Tim Benz Columns category, Page 37
Madden Monday: Expect a Sidney Crosby contract soon — but if it doesn’t happen this week ‘we can start wondering’
Many National Hockey League observers assume that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will sign his contract extension this week. After all, the notoriously superstitious No. 87 has his 37th birthday coming up on Aug. 7 (8/7). During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes had ‘one of those days’ … as did many other Pirates in a costly loss to Arizona
Paul Skenes’ latest outing was his least impressive since his Major League debut against the Chicago Cubs on May 11. That day, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation yielded three earned runs in four innings while allowing six hits, a hit batter and two walks. On Sunday against Arizona, Skenes struggled...
Some things you’ll notice from the Steelers at the ‘Friday Night Lights’ practice
The “Friday Night Lights” practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium is always a good time for fans to get an early glimpse of the Steelers in advance of the club’s preseason games. It all starts at 7 p.m. For those who are attending but haven’t been to training camp practices yet,...
Tim Benz: Yes, Oneil Cruz’s errors are a problem. Want a bigger one? Move him to a new position in August
Oneil Cruz’s horror show in Houston this week has resulted in a wave of Pirates fans and some in the media calling for him to be moved away from the shortstop position. Is it time to have a discussion on making Oneil Cruz a 1st baseman due to the crazy...
First Call: Ex-Steelers WR finds familiar home; good start for Pirates’ Nick Yorke; potential Steelers WR trade target update
Friday’s “First Call” has a new home for a recently released Pittsburgh Steelers receiver. Another Steelers trade target at the position may be staying put. A new Pirate is off to a strong start in the minor leagues. And the Pirates are getting set for a crucial six-game stretch against...
Tim Benz: Nick Herbig gets tips from James Harrison; Jeremiah Moon opens eyes as Steelers hope to boost OLB depth
Outside linebacker Nick Herbig already spent much of his first year as a Pittsburgh Steeler trying to absorb whatever tactics he could from All-Pro starter T.J. Watt. This year at training camp, he’s also getting tips from another former Steelers Pro Bowler: James Harrison. The 2008 Defensive Player of the...
First Call: Arthur Maulet jabs back at Patrick Queen; Steelers Hall of Fame projections for the next decade
Thursday’s “First Call” features a former Pittsburgh Steeler in Baltimore firing back at a current Steeler who used to be a Raven. We also get some speculation on Steelers Hall of Fame candidates and some national reaction to the Pirates’ trade deadline tactics. Plus, a former Penguins fan favorite has...
U mad, bro?: I’m too hard on Mike Tomlin, too soft on Ben Cherington, too excited about Pirates
After a week off from “U mad, bro,” my emails and social media messages were overflowing. Here is what I learned after sifting through them. I’m too hard on Mike Tomlin. I’m not hard enough on Ben Cherington, but I’m too optimistic about the Pirates. I’m too nice to Kenny...
In the ultimate case of ‘careful what you wish for,’ the NFLPA looks at limiting locker room access
According to a recent story in The Washington Post, the NFL Players Association wants to restrict locker room media access. In advancing the story, ProFootballTalk.com suggested this might be something the players ask for as part of the negotiating process when the league starts to make a strong push for...
Tim Benz: If we’re grading the Pirates at the trade deadline, give Ben Cherington a solid B-plus
Newly acquired Pittsburgh Pirate Isiah Kiner-Falefa explained his family ties to former Bucs legend Ralph Kiner back in 2022. “It’s from my mom’s side,” Kiner-Falefa told NJ.com when he was a member of the New York Yankees. “Fourth cousin. I have all the paperwork. I tell people, but I’m brown...
First Call: Updates on Roman Wilson’s injury; an ex-Steelers linebacker signs with the Ravens
We have an injury update on Pittsburgh Steelers rookie receiver Roman Wilson. A former Steeler has joined the Baltimore Ravens. Another NFL receiver is getting paid. A Staal brother is retiring from the NHL. And an ex-Pirate is coming back to PNC Park this weekend in the other team’s uniform....
First Call: Steelers reportedly cut a DB; Falcons sign James Washington; a take on new Pirate Nick Yorke
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some Pittsburgh Steelers roster news. The team’s first opponent just signed a former Steelers pass catcher. One of Brandon Aiyuk’s teammates is holding out hope for a contract resolution with the 49ers in San Francisco. We also have an interesting scouting report on a specific attribute...
