Tim Benz stories, Page 100
Ben Roethlisberger recalls his draft day, suggests Steelers offensive line change, explains why a comeback won’t happen
On the morning of the NFL Draft, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined WDVE to reminisce about his own draft day back in 2004. You know, the last time the Steelers drafted a quarterback in the first round. Much like the 2022 edition, that year’s first round was marked with...
Tim Benz: Let’s not kid ourselves about what the drafting of Kenny Pickett means for Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Congratulations to Mitch Trubisky. His career as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback has ended without any losses, sacks or interceptions. Or any actual starts. Let’s be honest. Kenny Pickett is going to be the new starting quarterback for the Steelers. He will be the successor to Ben Roethlisberger. He has...
First Call: Steelers assistant coach tips hand about interest in QB; potential Baltimore trade may impact Steelers
Thursday’s “First Call” advances some late draft rumblings from Steelers headquarters. A potential Ravens trade may influence the Steelers’ draft options. And we are keeping an eye on a possible first-round playoff opponent for the Penguins. Second-hand endorsement This will make Poison singer Bret Michaels happy. According to NFL Network...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans’ pre-draft complaints; Pens fans’ pre-playoff concerns; Pitt fans have Kenny Pickett angst
It’s a “Draft Day” edition of “U mad, bro?” So, of course, Steelers fans are a little riled up. Pitt fans are, too, since Kenny Pickett is in play for the hometown NFL team. And Penguins fans are starting to think about the draft as well — before the playoffs...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s draft preview: Keeping Terrell Edmunds shouldn’t stop Steelers from taking a first-round safety
For a long time this offseason, it looked like the Steelers’ most glaring position of need entering the NFL Draft was going to be at safety. For a long time this offseason, it looked like there weren’t going to be many good safety prospects to pick from in the first...
Tim Benz: For Penguins, water is finding its level as playoffs approach
Following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ latest defeat — a 5-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night — winger Kasperi Kapanen provided this assessment. “We know we are a good team,” Kapanen said. “Good teams have bad games, and today was one of those. … We know we are a...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s draft preview: Jordan Davis is a dream too good to be true for Steelers defensive line
In a perfect world — well, my perfect world — the Steelers would draft Jordan Davis with the 20th overall selection in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft. But in that perfect world, I’d also be writing this column beachside in Maui and getting paid $1 million per...
First Call: Cowboys owner swats former Steeler; Alex Ovechkin gives injury update; former RMU president up for NCAA gig?
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones jabs an ex-player who also was a Pittsburgh Steeler. The Penguins’ playoff picture is crystalizing. Alexander Ovechkin provides a health update. And a surprising new job could be in the works for former Robert Morris University president Chris Howard. I’m sure...
First Call: National outlets see Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett available for Steelers in draft; Alex Ovechkin’s injury status
Tuesday’s “First Call” leads us to believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the clock with their choice of quarterbacks on the board during the NFL Draft Thursday night. There will be some scoreboard watching going on Tuesday in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. And we’ve got an update on Alex...
Tim Benz: NHL playoff expansion ideas are unnecessary, reward mediocrity
There has been a lot of talk this year about the NHL expanding its postseason format so that it becomes akin to what we see in the NBA. A “play-in” type of model that allows for the ninth and 10th seeds in each conference to play their way into the...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s draft preview: Steelers better find an impactful wide receiver
When it comes to the NFL Draft, there is one thing the Pittsburgh Steelers try to avoid at all costs — entering the first round with a glaring hole at one of the 22 starting positions. Coach Mike Tomlin reiterated that stance Monday. “Our goal always is to address all...
Madden Monday: Penguins will ‘lose their first-round playoff series … no matter who they play’
For a while now, I’ve held the opinion that the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be clear underdogs against whatever team they play in the first round of the NHL playoffs. That thought became further entrenched when it became likely that goaltender Tristan Jarry was going to be out —...
