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Tim Benz Columns category, Page 70

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
Tim Benz: If anyone was making too much of Najee Harris’ weight this spring, it was Najee Harris
During Tuesday’s minicamp interview sessions, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris certainly gave the impression that he thought the media was overreacting to his alleged weight gain. I’d argue the only one who may have overreacted was Harris. Over the course of last month’s OTA practices, just about every Pittsburgh...
Tim Benz: NHL Draft could yield quality pick for Penguins, and some Pittsburgh hockey history thanks to Logan Cooley
Already a candidate to be the highest-ever Pittsburgh-area hockey player to be selected in the NHL draft, West Mifflin product Logan Cooley is still in the conversation to go No. 1 overall. While the Montreal Canadiens are expected to take Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) center Shane Wright with the top pick...
Former Steelers from multiple eras on college football Hall of Fame ballot
A host of former Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia players made the ballot for the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. They include ex-Nittany Lions Paul Posluszny, Ki-Jana Carter and D.J. Dozier, former Panthers Matt Cavanaugh and Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, and Mountaineer product Aaron Beasley....
Tim Benz: Difficult early season schedule bound to influence Steelers’ starters
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth paused and gave some sincere consideration before answering the question. At what point in your rookie season last year did you stop thinking and feel like you truly knew the playbook cold? “Honestly, the first game it really clicked for me, where I felt...
Madden Monday: Steelers roster construction would not have changed had Stephon Tuitt retired sooner
When it comes to how the Stephon Tuitt situation wrapped up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE said he saw the retirement coming. “Not to blow my own horn, but … toot-toot,” Madden said on this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “I said two months...
Tim Benz: Steelers in better position to handle loss of Stephon Tuitt this time around — if they are smart and lucky
The subtraction of Stephon Tuitt from the Steelers depth chart in 2022 doesn’t have to hurt the defense as much as it did last year. If the Steelers address it right. And if they get a little lucky. For as much of a fan as I was of Tuitt as...
First Call: Ex-Pirate flirts with perfect game; David Bednar named a top trade candidate; Steelers linked to free agent tackle 
Friday’s “First Call” has a free agent connection to the Steelers. The NFL is shelving covid-19 testing. An ex-Pirate pitcher turned in a fantastic effort Thursday. And is David Bednar destined to be traded off the Pirates roster? Going “Fishing”? ESPN.com published a list of the top 10 remaining free...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans pounce on Doug Whaley’s Jack Ham comments; Pirates fans rip roster; reader backs Jacob Trouba hits
Despite a good week out west, fans are still piling on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Criticism of Jacob Trouba’s hits have hockey fans in a snit. And someone was critical of a Super Stiller from the 1970s. Perhaps the ultimate Pittsburgh sin. All that and more in this week’s “U mad,...
New Steeler Myles Jack addresses specific concern about his game coming from Jacksonville
After linebacker Myles Jack signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, a concern emerged from his days with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A few outlets noted that Jack wasn’t particularly effective wearing the green dot communication helmet. Many Steelers fans had hoped Jack would be a natural for...


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