Tim Benz Columns category, Page 99
Tim Benz: What’s not to like about Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth pick, other than he’s not a lineman?
I can hear the calls from the capacity crowd of Steelers fans at Heinz Field already. Well, assuming capacity crowds are allowed back in the fall. “MUUUUUUTH!” Eh, who am I kidding? They’ll still be yelling, “HEEEAAATTTH!” I’ve got little to complain about when it comes to Steelers second-round draft...
Tim Benz: Steelers got the best player at their biggest position of need. That’s enough ‘value’ for me.
During Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers got the player most analysts feel is the best player at their biggest position of need. All the way down at pick No. 24. It was a good night. Let’s not “yeah, but” ourselves to death on this one....
Tim Benz: Surfing through NFL Draft medical info may be even more important for Steelers than many other teams
In advance of the NFL Draft, Alabama center Landon Dickerson has been called “almost the perfect Steeler.” Anyone who has tracked the draft knows what that “almost” surrounding him is. It’s not his talent. Or athleticism. Or pedigree. Or attitude. Or leadership. Or the obvious fit he’d be at pick...
U mad, bro?: Some readers are mad about Mike Tomlin’s contract extension; others are angry at criticism of it
Thursday will feature Penguins/Capitals and Round 1 of the NFL Draft. So we’re posting “U mad, bro?” a day early. Also, coming off a vacation week when Mike Tomlin got a contract extension on the heels of another late-season collapse, we’ve got … hmm … a few comments stored up....
Tim Benz: Best case yet for Kevin Colbert to draft a RB in 1st round … from Colbert himself
In most years, it’s a futile effort to attempt reading the tea leaves during the Pittsburgh Steelers pre-draft press conference with general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin. I’m not conspiratorial enough to think those two use that opportunity to intentionally float out misinformation. OK, maybe on occasion....
Tim Benz: On Mike Tomlin’s contract extension; Justin Layne’s arrest; solid play from Pirates, Penguins
The Steelers, Pirates and Penguins certainly don’t give you time for a break, do they? After a rare week off at “Breakfast With Benz,” there’s a lot to catch up on as we get ready for the upcoming Steelers draft week. Hopefully, you enjoyed our NFL Draft preview series while...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: With depth thinned, cornerback again among needs for Steelers
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” has spent this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts previewing next weekend’s event. We have broken down the franchise’s needs into five sections. Former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Depth of talent at inside or outside linebacker could tempt Steelers
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Each day, former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL Show”)...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Stocked group of offensive linemen will test Steelers’ faith in current depth chart
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Each day, former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL Show”)...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Potential Steelers replacements for Vance McDonald; wild wide receiver depth
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Each day, former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL Show”)...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: Steelers’ plan at QB; running back they can’t ignore in Round 1
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” is spending this week publishing daily Steelers draft-related previews. We are breaking down the franchise’s needs into five different sections. Monday: Quarterbacks and running backs Tuesday: Receivers and tight ends Wednesday: Offensive line Thursday: Defensive front seven Friday:...
Tim Benz: Returning Steelers should help team’s decision-making during NFL Draft
I can only imagine the emotional swirl within the wave of Steelers players who recently rejoined the team just a matter of weeks after being turned loose. I don’t have to imagine the emotions of the fan base, however. I see them on display constantly on social media and in...
First Call: Could Steelers draft the NFL Rookie of the Year? Strange night in NHL’s East Division
Friday’s “First Call” gives us a medical update on a potential Steelers first-round pick. Odds are out on who might be the NFL Rookie of the Year. We saw a strange night in the NHL’s East Division. And we look at the Pirates weekend tilt in Milwaukee. Weird night The...
Tim Benz: Can the Penguins win the East Division? And how much would that matter?
As the Pittsburgh Penguins enjoy some rare downtime during this grueling covid-19 compressed schedule, let’s take a moment to ponder two looming questions. • Can the Penguins finish first in the NHL’s East Division? • Does it matter at all if they do? I’ll say “yes” to the first question...
Tim Benz: Let’s meet in the middle on this Penguins trade for Jeff Carter
Over the last 30 years, the Pittsburgh Penguins have cobbled together a long history of in-season “swing from the heels” trades. Some with markedly better results than others. Pre-deadline acquisitions of Larry Murphy, Peter Taglianetti, Scott Young, Ulf Samuelsson, Grant Jennings and Ron Francis in 1991. Kjell Samuelsson and Ken...
Madden Monday: Will Jeff Carter be another Patrick Marleau? And what does the trade says about Evgeni Malkin’s injury?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are acquiring veteran forward Jeff Carter from the Los Angeles Kings ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. As our Seth Rorabaugh reports, the deal is in exchange for conditional draft picks and partial retention of Carter’s salary-cap hit. Which is sizable. The 36-year-old is still owed a prorated...
Tim Benz: Kevin McClatchy, former players reflect on PNC Park on the 20th anniversary of its debut
It had been a long time since something went right for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, pretty much everything since the end of the eighth inning in Atlanta on Oct. 14, 1992 had been downhill. They lost their last shot at making the World Series. Their MVP went to San...
Tim Benz: As schedule eases, Penguins can’t afford a slump with points on the table
The Pittsburgh Penguins have nothing to worry about. This is just a little slump with about one-third of the season left. They’ve been playing so well, for so long now, that they are bound to pull out of it. I mean, good teams like this don’t fall in the tank...
U mad, bro?: Steelers, Pirates fans can’t decide if they are madder at teams or media for criticizing them
Steelers fans are mad at the team. Pirates fans are mad at the team. Steelers fans are mad at me for being mad at the team. Pirates fans are mad at me for being mad at the team. And everybody is mad at Skip Bayless. So, you know, a fairly...
Tim Benz: Steelers aren’t becoming Pirates (yet). But there was one familiar theme this offseason.
I watched the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season-opening series at Wrigley Field over the weekend, and it got me thinking about the Steelers. Yikes. If that’s not an alarming open to any column about the local football team I don’t know what else could be. Now before all of you “Defend the...
Tim Benz: In a strange way, a near defeat may actually heighten Gonzaga’s legacy
That Gonzaga-UCLA Final Four game Saturday was the sporting event this country needed. I mean, when was the last time everybody in America on Twitter agreed that something was good? Well, aside from FS1’s Skip Bayless. Generally speaking, though, if he doesn’t like something that’s all the more proof of...
Tim Benz: The harder you look to disqualify Gonzaga as an all-time great, the more you see it belongs
For as many upsets as there were through the first two rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, a lot of chalk made its way into the Final Four. Two top seeds (Gonzaga and Baylor) and a No. 2 seed (Houston) make up three of the Final Four teams, with...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans snarl about Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt hoops, the Pirates and our coverage of it allVideo
This is stunning. I went a whole week with no negative feedback from Steelers or Penguins fans. Nary a complaint from a reader about the Pirates. Not one angry tweet about Pitt. Not a single Facebook post lashing back at one of my columns. It was amazing. Ha! Gotcha! Happy...
Tim Benz: Holes created in free agency leave plenty of options for Steelers in NFL draft
After considering all those holes on the Steelers roster this offseason, one thing struck me about the upcoming NFL draft. Can the Steelers really go wrong addressing any position at any point in next month’s selection process? Because I’m not sure that they can. OK. They decided to retain Jordan...
Tim Benz: Robert Spillane, Cameron Sutton absorbing different tasks as they move up Steelers’ depth chart
On their first day speaking as presumptive opening day starters for the Steelers, linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Cameron Sutton both showed a common trait that appealed to the franchise. They’re both smart. Football smart, sure. But also smart enough to get … it. Smart enough to know their new...
