Tim Benz Columns category, Page 9

Following the Steelers’ latest failed attempt to win a playoff game, most of Pittsburgh’s angst was aimed at head coach Mike Tomlin. However, this week’s “U mad, bro?” appears to be focused on the franchise’s lack of a quarterback. Either way, it’s just as good. Whatever it takes. Vent. Get...

I recently saw that Cleveland area sports commentator Bruce Drennan called Pittsburgh Steelers fans “so spoiled.” Well, compared to the Browns up in Cleveland, obviously. Who isn’t “spoiled” compared to them? Compared to the likes of most franchises when it comes to Super Bowl wins? Again, sure. The Steelers have...

In Tuesday’s “First Call,” trade talks around Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin have been short and sweet. Also, a former Tomlin assistant coach may get a promotion. It was a busy night for a number of ex-Penguins. Duquesne will be playing against a number of faces Tuesday night that are...

As the ACC tries to game the system, a question arises: Is the game itself really worth playing? Two days before Ohio State beat Notre Dame, 34-23, to win the first 12-team College Football Playoff, ESPN published a story with quotes from ACC commissioner Jim Phillips about some potential changes...

In Monday’s “First Call,” it looks like Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Mike Tomlin. Nor are the Baltimore Ravens going to the AFC Championship game, and Pittsburgh product Damar Hamlin had a hand in that. Patrick Queen seemed happy to catch the final score....

At PiratesFest over the weekend, designated hitter Andrew McCutchen told Pittsburgh Pirates fans to “be careful what you wish for,” when it comes to some of their demands of Bob Nutting to sell the team. Funny. That’s a refrain we’ve heard quite a bit this week in the national media...

I didn’t attend PiratesFest this weekend. I recently finished covering the Pittsburgh Steelers’ disastrous demise and the Penguins’ washout of a homestand. My Pittsburgh sports masochism knows at least some limitations. But, via TribLIVE’s Kevin Gorman, I did read about the ire directed toward owner Bob Nutting at the fan...

Pitt basketball alum Tray Woodall is going to be a head coach at Fordham. At least for a short time. The former Pitt Panther is going to serve as the interim bench boss for the Rams over the next four games. On Wednesday, the university announced a self-imposed four-game suspension...

Friday’s “First Call” provides an update on Arthur Smith’s status as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator as he travels for head coaching interviews. NFL TV ratings aren’t off to a great start in the playoffs. The Penguins are trying to salvage their sinking ship of a season with a long...

There are a number of myths about the Pittsburgh Steelers. We often speak them into reality whether they are true or not. For this Friday’s “Football Footnotes,” let’s deconstruct a few of them. One in particular got my attention late this season. • The Steelers are all about running the...

During his season-ending press conference on Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the team’s plans at quarterback next season. At no point did he make a strong suggestion that the franchise was intending to retain Russell Wilson as the starter. In fact, his answer sounded like it had...

Thanks to an eighth straight year without a playoff win, criticism of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been brisk. So you know how that goes. As soon as a push to fire Tomlin starts, there is a big pushback in the other direction. Or, there are some that just try...

During Tuesday’s season-ending press conference, I asked Steelers coach Mike Tomlin if it was a priority for the franchise to get wide receiver George Pickens a contract extension in the offseason. He didn’t say, “Yes.” Instead he said: “We haven’t had any conversations about pecking orders or priorities regarding any...

Last week’s announcement about Duquesne being Pitt’s season-opening opponent at Acrisure Stadium to start the 2025 college football season generated a lot of buzz on the Bluff. During a halftime interview at the Duquesne-St. Joseph’s basketball game on Wednesday, Dukes athletic director Dave Harper admitted he was hoping to get...

Before linebacker T.J. Watt and quarterback Russell Wilson went into meetings at Steelers headquarters Monday, both players told media members they want to stay in Pittsburgh for years to come. For Wilson, that would mean signing here — presumably on a multi-year deal — instead of leaving in free agency...

In Monday’s “First Call,” don’t expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to make any move at the head coaching position. A pair of Steelers legends are disappointed in their former team’s effort during Saturday night’s playoff loss in Baltimore. A familiar face will be coaching the Patriots when the Steelers visit New...

The 2024-25 Pittsburgh Steelers season is over. Now they have to start figuring out what to do for 2025-26. Good luck. Whatever they try to do won’t be dictated until they figure out an action plan at quarterback. They currently do not have a QB under contract for 2025. It’s...

A Steelers season that had a lot of promise at 10-3 is now over thanks to an all-too-familiar collapse. It was another slide that started in December and ended with a thud in early January. It’s been that way in Pittsburgh pretty much since the end of the 2017 regular...

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said something that caught the attention of many Pittsburgh Steelers fans. A former Steeler is making a name for himself on the interview circuit for defensive coordinators. The Penguins have a chance to make some noise in the wild-card race this weekend. And Evgeni Malkin...

It’s fitting that the Pittsburgh Penguins’ “Star Wars Night” promotion Thursday evening followed Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That defeat created a great disturbance in the force at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins blew a 3-1 advantage in the third period, then lost the shootout 2-0,...

When you lose 34-17, as the Pittsburgh Steelers did in Baltimore in Week 16, that means there are plenty of things to correct. That’s particularly true if you face the same opponent in the playoffs three weeks later, as the Steelers are doing Saturday when they visit Baltimore again to...

Thursday’s “First Call” has an update on injured Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers as the Ravens get ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Baltimore is getting ready for both Steelers quarterbacks in the game. The national media spin about Mike Tomlin is in its usual January mode. And we...

The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost five of six and are living off of loser points like the raccoons who dig through my garbage can on trash night. Actually, let’s be honest. This year, for the Penguins, every night is trash night. As a result, I’ve gotten quite a few angry...