Tim Benz stories, Page 117
Tim Benz: Dawna, the 3 horses and Flight 93’s ‘ambassadors’ of heroism
There is a language at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stonycreek Township. A way of talking. No one actually whispers, but no one uses their full voice either. Every conversation is in hushed tones. Emotions seem to be communicated in the silence in between thoughts. And that’s just the...
Tim Benz: Remembering how PNC Park helped baseball return after 9/11. And how an ex-Pirate played the hero
By his sixth year of Major League Baseball, Pirates catcher Jason Kendall knew how to massage a relationship with a home plate umpire. Build a rapport. Manage a mood. Gauge a personality. Maybe buy a call on the corner. That’s not what this was. This was one guy worried about...
Steelers’ Keith Butler on Josh Allen: ‘There’s a price to pay’ for QBs who ‘want to be treated like a running back’
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin can vividly describe the howitzer of a throwing arm possessed by Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. “His arm talent is exceptional,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “His mobility, particularly for a guy of his size and strength, is exceptional. He got out of the pocket and really created...
Tim Benz: Colby Armstrong will never forget his 1st full day in America as a Penguin — Sept. 11, 2001
For former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, remembering Sept. 11, 2001 will always bring him back to his office on the South Side. Hanging up the phone after speaking with his friend Marty Schottenheimer. Ruminating over tape after a season-opening loss in Jacksonville. Preparing for the Cleveland Browns in...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans torn on T.J. Watt topic; Pirates fans struggling to find a solution
On the Steelers front, we appear to have mixed opinions on the T.J. Watt situation. On the Pirates front, there is no such divide. Everybody has had it up to their eyeballs with frustration. In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, we surf through both emotions. Bryant doesn’t like the fact...
First Call: NFL execs see no worry for T.J. Watt after minimal preseason; Gerrit Cole leaves start early in New York
Wednesday’s “First Call” sees little concern among NFL executives about T.J. Watt’s minimal training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The ACC still has a decent Top 25 presence after a tough first week. But it is slipping. Ex-Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole suffered an injury in New York. We have a...
Tim Benz: AFC North media members are bullish on prospects for Ravens, Browns, even Bengals
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the start of the 2021 season in Buffalo on Sunday, it seems like a good idea to check in with their competition within the AFC North. To do that, I got in touch with some media colleagues in each city to get their perspectives...
How do the Steelers avoid a 3rd straight loss to the Bills? Mike Tomlin has 2 specific ways
In advance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season-opening road game against the Buffalo Bills, head coach Mike Tomlin spoke extensively about Buffalo’s continuity within their coaching staff and their roster ever since Sean McDermott took over in 2017. “That (continuity) is one of the reasons why they’re regarded the way that...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s negotiations with Steelers called ‘extremely difficult’; Ravens extend a star player
Tuesday’s “First Call” checks in on the contractual stalemate between T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens managed to ink a star to an extension. An ex-Pirates pitcher got one, too. The ACC had a rough opening weekend. And a Cincinnati Bengals rookie is working through a...
Tim Benz: Twitter shame-police are making me defend Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly
So it’s come to this. Twitter has fallen so deep into the ninth circle of hell that it has forced me to side with the head coach of Notre Dame football. And, yes, that head coach is still Brian Kelly. I need a shower and I haven’t even gotten to...
Madden Monday: Mark Madden says ’T.J. Watt is the bad guy in this situation’
A contract extension for Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is imminent. On the verge of happening. Looming. Around the corner. On the way. On the cusp. If we keep saying things like that, eventually it’s going to be correct, right? Unless it isn’t. Every perceived mile marker on the...
Wilmer Difo’s Wrigley Field pop-up mishap comically foreshadowed by ex-Pirate Sean Casey
During a radio appearance on WDVE on Thursday, former Pirate and Upper St. Clair native Sean Casey told a laugh-out-loud story about playing at Wrigley Field. Little did he know that the punchline would be recreated by his hometown team later that night. The Pirates are in the middle of...
First Call: Jordan Berry finds new team; Steelers will like this ESPN prediction; Bills’ Josh Allen ripe for regression?
Ex-Steelers punter Jordan Berry already has a new job. It comes with an ironic twist. Steelers fans will like one bold prediction from ESPN.com but probably will hate a second one. Also, a statistical warning for the Steelers’ opening opponent. And those who remain from the Robert Morris hockey program...
