Tim Benz Columns category, Page 35
Tim Benz: An all-Pirates setlist request for Green Day’s concert at PNC Park
From a Pirates perspective, the best thing you can say about the month of August is that it’s almost over. At least it is at PNC Park. The beleaguered Buccos don’t return home until Sept. 5 against the Washington Nationals. Between now and then, though, there is one event worth...
U mad, bro?: Oneil Cruz’s move to CF and Steelers’ 0-3 preseason have fans riled up
Two Pittsburgh topics dominated my social media interactions and my inbox this week: • Concern over the Steelers 0-3 preseason. • Oneil Cruz’s move to center field. I assume Penguins fans will start fretting about Sidney Crosby’s lack of a contract extension soon enough. But today is not that day....
Tim Benz: Refuting the idea that Mike Tomlin created an ‘unnecessary distraction’ with his QBs
I recently saw a headline that said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has created an “unnecessary distraction” by not naming a starting quarterback to open the 2024 season as of yet. Near as I can tell, the players on offense don’t seem distracted. “It’s not my decision to make. We’ll find...
First Call: Steelers reportedly adding veteran RB Boston Scott; a new WR idea; Dylan Crews’ first hit off Gerrit Cole
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a potential addition to the Steelers’ offensive backfield. The wide receiver headlines continue to catch attention. We look at Paul Skenes’ next start for the Pirates. And his former LSU teammate, Dylan Crews, gets hit No. 1 of his career off a former Pirates All-Star. Boston...
Tim Benz: Moving Oneil Cruz to CF makes the Pirates look bad. How they announced the move makes them look even worse
The only things more inconsistent than Oneil Cruz’s throwing arm are the darts the Pittsburgh Pirates are blindly tossing at his future position. Regarding Cruz and his 23 fielding errors at shortstop, on Sunday, Aug. 18, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan, “All I can tell...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington’s response to Paul Skenes-Barry Bonds question should remind Pirates fans how time flies
One of the prevailing sentiments from those in attendance at Barry Bonds’ induction into the Pirates Hall of Fame this weekend was, “Wow! Did he really leave 32 years ago? Has it really been that long?” Another was, “Wow! Was he really only here for seven years?” Fast forward to...
Matt Williamson on Nick Herbig: Steelers ‘have to figure out a way to turn 8 snaps into 20’
Mark Madden is on his way back from England. So, my Steelers Audio Network pregame show partner, Matt Williamson, is filling in for the “Madden Monday” podcast this week. A former NFL and college scout, Williamson hosts “The Drive” with Dale Lolley on Steelers Nation Radio. You’ve also heard him...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Starting offense improves, Nick Herbig shines, but Steelers drop preseason finale
If Pittsburgh Steelers fans know anything about me, I am nothing but a beacon of optimism. My glass is always half-full. My black-and-gold glasses are always on. I always can find a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. As a result, even though the Steelers dropped a 24-17 decision...
Tim Benz: A ‘nice’ Pirates Hall of Fame induction for Barry Bonds was a simple way to remember some complicated times
As layered and complex as Barry Bonds’ legacy is in Pittsburgh — and throughout all of baseball — he summed up Saturday’s induction to the Pirates Hall of Fame in the most simple words possible. “It’s nice,” Bonds said with a smile. “It’s just very nice. The word … very...
First Call: Steelers O-line coach discusses Broderick Jones’ struggles; wide receiver trade talk around NFL
Friday’s “First Call” advances a Lions wide receiver to watch when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on Detroit on Saturday afternoon. The Washington Commanders may be getting back in the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes. The Steelers’ offensive line coach is speaking about Broderick Jones’ problems. And we have a Deshaun Watson update...
Tim Benz: Penguins-Jets swap of 1st-rounders is as practical as it may be unconventional
On Thursday, a Pittsburgh team pulled off a trade-and-sign deal with a former first-round pick out west who was balking at a contract with his former club. But it wasn’t for Brandon Aiyuk. It wasn’t even the Steelers who made the trade. It was the Penguins who acquired Winnipeg Jets...
Jim Leyland hopes all ‘wounds have healed’ for fans as Barry Bonds joins him for Pirates Hall of Fame enshrinement
When the Pittsburgh Pirates announced their franchise Hall of Fame class for 2024 back in May, Jim Leyland and Manny Sanguillen were universally applauded at PNC Park. They’ll both hear a similar ovation Saturday when the induction ceremony takes place. That’s no surprise given that Leyland managed the Bucs to...
