Tim Benz stories, Page 71
First Call: T.J. Watt still beating himself up over pec injury; Craig Patrick endorses Penguins’ hire of Kyle Dubas
Monday’s “First Call” features some personal introspection from Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Kyle Dubas gets a hearty endorsement from a former Penguins general manager. A precedent is set for NHL buyout candidates. And an ex-Pirates player makes an interesting decision. Full ‘Watt’ age in 2023? Former NFL Defensive Player of...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh Steeltoes set to debut in Premiere Rugby Sevens openerVideo
A new Pittsburgh sports team makes its debut Saturday as part of a growing league that will bring one of its premiere events to the city next month. The Pittsburgh Steeltoes of Premiere Rugby Sevens (men’s club and women’s club) will play their first matches in Austin, Texas, as part...
Antonio Brown’s Albany Empire franchise kicked out of National Arena League
The National Arena League has kicked the franchise that Antonio Brown owns out of the league. The Albany Empire has had its membership revoked by the NAL because it claims Brown didn’t pay a required league fee or a fine he received after recent public comments. “After exhausting all avenues,...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ offense confident that red zone issues will improve in 2023
One way to make the Pittsburgh Steelers red zone scoring issues less of a concern this season would be to score more often from a greater distance. Sure. That would be a wonderful idea. There are no concerns about getting bogged down in the red zone if you are good...
U mad, bro?: Pat Narduzzi vs. Coach Prime blowback; puttering Pirates and Tristan Jarry have fans on edge
Pittsburgh Penguins fans “can’t get no satisfaction” with their goalie. College football coaches are ticked at each other. And Pirates fans are stuck in the middle about how to view this up-and-down season. Two months from now, the Steelers will be getting ready for their first preseason game. So for...
First Call: Video of another epic Antonio Brown interview; ’Melo’s son may have an interest in Pitt; Reds closing on PiratesVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features the latest head-scratching incident involving former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown. And, yes, his shirt is still missing. Carmelo Anthony’s son may have an interest in Pitt. The TV ratings for the Stanley Cup Final were bad. And there is a late-charging addition to the National League...
Tim Benz: Yogi Berra documentary is fun baseball nostalgia, well-crafted storytelling
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. For many, two things are frequent triggers of that warm sense of yearning for days gone by. Baseball and movies. It’s even better when the subject matter at hand is about one of the more likable personalities the game has known. Those two pastimes intersect...
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on how long before ILB Mark Robinson may start
According to some of the Pittsburgh Steelers at OTAs, inside linebacker Mark Robinson is making a noticeable jump in his second year. Not just because of growth after his rookie season. But he also made a position switch from running back at Ole Miss before his final year with the...
First Call: Mike Tomlin showers praise on Stan Savran; Danny Smith on kickoff controversy; Brewers blow it in the 9th
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin showers praise on the late Stan Savran. Danny Smith has some curious remarks on the new kickoff rule. A blown lead by the Brewers helps the Pirates in the National League standings. And Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup champion, again. All that in Wednesday’s...
First Call: Steelers legend’s career-ending realization; Penguins rival repositioned in Metro; unreal college baseball finish
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a self-reflexive Pittsburgh Steelers legend. A well-traveled hockey coach is looking to become a Penguins’ divisional rival once more. The Brewers are gearing up for an interleague series before the Pirates come calling. And you’ll see a highlight of one of the most painful NCAA baseball...
Best way for Pirates to start crucial division stretch is to be less than friendly to a former friend
If you had asked any Pittsburgh Pirates fan at the start of 2023 if they’d be OK with the team being 34-30 and in first place of the National League Central on June 13, they’d have gladly said “Yes!” But at the start of last week, if you had said,...
Tim Benz: Stan, Pittsburgh ‘loved the show,’ and we all loved you
For those of us that knew Stan Savran well, news of his death Monday at age 76 was an emotional blow. And when I say “for those of us that knew Stan Savran well,” I mean all of us in Pittsburgh. We all knew him well. Not just those of...
Tim Benz: Andrew McCutchen’s milestone overshadows Mitch Keller’s bounce-back performance
By collecting his 2,000th career hit, Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen provided Sunday afternoon’s biggest moment. However, it was Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller who provided the biggest storyline. Keller pitched seven innings against the New York Mets en route to a 2-1 win. The right-hander allowed only one earned...
