Tim Benz stories, Page 88
Duquesne’s strong start helping to erase memories of last year’s struggles
In one sense, it’s a sign of real progress for the Duquesne basketball team. In another, it’s a reminder of how far the program needed to come. “It means we (stunk) last year,” coach Keith Dambrot said. “Six wins. What the heck?” No. Six wins don’t sound like a lot....
First Call: Jeff Saturday regrets decision vs. Steelers; more talk about ‘same plays’ from opposition
Indianapolis Colts coach Jeff Saturday is second-guessing a decision he made during Monday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, a Colts defensive player sounds like he is echoing something one of the Cincinnati Bengals said last week about the Steelers offense. Also, we have info about some Atlanta Falcons injuries...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ depth running backs make case to be trusted again
For months, part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive agenda has been to get running back Najee Harris in a rhythm. Now the agenda is to keep the run game in rhythm overall, regardless of who is carrying the ball. After back-to-back games with 90-plus yards, Harris appeared to enter Monday’s...
Tim Benz: First quarter grades and a look at calendar produce hazy forecast for Penguins
Every year, hockey outlets love to throw out the stats about how much the season-ending playoff bracket tends to mirror what we see by the time the calendar hits “American Thanksgiving.” That one was for you, Sportsnet and TSN.Ca. Last week, former Penguin Mark Recchi penned a piece as a...
First Call: Early odds on Steelers-Falcons; Aaron Donald injury; ex-Steeler cut to make room for Deshaun Watson in Cleveland
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the early line for the Steelers-Falcons game on Sunday. We also have some injury news about former Pitt star Aaron Donald. A former Steeler is out in Cleveland. We take a look at Tuesday night’s game for the Penguins, and Duquesne’s seventh game of the season...
Feats of Strength: Kenny Pickett, reserve running backs, timely defense erase Steelers’ shortcomings in win over Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did what he needed to do. Maybe better said, he avoided doing what he couldn’t allow himself to do. That would have been losing to the Indianapolis Colts (4-7-1) and their human publicity stunt of an interim head coach, Jeff Saturday. It was just Saturday’s...
First Call: Skunk takes over fan section in Cleveland during Browns game; Thanksgiving NFL TV ratings are huge
Monday’s “First Call” has a story about the Browns that Steelers fans will enjoy. Thanksgiving Day NFL ratings were through the roof. We check in on Marc-Andre Fleury and Chase Claypool. Plus, we preview Pitt’s next basketball opponent. Turkey Day TV TD Thanksgiving Day football on national television was a...
Tim Benz: Only 1 storyline will matter coming out of Steelers-Colts
Coming out of their Week 9 bye at 2-6, there was a path toward postseason contention that the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise had walked in the past. In 2013, the team began 2-6 and ended up 8-8, staying alive for the playoffs until the final week of the regular season. By...
Madden Monday: ‘It’s too early to say that Kenny Pickett is a bust. It’s not too early to say that’s possible.’
For Mark Madden of 105.9 The X, there is only one true angle to track the rest of the way as the Pittsburgh Steelers take their 3-7 record through the last seven weeks of the regular season. “I think the overriding story for the Steelers the rest of this year...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans finding it hard to be thankful on Thanksgiving 2022
Covering the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, you may assume I’m not feeling particularly thankful this Thanksgiving. Au contraire, mon frère! I needed to bang out a super-quick “U mad, bro?” post before scampering off to visit family for the holiday. The Steelers are 3-7. They just blew a second-half lead...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin didn’t endorse Bengals’ critiques of his Steelers — but didn’t completely refute them either
The Cincinnati Bengals certainly had a lot to say after they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 37-30 on Sunday. They questioned the depth of the Steelers’ playbook, the extent of Diontae Johnson’s target share and how much one star player was complaining to the officials. On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike...
Tim Benz: Concept of Steelers ‘stacking wins’ seems like fiction from a galaxy far, far away
For local football fans, the anticipation of Sunday’s Steelers-Bengals game felt like a scene out of the new Star Wars series “Andor.” Specifically, the one from an episode when everyone on planet Aldhani is looking to the heavens for “The Eye.” It’s a beautiful celestial event that is the equivalent...
