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Tim Benz Columns category, Page 17

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Tim Benz: Looking forward to Paul Skenes nailing down Rookie of the Year on baseball’s biggest stage
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has excelled at quite a lot in his rookie season. One thing in particular has been seizing the moment. • Striking out the first MLB batter he faced (Mike Tauchman of the Chicago Cubs) with five pitches of at least 100 mph. • Posting 11...
Football Footnotes: Key matchups that will dictate the outcome of Steelers-Colts game
As the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready to square off against the Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday, there are three key matchups that will go a long way toward determining the outcome of the game. For Friday’s Football Footnotes this week, let’s take a look at them — and a few...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans get rowdy about Tellez; Steelers fans split over hot start
Pittsburgh Pirates fans are riled up about Rowdy. Some Steelers fans are doubting the strong start. Others want to know why I’m not planning the Super Bowl parade yet. No matter how you slice it, Pittsburgh fans are always wound up about something. I wouldn’t have it any other way....
First Call: Suspension upheld for hit on Pat Freiermuth; Steelers add OLB; ex-Steelers OC gets new coaching gig 
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some news about the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. A former Steelers assistant gets a new head coaching gig. Derwin James’ suspension for hitting Pat Freiermuth has been upheld. And we see a baseball rarity result in a playoff-clinching play. Adding depth Given Alex Highsmith’s injury, the Steelers...
Mike Tomlin wants more offense early in games. Here’s how he can make that happen
There was plenty to like about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. One thing that head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t like, though, was the team’s poor offensive start. That’s understandable. After all, the Steelers went three-and-out on the first two series, netting minus-5 yards...
Tim Benz: For the Pirates, releasing Rowdy Tellez short of a bonus is remarkably on-brand
The Pirates are taking a lot of heat for releasing Rowdy Tellez four plate appearances shy of a $200,000 bonus. Don’t get mad, though. You saw all the standing water on the warning track during that rain delay last month, right? Any idea how much a new drainage system costs?...
Tim Benz: Penguins saying all the right things about fixing the power play — now, make it happen
I asked Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby about the importance of improving the power play during an interview on Day 1 of training camp. “You’re bringing it up. We haven’t even practiced it yet. That tells you how many eyes are on it,” Crosby replied. Indeed. On Monday, all eyes...
First Call: Steelers sign former Patriots tackle; Maurkice Pouncey endorses Zach Frazier at center
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a Pittsburgh Steelers’ signing of note along the offensive line. An ex-Steeler is all about the guy who has taken over his former position. A former Steeler is finished for 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers. And, high praise for Duquesne’s backup QB on Saturday. Helping...
Where Bill Cowher got it right (and wrong) with his top 5 Steelers defensive players
While he was a part of CBS’ NFL coverage Sunday, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher was asked to give his top 5 Steelers defensive players of all time. This was Cowher’s list, and his explanations for his rankings: 5. Troy Polamalu: “Defensive player of the year (2010). This guy created...
Madden Monday: If Justin Fields stays at QB, ‘Russ is going to want out… and I won’t blame him’
The Steelers have now won all three of their games so far this year, the most recent of which was a 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers (2-1). All three wins have come with Justin Fields at quarterback. The presumptive 2024 starting QB, Russell Wilson, has yet to take...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Second-half defensive dominance, WR contributions keep Steelers unbeaten
We’ve all been saying that the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) can’t keep counting on scoring in the teens and relying on the defense to win games. On Sunday, though, they could’ve again as the Steelers held a third straight opponent to 10 points or fewer, beating the Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)...
First Call: Justin Herbert partially practices; Chargers’ social media brings up bad Steelers memory
Friday’s “First Call” has video of Los Angeles Chargers’ injured quarterback Justin Herbert warming up as his team gets ready for a trip to Acrisure Stadium to play the Steelers Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chargers’ social media team had a little dart for Steelers fans on Thursday. We provide an update...
Football Footnotes: Steelers, Panthers, Dukes and Colonials look for another sweep of a weekend
Pittsburgh football teams swept through last weekend as the Steelers, Pitt, Robert Morris and Duquesne all posted notable wins. The Steelers enjoyed a rare victory in Denver, just their fourth in Colorado since the 1984 playoffs. Pitt posted an electric comeback over West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. Duquesne’s surprising...
