Tim Benz stories, Page 141
Unbeaten Titans are unapologetic, but hardly unblemished, as they host Steelers
You’d think that after their facility in Nashville became the epicenter of the NFL’s first covid-19 outbreak, the Tennessee Titans may be a bit remorseful. After all, the whole league went into crisis prevention mode, and the schedules of multiple teams got reshuffled as a result. So maybe a sense...
Tim Benz: Steelers ’11/11ths’ pass protection mentality adding up to 5-0
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is fond of talking about “complementary football.” Usually, that’s meant to outline how the defense helps set up the offense in good field position. Or how the offense allows the defense to stay fresh by possessing the ball. Or how the pass rush and pass coverage...
Madden Monday: Should Steelers make a trade to replace Devin Bush? Should they use JuJu Smith-Schuster to do it?
Mark Madden is back from Las Vegas for our Madden Monday podcast. It wasn’t the typical Vegas vacation for Double-M. But at least he had a better time there than the Cleveland Browns had at Heinz Field. Oof! The Steelers thumped the Browns 38-7. Mark and I seem to be...
First Call: OBJ has temper tantrum after loss to Steelers; Titans problems beyond Derrick Henry
It doesn’t appear that the Browns took Sunday’s loss to the Steelers very well. Odell Beckham Jr. had a hissy fit on the sideline toward the end of the game. That’s how we start “First Call” Monday. We also look at how deep the Tennessee Titans are offensively as the...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ abound as Steelers blow out Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers blew out the Cleveland Browns, 38-7, on Sunday at Heinz Field. They improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1978. Helmet-swinging villain Myles Garrett was a minimal factor. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield got benched. The defense bounced back after some shaky moments against the Philadelphia Eagles...
First Call: Ex-Steeler wanted Le’Veon Bell back in Pittsburgh. Ravens mad at Bengals. Aaron Donald’s surprising revelation.
Friday’s “First Call” gives us an ex-Steeler who wishes Le’Veon Bell would’ve come back to Pittsburgh instead of going to Kansas City. Another AFC coach admits his team wanted Bell. Aaron Donald’s surprising quote about his huge game last week. And the Ravens are mad at the Bengals. Better luck...
Fantasy Sports: Chase Claypool, Travis Fulgham emerge; Explaining those data problems that hit many leagues
No. Your commissioner wasn’t mining for your data. It wasn’t a weird computer virus to worry about along with coronavirus. It wasn’t a hack of your fantasy football league from Russia or China. It was an error from your platform’s service provider that kept you in fantasy-limbo throughout Sunday afternoon....
Tim Benz: Dwayne Haskins to Steelers? Theory adds up. Stats, actions from Washington do not.
I feel bad for Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. During a week where he has to relive every image of Myles Garrett clonking him on the head with his own helmet, the NFL rumor mill is kicking him in the crotch. OK, maybe not that directly. No one is writing that...
First Call: Odds to sign Le’Veon Bell? Only one team in front of Steelers. Pirates painful anniversary.
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us the odds of the Steelers signing Le’Veon Bell. A former Steeler gives Bell some advice. A Cleveland Browns player steps out on behalf of Myles Garrett. We mourn a painful Pirates anniversary. And “Pittsburgh South” isn’t moving on just yet. Been there, done that If...
Tim Benz: Steelers face a better Browns team. But how much better is Baker Mayfield?
In advance of his team’s game against the Steelers this week, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield made one thing clear. “Mama didn’t raise no wuss.” Fair enough. Even if Mayfield is unable to play through his rib injury Sunday at Heinz Field, I wouldn’t have made that kind of judgment...
U mad, bro? Fans think Steelers are overrated; Readers pout about Pitt, Pirates, Patriots
When is a 4-0 start in the NFL not good enough? When you live in Pittsburgh and root for the Steelers. That’s how we start “U mad, bro?” this week. We also hear from persnickety Pitt fans, bummed-out Buccos backers and stubborn New England Patriots conspiracy theorists. After the Steelers...
First Call: Jets release Le’Veon Bell. Could he rejoin the Steelers? One national outlet makes a case.
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives you the wide range of reactions to Le’Veon Bell’s release from the New York Jets. Who might sign him? The Steelers? The Patriots? We look at the latest chapter in the Pirates’ quest to help the Tampa Bay Rays win the American League Championship Series, a...
Mike Tomlin will have an easier time blocking Myles Garrett storyline than the player himself
Speaking about Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett on Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said you have to be “mindful of his location.” I’m particularly mindful of Garrett’s last location versus the Steelers. That was at the end of Cleveland’s 21-7 win on Nov. 14 when he was standing near...
