Tim Benz Columns category, Page 7
First Call: Could Kenny Pickett, Russell Wilson really be moved again?; Gavin McKenna to make PSU debut
Friday’s “First Call” links Kenny Pickett’s name to trade speculation again. A pair of ex-Pittsburgh Pirates performed well in MLB playoff elimination games. Local college hockey is getting ramped up. And there is a full weekend of bounce-back potential for some regional college football teams. Pickett predicament Could ex-Steeler Kenny...
U mad, bro?: Mike Tomlin’s decision-making, Pirates’ failures anger fans
The Steelers are going into the bye weekend at 3-1 and in first place atop the AFC North. Nothing to complain about, right? Ha! That’s a good one! via GIPHY So long as Mike Tomlin is managing the clock and the Pirates are playing baseball, that’s never going to be...
Tim Benz: For Pirates fans, the MLB playoffs are a bittersweet reminder of what the sport can be — and what their team is not
A little after 7 p.m. I took a break from watching the Yankees-Red Sox playoff game between innings. I walked out on my back deck overlooking the North Side of Pittsburgh. The sunset was coloring the pastel skies over PNC Park, and I thought, “What a great night this would...
First Call: Lamar Jackson’s injury timeline; ex-Steelers DB heading to NFC South
Wednesday’s “First Call” has news about a departing Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back. Lamar Jackson could be down for a while in Baltimore. The Atlantic 10’s commissioner wants a bigger NCAA Tournament. And we check in on some former Pirates in the MLB playoffs. Pillaging the practice squad The Tampa Bay...
First Call: New details on Tyreek Hill’s awful ‘MNF’ injury; Browns also have a WR issue
Tuesday’s “First Call” has more information about Tyreek Hill’s gruesome injury on “Monday Night Football.” The Browns are dealing with wide receiver depth issues as well in advance of their game against the Steelers. The baseball playoffs are getting underway. And there is a quote from an MLB owner that...
Tim Benz: With 13 games to go for the Steelers, we should still ask ‘how’ while counting ‘how many’
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to hit their bye weekend at roughly the quarter pole of their 17-game regular season, they do so with results outpacing the process. At this point in the calendar — and upon taking a quick glance at the standings — maybe that’s OK. Four games...
First Call: Calvin Austin calms injury concerns; George Pickens’ monster game; Lamar Jackson hurt
Monday’s “First Call” gets us up to speed on Calvin Austin’s injury. Another former Pittsburgh Steeler suffered a scary hit in Buffalo, and we’ll examine how some ex-Steelers did at wide receiver. That includes George Pickens, who had a big game for Dallas. Providing an update Steelers wide receiver Calvin...
Madden Monday: ‘Kenneth Gainwell should be the No. 1 running back’ even when Jaylen Warren returns
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland on Sunday, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X saw some significant holes in the victory. In particular, as he said on this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Madden wasn’t thrilled with many of Mike Tomlin’s fourth-quarter coaching...
Feats of Strength: DK’s big play, Kenny G’s TDs key Steelers win in Ireland
For much of their game in Ireland, the Pittsburgh Steelers felt like they were leading the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Guinness was flowing. The Terrible Towels were waving. Everyone was dancing an Irish jig. Then the fourth quarter happened, and the tone changed. The Steelers hung on to win...
Football Footnotes: Steelers’ D vs. Vikings may be the cure for your Irish FOMOVideo
I love Ireland. I’ve only been there once, and I really hope to go back. I wish I could’ve gone to Dublin for Sunday’s Steelers-Vikings game. I’m already having pangs of jealousy over the pictures and videos I’m seeing from Pittsburghers who made the trip. All the parties from Temple...
Tim Benz: Penguins have at least 1 solid strategy for upcoming year
You aren’t going to read this a lot this year. So enjoy it while it lasts. The Pittsburgh Penguins really hit the bull’s-eye on something. Their plan to have 40-year-old goalie Marc-Andre Fleury come back on a one-game professional tryout contract to suit up one last time as a Penguin...
First Call: Former Steeler hoping to get healthy for Vikings; Pens’ goalie tandem rated worst in NHLVideo
A former Steeler in the Vikings’ lineup is hoping to be back in action Sunday in Ireland. We examine the gambling lines on the local college games. We discuss the heavy Pittsburgh influence on the New York Rangers. And at least one outlet sees very little hope for the Penguins’...
