Tim Benz Columns category, Page 93
Tim Benz: Getting in the giving spirit with a Penguins Christmas wish list
It’s almost Christmas, and I haven’t gotten anything for the Pittsburgh Penguins yet. I’m not being a Grinch. I just needed a little time to figure out the perfect gifts. In recent seasons, the Penguins haven’t been in need of very much this time of year. But in 2021, their...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ win over Titans was ‘discouraging’; Penguins’ Teddy Blueger shines
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to grind out a 19-13 victory against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Heinz Field. But it did little to impress Mark Madden from a big-picture point of view. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark said don’t let the victory fool you into thinking...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Steelers defense manages to make both during nail-biting win over Titans
As we told you Friday at “Breakfast With Benz,” Sunday’s showdown against the Tennessee Titans (9-5) lined up as exactly the kind of game the Steelers (7-6-1) always win. Well, they did. By a final score of 19-13. But, wow, did they try hard to get in their own way...
Robert Morris plans to reinstate men’s, women’s hockey teams for 2023-24 season
“Hockey is the Goal” has been the rallying cry for fundraising efforts to reinstate the Robert Morris men’s and women’s hockey teams. On Friday afternoon, men’s coach Derek Schooley gave the slogan a new twist. “Hockey is the goal. And the goal was just scored.” Seven months after the Colonials...
Confidence, opportunity leading to success for Penguins’ Evan Rodrigues
For Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues, explaining his success this season is a series of progressions. “Opportunity and confidence,” Rodrigues said Tuesday when asked about why he’s been so productive this season. “I got off to a pretty good start early in the year. I got a lot of opportunities to...
First Call: Mike Vrabel shares fond memories of Steelers days; Chiefs offense flashes; RMU hockey’s decision day is here
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel shares his fond memories of being a Steeler in advance of his team’s game at Heinz Field Sunday afternoon. The Steelers game next week against the Kansas City Chiefs looks like it will be a monumental task. The Penguins are catching the Buffalo Sabres as...
Tim Benz: Sunday’s game against the Titans sets up better for Steelers than what standings may suggest
Wanna know how Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has avoided having a losing season all these years, even with lesser incarnations of his team? Like, for instance, the current one? He’s won games like the one his team has Sunday afternoon against the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans. That’s how. Late in...
U mad, bro?: Fans bash Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth, Pressley Harvin and just about anyone else in a Steelers uniform
It’s awfully hard for Pittsburgh to get into the Christmas spirit when the Steelers are playing this badly. They are 6-6-1, winners just one time in their last five games and occupying last place in the AFC North. So, I’m sure you’ll understand if “Joy to the World” isn’t echoing...
Tim Benz: Bad starts have become a big problem for Steelers on both sides of the ball
One of the biggest issues facing the Pittsburgh Steelers — emphasis on “one” of — is their recent propensity to get off to awful starts and get down big in games. • In each of their last three contests, the Steelers have allowed their opponent to score first. It’s more...
Tim Benz: Penguins need to accept holiday gifts from NHL schedule maker
As Christmas approaches, the NHL schedule makers have already sent the Penguins a few early presents. Let’s hope the Penguins graciously accept them. The next five games for the Penguins, between Tuesday and Christmas, are all extremely winnable contests. • A Tuesday, Dec. 14 home game against the Montreal Canadiens....
Tim Benz: As decision day looms for Robert Morris hockey, fundraising efforts approach goals
Most hockey teams go into extra skater mode in the final minutes of a game. For the Robert Morris Colonials, they’ve been living in that world since May. That’s when university President Dr. Christopher Howard blindsided both the men’s and women’s hockey teams with the news that the programs would...
Tim Benz: Coaching will prove to be more important than ever for Steelers, rest of the AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers fans can take comfort in at least one thing during this maddeningly inconsistent 2021 season. They aren’t alone. Just about every fan base is asking the same question about their own favorite team: “Are these guys any good or not?” We always hear that the NFL is a...
Tim Benz: Enjoy Steelers’ win over Ravens, but don’t make it into something it wasn’t
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ nail-biting 20-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday was invigorating. In fact, it was season-saving. But let’s not assign more to it than that until the Steelers earn it. On social media, talk radio and in general conversation around Pittsburgh Monday, I kept hearing the rhetorical question...