Tim Benz: So, about that Chase Claypool vs. J.K. Dobbins debate …
“How do you like Chase Claypool now???!!!” Um, I like him. A lot. How could anyone have a different reaction after Claypool put up four touchdowns in one game against the Philadelphia Eagles? Just the beginning ?? FOX ? pic.twitter.com/fEzTUM6BvN— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 11, 2020 But, in typical Twitter...
Steelers, Penguins fan Steve Byrne drops Pittsburgh references into directorial film debut
It’s natural for any filmmaker, right? You’re a week away from your first written and directed big-screen release. You’re worrying about how the premiere will be staged. You have press lined up all week. You’re coordinating with producers, actors and family. Above all else, though, one thing is weighing on...
Tim Benz: Like the idea of Tuesday night NFL games? Good. You’ll see them again.
“Are you ready for some football?? A Tuesday night party??” The Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans are. I think. Hank Williams Jr. should get back in the studio to re-record the old “Monday Night Football” open. Because thanks to a covid-19 scheduling backlog, I don’t think this evening’s game will...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell ‘likes’ criticism of Jets; Big Ben erased from Browns record books; Pitt, WPIAL QB promoted in Dallas
Former Steeler Le’Veon Bell disses his coach on Twitter. Ben Roethlisberger is finally erased from the Cleveland Browns record books. The Dallas Cowboys may turn to a Pittsburgh product at quarterback if Andy Dalton gets hurt. “Ground Chuck” is still in playoff form. All that and more in Tuesday’s “First...
First Call: Will Baker Mayfield play vs. Steelers? Aaron Donald dominates. Steelers opponent loses QB.
In Monday’s “First Call,” Baker Mayfield wants you to know how tough he is heading into Steelers week. Just ask his “momma.” Also, a future Steelers opponent just lost their quarterback. A division rival beats up on another one. Aaron Donald wrecks Alex Smith’s return. And Robert Morris’ hockey team...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ hot start is ‘least impressive 4-0 in history’; Pitt is like its coach
The Steelers won the battle of Pennsylvania Sunday. Sorry, “BENsylvania.” The Penguins traded a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender. Sorry, a two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender. And the Pitt football team lost in unbelievable fashion. Sorry, completely typical Pitt fashion. So it was quite a week. Mark Madden and I recap all of...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ (7-11 connection) and ‘Airing of Grievances’ (pass coverage) as Steelers outscore Eagles
I could make things really easy this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-29, on Sunday to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1979. And pretty much the entire week all anyone will talk about is two things. So let’s keep it brief. Feats of Strength?...
Pitt, Boston College are opponents Saturday, but fighting the same battles
On Saturday, the Pitt and Boston College football teams will be opponents. Most of the rest of the year, though, these two teams fight many of the same battles. They are city schools in pro sports towns, trying to reestablish the national pulse they had in the 1980s. Doing the...
First Call: Tight ends will be big in Steelers vs. Eagles. Cole vs. Glasnow in Game 5.
Friday’s “First Call” looks at a key matchup in Sunday’s Steelers-Eagles game. The Steelers defensive front gets some high first-quarter grades. Robert Morris hockey has found a special story and a special skater. And the Duquesne Dukes may be part of an Atlantic 10 renaissance. Tale of the tight ends...
Tim Benz: Steelers-Eagles should be a tale of the trenches
Analysis of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Philadelphia Eagles comes down to two specific things. Check that. The analysis isn’t even that complicated. Simply put, the Steelers should win. Period. And they should cover the seven-point spread bouncing around most gambling outlets. But how easily the Steelers win —...
NFL covid-19 disruptions are causing chaos in fantasy football world, too
Want a “fantasy,” Steelers fans? Here’s a fantasy. How about an NFL week without the specter of games being postponed or moved around? That’s a fantasy in my world. It’s also a fantasy in most fantasy football leagues. And while the real-life logistics of maneuvering around the covid-19 landmines are...
First Call: Titans illegal practice session before Steelers game? J.J. Watt’s clash with Bill O’Brien. Ex-Pirates pitchers shine.
Steelers fans want to know what exacerbated the Tennessee Titans coronavirus outbreak. Thursday’s “First Call” tries to bring that into focus. Also, J.J. Watt apparently had a burr under his saddle about former coach Bill O’Brien. The Duquesne basketball team is thinking mini-bubble. And more ex-Pirates pitchers are impacting the...
