Tim Benz stories, Page 10
‘Weathered’ Duquesne football players balancing fun of playing at Acrisure Stadium with challenge of facing Pitt
Duquesne defensive lineman A.J. Ackerman remembers the first time we spoke about the topic. What’s the level of excitement surrounding the Dukes’ 2025 season opener at Acrisure Stadium against Pitt? “I think the last time you asked me that question, I gave you a much more muted answer,” Ackerman said....
First Call: Wondering about Beanie Bishop; Jerry Jones says Micah Parsons’ agent told him to ‘stick it’
Friday’s “First Call” examines an odd omission from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game in Carolina. Things are tense between Micah Parsons and the Cowboys. Ke’Bryan Hayes is heating up with the Reds. Also, the Pirates and Rockies clash in a meeting of … well, um, they are meeting. And there...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Rookies, backups counter sloppy play in Steelers win
At the end of his club’s preseason-opening win in Jacksonville, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin applauded the fact that the players managed to avoid penalties, injuries and turnovers. Unfortunately, those matters all became concerns to various degrees over the last two preseason contests. The next one was a 17-14 loss at...
Tim Benz: Debate over playing veterans in preseason is actually a worthy conversation for Steelers this year
Some who cover or root for the Pittsburgh Steelers may call them explanations. Others may call them excuses. All are reasons why the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Last year’s daunting late-season schedule. T.J. Watt’s injury in 2022. Ben Roethlisberger’s injury in 2019. Missed field goals from...
First Call: Chiefs trade former WPIAL standout; Steelers reportedly looking at free agent guardVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have interest in a free-agent veteran guard. A former WPIAL standout has been traded by the Kansas City Chiefs. Tommy Pham claims Toronto thought about acquiring him before the trade deadline. And a second Robert Morris hockey product is going to be part of the 2026...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans fatigued of Cam Heyward’s hold-in, dubious of the defense’s hype
The NFL regular season is not yet upon us. Hence, the level of anger from Pittsburgh Steelers fans is still at a preseason level. The Steelers haven’t lost a real game yet. Mike Tomlin hasn’t had a questionable coaching move yet. Cameron Heyward hasn’t held himself out of a regular-season...
First Call: Tommy Pham chirps back at Toronto catcher on social media; Gabe Davis to visit Bills after Steelers
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some fallout from that Pirates-Blue Jays scrum Monday night. We have an update on Vlad Guerrero’s injury from that game. An ex-Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back is now a Baltimore Raven. And we continue to watch the developments in Cincinnati regarding Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation. Discussing the...
Tim Benz: Vibe around potential Penguins sale changes as a buyer not named Mario Lemieux emerges
According to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet.ca, the Chicago-based Hoffmann Family of Companies “has emerged as a serious contender” to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. One of the businesses the Hoffmann Family owns is the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, winners of the Kelly Cup from 2022-24. Multiple stories emerged in recent...
Paul Skenes continues to be his own stopper after rare rough outings
As Paul Skenes began his outing against the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, he wasn’t wild about his four-seam fastball. “The first four-seamer I threw was terrible metrically,” Skenes said following the game. “After that, I threw one with a shape that I haven’t thrown at...
Tim Benz: ‘Not good. But better’ mentality is aiding Kaleb Johnson and Derrick HarmonVideo
If we can imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 preseason as a typical sports movie, we’re at the mandatory “improvement montage” scene for the rookies. Like Herb Brooks in “Miracle” coaching up goalie Jim Craig. ”Better. Not good. But better.” That appears to be especially true for this year’s top two...
First Call: Steelers work out 4 long snappers; Carolina won’t play starters vs. Pittsburgh in final preseason game
The Pittsburgh Steelers are checking out options at long snapper. We know Carolina’s playing-time strategy for the preseason finale against the Steelers on Thursday. Both Ohio teams in the AFC North were in the headlines over the weekend. And a wide receiver is on the move in the NFL, but...
Madden Monday: 2 things that will be the ‘undoing’ of Cameron Heyward’s hold-in
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden shared two reasons why he thinks Cameron Heyward will eventually end his hold-in and will start practicing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in advance of their regular season opener on Sept. 7. The first is what Madden perceives as an inability on Heyward’s...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Roman Wilson, rookies pop but miscues cost SteelersVideo
A lot happened early. Three first-quarter touchdowns, in fact. After that, not much. Not … much … at … all. Such is the result in a lot of preseason games. That was especially true between the Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium. The biggest takeaway...
