Tim Benz stories, Page 115
First Call: Broncos QB wants redemption at Heinz Field; Aaron Rodgers keeps praising Mike Tomlin
Heinz Field may present a stage for redemption for the Denver Broncos starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers. Links between Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers continue to be extracted. Gerrit Cole gets a playoff start for the New York Yankees. And guess how big the television ratings were for Tom...
Broncos enter Steelers Week fuming about Ravens’ late-game run to tie NFL record
When the Denver Broncos arrive at Heinz Field Sunday to play the Steelers, they’ll be in a bitter mood. And the source of their agitation is a familiar one to Steelers fans: the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos lost to the Ravens 23-7 on Sunday, while Baltimore rushed for 102 yards...
First Call: Joe Haden tweets about penalty; ex-Steeler critical of JuJu Smith-Schuster; Denver’s quarterback injured
Monday’s “First Call” has critical comments from an ex-Steeler about JuJu Smith-Schuster. Antonio Brown had interesting things to say about his time in New England. And Pittsburgh. Also, Joe Haden spouts off about his offsides penalty, and next week’s Steelers opponent has its starting QB in concussion protocol. His side...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ loss to Packers: ‘They flunk football 101 time and time again’
As we said in our “Airing of Grievances” post Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Green Bay Packers had everything that Steelers fans love to gripe about. Bad calls by the officials, namely nullifying Minkah Fitzpatrick’s field goal block, scoop and score that didn’t count. Poor play by...
Airing of Grievances: Steelers’ loss in Green Bay highlights Holy Trinity of fan complaints: play calling, refs, QB
There was plenty to vent about in the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Most of the gripes involved the holy trinity of Steelers fan agitation. • Blame the refs. • Blame the quarterback. • Blame the play calling. In the case...
Packers reporter: ‘Pittsburgh is a viable option’ for Aaron Rodgers if he exits Green Bay after 2021
On Thursday, we described the Pittsburgh Steelers as a “long shot” to acquire Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers next season. Assuming Ben Roethlisberger retires. Which seems to be a safer assumption with every passing week. As it turns out, maybe we were underselling the prospect of Rodgers trading in...
Tim Benz: Matt Canada providing more protection for offensive line than it’s provided for the offense
If only the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line blocked for Matt Canada’s skill position players the same way Canada is blocking for them. While discussing the plight of his struggling offensive unit with reporters Thursday, Canada refused to assign any specific blame to the much maligned group. Even though anyone with...
First Call: Ticket prices surge for Steelers vs. Packers; Tom Brady’s message to dad
Friday’s “First Call” features the latest injury news on the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers. Ticket prices for that game at Lambeau Field are soaring. The Patriots-Buccaneers showdown even has Tom Brady’s dad in a tizzy. And a few recent opponents for the Steelers are getting high honors....
First Call: John Harbaugh praises Chuck Noll as Ravens try to tie Steelers’ record; ex-Steelers get new jobs; Packers injury report
Thursday’s “First Call” updates us on some new homes for a few former Steelers. The Green Bay Packers have some injury issues to watch as their game against the Steelers approaches. And Ravens head coach John Harbaugh gushes about Chuck Noll as his team closes in on a Steelers record....
U mad, bro?: Fans have strange ways of expressing aggravation over Steelers’ disappointing start
I expected Pittsburgh sports fans to be angry at the Steelers in this week’s “U mad, bro?” after back-to-back home losses. But I didn’t expect those emotions to manifest in the way that they did. I imagine you’ll be surprised, too. Ralph has quite an interesting food analogy about the...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers, ‘Pittsburgh Dad,’ and the 2022 offseason; let the ‘Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers’ dreams begin
This isn’t the first time a fantas—um, I mean—conversation has taken place about Aaron Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh to assume the role of Steelers quarterback. Jason La Canfora floated out that notion regarding Rodgers in late July. Former Bengals wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson claims he heard that the Steelers...
First Call: Tyler Boyd refuses to back off claims that Steelers gave up; ex-Steeler Ryan Clark says franchise has reached ‘end of an era’
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we have the latest on Tyler Boyd’s comments about the Steelers giving up at the end of their game at Heinz Field last weekend. One ex-Pirates pitcher dominates, while another just can’t stay healthy. And an ex-Steeler has little faith in a resurgence by the club....
Steelers have rebounded from previous failed Septembers. Can the 2021 team do the same?