T.J. Watt, Chris Wormley, depth offensive players highlight Steelers ‘Feats of Strength’ during upset of Ravens
As we discussed at “Breakfast With Benz” leading up to Sunday’s latest chapter of Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens, these two teams can’t help themselves. They don’t know any other way than to play each other close, even if what’s happening on paper suggests the game should be an easy...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans fuming at Chase Claypool, Mike Tomlin; Pirates fans angry about Jacob Stallings trade
Over the last three weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers tied the woeful Detroit Lions and allowed a combined 82 points in losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals. Next up, they are about to play as home underdogs to the hated Baltimore Ravens for the first time with Ben...
Tim Benz: Practice music won’t save Steelers’ season. Their best hope may be even more obscure
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool thinks the team needs music at their practices. “I think some music would help,” Claypool said Monday. “That stuff is fun. People are dancing, having fun, so I think maybe music would make practice a little more fun and a little more up-tempo.” When...
Airing of Grievances: Bengals humiliate Steelers in every possible way
During his Tuesday news conference, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stopped short of calling Sunday’s game in Cincinnati a “must win.” Barely. Good thing. Because if he really felt the Steelers absolutely had to have that game, they failed miserably. The Bengals thrashed the Steelers, 41-10, Sunday afternoon, dropping them to...
U mad, bro?: Loss to Chargers has Steelers fans grousing about Mike Tomlin, defensive depth, red-zone play-calling
Here is something to be thankful for, Steelers fans. Because of Thanksgiving this Thursday, you get “U mad, bro?” a day early. You also don’t have to deal with my snark, sarcasm and general crotchety disposition to upset your stomach before your turkey dinner. Instead, I’ll just set the table...
Tim Benz: Praise for Steelers’ gutsy effort in Los Angeles is warranted but comes off as empty
I’d love to pound out a column applauding the Steelers even though they lost 41-37 Sunday night in Los Angeles. Since coach Mike Tomlin’s squad was missing five starters on defense, they should be praised for making a valiant comeback against a quality Chargers team, with a blossoming young quarterback...
First Call: Ex-Steeler makes unlikely play on ‘Monday Night Football’; Steelers’ remaining odds are growing; latest path for Penguins
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows a lack of faith in the Steelers at the betting window. An ex-Steeler makes a surprising play on “Monday Night Football.” Saquon Barkley’s return was underwhelming. And the Penguins are being nasty to our northern neighbors. Fading faith: BetRivers.com has the Steelers (5-4-1) as early underdogs...
Airing of Grievances: Wasted comeback, defensive debacles, red-zone mishaps stand out in painful Steelers loss to Chargers
I can sum up Sunday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-4) in three words: What a waste! A game-long defensive debacle by a diminished Steelers depth chart wiped out what may have gone down as one of the great Steelers comebacks in team history, as...
Former Steelers, Penguins, Pirates pitch in to help save Robert Morris hockey
Former Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Malone didn’t play college hockey for Robert Morris. He played at St. Cloud State. Colby Armstrong, another former Penguin, didn’t play college hockey at all. He played junior hockey in Red Deer. Brett Keisel and Shaun Suisham played football for the Steelers. And Neil Walker was...
Tim Benz: Penguins players grasp recent struggles — now it’s time to follow their own advice
Is Fenway Sports Group really sure it wants to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins? Based on the way things have gone on the ice of late, principal owner John Henry might want to keep his money in his wallet. If Henry does still feel like spending, though, maybe he can buy...
Tim Benz: Horrible tackling, untimely turnovers among grievances to air after Steelers’ rotten tie against Detroit
On a few occasions before the 2021 season began, I sarcastically predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers would go 8-8-1 in the NFL’s first 17-game regular season. That way, we could still say, “Well, you know, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season!” I thought I was kidding. Now, after Sunday’s...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans prickly about Tristan Jarry criticism; Najee Harris taking heat; Pitt fans percolating
In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, Penguins fans defend Tristan Jarry. Pitt fans are agitated. And at least one Steelers fan is already turning on Najee Harris. Now I think we’ve gone too far! Who am I kidding? We go too far in this post every week. So, let’s have...
