Tim Benz stories, Page 87
Tim Benz: Steelers need to get over fear of change at offensive coordinator
During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was reminded that a few weeks ago he said he would be open to changes — if he felt like those changes would yield better results. Now that the team has sunk to 2-5 and the offense is struggling...
First Call: Gene Steratore weighs in on 3 controversial calls from Steelers-Dolphins; Phil Kessel ties Ironman streak
Tuesday’s “First Call” offers up some analysis of a few controversial calls in the Steelers-Dolphins game from Sunday night. Phil Kessel is ready to set an NHL record. The Penguins have another tough test out west. And a former WPIAL star made a big play on “Monday Night Football.” Gene,...
Ben Roethlisberger’s latest ‘Footbahlin’ gives unique view of Steelers game-ending play in Miami
During his latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recorded himself and his co-host, Spencer Te’o, watching and analyzing Sunday night’s Steelers-Dolphins game in real time. It was interesting to see how he was taking in the game on television just like the rest of the...
Tim Benz: Chase Claypool wants more ‘go balls’ in Steelers offense — stats suggest he may be right
After another putrid result from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense Sunday night, Chase Claypool had a direct suggestion to help matters. Following the team’s 16-10 loss in Miami, the third-year receiver said the offense needs a few more deep shots. “I just think we need more go balls. Not enough go...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ defeat in Miami: ‘I thought (Kenny) Pickett lost the game’
In the wake of Sunday’s 16-10 defeat in Miami, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has one very clear message about the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. He needs accountability. Not excuses. “I thought Pickett lost the game,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast....
Airing of Grievances: After an inspiring win against Tampa Bay, Steelers return to losing ways with a thud in Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-10 loss in Miami was a prime example of what we’ve seen from them so far this year — even their good isn’t good enough. The defense held the Dolphins to 16 points but dropped at least five interceptions and didn’t come up with any sacks. The...
First Call: ‘Barring a shift,’ Steelers not expected to trade Chase Claypool; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s big day for Chiefs
Monday’s “First Call” takes the temperature in the room when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers potentially trading Chase Claypool or Mason Rudolph. A pair of ex-Steelers receivers flashed against one another Sunday. We look at next week’s forecast for the AFC North. And we check out what’s to come...
Friday Football Footnotes: Tua on facing Steelers assistant Brian Flores; Bucs on Tom Brady’s tantrum; Eagles unbeaten forecast
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” shares Tua Tagovailoa’s view of facing Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line is reacting to Tom Brady’s mid-game tantrum in Pittsburgh. There is trade speculation surrounding a player in the Steelers-Dolphins game besides Chase Claypool. The New York teams are...
50 years after ‘The Fake’: Dolphins’ Larry Seiple recalls his fake punt to help beat the Steelers, preserve a perfect season
On Christmas Eve, “Raider Nation” will have to suffer as Steelers fans at Acrisure Stadium revel in the memory of the Immaculate Reception. In honor of the 50th anniversary of that play—and that Steelers playoff victory — the league is using Pittsburgh as the stage for a rare Saturday night...
First Call: Ex-NFL QB says Steelers should stick with Mitch Trubisky; former Pirates have different results in MLB postseason
Thursday’s “First Call” offers a different view of what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do at quarterback Sunday. A pair of former Pirates have different results in the MLB postseason. And we preview the Penguins’ opponent for their game Thursday night. Wrong call NFL Network analyst David Carr is not on...
U mad, bro?: After beating the Bucs, ‘How do you like us now?’ is the theme from Steelers fans
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally won for the first time in a month, and the “How do you like us now?” crew is out in force. At least that’s what my inbox and Twitter feed is showing me. Now, they may not know what the heck they are talking about. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ emergency players in secondary should get a longer look
After a successful effort holding down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary will have another challenge on their hands Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins. Two questions exist. • Can they replicate what they did against the Bucs? • Who will they deploy...
First Call: ESPN floats 2 Steelers as NFC trade targets; Ravens sign veteran receiver; Myles Garrett injury update
Wednesday’s “First Call” finds two Pittsburgh Steelers trade prospects advanced by ESPN. The Ravens are boosting their depth at wide receiver. We have an update on Myles Garrett’s health in Cleveland. And a former Pirate is having a hard time in the postseason. Selling off? ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler...
