Tim Benz stories, Page 94
Tim Benz: Najee Harris on board with Steelers using 2nd back to lighten his load. But there are other ways, too
Najee Harris isn’t being territorial about how many times he gets the ball in 2022. After 381 touches in his rookie season, the Steelers running back sees value in reducing that number. “There are some plays, if you watch my film, I’ll get somewhat tired. And those aren’t my best...
Tim Benz: Better? Worse? Stagnant? Where are the Penguins as they move into the slow summer lull?
As the Pittsburgh Steelers report to Saint Vincent College for training camp Tuesday, the Penguins — and other NHL teams — get to enjoy what their NFL counterparts don’t. An actual offseason. Oh, sure, players in both sports get their downtime for physical rest and recovery at various points on...
First Call: Some ex-Steelers may be checking out new teams; Pirates pitching prospect heating up
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at some former Pittsburgh Steelers in new places. An AFC North division rival is dealing with a franchise-tag problem. A top-notch Pirates prospect is in a groove. And the Pirates have a tough challenge in Chicago. Ex-Steelers on the move Some former Steelers are trying to...
Tim Benz: Latest ESPN offseason poll frames a significant question for 2022 Steelers
The latest in an endless torrent of NFL offseason polls, rankings and lists on national websites actually revealed an interesting truth about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most of these posts are just filler for the league’s downtime in July before training camp. They are simply conversation starters to drive traffic and...
Madden Monday on Steelers training camp: ‘You have to have resources to have position battles’
The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have a lot of position battles heading into training camp. That really shouldn’t be the case for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game in five years and barely made the postseason at 9-7-1 a year ago. But in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell’s boxing match on hold; new head coaching job for Hines Ward; Daniel Vogelbach’s Mets debut
Monday’s “First Call” relays some unfortunate news about Le’Veon Bell’s boxing match. Two former Pittsburgh Steelers are getting jobs in the coaching world. The Pirates are getting the Chicago Cubs while they are hot. And Daniel Vogelbach makes his first start as a New York Met against another former Pirate....
Tim Benz: Steelers may be a middle of the road team, but these aren’t middle of the road predictions
As the Pittsburgh Steelers head to training camp at Saint Vincent College, this is the time of year when many Pittsburgh media types (and fans) make a lot predictions about the upcoming season. Except the predictions usually aren’t too bold. They usually are couched with a bunch of “ifs” and...
Tim Benz: Deciding on Tristan Jarry’s contract may be on a shorter timeline than we think
You can understand why Penguins general manager Ron Hextall responded to the question the way he did Wednesday afternoon. A wry half-smile, a quick toss of the hand and a slight shake of the head. As of Wednesday, NHL teams were allowed to start signing players to contract extensions if...
First Call: Cameron Heyward’s practical view on Acrisure Stadium name change; Pirates head to Colorado
Friday’s “First Call” has a hot take from Steelers captain Cameron Heyward on the new name for Heinz Field. A former Penn State star is running out of time to avoid the franchise tag. The Pirates will miss facing a former teammate at Coors Field. And Jaromir Jagr wants NHL...
Le’Veon Bell hints at retirement, suggests he’d like ‘a time machine’ to handle 2018 divorce from Steelers differently
A day after saying he’d be staying away from football this year to concentrate on boxing, former Steeler Le’Veon Bell now sounds like a player who is on the cusp of retirement. He also sounds like a man with a lot of regrets. In a long Instagram post Wednesday, Bell...
First Call: NHL moves that impact the Penguins; Steelers player that may help you win money
Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look at how some other teams in the Penguins’ division were impacted by NHL free agency. Local star Vince Trocheck has a new home. Some Penguins-killers are on the move. Pat Freiermuth may be on the verge of making some money for Steelers fans. And...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are sure that they hate Acrisure Stadium; Penguins fans aren’t thrilled with free agency
The Steelers announced that they are giving the naming rights for Heinz Field to some company you’ve never heard of, from a city that isn’t Pittsburgh. The Penguins are bringing back a team that won’t change at all from the team that has failed to win its last five playoff...
Tim Benz: There are plenty of reasons to hate Heinz Field name change — but we’re laying it on a little thick
Speaking at what used to be known as Heinz Field, Greg Williams didn’t seem like he deserved to be the most hated man in Pittsburgh. The truth is, that’s because he probably isn’t. I’m not sure if anyone in Pittsburgh really dislikes Williams. Or could recognize him on the street....
