Tim Benz stories, Page 122

Wednesday’s “First Call” has some troubling news for former Steeler Antonio Brown. A former WPIAL player is up from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. And a Bengals signing bust. Oh, boy, A.B. Former Steeler Antonio Brown may be in more trouble than we thought. Well, that’s depending on how much...

Recent memories that Steelers fans have of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone are mainly negative. He was the guy on the sideline as they plowed through Heinz Field with upset wins twice in 2017. Once in the regular season 30-9, then again in the playoffs 45-42. Meanwhile, Marrone’s earliest...

During his Tuesday press conference, I think Mike Tomlin finally had an appreciation of what it’s like to be a sports talk show host. On light content days, sometimes you’ve got to say a whole lot about not much to fill the time. Hence his glowing monologue about Jacksonville Jaguars...

There’s nothing easy about life for college sports in 2020. Just look at the Pitt and Penn State football teams. Now college basketball is trying to launch amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the case of Duquesne, the pre-conference schedule is still being worked out. The UPMC Chuck Cooper Fieldhouse isn’t...

Having a strong middle class is usually a good thing. Not if you are the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers or Kansas City Chiefs, though. Elsewhere in life, that’s true. Economics. Politics. Education. You know, less important stuff than the AFC playoff picture. However, there seems to be a rising middle class...

Former Steeler Antonio Brown is already back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A Baltimore Raven is catching some flak from his own fans. Even less reason for Steelers fans to worry about the Jacksonville Jaguars. And a bus is the reason why coaches of the Kansas City...

Monday’s “First Call” features some Bengals fans wagging their fingers at Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree after their team lost at Heinz Field. The New England Patriots spring another trick play on the Baltimore Ravens. The Cleveland Browns ruined a bet. And the Jacksonville Jaguars gave the Steelers a few things...

It’s time to stop wondering “how” and time to start wondering “how many.” In other words, forget how the Steelers managed to get to 9-0. Now let’s focus on how many in a row they will win before that streak is snapped. It’s time to stop asking “when” and start...

Now that was a 60-minute game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, maybe 50-55 minutes. But close enough as they smoked the Cincinnati Bengals, 36-10, Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. For perhaps just the second time this season — despite nine wins in nine tries — the undefeated Steelers were better...

What are the Pittsburgh Steelers planning to do with Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday? We find out in Friday’s “First Call.” We also get some Penguins news, a little rumble surrounding the Baltimore Ravens, and some good news for a Penn State/WPIAL alum. Here’s the plan According to Jay Glazer of...

For the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0), Sunday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1) appears more dangerous than it did a few weeks ago. • The Steelers looked highly vulnerable scratching past a bad Dallas Cowboys team that is now 2-7. • The Steelers have practiced all week without quarterback...

We see where this is going, don’t we? Chicago is issuing stay-at-home orders. Ohio is imposing tougher statewide mask mandates. Greece is in full lockdown nationwide. In the sports world, college football games all over the map are being canceled or postponed. Pitt is “pausing” its football program’s activities because...

Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us Steelers coach Mike Tomlin explaining his team’s poor blocking on place kicks on Sunday in Dallas. We also get some bad Cincinnati Bengals trash talk and even worse karma. Plus, perhaps the greatest golf shot you’ll ever see. Figure it ‘aht! The Steelers place-kick protection...

Going for a late fourth down during Sunday’s win in Dallas wasn’t the only questionable decision Mike Tomlin made on Sunday. Deciding to take tight end Vance McDonald on the trip is also worthy of second-guessing. Well, IF that’s who we are talking about when it comes to the mysterious...

“U mad, bro?” Never mind. I know the answer to that question already. Everybody is mad. All the time. About everything. We just had an election. One side is angry about the result. The other side is angry the result is being disputed. Instead, let’s just talk about something that’ll...

Tuesday’s “First Call” got me a little fired up. I have issues with ESPN’s midseason NFL awards, as some Steelers were snubbed. We look at eyebrow-raising numbers about the quarterback the Steelers are facing this weekend. And equally impressive gambling notes for the upcoming game. Also, some props for the...

Explain to me how all of this is going to work for the 2020 Masters. The Champions Dinner via Uber Eats? Will the green jacket still be draped on the winner’s back by last year’s champion? Or will it just be placed on a hanger? Will I be watching while...

Some Steelers fans may be struggling to make sense of what they just watched against the 2-7 Dallas Cowboys. A 24-19 escape in a game that should’ve been a breeze. Hey, these are covid times. Nothing really makes sense. Even the Steelers’ 8-0 start. Think about all of those great...

Monday’s “First Call” gives us some grousing from the Dallas Cowboys after their loss to the Steelers. The officials made some close calls against them, and they aren’t happy about it. We also check in on the Steelers’ next opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. We get an update on Cleveland Browns...

The Steelers spent the last two weeks going on the road and beating the Tennessee Titans (5-0) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-1). They did so without playing their best football. In fact, they were pretty lousy for roughly half of both games. So, in a way, that had to make...

Not gonna lie. I loved that result from the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dallas on Sunday. It was a jagged 24-19 victory over a forlorn Dallas team that sits at 2-7. The Steelers couldn’t have looked much worse in the process. Yet, Mike Tomlin’s team won anyway to improve to 8-0....

As Steelers fans read this post about running back James Conner, rest easy. I’m writing it while sitting at a large wooden table. And, yes, I am knocking on it periodically so as to deflect any jinxes about the recent good stretch of Conner’s health. Conner’s career has been one...

For Friday’s “First Call,” we see some praise for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt. We look at a pair of Dallas Cowboys who could be a pain for the Steelers offense. A Steelers rookie who is getting some recognition. And a rare positive Pittsburgh Pirates memory. Tuitt’s time OK....

The Steelers (7-0) should blow out the Dallas Cowboys (2-6) on Sunday. The Cowboys certainly are no longer “America’s Team.” Unless we are talking about America in 2020. The America that’s been addled by a pandemic, engulfed in social upheaval, ravaged by wildfires, divided by political discord, and immersed in...

Thursday’s “First Call” goes to Tampa Bay for Antonio Brown’s first practice and first interview as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. One Watt seems unhappy, while another is getting praised for his play. And Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is your new favorite for NFL Coach of the Year. Antonio Brown...