Tim Benz: If Kenny Pickett is cleared, Mike Tomlin is right to start him — for 2 reasons
When Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett left Sunday’s game with a concussion, backup Mitch Trubisky replaced him with a game-winning (and perhaps season-resurrecting) performance. On Tuesday, however, coach Mike Tomlin announced that — if healthy — Pickett would be the starter this Sunday night in Miami. “It’s my understanding...
First Call: Tom Brady’s colorful assessment of his loss in Pittsburgh; Steelers underdogs again in Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have stopped their losing streak, but they are still underdogs to begin Week 7. Tom Brady colorfully assesses his performance against the Steelers—and his even more colorful language during the game. Plus, we check in on some ups and downs for a few former Penguins. And...
Ben Roethlisberger on Tom Brady: ‘It didn’t look like he wanted to be out there … It just looked like a different Tom’
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger managed to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots three times in Pittsburgh during his career. This weekend, the future Hall of Famer saw his soon-to-be Canton counterpart lose to the Steelers in a different capacity. Brady was quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
Tim Benz: Mitch Trubisky must embrace what made him successful vs. Buccaneers
For Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky, there’s no doubt his performance in less than one half of football Sunday was more memorable than any stretch he put together in his four starts to begin the year. Hopefully, he embraces one of the obvious reasons why. When Trubisky replaced an injured...
Madden Monday: ‘If both quarterbacks are available, I would go with Mitch Trubisky’
Revisiting the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debate this week will become a moot point if Kenny Pickett is ruled out after suffering a concussion Sunday during a 20-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if he is ready to play Sunday night in Miami, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9...
First Call: Bucs linebacker offers opinion on Steelers quarterbacks; Gerrit Cole, Clay Holmes keep Yankees alive
One of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives his opinions on the Mitch Trubisky versus Kenny Pickett debate. A Carolina Panthers player gets kicked off the sideline. We look at the next opponent for the Pittsburgh Penguins. And Gerrit Cole keeps the Yankees alive in the American League Divisional Series. All...
Feats of Strength: Trio of much maligned Steelers comes up huge as Steelers stun Buccaneers
Go ahead. You figure out the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. Or the NFL in general. The 1-4 Steelers entered Sunday’s game against the 3-2 Buccaneers on a four-game losing streak. A week after getting shredded in Buffalo, 38-3, the Steelers secondary dressed just one healthy starter. Coach Mike Tomlin’s team also...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers must address plenty of specific areas if they are to hang with Tom Brady, Bucs
The Pittsburgh Steelers are eight-point underdogs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home. That’s not something this fanbase is used to seeing. But they are used to seeing Tom Brady shred the Steelers defense. And that’s usually when the defense has been good. Without T.J. Watt, this year’s Steelers defense...
Tim Benz: Penguins put early season advantages on display in season opener
If this version of the Pittsburgh Penguins wants to be what it thinks it can be, then it needs to do a lot more of what it did in Thursday night’s 2022-23 regular-season opener. Wait. Save it. I’ll fill in your response here. “Oh really, Tim? You mean, beat a...
30 years after Sid Bream’s slide, the Pirates still can’t escape the fallout
More than anything, John Wehner remembers a sound in the locker room. The Pittsburgh-born Pirates infielder was part of the team that lost Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series, 3-2. “It’s dead silent except for the clubhouse guys. Out of breath. Heavy breathing,” Wehner said. The clubhouse...
First Call: Bucs coach praises Steelers QB Kenny Pickett; Matt Murray’s first start for Toronto; rare storyline for Bills vs. Chiefs
Despite a lousy result in his first start, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett apparently put enough good things on tape to open the eyes of this week’s opposing head coach. We are going to see a first when the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs square off Sunday afternoon. A...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans in a snit over roster construction, T.J. Watt’s injuries, stadium name change
When on-field issues with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates become so overwhelming that no fix appears likely, fans tend to opine about less tangible problems. Like, for instance: stadium names, the media, former employees and 30-year-old plays from history. That’s what I discovered in this week’s “U mad, bro?” David...
