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Tim Benz Columns category, Page 24

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Translating Omar Khan’s quotes about Cam Heyward, Najee Harris, Justin Fields and Steelers WRs
To wrap up minicamp Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan conducted an interview on 93.7 The Fan. At times he said a lot without saying very much. Other times he spoke a lot of words without saying anything of substance at all. In other words, Kevin Colbert taught him...
Tim Benz: Diontae Johnson trade can’t miss for Steelers, and Donte Jackson knows it
So far, any word that I can come up with to describe new Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson is a positive one. Bright. Engaging. Friendly. Energetic. Accessible. Confident (without being too cocky). He’s also intelligently self-aware. He knows the situation that he has walked into upon being traded to Pittsburgh....
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans push back on my criticism of Mike Tomlin’s contract extension
Everybody is excited about the Pirates’ pitching situation. The Penguins haven’t had a chance to screw up anything yet this offseason. And, as of now, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a WNBA team. So we’re a few steps removed from all the Caitlin Clark vitriol. As a result, I was a little...
Paul Skenes appreciates standing ovation from St. Louis fans
Paul Skenes appreciated the love he received Tuesday night from St. Louis fans. When the Pirates starter was pulled from the game with one out and a man on second in the seventh inning, he did so to a standing ovation from Cardinals fans. Paul Skenes got a standing ovation...
First Call: Speculation on Mike Tomlin’s contract value; Diontae Johnson wants some respect
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a hunch about what Mike Tomlin is making from the Pittsburgh Steelers on his newest coaching contract. Diontae Johnson is talking himself up in Carolina. And we celebrate another happy Penguins anniversary. What it took We know Mike Tomlin signed a contract extension on Monday to...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ Danny Smith confirms NFL game officials reaching out to coaches over new kickoff rules
There is so much uncertainty about how the NFL’s new kickoff rules are going to play out, that NFL game officials have been informally calling special teams coaches on their own, just to make sure certain interpretations are being viewed the same way between the coaches and the men in...
15 years after winning the 2009 Stanley Cup, Max Talbot recalls Game 7 heroics
Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tyler Kennedy doesn’t even let the question end. What does he remember about Max Talbot’s game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final in Det… “I was wide (expletive) open,” Kennedy blurted out during a phone call Tuesday evening. On the 15th anniversary...
First Call: Rich Eisen leads national cheers for Mike Tomlin’s extension; Browns’ Nick Chubb may return for Steelers games
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Mike Tomlin’s contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers is getting a predictable amount of praise from national media circles. An injured Cleveland Browns star may make a return in time to face the Steelers just before Thanksgiving. An ex-Penguin is lighting up the Stanley Cup Final....
Arthur Smith talks around 2 issues facing Steelers offense
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently sat down for an interview with Missi Matthews on Steelers.com. The video was posted Monday. He offered two rather quizzical answers to questions people have been asking about the Steelers offense. First of all, Matthews asked Smith if the Steelers might implement a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s contract extension shows Steelers love stability … and accept mediocrity
In the big scheme of things, Mike Tomlin’s contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Monday isn’t the commitment it appears to be. Is there any coaching contract in pro sports that is? According to Forbes.com and the ProFootballNetwork, Steelers owner Art Rooney II is only 30th on the list...
Tim Benz: Important questions for Steelers assistants with a rare chance to ask at minicamp
As Steelers minicamp starts Tuesday, it’s a chance for the media to ask the assistant coaches about all the issues facing the team before training camp begins next month. Here are a few that should be on the agenda. Why can’t Dan Moore play right tackle?: I’m not even going...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell wants to be Mike Tyson’s sparring partner; ex-Steeler retires at 31
Monday’s “First Call” has a celebrity boxing idea with a Steelers twist. A former Steeler is retiring at a young age. A Penguins free-agent target may not even get to the open market. There was a big baseball showdown in the Bronx with some Pirates connections. And we celebrate the...
Madden Monday: ‘I’ve conned myself into thinking Russell Wilson is going to have a good year’
Up until this point on the “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive has yet to fully embrace the idea that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ revamped quarterback position is going to lead to a significant change in productivity. However, during this week’s installment, Madden admits to some...
