Tim Benz Columns category, Page 58
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Steelers’ splash plays outweigh offensive struggles to beat Ravens
All week long, it’s been hard to explain how the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans last week. Now it might be even harder to explain how they beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The boos and “Fire Canada” chants were cascading down from the Acrisure Stadium seats...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey players embrace emotions surrounding Saturday’s return to the ice
Butler’s Paul Maust remembers exactly where he was in May 2021 when he found out that the Robert Morris hockey teams were getting cut from the school’s athletic department. The Mercyhurst player was working out at the Baierl Ice Complex in Warrendale with two members of the Colonials team —...
Friday Football Footnotes: An all Steelers-Ravens rivalry edition
Neither the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) nor the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) are playing like they were in 2010 when they were both 12-4. But the rivalry between the clubs is still strong. And with the entire AFC North already beating itself up and a bye looming in Pittsburgh, refusing to let...
Tim Benz: Pirates know next step will be harder than this one
It takes a special talent to lose 100 games in Major League Baseball. Or, in the case of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a special lack of talent. The only thing that prevented the Pirates from losing 100 games three years in a row from 2020-22 was the small matter of a...
First Call: Ravens LB has a grudge against Mike Tomlin; Cooper Kupp should be ready to face Steelers in L.A.
Thursday’s “First Call” features a Baltimore Raven with an axe to grind against Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. A potential threat to the Steelers in a few weeks is returning to practice. So is former Penn State star Saquon Barkley. And we now have a diagnosis on that knee injury suffered...
U mad, bro?: After a 30-6 loss in Houston, angry Steelers fans swarm on Mike Tomlin, Kenny Pickett, Matt Canada
After a 30-6 loss in Houston Sunday, the sharks are circling for Steelers coaches and players. And even the media that covers them. If they lose again at home to Baltimore this weekend, well…. Enjoy the apricot brandy. Here’s this week’s edition of “U mad, bro?” We start with Calvin....
First Call: Aaron Rodgers thinks Ben Roethlisberger could be an offensive coordinator; Steelers beef up O-line
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers roster move, thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger as an offensive coordinator, and an injury update from the Ravens in Baltimore. Plus, we include the latest in the ongoing Chase Claypool situation in Chicago. Adding depth The Steelers signed a big man to help address...
Memories of former Pirates pitcher Tim Wakefield shared by GM Ben Cherington and others
When Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Kent Tekulve was inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this summer, we posted a story at “Breakfast With Benz” about how every young Pirates fan in the late 1970s and early ’80s tried to mimic his trademark submarine delivery. I’m old enough to admit...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin was asked the necessary questions. You decide if he gave appropriate answers
Before we dive into some of the things that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to say during his weekly press conference, I feel the need to channel Mick Jagger’s lyrics from the Rolling Stones’ new single, “Angry.” “My mouth’s getting sore, I can’t take anymore Why you angry with...
Ben Roethlisberger on Steelers’ busted 4th-and-1 in Houston: ‘I hated the play call’
During his latest “Footbahlin’” podcast, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger panned the team’s late third-quarter decision to throw the ball from the shotgun on fourth-and-1 in Texans territory during their 30-6 loss in Houston on Sunday. “I hated the play call,” Roethlisberger said. “When they called timeout, I’m thinking...
Taking joy in other NFL struggles as Steelers wander through first quarter of 2023
Few cities in America wallow in the negative fallout of a loss by their NFL team as intensely as Pittsburgh does for the Steelers. Don’t get me wrong. I say that as a compliment of the highest order. It’s an indication of passion within a fanbase. It also may indicate...
First Call: Steelers alumni trash Matt Canada; Kevin Dotson’s praise in L.A.; Chase Claypool may be out in Chicago
The Pittsburgh Steelers alumni base has seen just about enough of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. One former Steeler had a fine debut in Los Angeles, while another may be on the way out in Chicago. And we’ve got awards to hand out for Duquesne football and Robert Morris women’s hockey....
Madden Monday: Kenny Pickett is ‘awful … if Mitch (Trubisky) plays next week, that’s an upgrade’
On the heels of an embarrassing 30-6 loss in Houston on Sunday, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X has a big picture point to raise about the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Maybe this is the real Steelers. Maybe they got kind of lucky to win the last two games. They...
