Tim Benz Columns category, Page 81
Tim Benz: Yes, Mitch Trubisky is getting a raw deal with the Steelers, but he should’ve seen it coming
A sidebar conversation about the Kenny Pickett era starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers is how quickly the Mitch Trubisky era may be ending. The next guy after Ben Roethlisberger may have only worn the crown for three-and-a-half games. For many Steelers fans and Pitt football supporters, those were probably three-and-a-half...
Madden Monday: Steelers ‘have to stay with (Kenny) Pickett now’
In a perfect world, the Pittsburgh Steelers would’ve inserted Kenny Pickett into a more advantageous situation than he found himself Sunday. He wouldn’t have been put into a game with the team at 1-2, trailing at halftime, staring at a four-game slog of a schedule against teams that are currently...
Airing of Grievances: Defensive demise, ill-timed interceptions undermine Kenny Pickett’s Steelers debut in loss to Jets
There was plenty of bluster, hoopla and emotional peaks during the debut game for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. In the end, however, all it amounted to was a home loss to the stinkin’ New York Jets — for just the second time in...
Tim Benz: Aaron Judge is at the center of MLB’s 2 hottest debates — but answers are easy in both cases
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is at the center of baseball’s two hottest debates right now. And the answers are clear. They are: “yes” and “no.” Yes, he is the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player. No, he is not the all-time single-season Major League home run champion. That’s...
Friday Football Footnotes: We know the Steelers offense is lagging, but what’s going on with the rest of the NFL?
If there is one NFL trend the Pittsburgh Steelers can claim to be a part of, it’s a lack of scoring. The Steelers are averaging only 18 points per game. They ended up at 20.2 a season ago. And keep in mind, seven of their 54 points were the result...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans load up an (almost) ‘all Kenny Pickett, all the time’ edition
I have a concern about the Pittsburgh Steelers. What if coach Mike Tomlin does replace Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett? And then, what if Pickett stinks and Tomlin goes back to Trubisky? I mean, what are people going to complain about? This column is going to run out of material...
Tim Benz: When does ‘steady, stable’ become ‘stubborn’ for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
The big story in the world — actually, in the universe — this week is that NASA has figured out a way to fly a projectile into an asteroid with the intent of rerouting it. That’s right. NASA actually flew something the size of a “vending machine” into a harmless...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ increasingly tough schedule makes finding wins, dates to start Kenny Pickett extremely difficult
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is on the record as saying that, “definitively,” he is not looking to replace quarterback Mitch Trubisky with rookie Kenny Pickett. If you listen to many Steelers fans and talk shows in Pittsburgh, they “definitively” are. However, a lot of the potentially friendly launch dates...
Steelers captain Cameron Heyward gives his thoughts on Pro Bowl format change
The NFL Pro Bowl is going away, and one Pittsburgh Steeler who has played in it is on board with that decision. On Monday, the NFL announced that the annual postseason All-Star game will disappear starting this season. It will be replaced by a flag football game featuring the season’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers have no one to blame but themselves for extra-loud ‘elevator music’ on QB situation
Up until now, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has avoided snapping despite repeated speculation about the status of his starting quarterback. He was asked (once again) about the prospect of replacing Mitch Trubisky — and/or offensive play caller Matt Canada — after the team’s 29-17 loss in Cleveland on Thursday...
Madden Monday: Don’t stop with scrutiny of Steelers’ ‘juvenile’ offense; blame defense too
Like everyone else, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X isn’t thrilled with the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during their 1-2 start. “Najee Harris looks clueless. Or hurt. Or both,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “And the offensive play-calling is juvenile. Everything is to the sideline. There’s nothing in...
Friday Football Footnotes: Determining ‘Truth or Fiction’ in the NFL during the Steelers ‘mini-bye’ weekend
If you are like me, you had concerns regarding every aspect of the Steelers’ offense. You wondered if the run defense was really fixed. You questioned the depth of the defense beyond its three stars. And you wondered if coaching warts would be exposed in close games after losing a...
Airing of Grievances: Browns exploit Steelers’ numerous deficiencies on both sides of ball
For a while, things weren’t looking bad in Cleveland for the Steelers on “Thursday Night Football.” Mike Tomlin’s club had a 14-13 halftime lead. Both touchdowns actually came on offense. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a passer rating of 94.7. They were averaging 5.5 yards per rush to the tune of...
