Tim Benz stories, Page 63

Tim Benz
Tim Benz
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Tim Benz: NFL must listen to Cam Heyward and other defensive players on ‘hip-drop’ penalty consideration
If the NFL just wants to govern itself by Twitter, I hope it follows the account of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward. Because at least he’s tweeting something reasonable. No, seriously. Someone is actually doing that in 2023. It appears the NFL is strongly considering the elimination of the...
A trade scenario Ron Hextall is looking to avoid and some Penguins history he may want to replicate
While meeting with the media Sunday, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall had to deal with a lot of hypothetical questions. About how the team may create salary-cap room. About how it may approach various methods to make his roster better. About what he is going to do with the...
Madden Monday: Why Ron Hextall ‘shouldn’t trade a 1st-round draft pick under any circumstances’
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall met with the media Sunday, and he was asked about a wide range of topics. He didn’t necessarily answer all of the questions that were asked. At least not directly. But when it came to the idea of trading a first-round pick as a...
First Call: Cam Heyward rips idea of new NFL defensive penalty; Brian Flores is a finalist for Arizona coaching job
Monday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward sounding off against a potential NFL rule that may make life even harder on defensive players. Brian Flores is now a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals coaching job. Myles Garrett got hurt during the Pro Bowl games. And the NHL...
Tim Benz: We keep hearing about ‘volatility’ within Penguins’ performance — now it’s time to fix it
Before the Pittsburgh Penguins left town for the All-Star break, head coach Mike Sullivan did his best to summarize the way his team has been playing. “There’s been volatility in our game. We’ve got to bring a consistent game every night. We’ve got to put a game on the ice...
Friday Football Footnotes: If not for Tom Brady, how many more Super Bowl rings would Steelers have?
Every now and then, Pittsburgh Steelers fans love to put themselves through the exercise of determining how many Super Bowl trophies the franchise would have in its display case if it weren’t for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Usually that answer comes back at nine or...
First Call: T.J. Watt sidesteps question on Taylor Lewan; defensive line free agent idea for Steelers; Joe Mixon news
It’s a football-heavy Friday “First Call,” as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt gives his response to Taylor Lewan’s plea to patch over their past. An intriguing free agent name has been advanced for the Steelers to consider. We also are tracking Joe Mixon’s legal entanglement and the tracking future of...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh native Jeff Bergman discusses emotions of ending 30-year NFL officiating career in Super Bowl LVII
As young kids playing football in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh’s North Side, Jeff Bergman and his friends wanted to become “Johnny Unitas — The Pittsburgh kid with the golden arm.” Or any one of the of the region’s many other pro football legends. Instead, he became Jeff Bergman — a...
First Call: Titans player seeks forgiveness for ‘spitting’ at T.J. Watt; Pitt-UNC got tense during and after the game 
If Taylor Lewan really wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, he better start making good with one of the franchise’s star players. Tom Brady’s retirement brought some fond memories to mind for a former Steeler. Kurt Warner has fun with a tough anniversary in his career. The Penguins got an...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans sound off about Rashard Mendenhall, critics of Kenny Pickett, NFL officiating, politics in sports
Pittsburgh Steelers fans want to be critical of Rashard Mendenhall, but they don’t want criticism of the team. Ex-officials are analyzing how other ex-officials are criticizing NFL officiating. Readers want journalism without critical analysis. But everyone wants to be critical of me. Just another, typical week for “U mad, bro?”...
First Call: Return of a Heinz Field ketchup bottle; Twitter doubts Tom Brady’s retirement; Calvin Austin III runs again 
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a return of an Acrisure Stadium favorite and a potential return to the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. Pitt and Penn State both have big games Wednesday night. Tuesday was an exciting evening in the Metropolitan Division. And some fans are a bit dubious of Tom Brady’s latest...
Tim Benz: Bengals LB Joseph Ossai isn’t acting like a media victim, so let’s stop trying to turn him into one
Fret not for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joseph Ossai. He’s been positioned as a media victim by Twitter. It’s the safest, most protected spot in the world. No one can criticize him now. I mean, apparently, no media member can even ask him a question without a “DEFCON 1” online rebuke....
Kenny Pickett ‘snubbed’ for Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley as Pro Bowl replacement — and it’s not going over well in Pittsburgh
Maybe someday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will get to a Pro Bowl. He’s a first-round pick. As a rookie, the Pitt grad won six games as a starter after the bye to help the Steelers to a 7-2 record down the stretch. Plus, he only threw one interception during...
NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore breaks down officiating issues from AFC, NFC title games 
During his weekly “Zebra Talk” segment, former NFL referee turned CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore joined WDVE Tuesday morning to discuss numerous officiating controversies from this weekend’s AFC and NFC Championship games. • Joe Burrow’s intentional grounding: On Cincinnati’s final possession of the AFC contest, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was...
First Call: Pat Freiermuth says Steelers offense ‘didn’t have hots’; Cam Sutton wants to stay; NFL salary cap revealed
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Pat Freiermuth has an interesting detail about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in 2022. Cornerback Cam Sutton expresses a desire to stay in Pittsburgh before hitting free agency. Plus, a Penn State wide receiver is starting to get some attention from scouts. Also, the NFL has revealed...
Tim Benz: The Penguins ‘roadies’ need to do more to support ‘the band’
It was one thing when the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to keep the band together this past spring. But did they have to keep all of the roadies too? Management’s offseason strategy to find whatever has been missing from this group after four straight years without winning a playoff round clearly...
Tim Benz: Derek Shelton not worried about Bryan Reynolds’ trade request — nor should he be
As much hand-wringing as there is over the trade request of Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, it could prove to be somewhat of a benefit. For everybody involved. Well, for the short term, anyway. If Reynolds truly wants out of Pittsburgh, the most effective way to do that is to...
Madden Monday: ‘Last 2 Pens general managers have been goalies, and the goaltending is in shambles’
As the Pittsburgh Penguins hit their break before the NHL All-Star Game, they have done so by losing three of four games. Their most recent defeat was a 6-4 decision at home against the hapless San Jose Sharks, who have just 15 wins on the season. But during this week’s...
First Call: Pittsburgh products impact AFC, NFC title games; Steelers fans mock Mayor Gainey’s tweet congratulating Eagles
In Monday’s “First Call,” we learn of a linebacker the Pittsburgh Steelers are watching in advance of the NFL Draft. Brian Flores has been passed over for a job on an NFC coaching staff. There was a Pittsburgh imprint on the AFC and NFC Championship games. Adam “Pacman” Jones recalls...
Friday Football Footnotes: Art Rooney II says Steelers will keep Mitch Trubisky, pursue NFL Draft
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” looks at Mitch Trubisky’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also discuss the prospects of the city hosting the NFL draft, and potentially keeping the prospect of AFC Championship home games. Speaking of AFC Championship games, we also have an update on Patrick Mahomes’ injury...
Tim Benz: Ranking the Steelers’ 6 wins, 5 losses in home AFC Championship games
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II came out against the idea of having neutral site AFC and NFC Championship games. “I hate the idea,” Rooney said. “I don’t like that at all. My sense is that if you put that up for a vote it wouldn’t pass today,...
First Call: Another interview for Brian Flores; Steelers ‘unsung’ hero; Clint Hurdle on Bryan Reynolds
Thursday’s “First Call” has another job interview for Pittsburgh Steelers assistant Brian Flores. One Steeler is highlighted as an “unsung hero” in the NFL. We recap another busy night in the Metropolitan Division while the Penguins were idle. And former Pirates manager Clint Hurdle shares his thoughts on Bryan Reynolds....
U mad, bro?: Readers angry about Steelers criticism, Tremaine Edmunds speculation, Ivan Provorov column
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are still trying to rationalize another season without a playoff win. We’re already making excuses for the team chumping out in free agency. Some Pirates fans are dubious of Andrew McCutchen’s return. And my Ivan Provorov column was a big hit! What I mean by that is...
Tim Benz: Penguins, Capitals very much in the same boat as they prepare to lock horns
At the start of the NHL season, many expected the Pittsburgh Penguins to be in a dogfight to continue their streak of 16 consecutive playoff appearances. So far, that prediction has played out exactly as foreseen. Through 47 games (out of 82), the Penguins are 24-15-8. That translates to just...
Tim Benz: Penguins reverse some negative trends in wild win over Panthers
If you are looking for things to complain about coming out of Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Penguins’ 7-6 overtime win over the Florida Panthers, the excitement quotient can’t be one of them. “I don’t know if I had a laugh, but it was an entertaining game. I’m sure you guys might have,”...


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