New Steelers DBs figuring out their own depth chart while challenging revamped WRs
When it came to evaluating the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary heading into training camp, here is what was known: • Minkah Fitzpatrick is a three-time All-Pro at one safety spot. They are fine there. • Damontae Kazee is back. When he’s not hurt or suspended, he’s a capable veteran at...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ comeback in Paul Skenes’ latest outing should slap Ben Cherington right in the face
Through his first 11 starts as a Pittsburgh Pirate, a lot went right for rookie right-hander Paul Skenes. He was 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA and was named as the National League starter for the All-Star Game. For a while on Monday night, though, Skenes looked like he was about...
Impressions after 1 week of Steelers training camp: New DBs impress early; Justin Fields, WRs as advertisedVideo
A week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is in the books. When the team reports back to the practice fields Tuesday at Saint Vincent College, the pads are supposed to go on and intensity will ramp up. Here are some observations from the first week of practice as the team...
Madden Monday: George Pickens ‘knows he is all the Steelers have at WR … and it ain’t good that he knows that’
At Pittsburgh Steelers training camp over the weekend, wide receiver George Pickens tried to downplay his verbal dust-up with new position coach Zach Azzanni on Wednesday. During the first full practice, Pickens missed a block that blew up a run play, and Azzanni got on him about it. “I welcome...
First Call: Respect between T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett; Kenny Pickett’s praise from Philly; eventful day for Chase Claypool
Monday’s “First Call” features some mutual respect between Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. Kenny Pickett appears to be working out well in Philadelphia so far. Chase Claypool had an eventful day in Buffalo Bills camp. We will also preview Paul Skenes’ latest start in Houston. Props from Cleveland Fans of...
First Call: A Steelers WR trade prospect adjusts his contract; AFC North news; odd injury for Bethel Park’s Mason Miller
Friday’s “First Call” removes one name from the Steelers wide receiver rumor mill. There’s lots of information from the team’s rivals in the AFC North and one headline from a Penguins rival within the Metropolitan Division. And we’ve got odd injury news for Bethel Park’s Mason Miller in Oakland. Bad...
Tim Benz: Omar Khan better be right about the Steelers’ WR group, or he better improve it soon
On Thursday at Steelers training camp, general manager Omar Khan was asked if the team was in the midst of pursuing a pass catcher for the thin wide receiver room. “There’s nothing going on right now,” Khan said. That’s probably accurate only insofar as at the literal moment Khan was...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans are still inflamed about the lineup ruining Paul Skenes’ start on Tuesday
How good is Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes? He’s so good that, on the eve of the Steelers reporting to training camp, he had all of Pittsburgh buzzing about baseball for a change. How bad is the Pirates lineup, though? It’s so bad that it couldn’t muster more than...
Tim Benz: Something about what Najee Harris said Wednesday doesn’t compute
Something just doesn’t add up with Najee Harris’ explanation as to why he didn’t get a fifth-year option from the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’m not suggesting that Harris is the one blurring the lines. If I’m him, I’d be confused too. The 2021 first-round draft choice spoke with media members Wednesday...
First Call: Just 1 Steeler on ESPN list of Top 25 NFL players since 2000; WR news on Brandon Aiyuk, Courtland Sutton
Thursday’s “First Call” struggles to find any Steelers on that ESPN.com list of top NFL players of this century. We have lots of wide receiver news for Steelers fans to track. Lamar Jackson had an abbreviated debut at Ravens training camp. And a former Pirate is well aware that his...
The stories that matter (and many that don’t) as the Steelers open training camp 2024
Steelers training camp 2024 is upon us at Saint Vincent College. The team reports on Wednesday. You know what that means. Innumerable stories of who brought the biggest TV into the dorm rooms. Which player is rooming with which teammate? Who showed up in the flashiest car (or helicopter/fire truck)?...
Tim Benz: Get Paul Skenes some offensive help … or just let him hit for himself
We’ve found something Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes can’t do. Be his own offense. Actually, based on some of his hitting numbers as a college batter, theoretically, he could do exactly that. Certainly more effectively than many of the guys who were in the lineup to “support him” Tuesday night. Skenes...
First Call: Steelers work out ex-Pitt, Pine-Richland QB Ben DiNucci, multiple WRs; 18-game NFL season talks building
Wednesday’s “First Call” has news about the Steelers working out a quarterback with local ties. The team is checking out a few wide receivers as well. The Cleveland Browns have reworked the contract of their top pass-catcher. And the NFL is barreling toward an 18-game regular season. Steelers bringing in...
