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Tim Benz Columns category, Page 46

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Tim Benz: Former Steelers nemesis offers high praise, big predictions for a specific player
A former Pittsburgh Steelers-killer is all in on the Black and Gold for 2023. Also rookie tight end Darnell Washington is getting high praise from one of the best ever at his position. All of that is coming from the same guy. It’s former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay...
U mad, bro?: While Steelers look good after preseason opener, there’s still plenty to make Pittsburgh sports fans angry
When the Pittsburgh Steelers win their first preseason game, the first-team offense looks smooth, the defense makes a few plays, and none of the stars get hurt, there is very little to complain about. Because we had plenty of angst and agitation from readers this week, but very little of...
Steelers’ Hawaiian, Samoan players plan efforts to aid Maui following tragic wildfires
Shortly after his eye-opening debut in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game, rookie linebacker Nick Herbig got on Instagram to celebrate the win and his 1.5 sack, three-tackle performance. But Herbig also made sure to subtweet the NFL’s efforts to raise funds for wildfire relief on Maui. Please help my...
First Call: Kenny Pickett wins Steelers HR derby again; Bills have fight-filled practice in advance of Pittsburgh trip
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us Kenny Pickett’s continued dominance of the Pittsburgh Steelers home run hitting contest at training camp. Plus, Steelers coaches look to boost James Pierre’s game. Also, the Dallas Cowboys appear to be in the clear with an injury scare to Micah Parsons, and James Washington needs...
Steelers Super Bowl champ turned scout raves about Nick Herbig’s potential
One of the buzzworthy performances from the Steelers’ Friday night preseason win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was that of outside linebacker Nick Herbig. The rookie out of Wisconsin had 1.5 sacks and three tackles during the 27-17 victory. Got him @nickherbig_: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/VsotfBUecA— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers)...
Tim Benz: ‘Stiff and rigid’ Quinn Priester has diagnosed his problems — now he has to fix them
For Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Quinn Priester, it’s not a matter of trying to figure out what’s happening. The young right-hander certainly seems to have a handle on what’s going wrong. The diagnosis isn’t a mystery for the former first-round pick. It’s the remedy that remains a puzzle. Through six...
Former MLB GM says Pirates ‘not far from being an elite challenging team’
Perceived goals for the 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates certainly have shifted over the course of the season. When they broke spring training, the target simply seemed to be to show a little bit of improvement on a 100-loss campaign from the previous year and avoid finishing in last place. By the...
First Call: Ex-Steeler looks to land with Jets; Bradenton preps for Paul Skenes’ debut; Browns and 49ers injury updates
Tuesday’s “First Call” has news about a potential new home for a former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. Bradenton is getting excited for the debut of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. There’s injury news from Cleveland and San Francisco. And the NFL mourns the loss of a former player who died far...
First Call: Steelers coach IDs player who ‘left some plays out there’ against Bucs; 2 Pitt alumni start NFL comebacks
A lot of positives came out of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game. But one defensive back had a rough night. And defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is well aware of the struggles. Also, two former Pitt players are on the NFL comeback trail. The Cleveland Browns suffered an injury setback...
Madden Monday on Steelers offense: ‘I’m asking it to be daring’
It was just one drive for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-team offense in the club’s preseason debut Friday night. But it went for a touchdown and laid the groundwork for a 27-17 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: 1st-team offense shines, new defenders pop in Steelers’ preseason win
Embracing the “it’s preseason for all of us” concept, our first Pittsburgh Steelers postgame “Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances” for 2023 isn’t exactly going to be biting or overwhelming. NFL preseason games are scattered. As a result, I am as well. But I think I hit most of the highlight...
Tim Benz: Steelers defensive line a ‘sneaky good’ spot for competition at training camp
Coming into the Steelers 2023 training camp, there were many storylines to track. • Who would win the left tackle job on offense? • Could all those new faces in the secondary come together on defense? • Will the offense become more explosive with Kenny Pickett at the helm in...
First Call: New Bill Cowher documentary; Benny Snell has a new team; ex-Steelers WR breaks wrist
Friday’s “First Call” is full of Steelers-related notes, including a new film project centered around former coach Bill Cowher. A pair of former Steelers running backs have new homes. The franchise seems to have interest in a running back cast aside by the Dallas Cowboys. And the team won’t face...