The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) are 6.5-point underdogs for Sunday’s game in Green Bay (2-1). Based on how the Steelers have performed this year, that actually seems like a somewhat narrow line. “We are playing poorly. We don’t desire to be. But we are,” coach Mike Tomlin admitted Tuesday. September struggles...
Tim Benz: Steelers offense didn’t really ‘run out of bullets’ vs. Bengals; it just keeps shooting blanks
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ disastrous red zone possession against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, it appears coach Mike Tomlin is changing his explanation for what went wrong. The ill-fated fourth-down play call is no longer a case of the Steelers having “fired all of their bullets.” Now...
First Call: Packers, Steelers wide receiver injury issues; ex-Steeler shines on ‘Monday Night Football’
The Steelers and Packers have one thing in common heading into their showdown Sunday. The Pirates will have plenty of company if they hit 100 losses. The ACC continues to muddle through 2021. And an ex-Steeler stood out on defense during “Monday Night Football.” All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”...
Tim Benz: Tyler Boyd is wrong about the Steelers. They didn’t quit. They just stink.
Tyler Boyd’s characterization of the Pittsburgh Steelers was less than flattering after Sunday’s 24-10 Cincinnati Bengals win. The Pitt product and Clairton native said the Steelers “gave up” against his Bengals towards the end of their game Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. “The last plays of the game for them,...
After back-to-back upset home losses, where can we find the next Steelers victory?
Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost their first two home games to AFC teams who failed to make the playoffs a year ago, I’m left to ponder one weighty question. Where are the wins remaining on the schedule? I mean, even if the Steelers are to meet my relatively...
First Call: Bengals taunt during win in Pittsburgh; Steelers early underdogs vs Packers; ex-Steelers score with new teams
The Bengals are laughing all the way back to Cincinnati after a win against the Steelers. The Green Bay Packers are already significant favorites in advance of their game against the Steelers next week. And two former Steelers found their way into the end zone with their new franchises. All...
Madden Monday on Steelers: ‘Their season is over’ and ‘Ben Roethlisberger is done’
After a second straight loss to open the home slate of their 2021 schedule, 105.9 The X radio host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden isn’t messing around when it comes to forecasting what this means for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Their season is over,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday”...
Tim Benz: More than just offense in this week’s Steelers ‘Airing of Grievances’
For our weekly Pittsburgh Steelers “Airing of Grievances” after a 24-10 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, I could just say “the offense.” And leave it at that. I’d be justified. Just 45 yards rushing. Odd play selection. Multiple drops. Four sacks allowed. Two interceptions. Penalties all over the field....
Ex-Bengal pans JuJu Smith-Schuster, criticizes Steelers’ draft strategy, offensive line construction
Before Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones played in Cincinnati, the Bengals had plenty of other irritating players for Steelers fans. Perhaps none was more grating than mouthy wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Yes, he of the infamous Terrible Towel desecration. Well, Houshmandzadeh is still taking shots at the Steelers. And...
Tim Benz: At this point, the health of Joe Haden and T.J. Watt is a bigger deal than Ben Roethlisberger’s
I had a realization looking at the Steelers’ extended injury list in advance of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger’s iffy health status (pectoral injury) isn’t the chief concern. There was a time when the slightest whiff of an injury to Roethlisberger would send this city into a...
First Call: Todd Haley discusses his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger; Jaromir Jagr still scoring in Czech league
Friday’s “First Call” has Todd Haley discussing Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, video of Penguins legend Jaromir Jagr still scoring goals and news about Lamar Jackson’s absence from Baltimore Ravens practice. Also, the story of a kicker who helped beat the Steelers—and himself—at the same time. Going over old times Former...
Ex-Steeler Mike Hilton returns with Bengals, in possession of something he nabbed from Joe Haden
During his time with the Steelers, I always found Mike Hilton to be one of the more friendly and genuine players in the locker room. An engaging person who really appreciated the role he earned while he was here. A role he eventually parlayed into a four-year, $24 million contract...
First Call: Steeler voices optimism about run game; Bengals coach under scrutiny; McCutchen, Meadows go deep
Thursday’s “First Call” tries to provide optimism for the Steelers run game. We found a little extra stress for Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor before his trip to Pittsburgh. Two former Pirates homer as their teams jockey for the postseason. And ex-Penguin Beau Bennett never ceases to entertain. Positive attitude...
