Tim Benz stories, Page 137
College Sports podcast: Pitt’s 6-5 record is ‘a huge disappointment’
This week was as odd as it gets in college sports. Western Michigan and Ball State nearly recreated the Cal-Stanford “Band Game.” CHAOS ? Both teams ran onto the field before the play was ruled dead as Western Michigan attempted a last second TD.Ball State went on to win the...
First Call: JuJu irked Bills pregame; Bill Cowher on Jets rumors; Chris Archer back to Tampa?
Monday’s “First Call” gives us Bill Cowher’s take on those New York Jets coaching rumors. We look at the struggles of the Bengals as the Steelers get set for their matchup in Cincinnati next week. The Steelers need a better effort out of the New Orleans Saints versus the Chiefs...
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ starts with putrid Steelers offense, eroding defense in loss to Bills
For the third straight December in Pittsburgh, it doesn’t appear that Festivus is going to be very festive thanks to the Steelers. They lost three times in five weeks in December 2018. Last year, the team dropped three in a row between Dec. 15-29. Now Mike Tomlin’s team (11-2) lost...
First Call: Browns get loud after Steelers loss; playoff-clinching scenarios in Buffalo
The Cleveland Browns are getting awfully brave on Twitter after the Steelers’ loss Monday. Let’s see how their head coach responds. Aaron Donald is still in top form out in Los Angeles. Just ask the New England Patriots. We have gambling odds on the New York Jets going winless and...
Tim Benz: How big is the top AFC seed for the Steelers? Team history shows a mixed bag.
Washington’s victory Monday evening at Heinz Field hurt in ways beyond just ending the Steelers’ unbeaten season. The struggling offense was further exposed. The defense suffered two more injuries (Joe Haden, Robert Spillane). And the team fell into an 11-1 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC. Technically,...
James Washington explains Steelers’ drops; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s thoughts on WR routes
James Washington is one of the few Steelers wide receivers worthy of praise in recent games. The third-year Oklahoma State product caught a clutch pass from Ben Roethlisberger late in the victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 2. He caught two passes for 80 yards including a touchdown in...
Fantasy sports podcast: How the Steelers’ offensive woes are impacting fantasy leagues
It’s time for our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of RotoWire. We surf through lots of fantasy football topics as we approach the playoffs in most leagues. Are Buffalo Bills running backs smart plays after what Washington did to Pittsburgh last week? On the surface, no, because those...
First Call: More covid questions for Ravens, Steelers’ future at running back is cloudy
Thursday’s “First Call” has an ominous projection for the future of Steelers running back James Conner. Ben Roethlisberger’s praise for Josh Allen rings true. More covid-19 questions surrounding the Baltimore Ravens. And a look at how some of Baltimore’s returning players could actually help the Steelers. All about Allen On...
U mad, bro?: Steelers finally lost, and fans are mad! Because … we’re too hard on them?
The Steelers’ unbeaten streak ended with a thud Monday against Washington. Yes, that made me mad … bro. In fact, I was already on edge after two spotty offensive performances against the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars the two previous weeks. As a result, I’ve been critical of the team....
First Call: National host mocks Steelers loss, strange gambling odds for Steelers-Bills
A national television host is wallowing in the Steelers’ defeat Monday night. But Steelers fans remain optimistic. That’s how we start “First Call” Wednesday. Plus, we look at some strange gambling odds on the Steelers-Bills game. And we find out how the Washington head coach is reacting to his team’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers ‘popcorn’ problem exists with passing game too
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin dusted off one of his favorite “Tomlinisms” to describe his offense’s anemic run game. “The bottom line is popcorn,” Tomlin said Tuesday, just a few hours removed from his team’s first loss of the season. Tomlin often busts out the “popcorn” phrase when he wants...
Former NFL referee claims officials had ‘complete administrative breakdown’ during Steelers loss
Steelers fans who are angry about how the first half of the Monday evening game ended have every right to be. So does head coach Mike Tomlin. That’s the opinion of former NFL referee Gene Steratore. The Western Pa. native is now an officiating analyst for CBS. He called the...
