quarterback. Hopefully, they’ve been working on those matters since the instant last season ended. But there are...
First Call: Ex-Steeler finalizes deal in Baltimore; Benny Snell may head west; 2 former Steelers look to Philly
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Arthur Maulet finishes off the news about him signing with a Pittsburgh Steelers’ divisional rival. The Eagles are looking at two former Steelers. There are some early season complications for two Steelers opponents. And we track what’s going on with Benny Snell. Maulet to Maryland On...
First Call: Ex-Steeler may join Ravens; trade interest in David Bednar; potential domino falls on Erik Karlsson watch
A domino may have fallen in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ pursuit of Erik Karlsson. A former Steelers draft choice has a new home, while another may be closing on a deal with Baltimore. Plus there is trade interest in Pirates closer David Bednar. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” What does...
Tim Benz: Backslide from Mitch Keller is most concerning aspect of 2023 Pirates
A lot has gone wrong for the Pittsburgh Pirates since their 20-8 start to open up the season. By “a lot” I mean pretty much … everything. • As a team, the Pirates have sunk to 44-56, good for a last place in the National League Central division. • Because...
Tim Benz: Complaints by NFL running backs swallowed up by reality
On Sunday, a group of NFL running backs did what a lot of us did during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. They hopped on Zoom with each other and complained. The only difference is, these running backs are griping over how many more millions of dollars they should be...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ team-building approach only good enough to beat lesser NFL teams
There’s no doubt what the main topic is heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 training camp. It’s tracking the growth of the offense as the franchise embarks on its second year with Kenny Pickett as the quarterback. As Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X said during this week’s...
First Call: Najee Harris joins other RBs in strategy session; news on 2 former Steelers
Steelers running back Najee Harris is part of a group of players at his position trying to influence change in the NFL’s cost structure that is deflating their salaries. There’s news regarding two former Steelers in other cities and surrounding the Cleveland Browns. Plus we see how the Pittsburgh Steeltoes...
Erik Karlsson tells Swedish outlet he has spoken to Penguins, and he’s not OK with staying in San Jose
We still don’t know if the San Jose Sharks are going to trade defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. But now we do know that he has spoken to the Pens, and we know he doesn’t want to stay with his current franchise. Karlsson confirmed both angles to the...
Tim Benz: Plenty of Steelers issues to criticize of late — but not offense/defense payroll disparity
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to sign outside linebacker Alex Highsmith to a $68 million extension has been applauded by some. Others see it as overspending on an above average, but not great, player. One thing is for sure, the signing has kicked up another wave of scolding the Steelers for...
LSU baseball coach ‘1,000%’ confident Pirates’ Paul Skenes could win an MLB game right now
My first question to LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson regarding Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft choice Paul Skenes was pretty simple. What are the Pirates getting in this guy? “You can’t get a better pitcher. And you can’t get a better person,” Johnson instantly replied. On the personality side, during his...
First Call: Mike Tomlin rated NFL’s 2nd best coach; teams show interest in former Steelers DB
Friday’s “First Call” rebukes Pro Football Talk’s NFL head coach rankings, which place Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin second. We also find out who may sign former Steeler Arthur Maulet and what Steelers’ connection exists in the new ownership of the Washington Commanders. Plus, a new professional sports team in...
San Jose Sharks reporter still thinks ‘it will be Karlsson to the Penguins’
If it feels like the trade speculation surrounding Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins has dragged on for a long time, that’s because it has. The Penguins first seemed to crop up as a potential trade target for the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman at the outset of free agency on July...
U mad, bro?: Pirates’ failures, Penguins’ trade talks have fans on edge
About a month from now, it’s going to be all-Steelers, all the time in “U mad, bro?” So for the time being, let’s enjoy the variety. You know, like a 12-pack of those seasonal beers from Sam Adams. This week pounding the Pittsburgh Pirates ownership will serve as the flagship...
First Call: Lions snag reported Steelers trade target; Derek Shelton addresses booing from Pirates crowd
Thursday’s “First Call” begins with a Pittsburgh Steelers trade that never happened. We also look at the Pirates’ trip to visit Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels. Plus, Derek Shelton is getting heat, and there is Duquesne basketball news too. Motor City Mims The Detroit Lions have acquired New...
A Penguins-specific setlist for The Eagles to play at PPG Paints Arena
We found out Wednesday that The Eagles are going to headline a concert at PPG Paints Arena. Don’t worry, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a bye that week. It’s part of the band’s Long Goodbye tour. So I thought we should continue the tradition we began at “Breakfast With Benz” when...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, ‘living life hard’ has a different meaning — one he’ll need as a Pirate
Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick Paul Skenes throws hard. He’s been known to hit 103 miles per hour. It’s part of the reason why he posted a 1.69 ERA in 122⅔ innings pitched with 209 strikeouts at LSU this season. The 6-foot-6 right hander lives life hard too. When I...
