Tim Benz stories, Page 92
First Call: Steelers are historically big underdogs for Buffalo game; Roger Maris’ son takes jab at Barry Bonds
Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with one of the Buffalo Bills propping up new Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett. We have some wild stats about the Steelers being a two-touchdown underdog this weekend in that game. Plus, we found some massive television viewership numbers for the NFL and painful perspective...
Tim Benz: Yes, Mitch Trubisky is getting a raw deal with the Steelers, but he should’ve seen it coming
A sidebar conversation about the Kenny Pickett era starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers is how quickly the Mitch Trubisky era may be ending. The next guy after Ben Roethlisberger may have only worn the crown for three-and-a-half games. For many Steelers fans and Pitt football supporters, those were probably three-and-a-half...
First Call: Steelers source can’t ‘see how you can go back to (Mitch) Trubisky’; T.J. Watt update; Trubisky trade speculation
We’ve got updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation, T.J. Watt’s injury and some trade talk about Mitch Trubisky. Plus, a wild stat about a Pirates former first-round pick. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Planning on Pickett In The Washington Post, CBS’ Jason La Canfora said it’s likely the...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s eye-catching quote about Steelers; Diontae Johnson says 2022 a ‘rebuilding year’
We have some very revealing quotes about the Pittsburgh Steelers from JuJu Smith-Schuster, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Diontae Johnson. Plus, a former Pitt Panthers football coach has been fired. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” So what are you trying to say, JuJu? Melissa Stark of NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” had...
Madden Monday: Steelers ‘have to stay with (Kenny) Pickett now’
In a perfect world, the Pittsburgh Steelers would’ve inserted Kenny Pickett into a more advantageous situation than he found himself Sunday. He wouldn’t have been put into a game with the team at 1-2, trailing at halftime, staring at a four-game slog of a schedule against teams that are currently...
Airing of Grievances: Defensive demise, ill-timed interceptions undermine Kenny Pickett’s Steelers debut in loss to Jets
There was plenty of bluster, hoopla and emotional peaks during the debut game for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. In the end, however, all it amounted to was a home loss to the stinkin’ New York Jets — for just the second time in...
Tim Benz: Aaron Judge is at the center of MLB’s 2 hottest debates — but answers are easy in both cases
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is at the center of baseball’s two hottest debates right now. And the answers are clear. They are: “yes” and “no.” Yes, he is the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player. No, he is not the all-time single-season Major League home run champion. That’s...
Friday Football Footnotes: We know the Steelers offense is lagging, but what’s going on with the rest of the NFL?
If there is one NFL trend the Pittsburgh Steelers can claim to be a part of, it’s a lack of scoring. The Steelers are averaging only 18 points per game. They ended up at 20.2 a season ago. And keep in mind, seven of their 54 points were the result...
First Call: Pair of former Steelers snag awards; Myles Garrett cited for crash; Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ranking
In Friday’s “First Call,” a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers pick up NFL awards. Myles Garrett receives a vehicular citation after his car crash earlier this week, and it’s not his first. A league-wide gambling trend is emerging in the NFL. And we find out where Minkah Fitzpatrick is trending...
First Call: 1 Steeler wants less talk, more action on offense; Myles Garrett may play after crash; NHL health updates
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we have a blunt review of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense from one of their alumni in the media. Diontae Johnson has a succinct message for all the players on offense. Myles Garrett is recovering from his injuries sustained in a car wreck earlier this week; we...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans load up an (almost) ‘all Kenny Pickett, all the time’ edition
I have a concern about the Pittsburgh Steelers. What if coach Mike Tomlin does replace Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett? And then, what if Pickett stinks and Tomlin goes back to Trubisky? I mean, what are people going to complain about? This column is going to run out of material...
Tim Benz: When does ‘steady, stable’ become ‘stubborn’ for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
The big story in the world — actually, in the universe — this week is that NASA has figured out a way to fly a projectile into an asteroid with the intent of rerouting it. That’s right. NASA actually flew something the size of a “vending machine” into a harmless...
