Tim Benz stories, Page 74
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. on potentially becoming a Steeler; Peter King has an interesting Steelers mock draft pickVideo
Joey Porter Jr. talks openly about the prospect of becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler. Peter King gives a unique prediction of who the Steelers will draft. A Pittsburgh kid gets on the score sheet in the NHL playoffs. And the Pirates get a little help during an off night as they...
Tim Benz: Steelers excited about pick No. 32. Now they better figure out how to use it
For months, Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media members have been gushing about the franchise acquiring the Chicago Bears’ pick in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. They were doing so even before it became obvious that the selection would be the first one in the second round. Even...
First Call: Antonio Brown avoids arrest on child support charge; former Pitt AD Scott Barnes hospitalized
Monday’s “First Call” recaps an eventful week for former Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. Former Pitt Athletic Director Scott Barnes is recovering from a medical event in California. The Pirates were the beneficiaries of a huge inning from a Red Sox rookie. And an ex-Penguin is still showing some scoring touch...
Tim Benz: ‘Gentlemen’ on the base paths, Pirates race to the NL lead in stolen bases
Among all the other things that have been going right for the Pittsburgh Pirates so far in 2023, they’ve also quietly become one of the best base-stealing teams in baseball. During their 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, the Pirates stole three bases, giving them 25 on the...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ 1st-round draft choice ‘will be one of these 3 players’
After months of speculation in Pittsburgh, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X isn’t changing his prediction about who the Steelers will take in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft. He’s still convinced the franchise will select Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., son of former Steelers...
NFL Network analyst gives scouting forecast for Pitt players in advance of draft
We’ve speculated for months on who the Steelers should select in the NFL Draft. But what’s the evaluation of some of the draft eligible Pitt Panthers? During a conference call Thursday, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked specifically about Pitt as a program and about some Panthers products...
First Call: T.J. and Derek Watt receive honor in Wisconsin; Tom Brady won’t let the Dolphins rumors die
Friday’s “First Call” has an honor for Steelers star T.J. Watt and his brother Derek. It looks like Tom Brady is still flirting with the Miami Dolphins. Saquon Barkley is stuck in a contract stalemate. And ex-Pirate Jameson Taillon is dealing with an injury issue again. Numbers up T.J. and...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ efficiency key to hot start, wins over struggling opponents
After four consecutive last-place finishes and two consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Pirates really don’t care who they are beating. They just care that they are winning. “We are hot. And we know it. There is no denying that,” said Pirates outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe. They are. And we can’t. Usually...
First Call: ESPN reports Allen Robinson passes physical with Steelers; Pirates look to stay hot; ex-Pens score in playoffs
Thursday’s “First Call” has an update on the Steelers trade for Allen Robinson. The Pirates hope to kick another opponent while they are down. A pair of WPIAL baseball stars faced off in Oakland. And a pair of ex-Penguins scored for their team in the NHL playoffs, while another struggled...
Tim Benz: Reading the tea leaves for what Allen Robinson’s arrival means for Steelers’ draft strategy
Now that Allen Robinson has reportedly passed his physical, the former Los Angeles Ram can be added to the mix of wide receivers on the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart. That has made some people wonder if the Steelers now have no plans to make further additions to that position group...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans aren’t done ranting. Nor should they be
The Penguins put their fan base through six months of dreadfully up-and-down, painfully inconsistent hockey. You didn’t think that just one week of venting after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006 was enough, did you? Of course not! It’s time for the “All Penguins Angst” edition of...
Tim Benz: Penguins need more than just a wake-up call after missing the playoffs
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was cleaning out his locker last Saturday in the wake of missing the playoffs for the first time since his rookie year. Just a day after seeing general manager Ron Hextall and president of hockey operations Brian Burke fired. The three-time Stanley Cup champion was...
First Call: Jalen Carter may be gone before Steelers could trade up to draft him; WPIAL pitching star to make debut
Wednesday’s “First Call” takes another look at that Jalen Carter-to-the-Steelers conversation. A familiar name in the AFC North may get moved out. We examine the NHL television ratings for the regular season. And a WPIAL standout pitcher is getting called up to the Major Leagues. No crack at Carter? If...