Shohei Ohtani, other Dodgers discuss nuances between Jared Jones, Paul Skenes after seeing both this week
After being sent down on strikes 14 times in 11 innings against Paul Skenes and Jared Jones the past two nights, the Los Angeles Dodgers are talking about the similarities and differences between the Pittsburgh Pirates’ two rookie flamethrowing pitchers. “They both throw hard. But what really stands out is...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans not wild about state of Steelers QBs, Bryan Rust’s New York state of mind
A June swoon? Not for “U mad, bro?” At least not to start the month. We are already coming in hot for the early summer. Who is catching the heat? A two-time Stanley Cup champion. Both Steelers QBs. Derek Shelton and Ben Cherington. And the entire Steelers wide receiver depth...
Tim Benz: 80 years after D-Day, remembering baseball’s connection to World War II
It may have been 80 years ago, but Alex Vasselo can distinctly recall the news broadcasts from June 6, 1944. As an 11-year-old in McKees Rocks, he listened to them all day. “I still remember how they explained the actual leaving from England, with all the ships and everything. And...
Tyler Glasnow’s blunt assessment of his time in Pittsburgh; Dodgers manager on ‘effectively wild’ Jared Jones
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Tyler Glasnow couldn’t get a win in his return to PNC Park. But that wasn’t his fault. Blame his offense, and blame the other guy who started against him. Glasnow and the Dodgers lost 1-0 to the Pirates despite the 30-year-old right-hander turning in a solid performance...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, 2 tasks are clear against Dodgers in start No. 5
For Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes, his two challenges are clear in advance of his fifth Major League start. • Replicate what he has been doing on the road in a home game. • Do it against one of the best lineups in baseball. The fire-balling right-hander was solid...
First Call: Context for Cam Heyward’s contract desires; are Steelers a 2nd option for Micah Parsons down the road?
Wednesday’s “First Call” puts some numbers to what Cameron Heyward may be asking of the Pittsburgh Steelers in terms of compensation for the rest of his career. Also, a Dallas Cowboys star is putting out feelers about joining the Steelers if the circumstances are right … players besides Brandon Aiyuk...
Patrick Peterson is hoping for a return to Pittsburgh, has spoken with a 2024 Steelers opponent
Pittsburgh Steelers free agent defensive back Patrick Peterson says he has always wanted to play at least 14 years in the NFL. Now he has to wait to see which organization is going to give him a shot to do that. Based on what the eight-time Pro Bowler just told...
Pirates-Dodgers preview: Bucs need Jared Jones to find early-season form against Tyler Glasnow
If Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones is looking to rediscover his early-season form, he’s got a spotlight chance to do so Tuesday. The Pirates are at home against the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers. They lead the National League West at 38-23. Only the Phillies (41-19) have a better record...
First Call: Bill Guerin’s take on his ’09 teammates still with Penguins; ex-Steelers up for College Football Hall of Fame
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a list of former Pittsburgh Steelers up for the College Football Hall of Fame. More big money is being handed out to NFL wide receivers. Bill Guerin has an interesting take on his former Penguins teammates who remain in Pittsburgh from the 2009 Stanley Cup club....
Tim Benz: Constant Pirates issues on full display during losses in Toronto
One thing was certainly different about the Pittsburgh Pirates series in Toronto. For a change, Rowdy Tellez was good. The much-maligned first baseman was 4 for 8 with a walk and four RBIs. Rowdy Tellez has driven in all three runs against his old squad today! pic.twitter.com/0CJLQxDCFD— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_)...
First Call: Troy Fautanu on specific fix he needs to make switching sides; James Conner on his future in Arizona
Monday’s “First Call” features some introspective analysis from Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Troy Fautanu. We also get an update on Gerrit Cole’s rehab. James Conner makes his future intentions known. And we have a belated anniversary to celebrate on the Penguins front. Figuring it ‘aht Steelers’ first-round draft choice...
Madden Monday: About a potential reunion between JuJu Smith-Schuster and the Steelers, ‘Expectations would be too high’
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a need at wide receiver. Former Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster might be looking for a job sometime soon. Could a reunion be possible in Pittsburgh? From a content standpoint, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X is completely on board. “God, I hope so,” Madden...


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