Tim Benz Columns category, Page 42
First Call: Denver coach tries to tamp down interest in potential Steelers WR target; Jake Guentzel’s NHL free agency projection
As Pittsburgh Steelers fans continue to eyeball any news about potentially disgruntled wide receivers, Denver’s coach tries to dismiss headlines about Courtland Sutton. Former Penguin Jake Guentzel has apparently made himself lots of money over the past few months. We preview the Pirates’ next opponent at PNC Park. And we...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes impresses without having his A-level stuff, while Pirates bullpen gets failing grade again
A few days after his six-shutout-inning, 11-strikeout, no-hit performance in Chicago, Paul Skenes said he would do something “cooler” than that in his career. He probably will. I don’t think his start Thursday qualified. But you could say it was cool in a different way. It was cool in the...
First Call: Details of Antonio Brown’s bankruptcy; George Pickens discusses replacing Diontae Johnson
Thursday’s “First Call” features the details of Antonio Brown’s bankruptcy. George Pickens addresses attempts to replace Dionate Johnson on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster. Lamar Jackson is happy with his weight loss in Baltimore, and a familiar face is back to lead the Chatham men’s hockey program. Mr. Big Debt Earlier...
Paul Skenes on an encore for his Chicago masterpiece: ‘I’m going to do something cooler than that in my career’
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes mesmerized the baseball world with his outing Friday at Wrigley Field. He was spinning a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts before getting pulled after six innings. Pitch No. 100: ????6 innings0 hits11 K's Paul Skenes. Wow. pic.twitter.com/3nDXqJfJ8w— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 17, 2024 Now, Skenes...
U mad, bro?: Readers upset about Pirates ownership, criticism of Steelers, this weekly column
Things are getting better in Pittsburgh sports right now. Jared Jones and Paul Skenes have Pirates fans optimistic. The Steelers are nothing but smiles at OTAs. And Mike Sullivan is such a good coach, he is going to be on the bench for Team USA in the Olympics. What could...
Tim Benz: Jim Leyland sums up why Pirates made right call to induct Barry Bonds into team’s Hall of Fame
Before former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Leyland threw out the first pitch on Opening Day at PNC Park this year, I asked him about the prospect of Barry Bonds ever having a moment like that in Pittsburgh. An Opening Day first pitch? Getting inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame?...
Mike Tomlin: Steelers ‘open to adding’ to WR room
What I heard from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday regarding their wide receiver position was encouraging. Well, unless you’re one of the fans who is buying into the preemptive excuse-making as to why everything will be perfectly fine if the wide receiver depth chart stays just the way it is....
First Call: Broderick Jones advances talk of using Justin Fields in ‘Taysom Hill’ role, takes height jabs at Russell Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones is keeping a couple of narratives going about both of his new quarterbacks. The Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors still have a pulse. We have an update on Gerrit Cole’s health and details on how WPIAL great T.J. McConnell fared in Game 1 of the Eastern...
T.J. McConnell’s NBA playoff ride provides perfect basketball ‘bender’ for his legendary WPIAL hoops family
When Tim McConnell resigned from his job as the head coach of boys basketball at Bishop Canevin last May, he wasn’t sure how being away from coaching would go for him. But he knew what he intended to do with his time: watch his kids play. That meant going to...
First Call: Bud Dupree already looking forward to his return to Pittsburgh; concerns for 2 Steelers opponents
Tuesday’s “First Call” features some troublesome news for two upcoming opponents of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steelers linebacker is anxious for his return to Pittsburgh as an AFC rival in 2024. An ex-Penguin has helped his team advance to the NHL’s Western Conference Final. And the Pirates are hoping...
Tim Benz: Celebrating a memorable day in Penguins history — for multiple reasons
May 21 is certainly a day with some historically good vibes for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tuesday marks the 15-year anniversary of Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Final. The third goal was Malkin’s famous blind backhander that beat goalie Cam...
Tim Benz: For once, at least we can see signs that 1 plan for the Pirates may come together
It’s early for the Pittsburgh Pirates to go full Col. Hannibal Smith from the “A-Team.” But in terms of the club’s starting rotation, don’t you just “love it when a plan comes together”? For one series, anyway, that just happened. And for a franchise whose best laid plans so often...