First Call: Steelers make 2nd visit to Arizona State; more problems for Ravens
In “First Call” Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers may have eyes on some skill position players at a school out west. We know the officiating crew for the game in Ireland. The Pirates could deal a painful blow to the Reds. And the Baltimore Ravens are dealing with another big-time problem....
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes gives Pittsburgh a brief reminder of what September baseball can beVideo
For a guy who recently warned the Pittsburgh Pirates against the prospect of 2025 becoming a “wasted year,” Paul Skenes certainly created an enduring memory during his final outing of the campaign. Skenes pitched six scoreless innings before heading to the bench with a 2-0 lead against the Cincinnati Reds....
U mad, bro?: Sharing lots of feelings on the Steelers, Skenes, Schoenfield, Sinatra and soggy pizza
The rapture didn’t happen this week. Some people seem really upset about that. Personally, I’m angry because the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t get off the field on possession downs, and the Pirates never give Paul Skenes any run support. It’s giving me a headache. Anyone got any Tyleno… nevermind. Let’s discuss...
Ben Roethlisberger ramps up criticism of Broderick Jones, Steelers coaching and a ‘vanilla’ defense
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn’t hold back when it came to criticism of his old team during his most recent “Footbahlin’” podcast, despite a win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. Specifically, he laid into offensive tackle Broderick Jones for his play in Foxborough. “I assume (Mike)...
First Call: Steelers work out Nate Herbig; Vikings lose an offensive lineman; Russell Wilson benched
Before their showdown in Ireland, the Pittsburgh Steelers may bring back an offensive lineman who was recently with the team, while the Minnesota Vikings are losing a starter up front. Russell Wilson is getting benched in New York. A former Steelers linebacker is switching teams. And Paul Skenes has a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin says a lot while saying little about Aaron Rodgers’ pass protection
During his weekly press conference Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin was asked if injuries in the secondary (DeShon Elliott, Joey Porter Jr.) have resulted in the Steelers “holding back” on defense. “Certainly, but it’s not just the injuries. If you’re coaching and you’re seeing around corners, certainly one injury doesn’t get...
First Call: Steelers’ blunt assessment of Patriots’ offense continues; Jordan Addison returning for Vikings
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some interesting quotes in the wake of the Steelers-Patriots game. The Minnesota Vikings are getting an offensive weapon back in advance of their contest against the Steelers in Ireland. Derrick Henry suddenly has a fumbling problem in Baltimore, and the Pirates could influence the National League...
Pat Narduzzi has at least 1 area of confidence coming off Pitt’s loss at WVU
Whenever a college football team drops a game in a way Pitt lost at West Virginia, the topic invariably comes up about how the players will — or won’t — bounce back emotionally when they have to take the field next time out. For Pitt, that’ll be Saturday against Louisville...
Tim Benz: Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt hope to avoid ‘roller coaster’ but must continue climb back to topVideo
When the Pittsburgh Steelers won their first game of the season, one single identifiable trait got them to victory, even though there were plenty of holes elsewhere. The passing game. Aaron Rodgers, his pass catchers and Arthur Smith’s pass game design were really good. Very little else was. Sunday’s 21-14...
First Call: James Conner, Najee Harris suffer significant injuries; Russell Wilson struggles as Giants get booed
In this Monday’s “First Call,” we pass along unfortunate injury news surrounding two former Pittsburgh Steelers running backs. Russell Wilson is having a tough time in New York, while the Vikings may be giving the Steelers some problems in Ireland. Plus updates on the rest of the AFC North. Conner’s...
Madden Monday: Steelers should watch tape of win in New England ‘as if they lost’
The New England Patriots aided the Pittsburgh Steelers in getting a 21-14 win at Gillette Stadium on Sunday by committing five turnovers and seven penalties. For those reasons, in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X isn’t putting much stock in the Steelers’ win...
Feats of Strength: Timely turnovers, potent pass rush lead to rare Steelers win in New England
It was a “Throwback Weekend” for NFL coverage on CBS. The network celebrated 50 years of “The NFL Today.” That’s probably a good thing. Because, for the most part, you had to go back to the 1970s to find much success for the Steelers in New England. They won there...
Football Footnotes: Believe it — the Steelers have won in New England. No, seriously
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Gillette Stadium this Sunday for a Week 3 showdown against the New England Patriots. It’s a game that could have long-term ramifications. Given the soft AFC East chasing Buffalo, Drake Maye’s potential advancement at quarterback, and a revamped coaching staff with former Steeler and Patriot...