Madden Monday on the Steelers’ latest loss: ‘This defense flat out stinks’
Late Sunday night, WPXI-TV ran a poll asking which side of the ball was more disappointing in Sunday’s 37-30 Pittsburgh Steelers loss to the Cincinnati Bengals — the offense or the defense. The correct answer to the question is, obviously, “both.” But since that was not an option, 77% of...
First Call: Joe Burrow on T.J. Watt’s interception; Steelers-Colts game has different tone; Darrelle Revis’ honor
Monday’s “First Call” has Joe Burrow’s assessment of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt after yet another eye-popping interception. Next week’s game for the Steelers no longer appears to be the joke people were making it out to be two weeks ago. A former Pitt Panthers star is getting a well-deserved...
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ after yet another Steelers gut-punch loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get those pigeons back at Acrisure Stadium. Seriously, there were at least 30 of them out there last week. The Pittsburgh Pigeons have the best seat in the house pic.twitter.com/GTkO9qg1tn— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 13, 2022 Maybe if the Steelers had 41 defenders on the...
First Call: Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel pass familiar names on scoring lists; Penguins face challenge from sizzling Jets
It’s a hockey heavy “First Call” for this Friday, as we remember a banner day in Penguins history. We preview the team’s next opponent, who is on fire at the moment. Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel are taking some steps up the historic scoring ladders. Some former Penguins contributed to...
Friday Football Footnotes: Joe Burrow’s advice for Minkah Fitzpatrick, praise for T.J. Watt; NFL moves Bills-Browns game
As the Steelers get ready for a rematch against the Bengals, “Friday Football Footnotes” features some scouting on T.J. Watt from Joe Burrow. The Bengals QB also has advice for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Derrick Henry has tricks on “Thursday Night Football.” We study that venue change for the Browns and Bills....
Tim Benz: How the Steelers can expect the Bengals to get around Ja’Marr Chase’s absence
During the recent bye week, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin went to the other side of the ball to best illustrate what the return of T.J. Watt could mean to his unit. “I put it similar to a great receiver. If you don’t take care of him and let him...
Tim Benz: Recent increase in sacks not just about Steelers offensive line
While the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has received praise for improved run blocking since Sunday’s win against the Saints, now the pass blocking has come under scrutiny. For good reason. In both regards. The Steelers are coming off a game in which they ran the ball for a season-high 217...
U mad, bro?: On Kenny Pickett’s development, pass blocking, Bill Cowher’s rant about Jeff Saturday and … the Beatles?
For Thanksgiving, I like variety. Turkey. White meat. Dark meat. Maybe some ham. Mashed potatoes and stuffing. Carrots and peas. Apple and pumpkin pie. Just no sweet potatoes. I hate sweet potatoes. I hate the way they taste. I hate the way they smell. I don’t even wanna look at...
First Call: Ex-Steeler drafts Martavis Bryant in XFL; Penguins to face another former teammate in goal; Ja’Marr Chase update
Thursday’s “First Call” features the latest attempt to reignite the football career of former Steelers project Martavis Bryant. Antonio Brown is back performing in Pittsburgh. Ja’Marr Chase may not be back against the Steelers. But next week is a possibility. The Penguins aren’t done facing old teammates in goal. And...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger on the notion of becoming an offensive coordinator; Steelers looking at defensive backs
Ben Roetlisberger is talking about life after football. The Steelers are considering making another move to bolster their defensive backfield. The Prime Video ratings for “Thursday Night Football” are a struggle. And Duquesne’s next men’s basketball game looks like it could be a real test. All that in Wednesday’s “First...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s assessment of Kenny Pickett’s ‘growth’ more about strategy than evaluation
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin staunchly endorsed the development of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett during his Tuesday press conference. “It’s been really impressive,” Tomlin said. “If you ask me to summarize the rate of growth and the range of growth, it’s been really impressive in all areas. I think it’s...
Matt Murray’s return ‘a great experience’ as he beats Penguins for 1st win with Toronto
Matt Murray has seen that kind of push from the Penguins in that building many times. He knows what it looks like — and what it sounds like — when Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and company decide it’s time to put the pedal down. It’s just that when...
Questions about Tristan Jarry’s health mirror conversations about Najee Harris’ earlier this year
It appears the Pittsburgh Penguins have themselves a Najee Harris-esque injury situation developing with goaltender Tristan Jarry. Jarry is saying that he is playing through injury while the head coach is downplaying it. That hasn’t worked out great for Harris and the Steelers much of the year at Acrisure Stadium....
