Tim Benz Columns category, Page 4
NFL Draft offers a stage for visitors to understand the depth of Steelers fandomVideo
On Super Bowl Sunday 2006, I was entering my final hour of broadcasting for the week on ESPN Radio 1250. I had done multiple shows per day, every day, plus phone hits, television hits and interviews all over Detroit in advance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ showdown against Seattle for Super...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ power play was the biggest villain in Game 2 loss to Flyers
After the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, goaltender Stuart Skinner channeled the musical “Annie.” “When the sun comes up tomorrow, it’s a new day. A new opportunity for us to get better and become tighter as a group,” Skinner said after the Pens fell...
First Call: How Steelers could deal with Broderick Jones’ ‘setback’; Will Howard to get QB1 reps if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t signVideo
After a busy weekend, we wrap up a lot of what’s going on in Monday’s “First Call.” Broderick Jones might be dealing with a neck setback. Art Rooney II spoke about the prospect of drafting a quarterback. We also discuss the crowded National League Central, check in on a former...
Tim Benz: As Acrisure Stadium hosts NFL Draft week, here are the top 25 Steelers picks since the building opened
The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted 25 rookie classes since Acrisure Stadium replaced Three Rivers Stadium in 2001. Last week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we tried to determine the best player from each of those draft classes. With draft week upon us at Acrisure, we conclude our retrospective by ranking the...
Madden Monday: About the Pens-Flyers Game 1 — ‘If we want to point fingers, I don’t have enough hands’
Not only did the Pittsburgh Penguins lose their 2026 playoff opener to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena, they also did so in concerning fashion. The team managed just 17 shots on goal during the 3-2 loss. The power play was feckless on both of its...
Tim Benz: Forget ‘Flip the Script.’ After Game 1 loss, the Penguins need a playoff rewriteVideo
The Penguins “Flip the Script” rallying cry for the playoffs is quickly taking on a different tone. Because after the team’s 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the postseason opener Saturday night, that script is going to need a total rewrite. “We were just off in a lot of...
Tim Benz: The Flyers’ identity is still intact — and the Penguins must be ready for it
If there are two things we know about the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s that the organization is all about playing defense and running the football. We know this because every time a national broadcast comes to Acrisure Stadium, the announcers say so four or five times a game. Even at times...
Beyond the Bylines: NFL Draft trade talk; Penguins-Flyers predictions; Pirates problems vs. Nationals
After a short absence, “Beyond the Bylines” is back with Joe Starkey and Tim Benz. In this week’s edition, they have predictions on the Penguins-Flyers series. They also have plenty of opinions on the Pirates after their spotty series against the Washington Nationals and on what the Steelers should do...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2021-25)Video
The NFL Draft will take place outside Acrisure Stadium on April 23-25. In advance of the event, we have spent this week looking back at each of the 25 Pittsburgh Steelers’ drafts in the history of the building. Every day this week, we have examined each of those draft classes...
First Call: Possible partner if Steelers want to move up in draft; NFL GM predicts many trades; Sidney Crosby on Pat McAfee
Lots of trade talk is swirling around the NFL Draft. In Friday’s “First Call,” we try to determine if the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a part of that action Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby made a pre-playoff appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.” And we preview the upcoming Pirates-Rays...
First Call: James Conner returns to Pittsburgh for NFL Draft; Kevin Colbert’s new Ohio State job; George Pickens update
Thursday’s “First Call” has word about a Pittsburgh reunion of sorts for Pitt alum and ex-Steeler James Conner. Kevin Colbert has a new job in the football sphere. George Pickens news appears to be stalling in Dallas. And there are some new headlines from the transfer portal surrounding local college...
U mad, bro?: Fans already fretting over Don Kelly’s decisions, Pirates’ bullpen, Pens-Flyers playoff hostility
We’ve got to remember that Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly is only 142 games into his managerial career. That’s not an excuse for his ridiculous decision to pinch-hit for Brandon Lowe on Tuesday night during a 5-4 loss to Washington. A trained chimpanzee using an AI chatbot could’ve told Kelly...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2016-20)
The NFL Draft will take place outside Acrisure Stadium on April 23-25. In advance of the event, we will look back at each of the 25 Pittsburgh Steelers drafts in the building’s history. Every day this week, we will examine each of those draft classes and pick the best player...
First Call: Hines Ward will attend NFL Draft; Patrick Queen says Mike Tomlin’s exit ‘sucked the energy out of the entire place’Video
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some interesting quotes from Patrick Queen about Mike Tomlin’s exit as Steelers head coach. Some former Steelers greats are going to be at the NFL Draft in various roles. We’ll let you know where former Pitt basketball player Brandin Cummings is transferring, and we’ll tell you...
Tim Benz: Penguins versus Flyers. Let the cross-state hate beginVideo
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Philadelphia Flyers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Naturally, they are celebrating those accomplishments by facing each other in Round 1 of the 2026 NHL postseason. Bring on the cross-state hate! I’m...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2011-15)Video
The NFL Draft will take place outside of Acrisure Stadium on April 23-25. In advance of the event, we will be looking back at each of the 25 Steelers drafts in the history of the Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium era. Every day this week, we will examine all of those draft...
Effective changeup allowing Paul Skenes to ‘flip the script’ and ‘change the way we look at pitching’
The best swing of the day against Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Skenes may have resulted in the worst possible outcome for the Washington Nationals. After dusting the first two Nats on strikeouts to open the game Monday, Washington shortstop C.J. Abrams turned on a 99 mph fastball from Skenes and...
First Call: Penguins favored to beat Flyers in 1st round; Arkansas quarterback visits with Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed a potential quarterback draft choice from Arkansas on Monday. They’ve also apparently expressed some level of interest in a cornerback from Florida. The Penguins are early favorites over the Flyers in their first-round playoff series. And another member of the McConnell family may be heading to...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2006-10)Video
The NFL Draft will take place outside of Acrisure Stadium on April 23-25. In advance of the event, we will be looking back at each of the 25 Steelers drafts in the history of the Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium era. Every day this week, we will pick the best player from...
First Call: Todd Haley returns as a head coach — in the UFL; a Mike Tomlin sighting; Paul Skenes vs. hot NationalsVideo
“First Call” is back on Monday with Todd Haley’s return to being a head coach. There has been a Mike Tomlin sighting. We get a look at how Ben Kindel may track in the Calder Trophy voting. We have a transfer portal update for Robert Morris and Duquesne. And you...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2001-05)Video
The NFL Draft will take place outside of Acrisure Stadium April 23-25. In advance of the event, we will be looking back at each of the 25 Pittsburgh Steelers drafts in the history of the Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium era. Every day this week, we will pick the best player from...
Madden Monday: A potential Penguins-Flyers playoff series is one ‘you can’t lose’Video
It’s not a done deal yet, but it sure looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins (98 points) will be facing the Philadelphia Flyers (94 points) in the first round of the NHL playoffs. After all of the Eastern Conference results Sunday, the Flyers are on the verge of clinching their first...
Tim Benz’s NFL Draft preview: Steelers should feel the need … the need for speed in secondaryVideo
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox...
Tim Benz’s Steelers NFL Draft preview: An under-the-radar position of interestVideo
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox...
Tim Benz’s Steelers NFL Draft preview: Yes, it makes sense to consider tackle in Round 1 … againVideo
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox...
