Tim Benz Columns category, Page 60
First Call: George Pickens denies Instagram shot at Kenny Pickett; Pitt product shines on ‘MNF’
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at the George Pickens-Kenny Pickett Instagram drama. An ex-Pitt star shines on “Monday Night Football.” Former Pittsburgh Steeler Chase Claypool has yet to find himself in Chicago. And more trouble for Adam “Pacman” Jones. I know. I know. Try to contain your shock. Instant Instagram denial...
Tim Benz: Amid injuries, Steelers’ highly praised depth will now be put to the test
Based on my inbox and social media interactions, Sunday’s season-opening blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers appears to have shaken the confidence of many Pittsburgh Steelers fans. I don’t blame you. For those of you who got worked into a lather based on the club’s outstanding preseason performance and...
Airing of Grievances: Steelers look outmatched, ill-prepared vs. 49ers during regular season reality check
To begin each of the last two seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers shelved many concerns from their fans by upsetting top-notch playoff teams on the road: Buffalo (2021) and Cincinnati (2022). In the 2023 season opener Sunday, after a preseason that seemed to erase many issues that lingered from last winter,...
Tim Benz: We know how good the 49ers’ rush attack is. But how does it work and how do the Steelers stop it?
In advance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, we’ve been hearing for weeks about the challenge of facing the Niners’ vaunted rushing attack. Last year, it ranked seventh in the NFL with 2,360 yards and can also use a short passing game...
Friday Football Footnotes: Tim Benz’s season predictions
If you work in the Pittsburgh sports media you are obligated — by law — to make a season prediction for the Steelers before their first game of the regular season. Seriously. If you don’t, you could get arrested. I’m pretty sure I signed some piece of paper requiring me...
Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt: ‘Embrace the opportunity’ as Dukes visit a Power 5 foe in West Virginia
For the returning players on Duquesne’s football team, Saturday’s jump in competition as they travel down I-79 to face West Virginia will be nothing new. They were on the Dukes’ roster last year when the team visited FBS schools such as Florida State and Hawaii. Some still remain from the...
U mad, bro?: Revamping Penguins’ announcers; Steelers’ ‘new standard’; Pittsburgh port-a-potty fight
This time next week, “U mad, bro?” will be filled to the brim with one of two types of complaints from readers. 1. That the Steelers didn’t win. Or…. 2. That the Steelers didn’t win by enough. Either way, it’s bound to be wildly entertaining. In the meantime, for our...
Tim Benz: A season-opening trend to watch that may decide Steelers-49ers outcome
When it comes to season-opening opponents, beginning the 2023 campaign against the San Francisco 49ers will continue a theme for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s the third straight year that Mike Tomlin’s crew will open their campaign against a reigning division champion. The 49ers won the NFC West in 2022. Last...
At least one Steeler wants to see George Kittle play for the 49ers Sunday
There’s at least one Steeler who actually wants to see George Kittle on the field Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. It shouldn’t be surprising that the Steeler we’re talking about doesn’t have to actually try to tackle him or cover him. “He’s the gold standard for tight end play. Him and...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s new taco commercial; ex-Steeler signs in AFC North; why Javon Hargrave wouldn’t sign in Cleveland
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us a look at the latest commercial for Steelers star T.J. Watt. One ex-Steeler refused to play elsewhere in the AFC North, while another just signed to play within it. And time is running out on Nick Bosa if he wants to play with the 49ers...
Tim Benz: Steelers employing ‘greed is good’ approach to roster construction at just the right time
The Steelers’ newest player signing is the latest example of their Gordon Gekko approach to roster construction in 2023. Greed is good. Get as much as you can, while you can. Since the Steelers’ salary cap spreadsheet is blessed with starters at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back and...
Steelers’ Dan Moore still preparing for Nick Bosa regardless of holdout
Of all the people in Pittsburgh who have been feverishly tracking news out of San Francisco about Nick Bosa’s contract, you’d figure that Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore would be No. 1 on that list. Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after an 18.5-sack season. But the...