Cornerback or tackle?: Former NFL GM has specific opinions on Steelers draft options
While a lot of names are being thrown around as candidates for the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft at pick No. 17, a popular plan of attack seems to have emerged within the fan base. Get the best remaining offensive tackle at 17, then the best remaining cornerback with the pick...
As 1st night of NHL playoffs showed, there’s plenty of interesting hockey to watch even without Penguins
Contrary to popular belief in Pittsburgh, the NHL playoffs are taking place even though the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t qualify for the first time since 2006. There are some very intriguing storylines, many of which already started to take shape on the first night of competition. Here’s a six pack of...
First Call: Steelers may covet Jalen Carter with rumored trade in NFL Draft; ex-Pitt Panther sparkles in NBA playoffs
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed two big-name draft prospects and may be angling to trade up for another. A former WPIAL athlete is shining in the NBA playoffs, while another is looking for an NFL home. And Robert Morris’ basketball team is making noise in the transfer portal. All...
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby, FSG have the right answer on his future — but were they asked the right question?
Pittsburgh Penguins fans haven’t been able to find many positives over the past week. However, one news item surrounding team icon Sidney Crosby was reassuring. Both Crosby and the team seem unified in a desire to see the 35-year-old captain play out his remaining years in Pittsburgh. At least that’s...
Tim Benz: It’s tough to defend Mike Sullivan’s defense of Penguins’ power play
During his final press conference of the year, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was asked about the performance of his team’s power play. Listening to Sullivan’s defense of his man-up unit was as frustrating as it was to watch at times this season. “I think our power play finished 14th...
First Call: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin watches son score at B.C.’s spring game; Gerrit Cole’s strong start continues
Monday’s “First Call” features the scouting destination of Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin this past weekend. We also look ahead to the Pirates’ next series. Plus, a former Pirate is off to a torrid start, a big transfer win for West Virginia’s basketball team, and America comes up clutch in...
Madden Monday: Penguins missing playoffs could be ‘a blessing in disguise’
I’ve had a hard time trying to find a silver lining to the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2022-23 season. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. They ended up losing their last two games to two of the worst teams in the NHL (the Columbus Blue...
Former Robert Morris University goalie suits up for 1st NHL game
Reid Cooper was just a play away from making some local hockey history Thursday night. The former Robert Morris Colonial signed an amateur tryout contract with the Washington Capitals to be their backup goaltender during the franchise’s regular-season finale against the New Jersey Devils. If Cooper had gotten on the...
Tim Benz: Penguins find comically fitting way in Columbus to end ‘failure of a season’
There was a macabre fascination to the way the Pittsburgh Penguins regular season finale played out in Columbus. The Pens lost to the awful Blue Jackets 3-2. In overtime. After blowing a third period lead. To a significantly inferior foe. While outshooting the opponent and making a journeyman goalie in...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger gets pushback on Lamar Jackson comments; Devin Bush on leaving Steelers for Seattle
Friday’s “First Call” features fallout from Ben Roethlisberger’s critique of Lamar Jackson. Ex-Steeler Devin Bush discusses his move to Seattle. And there will be a Pittsburgh influence in the new ownership group of the Washington Commanders. Ruffling Raven feathers During the latest episode of his “Footbahlin’ with Ben” podcast, former...
First Call: A new Steeler has draft advice for the franchise; local MLB star signs big contract
A new Pittsburgh Steeler is giving out draft advice to the franchise. A Penn State alum is unhappy with his franchise tag. A local baseball star just hit it rich. And college hockey is catching on with ESPN viewers. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Pat Pete playing GM? Appearing...
Tim Benz: Plenty of worthy goats, sacrificial lambs after Penguins’ elimination — but no room for sacred cows
When we first heard the “Fi-re Hex-tall” chants from Pittsburgh Penguins fans at PPG Paints Arena during a 7-2 beatdown from the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 24, they really resonated. As general manager of the Penguins, Ron Hextall assumed a job that can’t escape criticism. His predecessors — Craig Patrick,...
