Tim Benz stories, Page 64

One thing that the Duquesne basketball team has improved upon during the 2022-23 season is stopping a slide before it ever gets going. That’s very different from last year when the Dukes ended the season on a 17-game Atlantic 10 losing streak. This year, at 13-7, the Dukes have yet...

Wednesday’s “First Call” has some intriguing news concerning a potential Pittsburgh Steelers free-agent target. An ex-Steelers linebacker is coming back to Pittsburgh. The Pitt basketball team is set for an evenly matched ACC clash. And a former Robert Morris hockey player gets quite a conference honor. Keeping an eye out...

Believe it or not, the Pittsburgh Penguins are on a four-game point streak. It may not feel that way because the team has lost two of those four games. However, the defeats were in overtime — Wednesday in Ottawa (5-4) and Sunday in New Jersey (2-1). The loser points are...

Tom Brady has a NSFW reaction to a question about his NFL future. A former Pittsburgh Steeler is joining the college coaching ranks. Two current Steelers get postseason recognition. And the Penguins had a good night without even taking the ice. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Blustery Brady Tampa...

As the NFL playoffs move along without the Pittsburgh Steelers involved, I’ve noticed a lot of conversation on sports talk radio and on social media to the following effect: ”If Kenny Pickett continues to develop, can the Steelers offense ever become what the Cincinnati Bengals have with Joe Burrow?” I...

In Monday’s “First Call,” an ex-Steeler is starting up some Twitter beef with Ben Roethlisberger. We are getting some financial details about Lamar Jackson’s contract situation. Steelers assistant Brian Flores has a job interview today. And the Ravens may be trying to poach an assistant from the Cleveland Browns’ staff....

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ latest overtime defeat came Sunday afternoon in New Jersey. It was a 2-1 loss to the Devils, courtesy of a Doug Hamilton game-winning goal. The shot that won it for the Devils came on a power play after the Penguins were busted for too many men on...

When Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen made the comment, I figured it was simply the right thing to say. “I want to win,” McCutchen said during a press conference to announce his return to Pittsburgh after a five-year absence. “Specifically, I want to win here. I know what it feels...

Friday’s “First Call” looks at where the Pittsburgh Penguins sit in the standings after a busy night in the Metropolitan Division. Plus, we look at the prospect of rebooting the original Winter Classic. And we fill up the local college basketball dance card for Saturday. Back where it all began...

This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” includes some specific goals stated by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. I’ll share some thoughts on Byron Leftwich’s firing. Another job interview is in the books for Brian Flores. John Harbaugh discusses Lamar Jackson’s future in Baltimore. Plus, Steelers fans are likely to give “two...

I disliked Ivan Provorov’s refusal to skate in the Philadelphia Flyers pregame warmup Tuesday night. He boycotted because he didn’t want to wear the same LGBTQ+ Pride Night warmup jersey the rest of the team was wearing. But I also disliked a lot of the hypocritical media fallout from his...

With Matt Canada staying in place as the Steelers offensive coordinator, Thursday’s “First Call” examines if there was ever really any interest by the franchise when it came to potentially hiring Byron Leftwich. A former Steelers assistant may be in the running for the Patriots offensive coordinator job. A current...

Matt Canada is officially coming back for a third season as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And there’s nothing that can be done about it. The fans can’t wish his dismissal into existence. And the media can’t write it (or speak it) into existence. It wasn’t for a lack...

What else should I expect in Pittsburgh when the Steelers season ends with so much postseason football left to be played? People are on edge. Some are angry at the team for coming up short in the regular season. Others are angry at those people for … being angry, I...

When it comes to his team’s confounding power play, you can hear Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan struggling with the contradictions. He wants it to be more “predictable,” but he doesn’t want it “robotic.” He wants his skilled players to be creative, but he also wants the execution to be...

Whoever the Pittsburgh Steelers have as offensive coordinator next year — whether it’s Matt Canada again or someone (anyone) else — I hope they were watching the first round of the AFC playoffs closely. Because there was one specific, valuable lesson for the Steelers to take away from those games:...

Wednesday’s “First Call” has two endorsements from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. One is for a current coach, another is for a former Pitt teammate. An AFC rival may be making eyes at the Steelers if he gets to free agency. The Penguins are preparing for a home-and-home with a...

Monday’s “First Call” has a coaching rumor tied to the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator position. It’s NFL draft scouting season, so let’s start with a guy the Steelers noticed at the Hula Bowl. Also, the odds are out on where Lamar Jackson may wind up if he leaves Baltimore. More...

The Pittsburgh Penguins knew exactly what they were staring at late in their game Monday night. The bottom. Having lost eight of their last 10 games, the Pens had just blown a 2-1 third-period lead at home to the Anaheim Ducks — a team with just 12 wins, second fewest...

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ re-signing of former star outfielder Andrew McCutchen is … nice. Looking for a hotter take than that? I don’t think there is one to be had. If McCutchen wants a career victory lap in the city where it all started, that’s nice. If the organization is willing...

Pittsburgh Steelers fans definitely noticed that the Miami Dolphins nearly took down the Buffalo Bills in their AFC playoff game Sunday. As the seventh seed in the AFC playoff bracket, the Dolphins went to Buffalo and only lost 34-31 despite being 13-point underdogs. That result seems to have Steelers fans...

Now that the door has been opened to such a conversation, there are some who feel that the NFL may give consideration to having the AFC and NFC Championship games in a neutral site. Dumb idea. Well, dumb from the standpoint of what’s good for the fans. I’m sure it’d...

Friday’s “First Call” has an update on a job hunt that involves a Pittsburgh Steelers assistant. The Metropolitan Division in the NHL had an interesting night. The Penguins were aided by some old friends. Also, the Winnipeg Jets are at PPG Paints Arena on Friday. And the Pitt hoops team...