First Call: George Kittle’s status in question vs. Steelers; JuJu Smith-Schuster quells concerns about knee injury
Tuesday’s “First Call” has more news about some star San Francisco players who may be out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Also, JuJu Smith-Schuster responds to reports about his knee problems, an ex-Steeler is in some hot water legally, and a Duquesne football player receives an NEC honor. Kittle...
Madden Monday: While predicting Steelers’ season, don’t overlook other teams’ strengths
Before you make a bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season-win total, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has some advice. First of all, even if the Steelers look much improved from last year — and they do — that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have a huge jump in...
Friday Football Footnotes: Kevin Dotson on trade to Rams; ex-Steelers kicker signs with 49ers; Joe Burrow update
The Pittsburgh Steelers open the season next weekend. It’s a game weekend in college football for Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia. And there’s news all over the NFL about ex-Steelers and upcoming opponents for the team. So let’s dive in with our inaugural “Friday Football Footnotes” post for 2023....
First Call: 49ers insist Nick Bosa won’t be traded; Arthur Maulet has Steelers games ‘circled’
Friday’s “First Call” has the latest on Nick Bosa’s contract drama as the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Former Steeler Kendrick Green may have a quick reunion with his Pittsburgh teammates. Another ex-Steeler, Arthur Maulet, is still touchy about his former team....
Tim Benz: Steelers have used lull ahead of the season to pull off upsets before — time to do it again in 2023
With the notable exception of an 11-0 start in 2020, many recent editions of the Pittsburgh Steelers have needed to scramble late in the year because of rotten starts to seasons. Over the past decade, Mike Tomlin’s teams have had a nasty habit of putting themselves in playoff peril even...
First Call: Steelers minority ownership shuffling; scouting report on CB Desmond King II
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we look at Desmond King II, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest addition to the cornerback unit. We also have some news about the franchise on the ownership front. A former Pitt tight end has a new home. And Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson proves how tough of...
Tim Benz: Nick Caserio defends Kendrick Green trade, takes jab at Ben Roethlisberger
Former Steelers offensive lineman Kendrick Green had a really rough go of it during his three years in Pittsburgh. Forced into service prematurely as a rookie starting center in 2021, Green struggled badly to learn the position on the NFL level after playing a lot of guard at Illinois. To...
U mad, bro?: Steelers’ roster cuts; Pirates’ haircuts; Guns N’ Roses at PNC Park
Not to go all Dennis Eckersley on you fine folks, but this week’s “U mad, bro?” is kind of a hodgepodge of nothingness. We’ve got a nutty trade idea for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a worse roster suggestion for the Steelers, a complaint about the Pirates’ hairstyles, and a reference to...
First Call: How Steelers rookies influenced roster cuts; former rival offers advice; predictions for Calvin Austin, Joey Porter Jr.
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some advice for young Pittsburgh Steelers from a former rival of the club. A number of ex-Steelers and Pitt Panthers didn’t survive NFL cutdown day. And we look at how the success of the Steelers draft class ended up influencing the depth chart. Betting on Benton...
AT&T SportsNet changing ownership ‘doesn’t look great’ for Pirates
When word came out that Fenway Sports Group, ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins, purchased regional Pittsburgh sports channel AT&T SportsNet, three questions went through my mind. • What does this mean for the average Pittsburgh area sports viewer? • What does this mean for the Penguins? • What does this...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey coaches happy to have the coaching ‘stomach acid’ back
Starting this week, Robert Morris hockey coaches Derek Schooley and Logan Bittle are taking on a significant job change. They are actually coaching again. Instructing players. A full team. On the ice. Getting ready for a real season. For the first time in two years. “It’s just a super exciting...
Aaron Donald likely won’t retire with Steelers, in case you ever thought he might
Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald apparently has no intention of returning to his hometown of Pittsburgh and retiring as a Steeler. For anyone who was truly wondering if that was a possibility. “Football Morning in America’s” Peter King broached that topic in his weekly post on Monday...
First Call: Mike Tomlin’s spot among coaches in AP poll; Josh Dobbs’ chances of starting in Arizona
Tuesday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and his place among other NFL coaches. We also take a look at Josh Dobbs’ chances of becoming a starter in Arizona. And we have some wild stats about Johan Oviedo’s complete game win for the Pirates in Kansas City on...