First Call: Kyle Shanahan tries to update Brandon Aiyuk situation; ex-Steeler Markus Golden discusses sudden retirement
In Thursday’s “First Call,” San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan struggles to provide an update on Brandon Aiyuk as the Pittsburgh Steelers trade offer continues to sit on the table. Former Steeler Markus Golden addresses his retirement. It appears that “Hard Knocks” is a bit toned down as the...
Tim Benz: If Mike Tomlin wants more possession-down success, give the offense more to work with in Detroit
After both of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason losses so far in 2024, head coach Mike Tomlin has appropriately bemoaned his offense’s inability to convert on possession downs. Over the first eight quarters of the preseason, the Steelers’ offense has only converted six times on 26 third-and-fourth-down opportunities. That stat is...
U mad, bro?: Fans are peeved over Pirates’ ineptitude, torn over Steelers quarterbacks, alarmed by preseason offense
On July 22, Pittsburgh was pumped up about Steelers training camp starting in two days, and the fact that the Pirates were a half-game out of a wild-card slot. Exactly one month later Pittsburghers are doubting the Steelers offense, longing for Kenny Pickett and ready to turn off Pirates games...
Tim Benz: If Broderick Jones is hurt, that’s concerning for the Steelers. But it may be even more concerning if he isn’t
Many are wondering if Broderick Jones’ poor performance against the Buffalo Bills during Saturday’s 9-3 preseason loss is the result of an elbow injury he sustained in training camp. Or, at the very least, if it was a byproduct of the brace he is wearing on his arm to deal...
First Call: Progress toward extension with 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk; Steelers ownership news; Pro Bowl predictions
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some news about Pittsburgh Steelers ownership. We learn about the latest from San Francisco concerning Brandon Aiyuk. And we get a prediction on a first-time Steelers Pro Bowler. Plus, a former Steelers assistant coach responds to some stinging criticism. Getting close to the end? At this...
You may not fully believe what Carmelo Anthony said about his U.S. gold medals. But wouldn’t you like to?Video
The necessary disclosure for this column is that, as a Syracuse University graduate, I’m predisposed to stick up for Carmelo Anthony on just about all fronts. He arrived on campus a few years after I graduated and finally won an NCAA basketball championship for our school during his freshman season....
Tim Benz: Some Steelers’ offensive issues can be pinned on rust, others are much bigger
A lot of Pittsburgh Steelers fans are swaddling themselves in intellectual inconsistency right now. The Steelers’ offense has looked terrible during the first two preseason games. Therefore, the fan base is falling back on the old adage that NFL preseason results mean nothing. Meanwhile, a year ago, when Kenny Pickett...
First Call: Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick on Steelers’ QBs; Steelers’ Brandon Aiyuk offer influenced 49ers
Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick are both weighing in on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive woes in the preseason. We have a new angle to the Brandon Aiyuk contract negotiations. And the Pirates and Rangers are at a mutual breaking point in Texas. All that to come in Tuesday’s “First Call.”...
First Call: Latest on what Steelers are willing to give 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk; Mason Rudolph’s comeback win for Titans
Monday’s “First Call” has the latest scuttlebutt coming out of San Francisco about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ level of interest in 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. One ex-Steeler was a standout in a preseason game, another has been released, and a third is retiring at a young age. Plus, we preview the...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington is living in 2 worlds at once when it comes to Oneil Cruz’s future at shortstop
At least Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington acknowledged it at one point during his weekly 93.7 The Fan radio show. “I’m not answering your question,” Cherington admitted Sunday as he tried to segue between multiple points during an answer that lasted almost four minutes. The extended response came after...
Madden Monday: With Steelers’ 0-2 preseason start ‘there’s every possibility this team could stink’
It may only be August, but Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive has some alarms going off about the Pittsburgh Steelers. So far, the team has lost both of its preseason games and has scored just 15 points over eight quarters. “There’s every possibility this team could stink,”...
Feats of Strength, Airing of Grievances as Steelers offense sputters during Russell Wilson’s preseason debutVideo
Pittsburgh football fans have been waiting for months to see Russell Wilson in a Steelers uniform at Acrisure Stadium. Maybe the next time they see him, he’ll actually lead a scoring drive. No, the Steelers’ shortcomings on offense certainly weren’t all Wilson’s fault, as the team’s first unit stumbled through...
First Call: Reviewing Kenny Pickett’s game vs. Patriots; Pitt products Damar Hamlin, Ben DiNucci return to Acrisure
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett’s latest outing in New England. We check out a pair of Buffalo Bills with Pittsburgh roots coming back to Acrisure Stadium to face the Steelers. Another familiar name to Steelers fans has been removed from Buffalo’s roster...
