Breakfast With Benz category, Page 88
Airing of Grievances: Steelers standards sink so far that blowout in Philadelphia seems expected
Fortunately for the Steelers, as heavy underdogs, their 35-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday didn’t go all that much worse than expected. Unfortunately, it just went — well — exactly as expected. That’s how much the Steelers have fallen and how good the 7-0 Eagles have gotten. The...
U mad bro?: Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett shouldn’t worry — Steelers fans are sinking their teeth into other folks instead
When I started covering the Pittsburgh Steelers more than 20 years ago, I learned two things very quickly. 1. Steelers fans bask in criticizing the quarterback and offensive coordinator. 2. The only thing Steelers fans enjoy more than criticizing the quarterback and the offensive coordinator is criticizing the media for...
First Call: Steelers allegedly ‘shot down’ trade inquiry about Cameron Heyward; Eagles add piece before Steelers game
Thursday’s “First Call” shines a spotlight on the Pittsburgh Steelers before the NFL trade deadline. An NFC team allegedly wanted to acquire Cameron Heyward. Meanwhile, finding a match for Chase Claypool may still be hard. Plus, the Penguins’ next opponent is off to a brutal start. No harm in asking...
Tim Benz: Mike Sullivan points out must-fix flaws after Penguins’ losses in western Canada
The Penguins’ hot start to the 2022-23 season quickly brought visions of a Metropolitan Division title and a deep playoff run to the minds of hockey fans in Pittsburgh. A 4-0-1 start. Scoring over five goals a game. The outset of this season felt like the end of 2016 or...
First Call: Tennessee is newest suggested trade spot for Chase Claypool; Phil Kessel, Marc-Andre Fleury make history
Wednesday’s “First Call” reveals the latest trade idea surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool. The Browns may deal a skill position player too. We look at the gambling odds for all of the AFC North games this week. And Phil Kessel hits two milestones in one night. Another name...
Tim Benz: Steelers need to get over fear of change at offensive coordinator
During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was reminded that a few weeks ago he said he would be open to changes — if he felt like those changes would yield better results. Now that the team has sunk to 2-5 and the offense is struggling...
First Call: Gene Steratore weighs in on 3 controversial calls from Steelers-Dolphins; Phil Kessel ties Ironman streak
Tuesday’s “First Call” offers up some analysis of a few controversial calls in the Steelers-Dolphins game from Sunday night. Phil Kessel is ready to set an NHL record. The Penguins have another tough test out west. And a former WPIAL star made a big play on “Monday Night Football.” Gene,...
Ben Roethlisberger’s latest ‘Footbahlin’ gives unique view of Steelers game-ending play in Miami
During his latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recorded himself and his co-host, Spencer Te’o, watching and analyzing Sunday night’s Steelers-Dolphins game in real time. It was interesting to see how he was taking in the game on television just like the rest of the...
Tim Benz: Chase Claypool wants more ‘go balls’ in Steelers offense — stats suggest he may be right
After another putrid result from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense Sunday night, Chase Claypool had a direct suggestion to help matters. Following the team’s 16-10 loss in Miami, the third-year receiver said the offense needs a few more deep shots. “I just think we need more go balls. Not enough go...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ defeat in Miami: ‘I thought (Kenny) Pickett lost the game’
In the wake of Sunday’s 16-10 defeat in Miami, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has one very clear message about the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. He needs accountability. Not excuses. “I thought Pickett lost the game,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast....
Airing of Grievances: After an inspiring win against Tampa Bay, Steelers return to losing ways with a thud in Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-10 loss in Miami was a prime example of what we’ve seen from them so far this year — even their good isn’t good enough. The defense held the Dolphins to 16 points but dropped at least five interceptions and didn’t come up with any sacks. The...
First Call: ‘Barring a shift,’ Steelers not expected to trade Chase Claypool; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s big day for Chiefs
Monday’s “First Call” takes the temperature in the room when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers potentially trading Chase Claypool or Mason Rudolph. A pair of ex-Steelers receivers flashed against one another Sunday. We look at next week’s forecast for the AFC North. And we check out what’s to come...
