Tim Benz stories, Page 96
First Call: Devin Bush in make-or-break season; Pirates rookie makes history; Gerrit Cole flirts with no-hitter
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a warning shot to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. One of the Pirates new rookies was part of history in Monday night’s win. And ex-Pirate Gerrit Cole nearly spun a no hitter in Tampa Bay. Time to shine On Monday, CBS Sports listed Steelers linebacker Devin...
Tim Benz: Steelers WR Chase Claypool still hasn’t learned the difference between confidence and false bravado
During a recent episode of the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool said that he sees himself as a top-five — or perhaps even top-three — wide receiver in the National Football League. “I’m not normal. I feel that way when I’m on the field. I...
Tim Benz: Ex-Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall picked the wrong fight
The last thing I’d ever try to give myself on my birthday is a Twitter flame war with an entire NFL fanbase. But that was the present former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall gift wrapped for himself Sunday. On his 34th birthday, Mendenhall sent a tweet regarding his memorable...
Tim Benz: Ex-Steelers, Bears QB Jim Miller on his outlook for Mitch Trubisky; recalls his own 3-QB camp battle
As a host of “Movin’ the Chains” on SiriusXM’s NFL Radio, ex-Steelers quarterback Jim Miller will be keeping tabs on his former team when it reports to Saint Vincent College for training camp next month. That may give Miller a severe case of Black and Gold deja vu. Because just...
Madden Monday: If the Penguins bring back Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, it’ll just be ‘patchwork’
Before the puck was dropped for Game 1, one thing really struck me about this year’s Stanley Cup Final between the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I picked the Avs, as did most according to the gambling numbers. I saw them as favorites anywhere from minus-175 to minus-190...
First Call: Rashard Mendenhall insists he shouldn’t be blamed for Super Bowl fumble; stats behind Jack Suwinski’s big day
A former Pittsburgh Steeler is opening himself up for criticism. An ex-NFL linebacker has an odd opinion about Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Monday’s Major League Baseball schedule could be tough for some MLB hitters. And a few deep-dive stats made Jack Suwinski’s big day at PNC Park even more...
Tim Benz: Bryan Reynolds, David Bednar stopped the Pirates’ bleeding; now others need to contribute in homestand
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak finally ended after nine games thanks to a 6-4 victory in St. Louis on Wednesday night. More specifically, it ended because of outfielder Bryan Reynolds. His tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning was the difference. Bryan Reynolds in June ???? pic.twitter.com/Z6vhXOfcZg— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates)...
First Call: Steelers captain Cam Heyward’s new media venture; Stanley Cup won’t go to Russia; high praise for Pens-Wings ’09 Final
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at a new side gig for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. The Penguins’ 2009 Stanley Cup Final win over Detroit gets some love. The Stanley Cup is getting some travel restrictions. And some local basketball stars are back playing on a big stage once more....
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans in QB mode already; Penguins fans antsy about offseason moves; Pirates fans despondent
The Stanley Cup Final isn’t even over yet, but Pittsburgh Penguins fans are all worked up about what’s coming in the offseason. As they should be. Steelers fans are firing off opinions about the quarterback depth chart. As they should be. And Pirates fans are fed up. As they should...
First Call: Former Steeler makes ‘All-Underrated’ list; Derek Shelton on near no-hitter; ex-Penguin’s coaching achievement
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some praise for a few current Pittsburgh Steelers and a former Super Bowl champion. Derek Shelton reflects on Cal Mitchell’s at-bat to break up last night’s no-hit bid in St. Louis. And a former Penguin hauls in a coaching honor. No complaints here Former Steelers linebacker...
Basketball vs. Kentucky? Football vs. Florida St. and WVU? Why — and how — Duquesne has stepped up its scheduling strategy
Duquesne football coach Jerry Schmitt was at Pittsburgh Steelers practice at the UPMC Rooney facility on the South Side last week. He saw Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi hanging out in front of his team’s side of the building. “I said, ‘Hey, Pat! Guess who opens up the ACC Network schedule...
Tim Benz: Bill Cowher also faced a 3-QB quandary — but had a unique out the Steelers don’t have now
I guess we’ve figured out the Steelers’ three-headed-monster quarterback situation. All they have to do is move Kenny Pickett to wide receiver. Hey, that’s how former Steelers coach Bill Cowher handled it in 1996. Maybe current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin should try the same tactic. Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio...
