Tim Benz Columns category, Page 5
Kris Letang: Penguins have a ‘different atmosphere,’ a ‘new voice,’ a ‘different vibe’
Critics of the Pittsburgh Steelers often say that the franchise should move on from head coach Mike Tomlin because “things have gotten stale.” Or they suggest that “it’s just time for a change” because “the message is getting old” and the organization “needs to hear a new voice.” After eight...
First Call: Jets owner pans Justin Fields’ play, dismisses Aaron Rodgers’ departure; Russell Wilson fires back at Sean Payton
Wednesday’s “First Call” features former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields absorbing shots from the owner of his new team. That same owner, Woody Johnson, also comments on letting Aaron Rodgers leave for Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson isn’t happy. We’ll tell you why. A former Steelers receiver is back on the...
Tim Benz: Failure to fix known problems will lead to more ‘catastrophic’ days for Steelers’ defense
If you were looking for answers from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday regarding the state of his wobbling defense, you didn’t get any. That might be because he doesn’t have them. Or because he doesn’t want to say them out loud. Or because he doesn’t want to admit...
First Call: Broderick Jones’ thoughts on facing Micah Parsons; Justin Fields’ future in New York
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones discusses his matchup with Micah Parsons when Green Bay visits Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night. An ex-Steeler made an impressive defensive play during “Monday Night Football.” Justin Fields is in limbo as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback. Plus, we have...
Tim Benz: Predicting the Steelers’ difficult 3-game stretch between AFC North games
After splitting back-to-back games in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) are about to play three straight games out of the division before a rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4). Those games won’t be easy. On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers come to town. Then the Steelers host...
First Call: Justin Fields benched; Kenny Pickett fumbles 1st Raiders’ snap; George Pickens shines
Monday’s “First Call” checks in on a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks trying to find traction with their new teams. George Pickens shines in Dallas. The Packers scored a victory before coming to Pittsburgh next week. And a blowout win for Duquesne yields conference recognition. Failing with Fields Ex-Steelers...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ loss to Bengals a reality check in multiple ways
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 33-31 loss in Cincinnati on Thursday night was a sobering reality check. In a lot of ways. There were obvious Xs & Os issues. Most pressing, the defense is far from fixed. After the way that side of the ball performed in consecutive weeks against the Minnesota...
Football Footnotes: Blame the Steelers’ defense — but don’t entirely absolve the offense — for loss to Bengals
Clearly, the Steelers’ defense was the biggest culprit in the club’s 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night. It allowed 470 yards, including a ghastly 142 on the ground against the NFL’s worst rushing attack. Not to mention 258 yards on 22 receptions and two scores to Tee Higgins...
First Call: Ja’Marr Chase says Steelers ‘did exactly what we were expecting’; Tyler Glasnow delivers in NLCS start
In Friday’s “First Call,” Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase explains the predictability of the Steelers’ defense. An ex-Pirate shines on the mound during the NLCS. The Penguins prepare to close out their early West Coast road trip. And Robert Morris opened its men’s hockey season with a tough challenge against a...
Airing of Grievances: Lousy Steelers defense manifests Mike Tomlin’s fears about Joe Flacco
After the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31 on “Thursday Night Football,” Joe Flacco was conducting an interview on the field with the Prime Video network team. While Flacco was speaking, a large group of remaining fans started chanting “Thank-you, Cleve-land!” over and over again. As Steelers coach Mike...
U mad, bro?: Readers get heated about a Pitt football stadium, Acrisure grass, Mike Tomlin’s press conference
The Steelers are 4-1. The Penguins are actually somewhat entertaining so far. Pitt may have found a quarterback, and Penn State satisfied its fan base by firing James Franklin. Most importantly, we don’t have to watch the Pirates lose until April. Times are good. Well … at least by Pittsburgh...
Ben Roethlisberger’s idea to fix the field at Acrisure Stadium? Evict Pitt!
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has an idea to fix the issue of the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium. Evict Pitt. “You can’t have a professional football team — not just the Steelers, but the opponents — play on a surface like that. You’re paying them a lot of money,...