First Call: Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans stand out in Buccaneers’ joint practice vs. Steelers, will sit for game
Friday’s “First Call” has an update on the Tampa Bay depth chart in advance of the Buccaneers’ visit Saturday to Acrisure Stadium to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game. Also, assistant general manager Andy Weidl talks about next year’s quarterback draft class. We preview the Pirates’ trip to...
Former Steeler Larry Foote on hype of this year’s defense: ‘I’m always going to say we were the best’
You could see the attempt at diplomacy oozing through Larry Foote’s wry smile when he was posed with the question in the visitors’ tunnel at Acrisure Stadium: Could the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers defense measure up to the great units you played on during the 2005, ‘08 and ‘10 Super Bowl...
‘Everybody Loves You Now’: Mason Rudolph returns to Acrisure Stadium for the 1st time since his 2023 heroics
The last time Mason Rudolph left the field at Acrisure Stadium, he did so to the sound of cheers and applause. “It’s a one-of-one sort of a stadium with the feel of the yinzers’ best,” Rudolph said after a recent training camp practice. That game was a 34-11 make-or-break win...
U mad, bro?: Even the broadcasters are bashing the Pirates, while Steelers fans are unhappy about Cam Heyward’s hold-in
Cameron Heyward and Chris Boswell were holding-in during Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Mike Tomlin is talking tough about a Steelers’ defense that hasn’t been tough enough for years. And the Pirates continue to be extremely tough to watch at all. So in the dog days of August, all you pups...
First Call: A connect-the-dots game between the Steelers and Odell Beckham Jr.; updates on Najee Harris, Shedeur Sanders
Thursday’s “First Call” plays connect-the-dots between Odell Beckham Jr. and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shedeur Sanders and a former Pitt wide receiver are dealing with training camp injuries. Plus, we check in on Najee Harris’ recovery from that scary eye injury in Los Angeles. OK with OBJ? A social media post...
Tim Benz: Steelers defense wants to be ‘historic.’ Here’s some recent history they better fix to make it happen
During training camp, new Pittsburgh Steeler Juan Thornhill said the team’s 2025 defense could be “one of the best of all time.” When that quote was presented to head coach Mike Tomlin during a radio interview Monday morning, he was asked if he wanted to “cushion it” at all. What...
‘Letters from Camp’ Q&A: Steelers O-line coach Pat Meyer on Broderick Jones’ move to LT, Troy Fautanu’s return
Our latest “Letters from Camp” Q&A with a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff features offensive line coach Pat Meyer. He answers five questions about what I have deemed to be the most important position group on the 2025 Steelers. Why should we be confident that things will be...
First Call: ESPN cites Steelers’ minimal ‘appetite’ for Cam Heyward negotiations; Omar Khan declines comment
It doesn’t sound like contract negotiations are going great between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cameron Heyward. It doesn’t sound like Omar Khan thinks the Steelers need a wide receiver. It does sound like a former Steeler will have a big role in the preseason game against Tampa. And it also...
First Call: Chris Boswell declines to discuss his hold in; Myles Garrett gets yet another 100 mph speeding ticket
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell doesn’t want to discuss his contract situation. A pair of former Steelers are on the move. Myles Garrett got busted for speeding yet again. And it’s “a Paul Skenes day” in Milwaukee. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” I’ll pass On Monday, Cameron Heyward spoke...
Steelers players, coaches notice specific improvements in Mason Rudolph since returning to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington played with quarterback Mason Rudolph for one year in 2023. Then Rudolph went to Tennessee for a season. Now he’s back. And apparently better than he was before. “He’s just improved in the details from play-to-play. His steps. His drops. Whatever his coaching points...
Tim Benz: Cam Heyward sounds like he’s trying to live in 2 worlds at once
For most of his career, Cameron Heyward has been viewed as the consummate Pittsburgh Steelers good guy. A team captain. A Walter Payton Man of the Year. A good teammate. A leader. An All-Pro. Mr. Consistent. He’s also the guy who once famously said of Aaron Rodgers’ protracted decision-making process,...
First Call: Strong preseason debuts for Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Mitch Trubisky; ex-Steeler DB now a Raider
Monday’s “First Call” has a roundup of how ex-Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Mitch Trubisky did quarterbacking their teams in the first week of the 2025 preseason. We also get you up to date on some player movement involving a few former Steelers, and the Pirates visit Milwaukee...
