Tim Benz stories, Page 13

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

Tim Benz: MLB 'Golden At-Bat' idea takes gold medal for stupidity

I’m not one who immediately flushes the idea of change when it comes to the sport of Major League Baseball. By nature, I’m not automatically a stodgy, old-school baseball traditionalist. I embraced the pitch clock and applauded limited checks of runners on base. I initially balked at the wild card....

Like winning 2 games in 1: Steelers' victory over Bengals may mean even more than you think

On the surface, it’s easy to dilute enthusiasm after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 44-38 win in Cincinnati on Sunday. After all, it came against the meager four-win Bengals and their historically bad defense. But that victory in “The Jungle” was much more than just one checkmark in the win column against...

First Call: Steelers' optimistic odds of winning the AFC North; why George Pickens wasn't ejected

Monday’s “First Call” has updated odds on the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers after things went their way over Thanksgiving weekend. We also provide a referee explanation about why George Pickens wasn’t ejected in Cincinnati. Joe Burrow got hurt during the game. The AFC playoff picture is taking shape. And...

Madden Monday: Steelers’ win in Cincinnati doesn't outweigh remaining hurdles

The Pittsburgh Steelers dispatched the Cincinnati Bengals 44-38 Sunday. So that means they’ve managed to win two of their first three AFC North games at the halfway point of their back-loaded divisional schedule. One game each remains against the Bengals, Browns and Ravens — along with contests in Philadelphia and...

Feats of Strength: Russell Wilson's huge day, key defensive splash plays secure Steelers shootout over Bengals

During the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris had to leave the contest briefly because he didn’t feel well after a run. He blamed himself for eating too much of a dessert made by tight end Pat Freiermuth’s girlfriend during Thanksgiving...

Tim Benz: Whoever points at Arthur Smith for Cleveland loss should point at Mike Tomlin too

CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora appeared on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday morning. He made the following statement about Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith based on what unnamed people within the team’s headquarters are telling him. “There’s people in that building looking at Arthur Smith, like, ‘Come on...

First Call: Arthur Smith connected to UNC head coaching job; Ben Roethlisberger has thoughts on George Pickens, Justin Fields

Multiple outlets are tying Arthur Smith’s name to the head coaching job at North Carolina. Ben Roethlisberger shares opinions on George Pickens and Justin Fields after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to Cleveland. Plus, we preview the Penguins’ next opponent. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Is there a check big...

U mad, bro?: A cornucopia of Pittsburgh sports complaints for the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins

As we approach Thanksgiving, there hasn’t been very much to be thankful for in the Pittsburgh sports world lately. The Steelers just lost in Cleveland … again. Pitt’s football team has lost four in a row, and the Penguins are one of the worst teams in the NHL. I suppose...

Baltimore's 'MNF' win concludes a 'suboptimal' NFL Week 12 for the Steelers

Week 12 of the NFL season was… how can I put this… less than ideal for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Suboptimal, maybe? How about that? However you want to phrase it, things could’ve gone better. For instance, the Steelers could’ve finally — for a change — beaten the typically rudderless Browns...

First Call: Steelers assistant linked to college job; could we see 3rd edition of Maulers?

A Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach is hearing his name linked to a college opening. Pitt’s Kade Bell is being tied to Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator job. There might be movement toward another reincarnation of the Pittsburgh Maulers. And Duquesne’s women’s basketball team scores a win in a renewed rivalry while the...

Tim Benz: Doomsday predictions for Steelers far-fetched, but worthy of concern

When I first read the statement from CBS’ Adam Schein about the Pittsburgh Steelers, I thought it was a bit hyperbolic. “If everything breaks right, they win two more,” Schein said of the Steelers’ remaining schedule. “I honestly have bad vibes right now when it comes to these Pittsburgh Steelers.”...

First Call: NFL reviewing George Pickens' scrum in Cleveland; thoughts on Russell Wilson staying in Pittsburgh

Monday’s “First Call” has some potential fallout from the end of Thursday’s Steelers-Browns game. There’s some forecasting about the future of Pittsburgh’s quarterback position. We preview the “Monday Night Football” game and its implications for the Steelers. And the Duquesne basketball team continues its tournament in the Cayman Islands. League...

