Tim Benz Columns category, Page 92
Tim Benz: Art Rooney II’s Steelers have been stuck in the middle in recent years. The team’s decision on a new QB can’t be
With Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger officially announcing his retirement Thursday, attention can focus even more squarely on who his replacement will be. The voices of general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin will weigh most heavily on the discussions. Perhaps those of Colbert’s potential replacements (Brandon Hunt and...
Antonio Brown accuses Buccaneers of trying to bribe him into ‘the crazy house’
For Pittsburgh Steelers fans, this one has to be interesting to watch from afar. Another day, another chapter in the story of Antonio Brown versus Bruce Arians — aka A.B. versus B.A. The former Steelers wide receiver and the former Steelers offensive coordinator are in a mud-slinging battle that could...
Tim Benz: Penguins living in the comfort of a hot streak — regardless of how it is happening
At the halfway point of the season, if you are a Penguins fan, you have to be saying, “Why ask why?” Follow that advice. Because what if you get an answer you don’t appreciate? You know, like, the truth. As in, this charmed life can’t last forever. Or can it?...
Tim Benz: If quarterback mobility is in question, do the Steelers need to look elsewhere for an answer?
The season-ending press conference for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin featured a moment similar to one we had seen numerous times in that setting throughout 2021. That was Tomlin discussing mobility at the quarterback position. “Quarterback mobility is valued, not only by me but by everyone. It’s just a component...
Tim Benz: For Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are about to become his team even more than they have been in the past
As Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin conducted his season-ending press conference, one thing struck me beyond all else. Now more than ever, this franchise is squarely on Tomlin’s shoulders. When Tomlin arrived in Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger had already been the starting quarterback for three years, played in two AFC...
Stephon Tuitt’s future remains one of the Steelers’ biggest questions heading into 2022
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s season-ending news conferences often go the way this year’s did, especially when the franchise’s season ends before the NFL playoffs or after the first round. That has now happened five years in a row — a first since the end of the 1971 season. The shorter...
Tim Benz: More truth in a Mike Tomlin postgame quote than Steelers fans or organization may want to acknowledge
For as much as the national media loves it when Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spins one of his famous Tomlinisms, I prefer the less-scripted stuff. Not that I dislike “painting the red barn red” and “cutting your eyelids off if you blink” or “jumpin’ on a movin’ train.” Yup....
Penguins, Chatham University bring college hockey to Hunt Armory
With Robert Morris hockey on the shelf until the 2023-24 season, the Chatham Cougars men’s and women’s teams are the new local college hockey teams on center stage. Now the center stage itself is also new. For a few nights anyway. The Cougars men’s team will be playing a game...
Tim Benz: How confident are Chiefs fans for another blowout of the Steelers? Probably too much for Andy Reid’s liking
Exactly how confident are fans of the Kansas City Chiefs as their team (12-5) prepares to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1) in Sunday night’s AFC playoff game? Well, Soren Petro hosts a talk show in Kansas City on Sports Radio 810 WHB. He joined me for Thursday’s “Breakfast With Benz”...
Flyers exec Bobby Clarke rips Penguins GM Ron Hextall for the job he did in Philadelphia
Here’s some more spice for the Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers rivalry. As if more needs to be added. Penguins general manager Ron Hextall is being trashed by his former boss in Philadelphia. That’s Flyers legendary player and team senior vice president Bobby Clarke. Clarke was on “The Cam & Strick Podcast”...
Tim Benz: Steelers-Raiders-Chargers drama raises questions about NFL ties, scheduling reform
The Pittsburgh Steelers organization (and its fans) nervously watched “Sunday Night Football” as a 2021 AFC playoff bid almost evaporated thanks to a near-tie. Two thoughts crossed my mind as the Las Vegas Raiders barely beat the Los Angeles Chargers 35-32, securing the AFC’s fifth seed for themselves and the...
Chargers, Raiders react to the big decision that avoided a tie, and got the Steelers in the playoffs
If the Pittsburgh Steelers have any leftover Christmas cards laying around the team offices, it may be nice to send a few to Las Vegas. Specifically, address a couple to the likes of Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs. Those guys were instrumental in...