Tim Benz: Adam ‘PacMan’ Jones calls Steelers ‘dirtiest’ team in the NFL during hilarious rant
The rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals may not be as bloodthirsty as it was five or six years ago. But you’d never know that by listening to former Bengal Adam “PacMan” Jones. The former Cincinnati defensive back has made no bones about continuing his disdain for the Steelers into...
Using spring season ‘double motivation,’ Duquesne football opens 2021 fall campaign with challenge at TCU
Duquesne football head coach Jerry Schmitt was very clear in his approach heading into the Dukes’ recently completed 2021 spring mini-season. The games weren’t exhibitions. They weren’t glorified scrimmages. They weren’t warm-ups for the fall. That was the team’s 2020 campaign — just a few pages late on the calendar,...
First Call: Latest on James Washington’s trade status; changes for Steelers special teams; Penguins still have high expectations
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us an update on the trade status of Steelers wide receiver James Washington. Changes are afoot for the Steelers special teams. A key piece of the Pirates future is on fire. And the Penguins still have high expectations. Nowhere to run It appears James Washington is...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans want less criticism of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Dwayne Haskins; Pirates fans want more information
Steelers and Pirates fans get to sound off early this week. Because Labor Day is looming, “Breakfast With Benz” is ending the week a day early. As a result, everything gets moved up and “U mad, bro?” comes your way on a Wednesday. That’s good because the submission box was...
Former pro and college scout on Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr.: ‘There is a lot there to work with’
Monday’s Steelers practice featured a reconfigured offensive line because of a possible injury to right tackle Zach Banner. Even before that news, former pro and college scout and Steelers Nation Radio host Matt Williamson told me the Steelers offensive line was already questionable at best. “It’s just so unproven. There’s...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster does milk crate challenge; Steelers teammate optimistic about Stephon Tuitt’s return
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” an update on Stephon Tuitt from one of his fellow Steelers defensive linemen. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster couldn’t avoid the milk crate challenge. Fallout continues in Baltimore after the injury to running back J.K. Dobbins. And the Pirates are taking on one of the league’s best...
Tim Benz: ‘Dwayne Train’ preseason hype showed a lot of deep-rooted scars for Steelers fans from ugly quarterbacking history
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins’ stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers has gotten off to a decent start. Most days he looked sharp in training camp. Then, during the first three preseason games, he was a lot better than I expected (28 of 42, 271 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 92.5 passer rating)....
First Call: Le’Veon Bell, LeSean McCoy among rumored replacements for Ravens’ J.K. Dobbins; safety signings for Steelers to note
A couple of big signings for NFL safeties may impact the Steelers when it comes to Minkah Fitzpatrick’s thinking on his next contract. Yoshi Tsutsugo’s walk-off homer at PNC Park created some widely varying reactions on Sunday. Joe Burrow’s return in Cincinnati was less than memorable. A couple of ex-Pirates...
Madden Monday: Dwayne Haskins will ‘be out of the league’ by 2023
TribLIVE’s Mark Madden didn’t have a particularly enjoyable week. The KISS concert got canceled in Burgettstown. The casino he was at in Las Vegas wouldn’t put on the soccer game he wanted. So someone is going to feel his angst. In this case, it’s Steelers backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins. After...
Tim Benz: Steelers appear to have drafted an impactful rookie class. Now they have to count on it for success in 2021
The Steelers appear to have drafted a very productive class of rookies, many of whom could see extensive playing time in high-leverage situations. On offense, first-round pick Najee Harris will be the featured running back. Third-round selection Kendrick Green should start the year at center. Second-rounder Pat Freiermuth already is...
Tim Benz: With preseason games over, Steelers still have 3 big issues to address
For the most part, the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to have a very positive training camp and a solid preseason. Friday night’s 34-9 dud of a loss to the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale aside. It appears as if a lot of questions surrounding the team’s depth — and even...
First Call: What the Steelers can expect in Carolina; rough week for Buffalo Bills; another MLB draft pick injury
Friday’s “First Call” shows us what the Pittsburgh Steelers can expect from the Carolina Panthers in their final preseason game on Friday night. The Buffalo Bills aren’t exactly having the best training camp in advance of their season opener against the Steelers. There is some ironic injury news surrounding the...
