Tim Benz stories, Page 73

The Cleveland Browns stunningly managed to blow a 13-point lead with less than two minutes remaining against the New York Jets on Sunday. So the fans booed. No surprise there, right? But Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett took exception. “These guys are still putting their (rear ends) on the line...

Tuesday’s “First Call” has some strong views of the Pittsburgh Steelers run game from a former offensive lineman. The Pirates are gearing up for two games against the high-powered New York Yankees. Plus, DirecTV had to apologize to NFL fans. Also, Robert Morris hockey is celebrating another pro contract for...

I’m going to have to disagree with Pittsburgh Steelers center Mason Cole. Not with the meaning of what he said. Oh, he’s 100% accurate there. I’m just going to quibble with his turn of phrase. While speaking with the media on Monday after his team’s 17-14 loss to the New...

Big Ben wants bigger plays from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. In the latest edition of his “Footbahlin’” podcast, the team’s former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a conversation with former Steeler and NFL analyst Merril Hoge. Roethlisberger said that he’d like to see the Steelers be more aggressive on offense. “Go...

For Monday’s “First Call,” we are just going to focus on one thing and that is: What in the world happened to the AFC North this weekend??!! No, the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t the only team to have a rough day in the division. The Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland...

Here is what we know about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense so far: • The run game isn’t any better than what it was a season ago. In fact, it looks worse. Najee Harris has only 72 yards over two games. • None of the receivers have really found a rhythm...

NFL coaches love to talk about “all three phases” of their team. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is no exception. Although Tomlin probably didn’t want to talk about them much Sunday evening. Because even though his team’s 17-14 loss to New England was a close game, all three phases got...

Friday’s “First Call” introduces you to the Pittsburgh Steelers new outside linebacker. We check in on Pirates starter Mitch Keller, who looks to stay on a hot streak. A former Penguin “throws” out one of the most unique MLB first pitches you are ever going to see. And a reader...

This week’s edition of “Friday Football Footnotes” has a viral moment from last week’s Steelers-Bengals game. A former Pitt Panther tears into Bill Belichick. Aaron Rodgers looks to keep his run of dominance going against the Chicago Bears. And Duquesne may not be the huge underdog you’re expecting them to...

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is now officially on injured reserve. So he is out of action for at least the next four weeks. How do they get around the problem at left outside linebacker? Well, we know recently acquired former Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed is the first option....

Whenever Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth catches a pass Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, expect the now familiar “Muuuuth” chants to be even louder than normal. Well, that’s if the 50 to 60 friends and family showing up to watch him play this week are actually going to be rooting...

Thursday’s “First Call” has some gaudy television ratings numbers for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2022 season opener. Bill Belichick gives some thoughts on the Steelers without T.J. Watt. A few Pittsburgh names are being tied to the Dallas Cowboys’ QB vacancy. And the Penguins are going to be sucked into some...

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost T.J. Watt on Sunday. The offense doesn’t look great. And the media is working against them. Now, to be clear, the Steelers did win their first game against the Bengals, 23-20. But, c’mon! Who am I kidding? You didn’t come here for pesky details like that....

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t going to feel sorry for the Cincinnati Bengals just because of how their game turned out Sunday. “Lost your long snapper mid-game, huh? Yeah. That stinks. Tough luck. Been there. Done that. Too bad.” Remember when James Harrison had to replace an injured Greg Warren in...

Wednesday’s “First Call” brings word of a new coaching job for a popular former Steeler. Arthur Moats is less than optimistic about an effective return for T.J. Watt in six weeks or less. A Pittsburgh Mauler wants in on the Dallas Cowboys QB vacancy. Plus, we zip around the baseball...

If you are looking to blame someone for the pectoral muscle injury suffered by T.J. Watt, blame me. I jinxed it. I accidentally thought it into existence. I saw former Steeler Tyrone Carter at practice last week. He came back for a visit before the club’s opener in Cincinnati. Carter...

According to one former NFL referee, two important officiating lessons could be learned from key moments during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 23-20 overtime win Sunday in Cincinnati. During his weekly WDVE radio hit Tuesday morning, retired NFL referee turned CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore (Washington, Pa.) said one controversial call may...

Tuesday’s “First Call” has an update on the Patriots quarterback as he gets ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. A Pitt product may be the answer to Cincinnati’s long-snapper problem. The Baltimore Ravens are already dealing with injury issues. And three former Penguins have new places to skate. Jones-ing...

It seems like every time Pittsburgh Steelers fans log on to Twitter there’s a new, nebulous report about the status of T.J. Watt’s pectoral injury. On Monday afternoon, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said Watt isn’t expecting firm word on his status until Tuesday and that his prognosis could be anywhere between...

Monday’s “First Call” updates the health of Mac Jones as he and the Patriots prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the NFL season. A pair of former Steelers lock horns in Arizona. Another scores against the Patriots in Miami. A big fire starts outside an NFL...

Many Steelers fans are trying to separate the bad news about T.J. Watt’s injury Sunday from the thrilling overtime win in Cincinnati. Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X isn’t buying that. “If Watt is out, the season is over,” Madden said in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. The...

The Pittsburgh Steelers should have two goals heading into their season opener Sunday in Cincinnati. • Make this opener look as much like the one last year in Buffalo as possible. • Make this game as unrecognizable as possible when comparing it to the two games against the Bengals last...

This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” examines the Steelers’ history in AFC North season-opening games — and why this one in Cincinnati is so unique. There are some other quirks to the NFL’s schedule to begin 2022. We get the story behind Aaron Donald’s alleged retirement letter. An old Tennessee team...

The Pittsburgh Steelers began 2021 on the road in Buffalo as a 6 ½ point underdog against a Bills team that was coming off a division championship and was among the AFC Super Bowl favorites. Yet Mike Tomlin’s team won 23-16. This year they are opening on the road in...