Tim Benz stories, Page 114
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances after Steelers beat Seahawks: Replay controversy, missed tackles, T.J. Watt’s heroics
I’m still trying to wrap my brain around how that Steelers-Seahawks game ended Sunday night. I’m still trying to figure out how the Steelers blew that two-touchdown lead to a backup quarterback, yet still managed to win And I’m still trying to figure out how a team this flawed has...
Steve Blass on retirement, hope for current Pirates, goofy minor league promos, and cow patty bingo
With seven years of minor league baseball under his belt, former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Steve Blass thought he had seen every possible goofy baseball promotion or fundraiser. Cow milking and greased pig catching while with the Kinston Eagles in 1962 leap to mind. “I lost horribly (at cow milking),” Blass...
First Call: Antonio Brown credits Ben Roethlisberger; Seahawks injuries; Myles Garrett’s Halloween tombstone decorations
Friday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers story you thought you’d never see: Antonio Brown giving credit to Ben Roethlisberger. Myles Garrett is enjoying Halloween. Cameron Heyward is still getting better. And the Seahawks have some injury concerns beyond just their starting running back and Russell Wilson. Mr. Big Numbers...
Tim Benz: Story of Steelers-Seahawks game will be written by wide receivers
Much of the attention heading into Sunday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Seattle Seahawks game has focused on who is throwing the football for both teams. For Seattle (2-3), it’ll be Geno Smith instead of Russell Wilson at quarterback. For the Steelers (2-3), it’ll be Ben Roethlisberger, coming off of his most efficient...
Tim Benz: Lightning coach’s quotes tell story of Penguins’ win in Tampa — and how they need to play moving forward
What a win for the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night. They went on the road in front of a hostile crowd for the season opener and convincingly upset one of the favorites to win at least the conference championship. I now fully expect them to lose to Vegas, Cincinnati and Green...
First Call: Seahawks coach has high praise for Ben Roethlisberger; injury updates on Russell Wilson, Aaron Donald
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Ben Roethlisberger is still drawing high praise from Pete Carroll. Injury reports are in on former Pitt star Aaron Donald and some of Carroll’s players in Seattle. Plus, a spin around the AFC North. Nothing has changed Prior to Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos, 2021...
U mad, bro?: Some Steelers fans are over Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh talk. Others turn negative about — negativity?
Some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are angry that the team doesn’t have a plan for an instant fix at quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger retires. Others are mad that we are even talking about plans for an instant fix at quarterback once Roethlisberger retires. Yeah. That sounds about right. Also, I get...
First Call: Seahawks watching other stars with injuries before playing Steelers; ex-Penguin scores in Kraken debut
As the Seattle Seahawks get set to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Sunday Night Football,” a few other big names are on the injury list besides just Russell Wilson. The franchise may be adding a recognizable quarterback to the roster as well. Two pitchers with Pirates ties got starts in...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ win over Broncos wasn’t a swing game, but a win over Seahawks could be
If the phrase has been used once about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory over the Denver Broncos Sunday, it’s been used one thousand times. It was a “swing game”! Nah. It wasn’t. But if it makes Steeler Nation enthused, reinvigorated and reinvested in what appeared to be a lifeless 2021 season,...
Report: Mike Tomlin ‘doesn’t want to start over with a rookie’ quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger. So is Aaron Rodgers a fit?
It’s well known that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has a good relationship with Fox NFL analyst Jay Glazer. So, if you were dismissing the idea of the Steelers perhaps entering the 2022 Aaron Rodgers trade sweepstakes, maybe this will change your mind. In a recent Twitter post full of...
Tim Benz: 2 Penguins that must fill the net while stars are sidelined
With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin sidelined to start the 2021-22 season, points will have to come from somewhere for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Who the Pens lean on to generate that offense — and how they do it — are key points of discussion. After all, Bryan Rust can only...
Jerome Bettis on Steelers rookie Najee Harris: Get him some help and ‘he can be much better than me’
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has already witnessed one All-Pro fill his cleats at that position. That was Le’Veon Bell. Willie Parker and James Conner made the Pro Bowl as a running back wearing the Black and Gold as well. But “The Bus” sees something really special in...
First Call: Steelers reportedly plan to sign a receiver to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster; Ravens fail to break rushing record
Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us which NFL wide receiver may join the Steelers to replace an injured JuJu Smith-Schuster. We also see if the Baltimore Ravens could break their tie with the Steelers for that NFL team rushing mark. You get some info on Penguins gambling lines before the 2021-22...
