Tim Benz stories, Page 97
First Call: Former Steeler reportedly set to retire; Steelers preseason game gets national audience
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a report about a pending retirement for a former Pittsburgh Steeler. A Steelers preseason game is getting national attention. Jameson Taillon finally had a tough day for the Yankees. And Robert Morris hockey is bringing back a former coach. Bye-bye, B.J. It appears that former Steeler...
Tim Benz: If anyone was making too much of Najee Harris’ weight this spring, it was Najee Harris
During Tuesday’s minicamp interview sessions, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris certainly gave the impression that he thought the media was overreacting to his alleged weight gain. I’d argue the only one who may have overreacted was Harris. Over the course of last month’s OTA practices, just about every Pittsburgh...
Tim Benz: NHL Draft could yield quality pick for Penguins, and some Pittsburgh hockey history thanks to Logan Cooley
Already a candidate to be the highest-ever Pittsburgh-area hockey player to be selected in the NHL draft, West Mifflin product Logan Cooley is still in the conversation to go No. 1 overall. While the Montreal Canadiens are expected to take Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) center Shane Wright with the top pick...
Former Steelers from multiple eras on college football Hall of Fame ballot
A host of former Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia players made the ballot for the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. They include ex-Nittany Lions Paul Posluszny, Ki-Jana Carter and D.J. Dozier, former Panthers Matt Cavanaugh and Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, and Mountaineer product Aaron Beasley....
First Call: More details on Aaron Donald’s new contract; Ravens DB flustered with NFL video game; Pirates’ path to staying hot
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the details on Aaron Donald’s contract. We look at what lies ahead for the suddenly competitive Pittsburgh Pirates. And we offer up a little Penguins contrast to the firing of Bruce Cassidy in Boston. Plus, a Baltimore Raven is in a “fowl” mood about the EA...
Tim Benz: Difficult early season schedule bound to influence Steelers’ starters
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth paused and gave some sincere consideration before answering the question. At what point in your rookie season last year did you stop thinking and feel like you truly knew the playbook cold? “Honestly, the first game it really clicked for me, where I felt...
First Call: Ex-Steeler pans Devin Bush; Pittsburgh prospect impresses at NHL scouting combine
Monday’s “First Call” has a scathing critique of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Former Pirate Cole Tucker signs with a new team. The Cleveland Browns retain a piece of their puzzle at a position of need for the Steelers. And a local product impresses at the NHL scouting combine. Hoge...
Madden Monday: Steelers roster construction would not have changed had Stephon Tuitt retired sooner
When it comes to how the Stephon Tuitt situation wrapped up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE said he saw the retirement coming. “Not to blow my own horn, but … toot-toot,” Madden said on this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “I said two months...
Tim Benz: Steelers in better position to handle loss of Stephon Tuitt this time around — if they are smart and lucky
The subtraction of Stephon Tuitt from the Steelers depth chart in 2022 doesn’t have to hurt the defense as much as it did last year. If the Steelers address it right. And if they get a little lucky. For as much of a fan as I was of Tuitt as...
First Call: Ex-Pirate flirts with perfect game; David Bednar named a top trade candidate; Steelers linked to free agent tackleVideo
Friday’s “First Call” has a free agent connection to the Steelers. The NFL is shelving covid-19 testing. An ex-Pirate pitcher turned in a fantastic effort Thursday. And is David Bednar destined to be traded off the Pirates roster? Going “Fishing”? ESPN.com published a list of the top 10 remaining free...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans pounce on Doug Whaley’s Jack Ham comments; Pirates fans rip roster; reader backs Jacob Trouba hits
Despite a good week out west, fans are still piling on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Criticism of Jacob Trouba’s hits have hockey fans in a snit. And someone was critical of a Super Stiller from the 1970s. Perhaps the ultimate Pittsburgh sin. All that and more in this week’s “U mad,...
First Call: Cameron Heyward’s quote on Aaron Donald comps; Steelers work out pass rushers; Diamondbacks next for hot Pirates
We’ve got a headline-catching quote from Pittsburgh Steelers star Cameron Heyward regarding Penn Hills native Aaron Donald. The Steelers are trying to fill a defensive void. We mix in some soccer talk about Team USA. And we get a scouting report on the Pirates’ next opponent after sweeping the Dodgers....