Stoic WPIAL grad Amanda Kalin enjoys moment in the sun at Duquesne
By Amanda Kalin’s standards, it was an emotional outburst. I mean, the normally stoic Duquesne guard jumped up and down. Twice! On a buzzer-beating drive to the hoop against St. Francis on Wednesday, Kalin’s shot was batted right back into her hands. Undaunted, Kalin forced a second opportunity over 6-foot-4...
First Call: Bill Cowher, JuJu to the Jets? Washington, Miami, Cleveland celebrate Steelers loss
The Steelers lost their first game of the year Monday night. They got awfully mouthy about the result in the Washington locker room. And in Miami. And in Cleveland. Oh, and Bill Cowher and JuJu Smith-Schuster may both wind up in New York with the Jets. So there’s that, too....
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ after Steelers suffer first loss of 2020. Offensive imbalance, defensive fade
Most realists thought the Steelers would lose eventually. But I don’t think most expected their undefeated season to end against Washington at home. But it did Monday evening in a 23-17 loss. And for all the reasons we felt things starting to wobble. Mounting injuries. An imbalanced offense. A defense...
First Call: Steelers ‘overrated’? Then other NFL ‘elites’ have some explaining to do. Hockey talk, as well.
Think the Steelers are overrated? Well, what does that say for the rest of the NFL’s elite? How much are you willing to spend on a hockey card? What are you willing to bet on the College Football Playoff? And what local kid is making good in the hockey world...
Madden Monday: Prediction! Steelers go 16-0 and lose their first playoff game
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X looks into his crystal ball. He has seen the future. And Steelers fans will love the first part of what he has to say. The second part? Not so much. “I have a vision they will go 16-0,”...
Tim Benz: Steelers unbeaten status starting to feel very shaky
For an 11-0 team, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have a lot to be happy about of late. And they seem to be acutely aware of that. To steal a line from Mike Tomlin, the only thing perfect about this group is its record. Over the past month, everything else has...
Tim Benz: Despite beating Ravens, ‘Airing of Grievances’ outweigh ‘Feats of Strength.’ Just ask Mike Tomlin.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t look like an undefeated team. They just looked like a team that somehow has managed to avoid losing. Barely. So far. They outlasted a Baltimore Ravens team that could barely field a roster thanks to covid-19. Yet somehow, during a 19-14 win, the...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans want to know what went on in Baltimore. Ravens reporters explain.
How did things go so wrong when it comes to the covid-19 outbreak that has endlessly delayed the Steelers-Ravens game? ESPN.com Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley provided some insight that should help clear up a lot of those questions. He was a guest on ESPN Pittsburgh’s “Monday Night Quarterback” with Gerry...
First Call: Even more tests before Steelers-Ravens can be played, status of Baltimore RBs still shaky
For Wednesday’s “First Call,” the Steelers-Ravens game is still on but also still in doubt. The only thing funnier than the Steelers Twitter account are the NFL coronavirus protocols. Notre Dame is already in the ACC title game. And a good start doesn’t result in a good finish for RMU...
Tim Benz: NFL isn’t trying to pinch Steelers. It’s just too dumb to realize that’s what’s happening.
The litany of complaints from Steelers fans over the years is extensive. Ben Roethlisberger’s 2010 suspension without being charged with a crime. James Harrison’s suspension and constant fines. The Jesse James play. And what exactly happened to those Spygate tapes anyway? I know. I know. “The NFL is out to...
First Call: Injured Steeler vents about Ravens rescheduling fiasco; Jim Rutherford still a top-10 GM?
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a creative idea to solve the Steelers-Ravens fiasco. We also hear from one frustrated Steeler about the pace of rescheduling. Former Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley talks about his new role with the franchise. Is his boss still a top-10 general manager? And we preview at least...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans triggered by dismissive media, constant NFL rescheduling
Steelers fans, I know you’re upset about the constant shuffling. The never-ending rescheduling. The inability to stay on course. You are fatigued of never knowing when you can mark your calendar for an event you are anticipating with great excitement. I get it. You want “U mad, bro?” back on...
First Call: A Steeler jabs LeBron James about the Browns; Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell quiet in showdown
A little Twitter trash talk from a Pittsburgh Steeler to LeBron James. The Steelers-Ravens gambling line continues to grow. Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown don’t have it in gear yet with their new teams. And Aaron Donald flashes again with the Los Angeles Rams. All that for Monday’s “First Call.”...