Madden Monday: T.J. Watt ‘is getting quarterback money. He needs to do quarterback things’
Last week, it felt like the Pittsburgh Steelers were already buried at 1-3. After this week’s games, it feels like there’s a pretty clear path to being above .500 within a month. Amazing how much things change in one NFL week, right? But it’s true. After beating the Denver Broncos...
First Call: Steelers early favorites over Seattle; Bill Cowher’s TV message to Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Canada
Monday’s “First Call” gives us the early odds on the Steelers and Seahawks. Ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher gives his thoughts to Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Canada. A weird twist to the Browns-Chargers game. And Antonio Brown must have something left in the tank. Caher Pawher During the CBS pregame show...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Plenty of both after Steelers barely hold on to beat the Broncos
It took a few minutes to find my Steelers “Feats of Strength” file on my computer. I couldn’t remember where it was saved. It’s been a while since I’ve needed to access it. It’s been difficult to find many good things to write about after Steelers games the past three...
Tim Benz: Take the ‘over’ in Steelers vs. Broncos — but only if they play a doubleheader
At last check, the BetRivers.com over-under point total for Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos game at Heinz Field was 39.5 points. Regardless of which two teams are playing, normally my first reaction upon seeing a number like that attached to an NFL game would be, “Man! That’s gotta be...
First Call: Russell Wilson injured ahead of next week’s Steelers game; ex-Steeler at center of surreal double punt play
Friday’s “First Call” has some significant injury news for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponent next week. An ex-Steeler was involved in a strange play Thursday night. At least one coach isn’t burying Ben Roethlisberger just yet. Plus, we’ve got an update on fundraising efforts for Robert Morris hockey. Hurting Hawk The...
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Steelers’ quarterback: ‘They are never going to bench Ben Roethlisberger’
On ESPN’s “Get Up!” Thursday, NFL insider Adam Schefter said that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be making a quarterback change, so long as Ben Roethlisberger is at the helm in Pittsburgh. “They are never gonna bench Ben Roethlisberger,” Schefter said. “It’s never gonna get to that. So he has to...
Tim Benz: Perceptions of Steelers and Broncos set to be tested Sunday
The better the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing, the more likely coach Mike Tomlin is to discuss the opposing team during his weekly Tuesday press conference. You know, talk up the opponent. Especially if that team is an underdog. Don’t let the locker room get too high on its early accomplishments,...
U mad, bro?: Steelers, Pirates, Ben Roethlisberger, Ben Cherington, Gerrit Cole feel fan wrath
With the state of affairs surrounding the Steelers of late, it’s a wonder how any other sports made the cut for this week’s “U mad, bro?” But with a 101-loss season and a smooth-talking general manager who just can’t seem to answer a question directly, the Pirates made the cut...
First Call: Steelers’ odds going in wrong direction; NFL.com is showing no faith in Ben Roethlisberger
Thursday’s “First Call” shows us how long the odds have gotten for the Steelers. Some harsh projections for Ben Roethlisberger. Honors for a Duquesne Duke. And yet another former Pirates pitcher is ticketed for a postseason start. Riding the wave If it has been an up and down ride for...
First Call: Broncos sign ex-Steeler before trip to Pittsburgh; Twitter shreds Gerrit Cole; Shane Baz to appear in ALDS
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us yet another ex-Raider taking shots at the Steelers over the Immaculate Reception. A former Steeler signs with the Denver Broncos days before they come to Heinz Field. Shane Baz gets to show his skills on a big stage. And fans skewer Gerrit Cole following his...
Aaron Rodgers addresses hype about joining Steelers in ’22, continues praise for Mike Tomlin
During his regularly scheduled appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got Pittsburgh buzzing in advance of his team’s game against the Steelers. His overt praise for coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ winning tradition and even “Pittsburgh Dad” had Steelers fans wondering if Rodgers may...
Tim Benz: With MLB playoffs underway, Pirates’ roster is as far away as ever
If you spent any time in the Pittsburgh sports Twittersphere last Friday, you saw a lot of chatter about the eighth anniversary of the 2013 National League Wild Card Game. The Pirates’ first postseason game in Pittsburgh since 1992. PNC Park. Blackout. Johnny Cueto drops the ball on the pitcher’s...