Madden Monday: Where Andrew McCutchen ranks among all-time Pirates greats
Pittsburgh Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen got his 2,000th career hit Sunday afternoon during a 2-1 win over the New York Mets. It was a classic McCutchen swing, whipping his quick hands through a pitch from Carlos Carrasco and lacing it into left field. This moment is everything ???? pic.twitter.com/53yrnjJNwt— Pittsburgh...
First Call: Steelers’ duo named top pass-rush pair; A’s help Pirates; latest on Antonio Brown’s Albany ownership
Monday’s “First Call” dishes out praise for a Pittsburgh Steelers dynamic duo. Meanwhile, an ex-Steeler jumps to the NFC South. The Pirates get help from an unlikely source. And more details are leaking out about Antonio Brown’s nutty ownership of that National Arena Football League team in Albany. Also, we...
Tim Benz: New Steelers embracing the idea of training camp at Saint Vincent College
Few NFL teams embrace the concept of tradition more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. One example is that the Steelers still load up the team and travel to a destination away from home for training camp. They spend training camp at Saint Vincent College’s Latrobe-area campus. Only a handful of teams...
Deion Sanders snipes back at Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi for criticism of Colorado’s roster overhaul
Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders is returning serve following some criticism from Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi. A few weeks ago, Narduzzi made some noteworthy comments about the transfer portal, obviously aimed at Sanders, who openly encouraged many of his Colorado players to leave the program so he could “bring...
First Call: Just 1 safety rated higher than Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick; Mets limp into Pittsburgh to play Pirates
Friday’s “First Call” looks at a flailing opponent for the Pirates at PNC Park this weekend. It’s the anniversary of a memorable night in Pittsburgh hockey history. A Steelers All-Pro is deemed to be second best at his position. And the Pirates get a little help on their off day....
Tim Benz: If we are going to take the Pirates seriously, then we should be seriously ticked about that series vs. the A’s
Well, that was an awful series for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They just dropped two of three at home and were nearly swept by the hideous Oakland A’s (14-50). What’s next? Are they going to lose back-to-back games to the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets? Come on, Penguins fans. Don’t...
U mad, bro?: Some Penguins fans are dubious of Kyle Dubas; Pirates fans getting fussy
Here’s how I can tell that NFL OTAs happen too early for us to really care. I didn’t get a single Pittsburgh Steelers complaint this week. Not one “I don’t care that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season.” Nary a “Kenny Pickett is never gonna be all that...
First Call: Steelers’ preseason kickoff times set; Oneil Cruz has a Statcast challenger in the division; wildfires cancel games
Thursday’s “First Call” has the remaining details about the Steelers preseason schedule. The teams directly in front of and behind the Pirates in the standings lit it up on Wednesday. Plus some eerie photos of Yankee Stadium as the Canadian wildfires are forcing Major League Baseball cancellations. Now it’s known...
Reconfigured Steelers secondary preaching versatility, communication as keys to improvement
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost some familiar names from the secondary this offseason. Cameron Sutton, Terrell Edmunds, Arthur Maulet and Ahkello Witherspoon are all gone. However, the franchise attempted to offset those departures by acquiring the likes of Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice, Keanu Neal and Chandon Sullivan through...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ loss to A’s was bad enough — how it happened, who was pitching made it worse
Of course, the Pittsburgh Pirates knew their winning streak was going to end at some point. But it didn’t have to be at six games Tuesday night. Against the rancid Oakland A’s. At home. With their best pitcher on the mound. No, theoretically, the Pirates could’ve put off a correction...
First Call: Ex-Steeler, former Pitt Panther in mix for big media gig; lots of local ties to College Football Hall of Fame nominees
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a former Pittsburgh Steeler and an ex-Pitt Panther who may be in line for a big-time media job. Lots of Pittsburgh ties are on the list of College Football Hall of Fame nominees. Some NHL free agent projections seem funky. And the Milwaukee Brewers slipped through...
Tim Benz: For Pirates, wins don’t have to be pretty against ugly teams like the A’s
If the Pittsburgh Pirates are truly going to contend for the National League Central crown, games like the one they played Monday night are ones they absolutely have to win. Mainly because games like the one they played Monday night are absolutely ones that the Oakland A’s are fully capable...