Friday Football Footnotes: Tua on facing Steelers assistant Brian Flores; Bucs on Tom Brady’s tantrum; Eagles unbeaten forecast
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” shares Tua Tagovailoa’s view of facing Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line is reacting to Tom Brady’s mid-game tantrum in Pittsburgh. There is trade speculation surrounding a player in the Steelers-Dolphins game besides Chase Claypool. The New York teams are...
50 years after ‘The Fake’: Dolphins’ Larry Seiple recalls his fake punt to help beat the Steelers, preserve a perfect season
On Christmas Eve, “Raider Nation” will have to suffer as Steelers fans at Acrisure Stadium revel in the memory of the Immaculate Reception. In honor of the 50th anniversary of that play—and that Steelers playoff victory — the league is using Pittsburgh as the stage for a rare Saturday night...
First Call: Ex-NFL QB says Steelers should stick with Mitch Trubisky; former Pirates have different results in MLB postseason
Thursday’s “First Call” offers a different view of what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do at quarterback Sunday. A pair of former Pirates have different results in the MLB postseason. And we preview the Penguins’ opponent for their game Thursday night. Wrong call NFL Network analyst David Carr is not on...
U mad, bro?: After beating the Bucs, ‘How do you like us now?’ is the theme from Steelers fans
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally won for the first time in a month, and the “How do you like us now?” crew is out in force. At least that’s what my inbox and Twitter feed is showing me. Now, they may not know what the heck they are talking about. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ emergency players in secondary should get a longer look
After a successful effort holding down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary will have another challenge on their hands Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins. Two questions exist. • Can they replicate what they did against the Bucs? • Who will they deploy...
First Call: ESPN floats 2 Steelers as NFC trade targets; Ravens sign veteran receiver; Myles Garrett injury update
Wednesday’s “First Call” finds two Pittsburgh Steelers trade prospects advanced by ESPN. The Ravens are boosting their depth at wide receiver. We have an update on Myles Garrett’s health in Cleveland. And a former Pirate is having a hard time in the postseason. Selling off? ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler...
Tim Benz: If Kenny Pickett is cleared, Mike Tomlin is right to start him — for 2 reasons
When Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett left Sunday’s game with a concussion, backup Mitch Trubisky replaced him with a game-winning (and perhaps season-resurrecting) performance. On Tuesday, however, coach Mike Tomlin announced that — if healthy — Pickett would be the starter this Sunday night in Miami. “It’s my understanding...
First Call: Tom Brady’s colorful assessment of his loss in Pittsburgh; Steelers underdogs again in Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have stopped their losing streak, but they are still underdogs to begin Week 7. Tom Brady colorfully assesses his performance against the Steelers—and his even more colorful language during the game. Plus, we check in on some ups and downs for a few former Penguins. And...
Ben Roethlisberger on Tom Brady: ‘It didn’t look like he wanted to be out there … It just looked like a different Tom’
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger managed to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots three times in Pittsburgh during his career. This weekend, the future Hall of Famer saw his soon-to-be Canton counterpart lose to the Steelers in a different capacity. Brady was quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
Tim Benz: Mitch Trubisky must embrace what made him successful vs. Buccaneers
For Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky, there’s no doubt his performance in less than one half of football Sunday was more memorable than any stretch he put together in his four starts to begin the year. Hopefully, he embraces one of the obvious reasons why. When Trubisky replaced an injured...
Madden Monday: ‘If both quarterbacks are available, I would go with Mitch Trubisky’
Revisiting the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debate this week will become a moot point if Kenny Pickett is ruled out after suffering a concussion Sunday during a 20-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if he is ready to play Sunday night in Miami, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9...
First Call: Bucs linebacker offers opinion on Steelers quarterbacks; Gerrit Cole, Clay Holmes keep Yankees alive
One of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives his opinions on the Mitch Trubisky versus Kenny Pickett debate. A Carolina Panthers player gets kicked off the sideline. We look at the next opponent for the Pittsburgh Penguins. And Gerrit Cole keeps the Yankees alive in the American League Divisional Series. All...
Feats of Strength: Trio of much maligned Steelers comes up huge as Steelers stun Buccaneers
Go ahead. You figure out the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. Or the NFL in general. The 1-4 Steelers entered Sunday’s game against the 3-2 Buccaneers on a four-game losing streak. A week after getting shredded in Buffalo, 38-3, the Steelers secondary dressed just one healthy starter. Coach Mike Tomlin’s team also...