Tim Benz: Penguins' weekend on center stage shows how bad things have gotten

In the not-too-distant past, a pre-Thanksgiving mini-bye for the Steelers would’ve been the perfect time for many Pittsburgh sports fans to shelve their NFL obsessions and take in a little Penguins hockey for a few days. Not only were the Steelers off this past weekend because of their Thursday night...

Madden Monday: 'We'll know instantly' if Steelers' loss to Browns will result in long-term damages

In the days since the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) fell to the Cleveland Browns (3-8) on Thursday night, many Steelers fans have had the same concern. Was that just one bad night? Or was that a harbinger of things to come? Was that the 2024 version of losing to Washington after...

Football Footnotes: Refs got the 'illegal touching call' in Cleveland right; Bengals LB predicting victory over Steelers

Usually, our Friday “Football Footnotes” post previews everything coming up on the local football scene. We’ll still do some of that on both the NFL and college levels this time. But with the Pittsburgh Steelers losing in Cleveland on Thursday night (again), this is more like a Friday “Football Fallout”...

First Call: Browns DB calls George Pickens 'fake tough guy' after skirmish; Penguins host best team in NHL

A Cleveland Browns defensive back is not pleased with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. The Penguins face a stiff test amid an early season slump. The Duquesne men’s basketball team enjoys a pre-Thanksgiving getaway. And the Robert Morris hockey team is heading out to play a true college hockey...

Airing of Grievances: Odd coaching decisions, anemic start, leaky defense means another Steelers loss in Cleveland

I don’t want to hear the Pittsburgh Steelers’ excuse machine Friday morning. I don’t want to hear about a short week on the road. I don’t want to hear about the weather. I don’t want to hear how tough it is to play in Cleveland. I don’t want to hear...

Tim Benz: It's not 'How do the Steelers keep losing in Cleveland?' It's 'Why haven't they been able to fix the problem?'

When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent failures in Cleveland, the question shouldn’t be, “How does this keep happening?” The question should be, “Why do the Steelers constantly let this happen?” Because the “how” part is clear. There has been an obvious formula that the Browns have followed to...

First Call: Would Andy Weidl leave for New York? Bad weather predicted for Steelers-Browns

Thursday’s “First Call” examines the prospect of Andy Weidl potentially leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers to assume the vacant general manager’s job with the New York Jets. The weather is supposed to be lousy for Thursday night’s Steelers-Browns game. A quintet of former Penguins find the back to the net with...

U mad, bro?: The Steelers are 8-2, but readers still have plenty of complaints

These days, I find that a lot of people are mad about the election, political appointments, inflation, taxes, border security, international conflict and a few other weighty topics. Like how Netflix streamed the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight and why the Pittsburgh Penguins can’t hold a two-goal lead. But my readers...

First Call: Myles Garrett on Browns injury report; Mike Tomlin atop NFL Coach of the Year odds

Wednesday’s First Call has injury news surrounding Myles Garrett in advance of Thursday’s Steelers-Browns game. We look at the officiating crew for that contest. Mike Tomlin is now atop the NFL’s Coach of the Year gambling odds. There’s an update on Alex Ovechkin’s injury. And the son of a former...

Tim Benz: Skeptical of the Steelers’ 8-2 start? If they are phony, who is for real?

During his six years with the Carolina Panthers, new Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson never enjoyed a season above .500. As a result, he admits that he may not be the greatest judge of what a Super Bowl-caliber team looks like on the inside. But he also knows how different this...

First Call: Steelers LB Patrick Queen fires back at Bart Scott; Justin Fields ready if needed in Cleveland

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen has some beef with former Baltimore Raven Bart Scott. Justin Fields is ready for an expanded role if called upon in Cleveland. The Penguins are preparing for the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. And Alex Ovechkin scores twice more before getting hurt. All that...

Tim Benz: Steelers have to improve upon recent checkered history in Cleveland

It’s not just Steelers players and coaches who need to turn the page on a win over the Baltimore Ravens as quickly as possible. Fans and those of us in the media have to as well. It’s tempting for fans to bask in the afterglow of an eighth win in...

First Call: Justin Tucker says playing surface not 'ideal' after missed kicks; Bill Cowher breaks Buffalo tailgating table

Monday’s “First Call” shows former Steelers coach Bill Cowher smashing a table in typical Buffalo tailgating fashion. Baltimore’s Justin Tucker tries to explain away his missed kicks at Acrisure Stadium. John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson look for reasons as to why the Ravens can’t get out of their own way...

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