First Call: Odds to land Deebo Samuel have Steelers in top 10; Alex Ovechkin injured; MLB player explodes at ump
Monday’s “First Call” puts the Pittsburgh Steelers into the mix for Deebo Samuel. We also look at the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings and an injury to Alex Ovechkin. Plus, one MLB player in Philadelphia has an all-time classic meltdown over balls and strikes. In the hunt? What are the odds...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s draft preview: If Malik Willis is on the board at 20, Steelers ‘will absolutely take him’
In the first of our annual series of pre-NFL Draft podcasts, Steelers Nation Radio host and TribLIVE Steelers film analyst Matt Williamson joined me to break down the quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, you may have seen — or heard — their names mentioned a few...
Tim Benz: The ‘assists before the assists’ make the difference as Penguins blank Boston
Sometimes two assists just aren’t enough. And sometimes it’s the assists before the assists that can help make a difference. That’s something the Penguins personified during Thursday night’s 4-0 victory over the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night. On the Penguins’ first goal in the first period,...
First Call: Daniel Jeremiah still sees Kenny Pickett as ‘best fit’ if Steelers go QB in draft; Ravens may nab Jordan Davis
At least one NFL draft analyst still sees Pitt’s Kenny Pickett as the Steelers’ best option if they go quarterback in the first round of next week’s draft. However, the team is the betting favorite to land a different quarterback instead. The Baltimore Ravens may scoop up a different player...
First Call: ESPN reporter says Baker Mayfield signs with Steelers ‘the next day’ if cut; Terrell Edmunds still ‘in the mix’ to return
Thursday’s “First Call” advances another “Baker Mayfield to the Steelers” theory. Liberty’s coach lobbies for Malik Willis to be selected as the NFL draft’s top quarterback. Discussion continues regarding a return of Terrell Edmunds to Pittsburgh. And the Washington Capitals have tied the Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan...
Tim Benz: Penguins players throw their weight — and hope — behind Casey DeSmith
Sure. It’s more than a little disingenuous. More than just a bit intellectually dishonest. But for fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins, what are they to do? Just give up when the playoffs start? Not watch the games? Yes. In Pittsburgh nowadays, there’s a lot of talking ourselves into believing when...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans tear into the Penguins, Pirates and even… the Maulers?
You didn’t think that just because the Pittsburgh Maulers are a start-up, minor league, spring football team that plays their home games in Birmingham, Ala., they’ll escape the wrath of “U mad, bro?”, did you? Hey, if “Pittsburgh” is in their name, they are not immune. The Steelers know this....
Tristan Jarry’s injury suddenly increases importance of Penguins’ playoff seeding
For months, my opinion on the state of the Pittsburgh Penguins has remained consistent. Given how clearcut the postseason hierarchy has been in the Eastern Conference, it’s been easy to conclude which teams would make the playoffs and which teams would be left out of the mix. The only question...
Tim Benz: After watching the Maulers’ 1st game, the new USFL has some things going for it … and at least 1 huge challenge
The newly rebooted USFL has some things going for it. But it’s got a few major hurdles to overcome if it wants to buck the trend of failure that other startup professional football leagues (not named the NFL) have endured. Including its 1980s predecessor with the same name. A good...
First Call: Is Diontae Johnson’s contract keeping him away from workouts? Tampa Bay mocks Maulers’ chicken salad saga
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Diontae Johnson seems displeased about a tweet from a Pittsburgh radio personality. Another free agent receiver from Johnson’s draft class may be of interest to the Steelers. Sidney Crosby reached out to a former Team Canada teammate after his comeback. And Todd Haley couldn’t let the...
Tim Benz: Penguins players praise Boston College’s Jerry York for historic career in wake of his retirement
When Boston College hockey coach Jerry York retired last week after 28 years on the job, he did so without all the fanfare that was directed toward Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. But York leaves his sport with a resume that is every bit as impressive. He does so while...
Madden Monday: After Tristan Jarry’s injury, Penguins are ‘hitting the trifecta of doom’
Many Penguins fans had talked themselves into a state of optimism regarding their team’s playoff chances during the regular season. And much of that hope was built on the premise that goaltender Tristan Jarry’s All-Star-worthy regular season was proof he had rebounded from his awful playoff series against the New...
First Call: Ohio State quarterback honors Dwayne Haskins; NFL team shows late interest in Kenny Pickett
Monday’s “First Call” takes a look at how former Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was honored by his college football alma mater over the weekend. Another NFL team is being tied to Kenny Pickett in advance of the draft. There was action in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. And we examine the...
