Tim Benz stories, Page 47

If you work in the Pittsburgh sports media you are obligated — by law — to make a season prediction for the Steelers before their first game of the regular season. Seriously. If you don’t, you could get arrested. I’m pretty sure I signed some piece of paper requiring me...

For the returning players on Duquesne’s football team, Saturday’s jump in competition as they travel down I-79 to face West Virginia will be nothing new. They were on the Dukes’ roster last year when the team visited FBS schools such as Florida State and Hawaii. Some still remain from the...

Thursday’s “First Call” has Steelers reaction to Nick Bosa’s new contract in San Francisco. We detail how much playing time Bosa may get Sunday in Pittsburgh without the benefit of a training camp. Plus, Bosa’s return is just one of many good news items for the 49ers. And it is...

This time next week, “U mad, bro?” will be filled to the brim with one of two types of complaints from readers. 1. That the Steelers didn’t win. Or…. 2. That the Steelers didn’t win by enough. Either way, it’s bound to be wildly entertaining. In the meantime, for our...

When it comes to season-opening opponents, beginning the 2023 campaign against the San Francisco 49ers will continue a theme for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s the third straight year that Mike Tomlin’s crew will open their campaign against a reigning division champion. The 49ers won the NFC West in 2022. Last...

There’s at least one Steeler who actually wants to see George Kittle on the field Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. It shouldn’t be surprising that the Steeler we’re talking about doesn’t have to actually try to tackle him or cover him. “He’s the gold standard for tight end play. Him and...

Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us a look at the latest commercial for Steelers star T.J. Watt. One ex-Steeler refused to play elsewhere in the AFC North, while another just signed to play within it. And time is running out on Nick Bosa if he wants to play with the 49ers...

The Steelers’ newest player signing is the latest example of their Gordon Gekko approach to roster construction in 2023. Greed is good. Get as much as you can, while you can. Since the Steelers’ salary cap spreadsheet is blessed with starters at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back and...

Of all the people in Pittsburgh who have been feverishly tracking news out of San Francisco about Nick Bosa’s contract, you’d figure that Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore would be No. 1 on that list. Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after an 18.5-sack season. But the...

Tuesday’s “First Call” has more news about some star San Francisco players who may be out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Also, JuJu Smith-Schuster responds to reports about his knee problems, an ex-Steeler is in some hot water legally, and a Duquesne football player receives an NEC honor. Kittle...

Before you make a bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season-win total, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has some advice. First of all, even if the Steelers look much improved from last year — and they do — that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have a huge jump in...

The Pittsburgh Steelers open the season next weekend. It’s a game weekend in college football for Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia. And there’s news all over the NFL about ex-Steelers and upcoming opponents for the team. So let’s dive in with our inaugural “Friday Football Footnotes” post for 2023....

Friday’s “First Call” has the latest on Nick Bosa’s contract drama as the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Former Steeler Kendrick Green may have a quick reunion with his Pittsburgh teammates. Another ex-Steeler, Arthur Maulet, is still touchy about his former team....

With the notable exception of an 11-0 start in 2020, many recent editions of the Pittsburgh Steelers have needed to scramble late in the year because of rotten starts to seasons. Over the past decade, Mike Tomlin’s teams have had a nasty habit of putting themselves in playoff peril even...

In Thursday’s “First Call,” we look at Desmond King II, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest addition to the cornerback unit. We also have some news about the franchise on the ownership front. A former Pitt tight end has a new home. And Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson proves how tough of...

Former Steelers offensive lineman Kendrick Green had a really rough go of it during his three years in Pittsburgh. Forced into service prematurely as a rookie starting center in 2021, Green struggled badly to learn the position on the NFL level after playing a lot of guard at Illinois. To...

Not to go all Dennis Eckersley on you fine folks, but this week’s “U mad, bro?” is kind of a hodgepodge of nothingness. We’ve got a nutty trade idea for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a worse roster suggestion for the Steelers, a complaint about the Pirates’ hairstyles, and a reference to...

Tuesday’s “First Call” has some advice for young Pittsburgh Steelers from a former rival of the club. A number of ex-Steelers and Pitt Panthers didn’t survive NFL cutdown day. And we look at how the success of the Steelers draft class ended up influencing the depth chart. Betting on Benton...

When word came out that Fenway Sports Group, ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins, purchased regional Pittsburgh sports channel AT&T SportsNet, three questions went through my mind. • What does this mean for the average Pittsburgh area sports viewer? • What does this mean for the Penguins? • What does this...

Starting this week, Robert Morris hockey coaches Derek Schooley and Logan Bittle are taking on a significant job change. They are actually coaching again. Instructing players. A full team. On the ice. Getting ready for a real season. For the first time in two years. “It’s just a super exciting...

Los Angeles Rams star defensive lineman Aaron Donald apparently has no intention of returning to his hometown of Pittsburgh and retiring as a Steeler. For anyone who was truly wondering if that was a possibility. “Football Morning in America’s” Peter King broached that topic in his weekly post on Monday...

Tuesday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and his place among other NFL coaches. We also take a look at Josh Dobbs’ chances of becoming a starter in Arizona. And we have some wild stats about Johan Oviedo’s complete game win for the Pirates in Kansas City on...

A young baseball player in the 1970s, John Wehner grew up in Pittsburgh as a massive fan of the Pirates and their 1979 World Series championship team. Now a broadcaster for the Pirates after wearing the uniform himself for nine years, those memories have not faded for the Carrick High...

Monday’s “First Call” pins a percentage on the Steelers’ playoff chances. A former Steeler may be on the way out with his new team. The Pirates are about to battle one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball, and Robert Morris’ hockey teams are officially back at practice for...

After a 3-0 preseason for the Steelers, many in Pittsburgh are bumping up their 2023 win total predictions by multiple games. Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X has a more conservative approach. “I might be coerced into 10-7 instead of 9-8. But, for me, there’s still plenty of...