Tim Benz Columns category, Page 4
Tim Benz: If the Dodgers really killed baseball, it’s nice that many people watched the funeral
If the Los Angeles Dodgers “ruined baseball” by winning the World Series, a heck of a lot of people witnessed them do it. Despite the alleged demise of the entire sport by way of L.A.’s appearance in — and eventually claiming of — the 2025 World Series, their Game 7...
First Call: Jerome Bettis’ Hall of Fame campaign for 3 former Steelers; Joe Alt injured for Chargers
Monday’s “First Call” features Jerome Bettis’ Hall of Fame endorsements for some retired Pittsburgh Steelers. The Los Angeles Chargers have to navigate around a crucial injury against the Steelers on Sunday night. Local college basketball teams are getting underway Monday and Tuesday. The Penguins are in Toronto to conclude their road...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ upset of Colts ‘goes a long way to them convincing themselves’
The ripple effect from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts (7-2) goes beyond the standings. That’s the view of 105.9 The X’s Mark Madden during this week’s TribLive “Madden Monday” podcast. Sure. There’s the practical angle of the Steelers (5-3) maintaining a two-game lead on the Baltimore...
Feats of Strength: T.J. Watt’s huge play, timely touchdowns fuel Steelers upset of Colts
As Halloween weekend ended, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones turned into a pumpkin. And the Steelers’ defense took all of his candy. In a stunning turn of events — based on recent performances — the leaky Steelers defense contained the Colts’ top-ranked offense and sent the team with the best record...
For Duquesne’s Dru Joyce III, ‘patience’ is becoming a coaching virtue
Duquesne basketball coach Dru Joyce III had one clear roster-building agenda this offseason. Get bigger. Based on the responses he is getting from people who know his program, mission accomplished. “Anyone who has walked in our gym has said to me, ‘Coach, you have some different size this year.’ That...
First Call: George Pickens addresses contract status in Dallas; ex-Steelers, Colts coach thinks Indy ‘could put up 40 points’
Friday’s “First Call” has an update on contract talks surrounding George Pickens in Dallas. One analyst with Pittsburgh and Indianapolis ties sees little hope for the Steelers’ defense Sunday. We also have odds on all the local college football games, the upcoming local college hockey schedule, and a preview of...
Football Footnotes: How have the Colts emerged as the NFL’s best? Ask a Steeler who would know
The Indianapolis Colts are one of the feel-good stories of the year. Based on how their offense is humming and how badly the Steelers’ defense is performing, I’m expecting most of Indiana to be feeling pretty good by about 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The Colts visit Acrisure Stadium to play...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s critique of offense more than a ploy to distract from defensive woes
During their 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday, the Steelers had five offensive possessions in the first half. Four of them resulted in trips that penetrated at least the Green Bay 40-yard line. Yet only one touchdown was on the board by halftime, resulting in a 16-7 advantage...
First Call: Why Aaron Rodgers is suddenly backing Pitt; J.J. Watt’s rough outlook for Steelers vs. Colts
Thursday’s “First Call” reveals why Aaron Rodgers is throwing his support behind Pitt. J.J. Watt explains why the “vibes” might not be great for his brother’s defense in Pittsburgh. Logan Cooley discusses his new contract in Utah. And we look at some quirks for the Penguins’ next opponent Thursday night....
U mad, bro?: 2 straight losses, bad defense, retro uniforms have Steelers fans unhappy at Halloween
In a “U mad, bro” post two years ago, I mentioned things that used to make me mad at Halloween. Licorice Good & Plenty came up. There was one house in the neighborhood that used to leave out assorted Good & Plenty mini boxes with a sign that said “Happy...
On demand, the Penguins-Flyers rivalry got reinvigorated
Between the second and third periods of Tuesday night’s hockey game in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Penguins radio color commentator Phil Bourque was waxing nostalgic about the days of yore for Pens-Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bourque noticed too many empty seats for his liking at Tuesday’s game. He missed being in...
First Call: Steelers aim to add to secondary; ex-coach alarmed by Packers fans taking over Acrisure Stadium
The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to patch holes in their secondary. A former coach here is not pleased with how many fans sold their tickets to Green Bay fans over the weekend. We share some gambling trends in advance of Steelers-Colts on Sunday. Plus, there are some awards for Robert...