Mitch Keller shows growth by expanding pitch portfolio, diversifying usage
It’s probably too early to say that Mitch Keller is “reinventing himself.” Based on his struggles at the Major League level (9-22 career record, 5.79 ERA), it’s easier to argue that the first edition of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher has never been a completely finished product. But the 26-year-old right-hander...
Tim Benz: Tampa Bay’s quest for a ‘3-peat’ worthy of praise from Pittsburgh, not jealousy
One thing I love about Pittsburgh as a sports town is that it can still surprise me on occasion. Every now and then, something sports-related fires up people, and I never saw it comin’. From time to time, yinz get a bee in your Black and Gold bonnets that I...
First Call: Steelers defender endorses Mitch Trubisky; surprising prediction on where Bill Belichick may coach after Patriots
Tuesday’s “First Call” finds some Pittsburgh Steelers support for Mitch Trubisky as the team’s new quarterback. A potential target for the Steelers to add if they want some pass-rushing depth. A quote that perfectly sums up New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba. And an off-the-wall prediction about where Bill Belichick...
Tim Benz: Based on minicamp, some of the narrative on why Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett has already changed
Based on how offensive coordinator Matt Canada laid out the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition, we should trust our eyes as to what we were seeing during last week’s minicamp practices. “Mitch (Trubisky) is No. 1, working with the ones and doing a really good job with that,” Canada said last...
Madden Monday: Penguins will give Kris Letang an offer ‘big enough so that the ball is going to be in his court’
I’ve made my feelings clear as they relate to what the Pittsburgh Penguins should do with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. My belief is, with Sidney Crosby sitting at three years remaining on his contract, this is a perfectly logical time to let Letang and Malkin walk in free agency....
First Call: Ex-Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster ‘could see myself back’ in Pittsburgh; double anniversary for Penguins
Monday’s “First Call” puts a twist on JuJu Smith-Schuster’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers. A pair of former Pirates helped their new teams win, as their former club may be walking into a buzzsaw. And the Penguins celebrated an important double anniversary. JuJu on his future Even though former Steelers...
Tim Benz: Some NHL trade ideas, including 1 the Penguins ‘must’ examine
The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli posted a list of potential NHL trade targets for the 2022 offseason. Several of them have ties to Pittsburgh, or the Penguins directly. At least one of them the Penguins must investigate. Must. Marino on the move? Let’s start with the one involving an actual...
First Call: Steelers praise (and omissions) in all-time defensive player list; Ravens may add pass rusher; Gerrit Cole gets rocked
Friday’s “First Call” raises some Pittsburgh Steelers-related questions about an all-time NFL list. The Baltimore Ravens may be adding a familiar name. Celebrating Dave Parker’s birthday. And Gerrit Cole has a rough night for the Yankees. Someone missing? Earlier this week, CBS Sports.com posted a ranking of the top-10 NFL...
Steelers rookie tackle Jake Dixon took an odd path from Bethel Park to Duquesne to — hopefully — Heinz Field
For Bethel Park’s Jake Dixon, his biggest surprise about becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler was his own reaction to those first OTA practices last month. “I thought it was going to hit me way more,” Dixon admitted after a recent practice. “But it almost feels like I’m supposed to be here....
First Call: Steelers assistant says Chris Boswell ‘will get a new deal at some point,’ Baker Mayfield update in Cleveland
At least one Pittsburgh Steelers coach thinks an important player is getting a new contract. There’s an update on Baker Mayfield’s situation in Cleveland. Chris Archer finally won a game. And things just don’t get any easier for the Pirates. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Optimistic opinion Steelers kicker...
U mad, bro: Pirates fans are pouting; Steelers fans sour over Stephon Tuitt’s retirement; Pens fans pontificate
Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp is done. The 2021-22 Penguins season has long since ended. So it’s time for the Pirates to resume their rightful place. Atop the heap of your fan complaints in our weekly “U mad, bro?” post. That’s not to say the Steelers and Penguins escaped unscathed, though. Do...
Tim Benz: Alex Highsmith wants ’10-12′ sacks this year — and he knows what he needs to do to get them
Questioning outside linebacker depth for the Steelers is nothing new. That’s been going on since Melvin Ingram pushed his way out of Pittsburgh at the end of October. But maybe more of a focus should be on getting increased production from the starters. Well, at least one of them. I’m...
Examining the idea that Aaron Donald could end his career playing for the Steelers
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio has cooked up a way for former Pitt and Penn Hills standout Aaron Donald to come back to Pittsburgh to finish his career as a Steeler. Or as one of their chief rivals. If he wants to, that is. That’s despite the fact that Donald just reworked...