First Call: Joe Flacco downplays Mike Tomlin’s trade comments; Mike Sullivan’s Rangers shut out again
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Joe Flacco’s response to Mike Tomlin’s criticism of the Cleveland Browns trading him to Cincinnati. We have a health update on the Bengals heading into Thursday’s game against the Steelers. We also examine the officiating crew for that contest. And Mike Sullivan’s Rangers are off to...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin might have said even more about the Joe Flacco trade than he let on
For as much as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to say about Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry during his press conference this week, plenty more was expressed while remaining unsaid. Tomlin’s club faces the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. They recently acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the...
First Call: Arthur Smith linked to Titans; reaction from Browns’ and Bengals’ coaches to Mike Tomlin’s Andrew Berry commentVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” connects Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Arthur Smith to the Tennessee Titans coaching vacancy. We have reactions from Cleveland and Cincinnati to Mike Tomlin’s quotes about Browns general manager Andrew Berry. Monday night’s NFL results elevate the Steelers even more in the AFC. And the odds are out...
Tim Benz: If Mike Tomlin is annoyed by media questions, here’s 1 we’d gladly stop asking
Mike Tomlin told media members that he was annoyed by some of our questions during his weekly press conference on Monday. Eh, why should this week be any different? I’m not sure if any of my questions contributed to Tomlin’s level of agitation. If so, it certainly wouldn’t be the...
First Call: Myles Garrett vents after loss to Steelers; Trey Hendrickson hurt in Cincy; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s postgame fightVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has a pouty reaction from Myles Garrett after his Cleveland Browns lost in Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Steelers are going to face a Cincinnati Bengals team Thursday night that will be depleted by injuries on both sides of the ball. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked...
Madden Monday: As for Steelers, ‘I don’t see any way to lose to Cincinnati,’ but ‘I’m not that impressed’
After seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers improve to 4-1 with a 23-9 victory over the 1-5 Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X has drawn two conclusions. The first one is that, by Friday morning, they’ll be 5-1. “I don’t see any way to lose to...
Feats of Strength: Supreme pass rush, minimizing Myles Garrett spark Steelers’ beatdown of Browns
Coming off a bye at 3-1 in a parity-crippled NFL, the Steelers were in a great spot entering Sunday’s game. It got even better when the opponent came on the field because that opponent was the Cleveland Browns. For all the talk this week that Cleveland may actually be Pittsburgh’s...
Football Footnotes: Striking similarities, vast differences make this Steelers-Browns game a close call
When the Cleveland Browns come to Acrisure Stadium, there’s usually a presumption that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have an easy day. Well, in the regular season anyway. Let’s not talk about that 2020-21 game in the playo…. EU IA FALAR QUE A BOLA OVAL ESTAVA VOANDO E TAL...mas.......
First Call: Steelers could have kryptonite for Dillon Gabriel’s ‘superpower’; horrible night for Philly sports
Friday’s “First Call” examines a potential tactical advantage for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense against Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Tyler Glasnow’s start may be forgotten given how that Dodgers-Phillies game ended Thursday night, but it sure was a good one. And a Penn State hockey player had a four-goal night —...
‘There’s a blend there’: Penguins’ mix of youth and veterans showing instant success, not just symbolism
On Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, new Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Muse rolled out an opening night starting lineup of veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, along with rookies Harrison Brunicke and Ben Kindel. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. The torch wasn’t ready to be passed, but...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ massive line combination provides unique challenge for opponents
With Bryan Rust injured and scoring options limited in 2025-26, new Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Muse is going to be challenged to distribute wingers up and down his lineup. For now, Sidney Crosby is skating with established veteran Rickard Rakell and rising prospect Ville Koivunen. That means Muse has to...
U mad, bro?: Readers skeptical of Steelers’ standing in AFC North, miffed about I-79 cow
The Pittsburgh Steelers just had a bye weekend. Nothing bad happened. In fact, it went pretty well. Every other team in the AFC North lost while the Steelers were idle. Pfft! I know, I know. I see where this is going. They are just setting us up for the inevitable...
First Call: Browns make a 2nd trade before facing Steelers; another ex-Pirate starts in MLB playoffs
The Cleveland Browns continue to tweak their roster in advance of their visit to Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Penguins are going to be part of a spotlight moment Thursday night. Another former Pirate is about to take the mound in a Major League Baseball playoff game. And there is an...