Tim Benz: No appetite for another blame-shifting, coordinator witch hunt with the Steelers
During his weekly press conference Tuesday afternoon, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t directly asked if he had any plans to fire defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. However, he was asked if absorbing sole play-calling duties from Austin is something he has considered. “No,” Tomlin replied. “That’s not on the...
Tim Benz: Additions to Steelers shouldn’t stop with Marquez Valdes-Scantling
If reports from ESPN are accurate, the Pittsburgh Steelers will soon sign wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Good. Any form of depth will help that position. They are seven games into the 2025 NFL season, and Steelers wide receivers not named DK Metcalf have combined for 25 catches. Valdes-Scantling has a...
First Call: Ex-Steelers rip ‘patsy’ defense; central figure in Steelers-Raiders rivalry, George Atkinson, dies
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we hear from former Pittsburgh Steelers who are fed up with the franchise’s poor defensive effort. We remember the role of George Atkinson in the Steelers-Raiders rivalry. It’s time for chapter 1 of Penguins-Flyers for 2025-26. And Game 3 of the World Series was one for...
Steelers need to correct TE debacle before facing Colts’ Tyler Warren
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth isn’t the least bit surprised at the success Indianapolis Colts rookie Tyler Warren is having in his first NFL season at the position. “They do a good job of setting him up on play action. Getting him out to the flat, getting him in...
Madden Monday: ‘Unfixable’ Steelers defense the result of ‘a team with no cutting edge in its decision-making’
After another poor defensive performance against the Green Bay Packers during a 35-25 loss Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense is now giving up 386 yards per game. That ranks 30th in the NFL. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive says there...
First Call: Rumored asking price for potential WR trade target; Steelers face huge RB challenge next week
Monday’s “First Call” has some details about a rumored trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We recap the AFC North’s scattered day. The Steelers have a massive test coming up next week. There are more details about the dismissal of an assistant coach the Penguins interviewed during the offseason. And...
Airing of Grievances: Another defensive disaster, 3rd-down deficiencies define Steelers’ loss to Green Bay
After the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) lost to the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) by a final score of 35-25 Sunday night, a reporter asked Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin what his message was to the players. “Not a lot to talk about,” Tomlin replied. “We say little when we win, we...
The Parsons problem: Steelers must be versatile to slow Packers’ pass rush
One of the pleasant occurrences of the 2025 season for the Steelers has been the job that the offense did against Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett. When the former Defensive Player of the Year came through Pittsburgh two weeks ago, he left with just two tackles, none for a loss,...
First Call: Steelers DC Teryl Austin discusses Nick Herbig’s low snap count vs. Bengals; Lamar Jackson health update
In Friday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin discusses the lack of snaps for Nick Herbig last week. The Baltimore Ravens await clarity on Lamar Jackson’s status. The Penguins get back into divisional play Saturday. And there is an interesting family tie for Robert Morris hockey this weekend....
Football Footnotes: If Acrisure Stadium is truly haunted, who is doing the haunting?
As discussed Wednesday here at TribLive, Acrisure Stadium was ranked as the 10th most haunted stadium in the NFL. The rankings — as published by Pickwise.com — are apparently based on variables such as: • Distance to closest cemetery • Ghost stories about the stadium • The stadium’s age •...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers vs. Green Bay is the main story, Steelers’ defense vs. itself is quite a subplot
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf hasn’t noticed anything all that different about quarterback Aaron Rodgers so far this week. That’s despite the fact that the Steelers are hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. That’s the franchise that Rodgers quarterbacked for the first 18 years of his NFL...
First Call: ESPN says Steelers may want to keep Aaron Rodgers in 2026; George Pickens could get an extension in Dallas
Thursday’s “First Call” has some theories about Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His successor in Green Bay, Jordan Love, has some kind words to say in advance of their showdown Sunday night. George Pickens could get a contract extension in Dallas, and we preview the Penguins game in...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans go after the defense, Mike Tomlin, his assistants, the media
I’m getting the impression that Steelers fans have grown tired of ripping on an overpaid, underperforming defense. They’ve even grown fatigued of blasting the head coach, who hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. So it’s time to hold a new villain accountable: the Pittsburgh sports media! Because if Mike...