Madden Monday: Steelers must be sensible, not sentimental, when it comes to Cam Heyward’s contract
When it comes to Cameron Heyward’s contract situation, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE is imploring the Pittsburgh Steelers to take a very pragmatic stance. Be sensible, not sentimental. The three-time All-Pro defensive lineman is entering the final year of his contract with the franchise. It’s a $22.4...
Tim Benz: Many complaints over the Steelers’ schedule are preemptive excuse making
There sure seems to be a lot of complaining from Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media when it comes to how the NFL drew up the schedule for the Black and Gold. NFL has beef with the Steelers. 4/6 road games to open the year 5/7 road games between weeks 10-16...
First Call: Cam Heyward missing OTAs for ‘contract negotiations’; ex-Steelers 1st-round pick signs with Jaguars
Friday’s “First Call,” has an update on Cameron Heyward’s contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terrell Edmunds has a new place to play in the AFC. We celebrate Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck as he helped the Rangers put away the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL playoffs. Plus, we examine...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans push back at WR concerns; Pirates fans fume; Penguins fans not thrilled with Mike Sullivan
I’ve had a bit of a modified work week. I’ve been doing a lot of radio. I’ve been researching a project for TribLive. I took a day off to see one of my favorite bands, Dirty Honey, at the Roxian on Tuesday. I’m going to a wedding in Cleveland on...
First Call: All-Steelers schedule edition: Thoughts, concerns on odd quirks, choppy flow, brutal 2nd half
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule is hard, odd, scattered, heavy on primetime games, and light on AFC North contests until almost Thanksgiving. So we’re dedicating all of Thursday’s “First Call” to a full breakdown of the quirks, trends, hot spots and pitfalls that the Steelers could face in 2024. Vengeance is...
First Call: Despite hopes from Duquesne fans, Bronny James reportedly staying in NBA Draft; new Courtland Sutton trade talk
Tuesday’s “First Call” suggests a potential target for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL trade pool may not be out of play just yet. It doesn’t appear that LeBron James’ son will be going to Duquesne after all. An ex-Penguin comes up big in the NHL playoffs. And Monday marked...
First Call: Steelers sign cornerback after tryout; T.J. McConnell shines in NBA playoffs
Monday’s “First Call” has a defensive back signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jameson Taillon will be back this week for the Cubs. The Pirates have a tough trip to Milwaukee looming. And T.J. McConnell is tearing it up with the Indiana Pacers. All A’s for Anthony Averett Anthony Averett’s audition...
Madden Monday: If Steelers don’t land a legit No. 2 WR, Omar Khan will have ‘flunked the offseason’
While some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are insisting the lack of depth at wide receiver is a problem that will be rectified before the 2024 season kicks off, others are worried. As we discussed at “Breakfast With Benz” last week, consider me in that second camp. During this week’s “Madden Monday”...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes’ arrival means the future has to be now for fumbling PiratesVideo
For a change, it felt like someone upstairs was looking out for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Well, at least for a little while. As late as 2 p.m. Saturday, the rain was teeming down on PNC Park. But by 3:30 p.m., a half hour before Paul Skenes’ first pitch, the sun...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ WR depth issues can’t be rationalized away
Do you know how I can tell that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ precarious wide receiver depth is starting to become a big concern? Because Steelers fans keep trying to tell me I shouldn’t be concerned. That’s how. That’s usually the telltale sign. The harder the Steelers’ fan base pushes back against...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans tired of empty at-bats; impatience for Paul Skenes; Steelers fans sound off about Najee Harris
The Pittsburgh Pirates can’t hit. Some feel like it took too long to promote Paul Skenes. The Penguins fired an assistant coach. And the Steelers essentially admitted they shouldn’t have drafted a running back in the first round three years ago. There is plenty of room for grumbling in Pittsburgh...
First Call: What it may have cost the Steelers to land Brandon Aiyuk; Martavis Bryant released again
Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look behind the curtain as to what it may have cost the Pittsburgh Steelers to land Brandon Aiyuk in a trade with San Francisco. A former Steelers pass-catcher is back on the open market. A second former Steelers front office alum is in the hunt...
Tim Benz: When Paul Skenes shows up, it’ll be nice if other Pirates also start showing up
Pittsburgh Pirates fans are just going to have to twiddle their thumbs and wait for first-round pick Paul Skenes to show up for his Major League debut Saturday. That wouldn’t be quite so bad if all of Pittsburgh wasn’t also waiting for the rest of the team to show up...