Tim Benz: Steelers insist rush attack has more to give
Given the lack of precipitation in Western Pennsylvania in recent weeks, the timing may be a bit off for rookie tackle Troy Fautanu’s analogy about the Steelers’ offense. But you’ll get the point. “The dam is ready to break,” Fautanu said Wednesday. “We’re right there. We’re right on that edge....
Tim Benz: Rutger McGroarty worth a look as Penguins consider candidates to play with Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust
Now that we know Sidney Crosby’s contract is ironed out with the Penguins, the next thing to speculate about is who his linemates will be. Bryan Rust is the most obvious choice to be on Crosby’s right wing. Rust played with Crosby for a total of 762 minutes of five-on-five...
First Call: Update on Justin Herbert, other injured Chargers; Joey Porter Jr. discusses assignment for Sunday
Thursday’s “First Call” has an update on how the Los Angeles Chargers are dealing with injuries in advance of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. We also look back at the Chargers’ recent history at Acrisure Stadium. We get a preview of what Joey Porter Jr.’s assignment might...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans antsy about offense, Pirates fans ready for season’s end
Despite a 2-0 start to the 2024 season, all is not right in Steelers Nation. And after being officially eliminated from the playoff race for the 29th time in 32 years, nothing feels right in Pirates Nation. Actually, is there really such a thing as “Pirates Nation?” If so, how...
Despite inconsistent run support, Paul Skenes among pitchers projected to be on All-MLB team
Since 2019, Major League Baseball has put together an All-MLB team. On Tuesday, MLB.com posted a projection of who may make this year’s squad. Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes is on it. The 22-year-old pitcher made his big league debut on May 11 at PNC Park. Since then, the 2023...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin hates QB hypotheticals, but this is one he must consider
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hates hypotheticals. Especially when it comes to the quarterback position. He tells us that every week. Meanwhile, I love hypotheticals. Especially about the quarterback position. I try to come up with a new one every week. Sorry, “Coach T.” It’s sorta part of this job. Here...
First Call: Jim Harbaugh expresses respect for Pittsburgh football; interesting advanced stats for T.J. Watt
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some interesting numbers on Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt. The franchise also made some moves to offset some injuries on special teams. Jim Harbaugh has a lot of love for Pittsburgh as his Los Angeles Chargers are set to arrive in the city this weekend. And a...
Sidney Crosby’s contract extension provides clarity, pressure for Kyle Dubas
With Sidney Crosby’s contract extension now known, the Pittsburgh Penguins have clarity. General manager Kyle Dubas knows he has at least this season and two more after it to make one more run at a Stanley Cup with Crosby in Black and Gold. Theoretically, there could be more chances. On...
First Call: Update on Justin Herbert’s X-rays as he preps for Steelers; Big Ben changes tune on Justin Fields
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an update on Justin Herbert as his Los Angeles Chargers are poised to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger has a new opinion on the Steelers’ quarterback situation. A Baltimore Raven turned Steeler is heading back to the Birds. An ex-Pitt Panther basketball star...
Tim Benz: Don’t make Broderick Jones’ postgame comment into something more than it was
Offensive tackle Broderick Jones is going through enough right now given how poorly he is playing and how badly he has been misused by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He doesn’t need what looks like an inflammatory comment being misinterpreted. Jones was pulled from the starting lineup leading up to Sunday’s game...
Madden Monday: Steelers have killed Broderick Jones’ confidence and lowered his expectations
For as happy as Pittsburgh Steelers fans might be about the team’s 2-0 start, a few concerning trends exist. The offense doesn’t score, the team is committing too many penalties and offensive tackle Broderick Jones is a mess. Even with questions existing over who should play quarterback despite two wins...
First Call: Complaints from Denver about the officiating in Steelers game; Justin Herbert injured prior to visit to Pittsburgh
Denver’s star player has some complaints about the officials following Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a leg injury in advance of his team’s visit to Acrisure Stadium next week. James Conner continues to stand out in Arizona, and Paul Skenes hopes to...


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