Airing of Grievances: Baffling offensive decisions, lousy defense lead to Steelers’ horror show in Houston
You know what I think this Pittsburgh Steelers team needs now? Some “mojo!” Think that’ll help? Anyone know where I can find some? If you don’t, just make up an answer. I hear that works. As if losing 30-6 in Houston wasn’t bad enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday,...
‘First of many firsts’: Robert Morris hockey returns as women’s team opens season at Union
For Robert Morris University hockey player Wasyn Rice, the realization hit her a few hours before the puck dropped. “The feeling came when the jerseys were put out (on) gameday, walking into the dressing room. It almost felt surreal. I was taken aback that I was back playing a game,”...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers stats, trends, history and hoopla heading down to Houston
Previewing any Pittsburgh Steelers game is incomplete without a healthy helping of stats, sidebars, trends, tendencies, history and hoopla. As the Black and Gold prepare for a road trip to Houston on Sunday, we give you all that and more in this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes.” • If you liked...
First Call: T.J. Watt recalls J.J.’s pizza problem; All-Pro LB says NFL is looking to turn league into flag football
Friday’s “First Call” shares a funny story from Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt about his older brother in advance of J.J.’s big honor in Houston on Sunday. Another NFL defensive standout is ticked off about that penalty against Minkah Fitzpatrick last week. The Cleveland Browns don’t sound at all intimidated...
Tim Benz: Steelers looking to win with pass rush against Houston’s ‘mature beyond his years’ rookie QB
In evaluating the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 23-18 win at Las Vegas on Sunday night, the most impressive thing wasn’t the modest uptick of the run game from non-existent to mediocre. It wasn’t some sustained success from the offense in the middle portion of the game. It wasn’t even the noticeable improvement...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans pipe up about Mike Tomlin’s ‘mojo,’ James Harrison, Cleveland attacking Minkah Fitzpatrick
When it comes to feedback about Pittsburgh Steelers coverage, I stand by one golden rule. The more people tell me they don’t care about something, the more I know you care about it. From my experience, when people take the time to outwardly feign disinterest, that is the surest sign...
James Harrison gives realistic view of Hall of Fame chances; says Steelers Hall of Honor ‘good enough for me’
Retired Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is being realistic about his long-shot chances of getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he also seems at peace with the likely outcome of being left off the induction list. Harrison was among 10 former Steelers to recently be nominated for...
No more mojo?: Why Mike Tomlin is really walking back his evaluation of the Steelers’ offense
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin took Pittsburgh reporters down a bit of a wandering path during his weekly press conference Tuesday afternoon. In that setting last week, coming off two lousy offensive performances to open the season in games against the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns, Tomlin offered up...
First Call: Mike Tomlin on facing Kendrick Green in Houston; Joe Namath bashes Zach Wilson
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some interesting sidebars heading into the Steelers-Texans game on Sunday. We look at the curious case of Josh Dobbs’ jersey in Arizona. And a former New York sports legend with Western Pa. ties is ripping Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. Plus, the injury-addled Baltimore Ravens are making...
NFL rules analyst: Minkah Fitzpatrick penalty should start a broader discussion on ‘roughing the passer’ calls
For CBS NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore, the debate surrounding Minkah Fitzpatrick’s roughing the passer penalty Sunday goes beyond “good call/bad call.” Instead, the former NFL referee and Uniontown/Washington, Pa., native says that play should bring up a broader conversation about defining what “roughing the passer” really means. For those...
Robert Morris men’s hockey names captains in advance of next week’s relaunch
Gavin Gulash was surprised at his own reaction to seeing the new jerseys skating around the rink. A forward on the Robert Morris men’s hockey team, Gulash attended Sunday’s exhibition between the women’s team and the Cambridge Rivulettes. “It was kind of surreal just being there for the national anthem...
First Call: Browns’ social media stokes T.J. Watt vs. Myles Garrett debate; Jimmy Garoppolo injured vs. Steelers
The Cleveland Browns’ social media account appears to be baiting the hook for a debate with Pittsburgh Steelers fans over T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. Local stars were on display during the Rams-Bengals game on Monday night. Jimmy Garoppolo is in concussion protocol after getting knocked around by the Steelers....
