Tim Benz stories, Page 43

The Pittsburgh Steelers were bad. The officials were worse. The weather was lousy. Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the game? After two straight wins, the Steelers took a major step in the wrong direction by suffering a 20-10 loss at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)...

Some days the last thing in the world Matt Sweet wanted to do was eat. Anything. At all. But applesauce? He could do applesauce. One container of applesauce. Other days, the only thing he felt like he could possibly do was lie in bed. But a short walk? OK. Get...

For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we look at some of the big questions hanging over Sunday’s Steelers-Jaguars game at Acrisure Stadium. One of them should be, “Is this the first of two rounds this season between the teams?” Don’t be stunned to see the Jags win the AFC South,...

Friday’s “First Call” sees George Pickens volley back after some eyebrow-raising comments from a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. A former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman is unimpressed with the starting cornerback combination on the team. We look at the upcoming college football slate for Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia....

When the Steelers win in comeback fashion, on the road, as underdogs, generally the Pittsburgh sports fanbase is feeling pretty good. About the Steelers, anyway. Well, the second half of the Steelers game at least. But there are plenty of other things to complain about. And we touch ‘em all...

One Jacksonville defensive back had an interesting quote about Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. Sean Casey is walking away from his job with the New York Yankees. And the Penguins face a tough test at home Thursday night. All that and more from the AFC North in Thursday’s “First...

Just about everyone on the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed to feel that the team’s 4-1 loss Tuesday to the Dallas Stars was a better effort than their 4-2 defeat in St. Louis on Saturday. But it still wasn’t good enough. And frankly, it still wasn’t all that good. Parsing different degrees...

Even though the Steelers beat the Los Angeles Rams, there were a pair of calls Sunday that went against the Black and Gold that had Pittsburgh fans scratching their heads. But in both cases, former NFL referee and current CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said the officials on the field...

Wednesday’s “First Call” has some critical comments from Ben Roethlisberger about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight end usage and their post-whistle penalties. We also look at the history of the team’s rivalry with Sunday’s opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars. And we get an update on Deshaun Watson’s health in Cleveland. Clean it...

Tuesday’s “First Call” has some information about various Pittsburgh Steelers on the move. A former Pitt Panther sparkled on “Monday Night Football.” And a Duquesne football player walks away with conference honors for a second straight week. On the move again Former Steeler Terrell Edmunds has been traded away by...

We are more than a third of the way through the NFL season, and we are still trying to figure out who the Pittsburgh Steelers are. Far be it from anyone in the Pittsburgh media or the Steelers fan base to presume that they’ve got the rest of the AFC...

After his Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-2 versus St. Louis on Saturday night, head coach Mike Sullivan said he needed some time “to digest” what had happened. On Monday, presumably after knocking back a few bottles of Pepto-Bismol, this is what he came up with. “I don’t think it’s a game...

Monday’s “First Call” has reaction from Los Angeles regarding that questionable spot at the end of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game. George Pickens is telling himself to learn a lesson from that win. We look at the Steelers’ opponent for next week. And we check in on a landmark in the...

For Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X, analysis of Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Los Angeles is straightforward. “I think it’s real simple,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “(George) Pickens and (T.J.) Watt were game-changing. Diontae (Johnson) was important. (Kenny) Pickett was better and played...

As we pointed out here at “Breakfast With Benz” coming out of the bye, this is the time of year when the Steelers tend to turn up their momentum. Even during this stretch of six years without a playoff victory, since 2017 the franchise is 31-10-1 between Week 5 and...

This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at the prospect of Aaron Donald ever playing in Pittsburgh again. Steelers fans are hoping to witness a first in Los Angeles. Plus, we check out the rest of the landscape in local college action and the AFC North. No story here...

For Pitt defensive lineman Dayon Hayes, it was a simple community outreach trip. Going to a hospital with a few posters to sign. Hand out a few tickets to the patients. Thank a few of the nurses on duty. As a person who mashes their body at top speed against...

Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Los Angeles Rams’ complicated running back situation heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, their coach is navigating a potentially dicey personal situation of his own in advance of game day. The Steelers are getting clarity about some upcoming quarterbacks on their...

You might think that, because the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t play this past weekend, “U mad, bro?” would be lacking for content. You might think that. But if you live in Pittsburgh and follow our local sports teams, you know that couldn’t possibly be the case with our passionate fan base....

It certainly sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is tiring of questions about his struggling offense. “Man, I think we have talked about this a lot, haven’t we?” Tomlin responded when asked about the topic again Tuesday. Yes, indeed we have. For much of the past five years, actually....

Atlantic 10 coaches and media members aren’t the only people anticipating a breakout season from the Duquesne men’s basketball team. ESPN college basketball bracket expert Joe Lunardi can see that happening as well. This week at the A-10’s media day, the conference preseason poll was announced, and Duquesne was rated...

Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with a surprising move by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a surprising omission for the Penguins from an ESPN list. Plus, it was a memorable night for a former Penguin, and an ex-Pirates executive may land a big-time job back in Major League Baseball. Well, that was...

I want to avoid committing the sports media sin of criticizing someone — in this case, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — for something they haven’t done yet. But the fact that this is even a conversation at all is worthy of some critical words. Tomlin should end the slow...

When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Rams on Sunday, they’ll see a pair of former teammates who are thriving in Los Angeles. Ex-Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has started all six games for the Rams and played 94% of the defensive snaps for the Rams so far this year. He has...

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent is dealing with issues on and off the field. A former Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback after some recent trouble in his personal life. The first college basketball poll of the season is out. And a Duquesne football star is getting some recognition....