Ben Roethlisberger: ‘Kevin Colbert and them drafted him to be my center my last year. Now he is playing fullback’
One of the more discussed storylines of Steelers training camp this past week has been the team’s decision to tinker with offensive lineman Kendrick Green at fullback. The 2021 third-round pick out of Illinois has shown some ability to play the position, opening eyes with a few blocks, runs and...
Pitt rookies providing hope for Buccaneers in Year 1 after Tom Brady
Last year, the Steelers went through Year 1 ABB (after Big Ben). This year, their first opponent is going through Year 1 ATB (after Tom Brady). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the Steelers for a preseason-opening matchup Friday night. Former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will get the team’s first start...
U mad, bro?: Variety of spicy hot takes from Pirates, Penguins, Steelers fans
They say variety is the spice of life. If so, then this week’s “U mad, bro?” is spicy like ghost pepper chicken wings. Bubbling Pirates fans. Defensive Steelers fans. Fed-up college sports fans. And I even found a way to make Penguins fans angry after the team got Erik Karlsson....
Dave Wannstedt: ‘They see Kenny Pickett as a Super Bowl-type quarterback’
When it comes to praise for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, fellow Pitt alum Dave Wannstedt has plenty. The former NFL and Pitt Panthers head coach is now a football analyst with the Fox family of networks. He joined FS1’s Colin Cowherd for a guest spot on Cowherd’s “Volume” podcast...
Tim Benz: Orioles’ suspension of team broadcaster highlights a bigger sports media issue
I’m happy to see that suspended Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown is being reinstated Aug. 11. But he never should’ve been suspended at all. According to The Athletic, the Orioles shelved Brown after a MASN game broadcast at Tropicana Field in Tampa-St. Petersburg on July 23. As AwfulAnnouncing.com pointed out...
Steelers find comfort, stability in keeping QB room together
Heading into the 2022 offseason, of all the permutations that could’ve aligned for the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room in 2023, the least likely appeared to be that it would come back in full. One thing was clear. Kenny Pickett was going to be locked in as the starter after the...
Tim Benz: Like him or not, Rick Pitino is right about the state of college sports’ conference meltdowns
Here’s a classic case of “listen to the message, even if you don’t like the messenger.” Rick Pitino has certainly done a lot to make many college basketball fans dislike him during his highly successful yet highly checkered coaching career. But on the topic of nonstop conference realignment chaos, Pitino...
First Call: Opposing QB news for Steelers’ preseason, regular season openers; ex-Steeler may have averted a high school tragedy
Tuesday’s “First Call” has updates on which quarterbacks the Pittsburgh Steelers will face in both their preseason and regular season openers. A Steelers legend is going to be the subject of an upcoming documentary. The Steelers are taking a look at a former Baltimore Ravens offensive line prospect. And an...
Madden Monday: Erik Karlsson trade shines spotlight on Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
Now that Erik Karlsson is finally a Pittsburgh Penguin, Sunday’s trade shines the spotlight even brighter on head coach Mike Sullivan. That’s the assessment of 105.9 The X host and TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. Sure, Sullivan has two Stanley Cup rings. And on the...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. quote angers Vontaze Burfict; ex-Steeler signs in Philly; San Jose reaction to Erik Karlsson trade
In Monday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers rival Vontaze Burfict fires back at Joey Porter Sr. and Jr. Another ex-Steeler signs in Philadelphia. The Pirates are about to take on Major League Baseball’s best team. And we have some reaction to the Erik Karlsson trade from San Jose’s point of...
Tim Benz: For Penguins, Erik Karlsson trade is a case of ‘to thine own self be true’
Speculation surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins’ attempts to acquire San Jose Sharks Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson lasted more than a month. Initially, I wondered how good of an idea that really was. Especially if the Penguins ended up having to give away multiple first-round draft choices. Thankfully, they didn’t once...
Yakety YAC: Yards after catch ‘a major point of emphasis’ for Steelers in 2023
There has been no greater talking point this offseason surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers than the conversation about how to make the offense more explosive. Coordinator Matt Canada’s 2022 unit was fifth in the NFL when it came to time of possession at 31:18 per game, fifth in most offensive snaps...


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