New Steeler Myles Jack addresses specific concern about his game coming from Jacksonville
After linebacker Myles Jack signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, a concern emerged from his days with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A few outlets noted that Jack wasn’t particularly effective wearing the green dot communication helmet. Many Steelers fans had hoped Jack would be a natural for...
Tim Benz: Offseason tells us how owner Art Rooney II feels about what will fix Steelers’ postseason slump
In an offseason that could’ve led to significant upheaval for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the franchise instead appears to be an example of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Actually, they are the very personification of that notion. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert retired. Vice president of...
First Call: Ex-Steelers RB looking for work; red-hot Starling Marte part of viral video moment
Wednesday’s “First Call” checks in on an ex-Steeler who needs a new place to play. A former Pitt Panther has his eyes on the NBA. Starling Marte is on fire with the New York Mets. And a free agent some Steelers fans wanted is heading down south. On the open...
Steelers legend Jack Ham responds to Doug Whaley’s comments about how he’d be a special teams backup today
Former Steelers executive — and recent general manager candidate — Doug Whaley made some headlines recently when he had a less than glowing review of Steelers legend Jack Ham. Speaking on 93.7 The Fan earlier this month, the Pitt grad and former Buffalo Bills general manager said, “Jack Ham would...
First Call: Aaron Donald doesn’t ‘need to play football to be fine’; Jacob Trouba takes out another skater
Pitt Panthers great Aaron Donald continues to leave his future up in the air. A pair of former Pirates exchange big blows at the plate in New York. Jacob Trouba is at it again for the New York Rangers. And a one-time Penguin has a new job with another former...
‘Madden Monday’: Steelers promoting Omar Khan won’t change the way the team operates
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan to be the franchise’s new general manager. It’s a move that surprised some because Khan doesn’t have much player scouting or development experience. He’s known more for his acumen on the business side and for...
Tim Benz: Ex-Pirates pitchers shining across MLB
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, baseball fans can start gauging who will be in the mix for the Major League Baseball All-Star game (July 19 in Los Angeles). One Pittsburgh Pirate who is making an early push is closer David Bednar. His nine saves are eighth in...
Tim Benz: Steelers putting the ‘offensive’ back in ‘offensive line’ when it comes to pass protection
A complaint you often hear from linemen who play in pass-heavy offenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers is that they don’t get to be aggressive enough. If a team doesn’t run the ball very much, the offensive linemen aren’t firing off the line of scrimmage and attacking the defensive lineman on...
First Call: Who is Steelers most underappreciated player; Pittsburgh connections help Hurricanes beat Rangers
Friday’s “First Call” debates the Steelers most “underappreciated player.” We also look ahead to the Pirates game against Joe Musgrove. And some Pittsburgh connections played a role in the Carolina Hurricanes win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night. Plus, a happy anniversary for the Penguins, but a sad...
U mad, bro?: Steelers quarterback carping; Penguins postseason pouting; Pittsburgh postseason pontification
This week’s “U mad, bro?” features clamoring about the Steelers’ quarterback situation. There is much fretting about the future of the Penguins. Fans are pushing back about my concern of recent Pittsburgh playoff incompetence. Plus, my readers are very fired up about a particular movie poll. And, well, I think...
First Call: Jaromir Jagr avoids serious injury in auto crash with tram; Bruce Arians discusses Antonio Brown
In Thursday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Bruce Arians discusses where things went wrong with Antonio Brown. Penguins legend Jaromir Jagr escapes a frightening auto crash. The Pens are celebrating a pair of anniversaries. And the Pirates did something they rarely do en route to victory Wednesday. Arians...
Tim Benz: Mitch Trubisky navigating choppy waters of Steelers QB situation with ease on Day 1
If Mitch Trubisky can read a defense as well as he can read a room, then maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers really do have a diamond in the rough. Speaking with reporters Tuesday for the first time (in person, anyway) after the first OTA practice, Trubisky appropriately addressed, deftly sidestepped or...
Bryan Rust discusses new Penguins contract, his knee procedure and futures of Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin
Penguins winger Bryan Rust surprised many in the hockey world by getting to the end of the 2021-22 season as a prospective free agent but then signing a deal to stay in Pittsburgh before testing the waters. On Monday, Rust joined TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden on his 105.9 The X...