U mad, bro?: Fans tee off on Mitch Trubisky, Steelers defense, Sidney Crosby’s quote and … gremlins
In the midst of Pittsburgh Steelers season, normally I can just load up “U mad, bro?” with angry complaints about the Black and Gold, every week for 18 weeks in a row. Even when they win. Based on how the offense is looking, we may be heading down that path....
Tim Benz: Steelers fans change their tune on Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett on the sideline
When it comes to the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky — and the analysis of it from the fanbase — I wish I had some truth serum. And a time machine. Who has one of those lying around? Because I’d love to see how many Steelers fans and...
Browns broadcaster pans team for complaining about being booed; Nick Chubb takes blame for loss
The Cleveland Browns stunningly managed to blow a 13-point lead with less than two minutes remaining against the New York Jets on Sunday. So the fans booed. No surprise there, right? But Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett took exception. “These guys are still putting their (rear ends) on the line...
Tim Benz: As Steelers offense searches for its ‘identity,’ it may not like what it finds
I’m going to have to disagree with Pittsburgh Steelers center Mason Cole. Not with the meaning of what he said. Oh, he’s 100% accurate there. I’m just going to quibble with his turn of phrase. While speaking with the media on Monday after his team’s 17-14 loss to the New...
Ben Roethlisberger wants more ‘shots down the field’ from Steelers offense, less heat from fans on Mitch Trubisky
Big Ben wants bigger plays from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. In the latest edition of his “Footbahlin’” podcast, the team’s former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a conversation with former Steeler and NFL analyst Merril Hoge. Roethlisberger said that he’d like to see the Steelers be more aggressive on offense. “Go...
Madden Monday: ‘Steelers offense has the stench of death. … They should fire Matt Canada’
Here is what we know about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense so far: • The run game isn’t any better than what it was a season ago. In fact, it looks worse. Najee Harris has only 72 yards over two games. • None of the receivers have really found a rhythm...
Tim Benz: ‘Airing of Grievances’ as Steelers struggle in all phases against Patriots
NFL coaches love to talk about “all three phases” of their team. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is no exception. Although Tomlin probably didn’t want to talk about them much Sunday evening. Because even though his team’s 17-14 loss to New England was a close game, all three phases got...
Friday Football Footnotes: Photo of Ja’Marr Chase, Minkah Fitzpatrick during Steelers win goes viral; ex-Pitt Panther rips Bill Belichick
This week’s edition of “Friday Football Footnotes” has a viral moment from last week’s Steelers-Bengals game. A former Pitt Panther tears into Bill Belichick. Aaron Rodgers looks to keep his run of dominance going against the Chicago Bears. And Duquesne may not be the huge underdog you’re expecting them to...
Malik Reed appears to be top choice to replace T.J. Watt, but Steelers may have other options
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is now officially on injured reserve. So he is out of action for at least the next four weeks. How do they get around the problem at left outside linebacker? Well, we know recently acquired former Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed is the first option....
Growing up in New England during Super Bowl years, Pat Freiermuth adjusts Steelers-Patriots rivalry perspective
Whenever Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth catches a pass Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, expect the now familiar “Muuuuth” chants to be even louder than normal. Well, that’s if the 50 to 60 friends and family showing up to watch him play this week are actually going to be rooting...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are wound up about T.J. Watt’s injury, Mitch Trubisky’s 1st game, Pittsburgh sports media
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost T.J. Watt on Sunday. The offense doesn’t look great. And the media is working against them. Now, to be clear, the Steelers did win their first game against the Bengals, 23-20. But, c’mon! Who am I kidding? You didn’t come here for pesky details like that....
Tim Benz: Malik Reed’s immediate promotion from ‘welcomed addition’ to ‘scrutinized replacement’ for T.J. Watt
If you are looking to blame someone for the pectoral muscle injury suffered by T.J. Watt, blame me. I jinxed it. I accidentally thought it into existence. I saw former Steeler Tyrone Carter at practice last week. He came back for a visit before the club’s opener in Cincinnati. Carter...
