Tim Benz Columns category, Page 42

For a change, it’s not just the local media and fans in Pittsburgh willing to be critical of the Steelers. As a collective, the national media has far too often lashed back and mocked local frustrations over the Steelers. Now, some in those positions are lending a critique of the...

There is one thing the Pittsburgh Penguins did right against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night. At least they scored first. It took a while. But Sidney Crosby was able to tally a power-play goal with a little more than a minute remaining in the first period to make...

When it comes to hockey longevity, few can rival Jaromir Jagr. He is 52 and still playing in his seventh post-NHL season with Kladno for his own team in Czechia. That’s on top of playing at least part of 24 seasons in the NHL and four other full seasons in...

For “First Call” on Tuesday, we check in on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward after his surgery. We look at some off-the-radar Steelers draft prospects. Antonio Brown is mad about a Steelers coaching hire. And we scout Tuesday’s Duquesne basketball game. How is Heyward? Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward...

In most situations, the jersey retirement process is a pretty easy one. By the very nature of the honor, the presumption is that whoever is getting their jersey retired in whatever city they used to call home is probably so beloved by the fans that the organization and the player...

In Monday’s “First Call,” we add a little texture to the reports of “internal division” within the Pittsburgh Steelers regarding their quarterback situation. Jaromir Jagr’s sense of humor was on display during his jersey retirement speech. The Penguins’ next opponent let one get away in a high-profile game on Sunday....

For the Pittsburgh Penguins, their Jaromir Jagr jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday was an unmitigated, fun-filled success. Until roughly the second intermission of the game itself. By then, you could tell that the Penguins were just trying to nurse a 1-0 lead against the Los Angeles Kings. Their putrid power...

For three Robert Morris hockey players, this weekend, they will be getting the senior night send-off they never thought they’d receive. Saturday against Canisius (5 p.m.) marks the final regular-season home game for the Colonials in their return campaign after a two-year absence for the program. In May 2021, the...

Friday’s “First Call” has some coaching news involving former Pittsburgh Steelers. We discuss Patrick Peterson’s future with the team. And we look at the Penguins’ next opponent. Heading west Former Steelers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson has a new job. It’s with the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks are hiring Jackson...

You didn’t have to know much about hockey — or frankly sports in general — to be able to tell that Jaromir Jagr was different. That he was dynamically gifted at his craft. That he wasn’t just going to be great, but that he was an all-timer. The locker room...

After practice on Tuesday, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan talked about “rethinking what winning looks like in Pittsburgh.” I’m going to guess whatever he was thinking about isn’t what the Penguins showed Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers, and that’s not what it was supposed to look like. Especially in the...

As I was putting “U mad, bro?” together on Valentine’s Day, I sure could feel the love from my readers. Near as I can tell, you think I’m too hard on the Steelers and too judgmental about the Arthur Smith hire, I pick on Tom Brady too much and I...

A big-name free-agent quarterback may have an interest in playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. J.J. Watt is blowing off some derogatory comments about his brother from Micah Parsons. Ryan Clark’s status at ESPN is uncertain. The Penguins are about to play a team that’s in even worse shape than they...

The Mitch Trubisky signing will go down as one big swing and a miss for the Pittsburgh Steelers. An air ball. A shanked drive. A gutter ball. A foot fault. Whatever negative sports mixed metaphor that you prefer. Fortunately, the financial ramifications aren’t all that vast. While I’m sure Art...

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan described frustration as a “useless emotion” after his team’s 2-1 loss Saturday night in Winnipeg. Useless? OK. Understandable, though? For sure. Oh, and that’s not just for Sullivan but for any Penguins fan in Western Pennsylvania. After all, with just 33 games left, the Penguins...

The Duquesne basketball team (14-9/4-6 Atlantic 10) believes it’s better prepared to face the 16th-ranked Dayton Flyers (19-4/9-2) this time around. The Dukes lost 72-62 at home to the Flyers on Jan. 12, a game in which Dayton never trailed. “We were impatient against them, and they are very patient,”...

In the wake of Patrick Mahomes winning his third Super Bowl trophy and third Super Bowl MVP with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, much of Pittsburgh’s sports talk radio scene Monday was reduced to three off-ramps from that main talking point. • Will Mahomes wind up better than...

Tuesday’s “First Call” sparks up new conversation about the prospect of the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. There is also some coaching news concerning the Steelers. An ex-Steeler is retiring. And the Metropolitan Division is kicking the Penguins while they are down. Just keepin’ an eye on...

For Pittsburgh Steelers fans who were rooting against the San Francisco 49ers winning the Super Bowl, you got your wish. The Steelers are still one of just two teams, along with the New England Patriots, who can boast six Super Bowl trophies. Thanks to the Niners’ 25-22 overtime loss to...

Monday’s “First Call” has an endorsement for new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Notre Dame football is taking on a distinctly Black and Gold tone. Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby admits to spitting on an ex-Steeler. A local Pittsburgh hockey player stars in a win over Washington. And Robert Morris...

According to a report from NFL.com on Sunday morning, it looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers may be saying goodbye to Mason Rudolph and potentially welcoming Ryan Tannehill at the quarterback position. The piece, headlined “Assessing intriguing QB market as 2024 NFL offseason nears: Who could be headed where,” was put...

As the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare to face the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul on Friday night, all eyes will be on the goalie in the other team’s net. The guy who so memorably wore a Penguins jersey for the first 13 years of his career. It is Marc-Andre Fleury Night...

Our annual Super Bowl betting edition of “Football Footnotes” has been hit or miss the past two years. When the Rams beat the Bengals two years ago, I went 4-3 and made money. When the Eagles lost to the Chiefs last year, I went 2-4 and lost money. So, essentially,...

Friday’s “First Call” has comments from Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II on the status of the quarterback position and Acrisure Stadium. Bill Cowher’s future with CBS is being brought into question. Marc-Andre Fleury is being honored in Minnesota as the Penguins stop in to play. And we look at...

Thursday’s “First Call” has J.J. Watt’s quotes about considering a comeback to the NFL with the Steelers or Texans. A passing game coordinator is apparently in the future for Pittsburgh. The NFLPA isn’t on board with the hip-drop tackle ban. And a pair of Duquesne Dukes hit some milestones on...