First Call: Chiefs health update before Steelers game; Jaguars coach congratulates Mike Tomlin; Raven’s respect for Big Ben
Monday’s “First Call” gives us health updates on the Kansas City Chiefs as the Steelers prepare for a postseason trip to Arrowhead Stadium. The Jaguars coach has a shoutout for Mike Tomlin after his team’s surprising playoff assist on Sunday. A Ravens veteran has much respect for Ben Roethlisberger. A...
Tim Benz: ‘Feats of Strength’ and ‘Airing of Grievances’ as Steelers barely keep playoff hopes alive in Baltimore
In a most unlikely turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was able to turn around a dreadful day to rally late and win the 2021 season finale in Baltimore, 16-13 in overtime. In an even less likely development, the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14) stunned the Indianapolis Colts (9-8), 26-11. That...
First Call: Todd Haley’s new head coaching job; Lamar Jackson still not practicing during Steelers week
Friday’s “First Call” doesn’t paint a rosy picture for Lamar Jackson as we wait to see if the Ravens quarterback is going to play against the Steelers. Todd Haley has a new coaching job. We look at the Penguins’ next opponent. And the Duquesne men’s basketball team may finally be...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh-trained ice dance team competing at nationals with Olympic dreams
Let’s say you are a defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins. You’ve never played on the NHL stage before. Neither has your partner on the blue line. Your first game together is going to take place in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Let that sink in for a minute....
In 1 day, Antonio Brown was released, trashed his ex-coach, posted his bank account info, wound up in the tabloids
Former Steelers All-Pro Antonio Brown is now officially a former Tampa Buccaneer, too. Tampa Bay terminated his contract Thursday in the wake of Brown’s decision to storm off the sideline shirtless during Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Within their press release announcing the move, the Bucs countered Brown’s...
Tim Benz: NFL set itself up for ‘worst nightmare’ Week 18 tie scenario that could impact Steelers
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their regular-season finale in Baltimore on Sunday, we all know the likelihood of them making the playoffs is slim. Sure, they could beat the Ravens for a second time this year. Even though the game is on the road and the Steelers are a...
T.J. Watt, Najee Harris highlight ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers dropkick Browns
For as nice as it was to see Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger get a warm send off from the Heinz Field fans, I do have one significant regret after the team’s 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on “Monday Night Football.” With Cincinnati clinching the AFC North on Sunday,...
Madden Monday on Evgeni Malkin: ‘Geno is going to ruin the structure … he is going to beat it to death with a sledgehammer’
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ first game back from their coronavirus pause was a wild one. Sunday’s contest against the San Jose Sharks featured a 6-1 lead for the Pens after one period. That narrowed to a 6-5 lead in the third before eventually leading to an 8-5 win. Two hat tricks...
Tim Benz: Appreciating Ben Roethlisberger’s career, and grasping the massive task of replacing him
For as much as Monday night’s Steelers-Browns game at Heinz Field will be about honoring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s illustrious career, it also will be about remembering the two decades before he came to Pittsburgh. Those 20 seasons between the start of the 1984 season and the conclusion of the 2003...
John Madden’s Steelers connections are many, and numerous Steelers fondly acknowledged his legacy
Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden died on Tuesday at the age of 85. His indelible imprint on the NFL came in many ways. As a Super Bowl winning coach with the Oakland Raiders. A legendary broadcaster. And the voice and name behind the iconic EA sports “Madden NFL”...
Tim Benz: Robert Morris hockey has been reinstated. Now it needs to be rebuilt
For Robert Morris University men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley, the past seven months have been dedicated to resurrecting the school’s hockey programs. The next two years will be dedicated to rebuilding them. In May, the RMU administration cut the men’s and women’s hockey teams from the athletic department. Thanks to...
Tim Benz: Bengals have seized control of AFC North — and humiliated Steelers, Ravens in the process
On one sideline of Paul Brown Stadium stands the hometown Cincinnati Bengals. Seconds away from sweeping their AFC North rivals. With 41 points on their side of the scoreboard. Not to mention a roster with the AFC’s leader in passer rating and Pro Bowlers at running back, wide receiver and...
Airing of Grievances: Another awful start, rotten possession-down play-calling among usual complaints as Chiefs hammer Steelers
Because we are coming up on New Year’s resolution season, I’d like to make one about my own coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I want to write an “Airing of Grievances” post that doesn’t include complaints about poor play-calling, awful first-half starts, a constant reliance on throwing short of the...