First Call: Le’Veon Bell will give up any football this year for boxing; Owen Pickering’s hidden music talent
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a career update for former Pittsburgh Steeler Le’Veon Bell. Najee Harris is turning NFL heads already. Penguins draft choice Owen Pickering discloses his musical talent. And a rare Clay Holmes blowup hurts the Yankees and Gerrit Cole. Boxing for Bell Former Steeler Le’Veon Bell is taking...
Tim Benz: Evgeni Malkin’s decision to stay in Pittsburgh softens focus on Rickard Rakell’s contract
Did you ever break up with someone after a long relationship, then start dating somebody else you barely know right away in an attempt to get back at that other person? Did that new relationship immediately start off with a $30 million prenup? That sort of feels like what happened...
First Call: Roster spot opens on Steelers defensive line; Cameron Heyward announces lofty goals; Matt Murray traded
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some bold goals from Pittsburgh Steelers star Cameron Heyward. A spot is now open along the team’s defensive line. Former Penguin Matt Murray is on the move. And we look at the Major League Baseball Draft needs for the Pirates. Hole to fill The Steelers now...
Ben Roethlisberger sounds off on the Heinz Field name change
Social media disapproval poured in from all areas in the wake of Monday’s decision by the Pittsburgh Steelers to change the name of Heinz Field to Acrisure Stadium. The most prominent person to tweet a figurative thumbs down was former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger — the most accomplished player to...
Tim Benz: Evgeni Malkin has been playing hardball on the contract front; it’s clear the Penguins are willing as well
If you were under the impression that Evgeni Malkin’s contract negotiations with the Pittsburgh Penguins were going to end as swimmingly as Kris Letang’s did, sorry to disappoint. Apparently, this keeping the band together idea isn’t going to happen without getting out of tune. Malkin has been playing hardball with...
First Call: New name for Heinz Field?; unique All-Star gift for Pirates’ David Bednar
Monday’s “First Call’ features a potential name change for Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Pirates are catching a break as they head to Miami. Pirates closer David Bednar got a special gift for making the All-Star team. And ex-Penguin Matt Murray may be getting a new home. Hold the ketchup Is...
Tim Benz: Penguins 1st-round draft pick Owen Pickering’s amazing growth spurt — and how it could shape his progress
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ first-round draft choice Owen Pickering had to be exaggerating. Right? After being selected as the 21st pick in the first round of last week’s NHL Draft, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound defenseman claimed that he was only 5-foot-6, 130 pounds three years ago. That had to be hyperbole. That...
Madden Monday: Kris Letang’s contract a good one for Penguins, but there are flaws in team’s big-picture plan
I have a two-pronged view of Kris Letang’s new contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For months, I’ve argued that the Penguins should use this offseason’s cap space to reconfigure the roster around Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust through trades and free agency. If that meant letting Evgeni Malkin...
Tim Benz: Even staunch Marc-Andre Fleury supporters have to be glad this round of rumors about Pittsburgh return is over
While you are reading this post, keep in mind it is being written by someone who has been a Marc-Andre Fleury believer, defender and even occasional apologist. That being said, I’m very happy Fleury re-signed with the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Because the latest iteration of rumors conjuring up a...
First Call: Pass rushing option for Steelers stays in Baltimore; Baker Mayfield’s physical; Logan Cooley’s linemates drafted
Friday’s “First Call” features a pass-rushing option that is now off the table for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baker Mayfield’s trade to the Carolina Panthers clears a major hurdle. We recap Gerrit Cole’s latest start for the New York Yankees. And we have some NHL draft stuff, too. Not gonna happen...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans already getting snippy about Kenny Pickett; Pirates fans already fretting about Oneil Cruz
In this week’s “U mad, bro?” Pittsburgh Steelers fans are already ginning up angst over Kenny Pickett. Pirates fans are already over Oneil Cruz. And Penguins fans are done with Brian Dumoulin. Then there’s one guy who thinks I’m the angriest one of the bunch. Based on some of those...
First Call: Steelers’ Cam Heyward unhappy with ESPN poll; interesting odds after Baker Mayfield trade; Pirates trade chip emerges
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward is feeling a bit slighted by an ESPN poll. We’ve got a follow-up on a potential free agent acquisition for the Steelers. One Pirate is getting attention on the Major League Baseball trade market. And we check on the adjusted...