First Call: Browns players call out Chuks Okorafor; Jets dealing with tempers, injuries heading into Steelers game
Tuesday’s “First Call’ has some harsh words from Cleveland for a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. The New York Jets are dealing with some hot tempers and injuries heading into Pittsburgh on Sunday. And a pair of ex-Pirates pitchers look to boost their lofty win totals. Chapped about Chuks A number...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ increasingly tough schedule makes finding wins, dates to start Kenny Pickett extremely difficult
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is on the record as saying that, “definitively,” he is not looking to replace quarterback Mitch Trubisky with rookie Kenny Pickett. If you listen to many Steelers fans and talk shows in Pittsburgh, they “definitively” are. However, a lot of the potentially friendly launch dates...
Steelers captain Cameron Heyward gives his thoughts on Pro Bowl format change
The NFL Pro Bowl is going away, and one Pittsburgh Steeler who has played in it is on board with that decision. On Monday, the NFL announced that the annual postseason All-Star game will disappear starting this season. It will be replaced by a flag football game featuring the season’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers have no one to blame but themselves for extra-loud ‘elevator music’ on QB situation
Up until now, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has avoided snapping despite repeated speculation about the status of his starting quarterback. He was asked (once again) about the prospect of replacing Mitch Trubisky — and/or offensive play caller Matt Canada — after the team’s 29-17 loss in Cleveland on Thursday...
First Call: Update on Jets plans at QB before playing Steelers; another milestone for Aaron Donald; rebuilding Matt Murray
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the New York Jets quarterback situation in advance of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also have Aaron Donald’s latest milestone and a big day for a former Steeler in Miami. Plus, an in-depth piece about Matt Murray’s attempt to rediscover his game in...
Madden Monday: Don’t stop with scrutiny of Steelers’ ‘juvenile’ offense; blame defense too
Like everyone else, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X isn’t thrilled with the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during their 1-2 start. “Najee Harris looks clueless. Or hurt. Or both,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “And the offensive play-calling is juvenile. Everything is to the sideline. There’s nothing in...
Friday Football Footnotes: Determining ‘Truth or Fiction’ in the NFL during the Steelers ‘mini-bye’ weekend
If you are like me, you had concerns regarding every aspect of the Steelers’ offense. You wondered if the run defense was really fixed. You questioned the depth of the defense beyond its three stars. And you wondered if coaching warts would be exposed in close games after losing a...
Airing of Grievances: Browns exploit Steelers’ numerous deficiencies on both sides of ball
For a while, things weren’t looking bad in Cleveland for the Steelers on “Thursday Night Football.” Mike Tomlin’s club had a 14-13 halftime lead. Both touchdowns actually came on offense. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a passer rating of 94.7. They were averaging 5.5 yards per rush to the tune of...
First Call: Todd Haley has a specific concern about Steelers offense; Pat Narduzzi is convinced Kenny Pickett will be ready
Thursday’s “First Call” has a different view of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive woes from a former coordinator. Pitt’s coach thinks his former QB can get the job done as soon as he is allowed to play. Things aren’t great for the Cleveland Browns. And the New York Yankees did something...
Alan Faneca’s take on Steelers’ biggest offensive problem, Hines Ward’s Hall of Fame candidacy
When it comes to the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca is echoing the sentiments of a current offensive lineman. Center Mason Cole recently said that the Steelers’ biggest problem isn’t quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Rather, his assessment is that top-to-bottom, the unit lacks identity....
U mad, bro?: Fans tee off on Mitch Trubisky, Steelers defense, Sidney Crosby’s quote and … gremlins
In the midst of Pittsburgh Steelers season, normally I can just load up “U mad, bro?” with angry complaints about the Black and Gold, every week for 18 weeks in a row. Even when they win. Based on how the offense is looking, we may be heading down that path....
First Call: Steelers lineman draws praise; Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury reunite; new heights for Duquesne soccer
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some Pro Football Focus research into a Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. Former Penguins teammates Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury relive old times. Plus, there were some big TV ratings for those dueling Monday night NFL games. And Duquesne has something to celebrate for one of its...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans change their tune on Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett on the sideline
When it comes to the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky — and the analysis of it from the fanbase — I wish I had some truth serum. And a time machine. Who has one of those lying around? Because I’d love to see how many Steelers fans and...
