Breakfast With Benz category, Page 83
First Call: Steelers lose reserve LB; Ravens reclaim WR; praise for Minkah Fitzpatrick; Penguins part of Metro movement
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us news of a Steelers departure and Ravens return. We also have some more recognition for Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. There’s movement atop the Metropolitan Division, and the Penguins are involved. Plus, it’s a busy day for college basketball at one of the local schools. Bidding...
Tim Benz: If Mike Tomlin says Steelers non-losing-season streak is ‘little, silly’ sidebar, then let’s treat it that way
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003. After 18 consecutive years of being at least .500 or better, the team currently has a 6-8 record. So that streak will end if the team loses any of its remaining three games against the Las Vegas Raiders (Dec. 24),...
Tim Benz: Steelers better remember recent history against Raiders as they celebrate fabled pastVideo
Fortunately, the NFL scheduling format allowed for the Pittsburgh Steelers to host the Las Vegas Raiders this year. It’s also fortunate that the NFL schedule makers placed the Raiders in Pittsburgh during Christmas week to reprise the matchup that led to the Immaculate Reception 50 years ago. Fortunate from a...
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick tops AFC free safety voting; Ravens deal with more injuries; Pens-Rangers renew rivalryVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us which Pittsburgh Steeler is tops among his peers in Pro Bowl votes. Meanwhile, a few Ravens are dealing with bumps and bruises on the defensive side of the ball. On the hockey front, the Penguins finally get a crack at avenging last year’s playoff loss...
Madden Monday: Steelers ‘would’ve been smarter to play Mitch Trubisky all season’
Back when “the standard” really was “the standard” for the Pittsburgh Steelers, no one would be hunting for a silver lining at 6-8 and last place in the AFC North. But standards surrounding the Steelers have slipped dramatically over the past six years since their last playoff win, so we...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s milestone; J.J. Watt’s big day; Raiders set to face Steelers after unreal win over Patriots
Monday’s “First Call” shows us why the Las Vegas Raiders will be heading into Pittsburgh on cloud nine. Two of the Watt brothers — T.J. and J.J. — have something to brag about coming off of Sunday’s NFL action. James Conner keeps a streak going in Arizona. And ex-Steeler JuJu...
Feats of Strength: Steelers win run game battle, 3rd downs, red zone en route to victory over Carolina
Congratulations to the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. They are the undisputed champions of the NFC South. That’s right, thanks to their 24-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday, the Steelers swept all four of their scheduled games against NFC South opponents after also beating New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Atlanta earlier...
First Call: Panthers may have healthy receiving weapon vs. Steelers; Ravens QB update
Friday’s “First Call” has a health update on an important target for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense to watch on Sunday in Carolina. We also get the latest on the Ravens’ quarterback situation in advance of their big AFC North showdown in Cleveland. We preview weekend action for both the Duquesne...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers’ run defense better improve — or it’ll be eaten up by Panthers’ ‘Arby’s package’
For the Pittsburgh Steelers rush defense, a season of perceived progress has recently reverted to the trashy results Pittsburgh fans witnessed throughout 2021. A year so bad for the defensive unit that it finished last in the NFL against the run at 146.1 yards per game. As recently as their...
U mad, bro?: Mike Tomlin, defensive coaches, punter and even long-retired Steelers get blistered this week
This week’s “U mad, bro?” comes on the heels of a season-defining loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Baltimore Ravens. So I figured the blame was going to be spread throughout the entire organization. You all lived up to my lofty expectations. Doug is fed up with Steelers coach...
First Call: Steelers reportedly bringing back a familiar face; Alex Ovechkin scores 800th; RMU hockey return date known
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a familiar face potentially rejoining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. Alex Ovechkin hits a major milestone. And Duquesne’s basketball team wants to find its early season form. Plus, Robert Morris University formalizes another step toward its re-entry to the college hockey world. Help up front The Steelers...
Mike Tomlin, Gene Steratore weigh in on legality of play that injured Steelers QB Kenny Pickett
Once it was clear that Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was injured during a sack from Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith on Sunday afternoon, the inevitable Twitter-victimizing began. “Why wasn’t that a penalty? Aren’t they supposed to be protecting the quarterbacks? I’ve seen hits less forceful than that get flags! He’s just...
Tim Benz: Get used to backup QB conundrum — Steelers will face it in depth this offseason
With the injury status of Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett up in the air, a conversation happening this week is also bound to be had frequently this offseason. Who is the best option to backup Kenny Pickett? As I feared last offseason, the Steelers coaching staff and front office...
First Call: Steelers need to fix run defense before facing Panthers; ex-Pens help Wild win; Robert Morris hockey eyes return to ice
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a Carolina Panthers team that has a very specific playoff path. And they are looking to get there by staying on the ground. Carolina may also have dodged an injury concern at wide receiver. A pair of former Penguins helped...
Steelers guard Kevin Dotson admits blame for sack that injured Kenny Pickett, pushes back on social media critics
Steelers guard Kevin Dotson knew he had gotten the play wrong immediately. “After I took my set, I saw (left tackle) Dan (Moore) coming my way. So I was like, ‘Dang, they must’ve said the other digit. Once I knew what it was, I knew where I messed up,” Dotson...
Tim Benz: Ben Roethlisberger hits the mark when discussing lack of crackle in Sunday’s Steelers-Ravens game
If you watched the Steelers-Ravens game on Sunday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium, you probably noticed Baltimore’s 16-14 win was missing something. Offense. But, hey, that’s nothing different from when these two franchises usually face one another. This rivalry is rooted in a history of hard-hitting, defensive wars of attrition. Unfortunately,...
Madden Monday: Just blaming Mitch Trubisky for Steelers’ loss is the easy way out
The lowest of low-hanging fruit is available for Steelers analysis in the wake of the team’s 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday. Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky entered the game for an injured Kenny Pickett and threw three interceptions. End of story. But if you do that, it would be...
First Call: Ravens Pro Bowler admits being exposed by Steelers; John Harbaugh hypes up late drive; Jaromir Jagr’s latest exploits
Despite a loss, the Steelers’ wide receivers are forcing a Ravens Pro Bowler to do some introspection. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh is gushing about his team’s game-sealing drive at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers are already underdogs for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. The Penguins have a stiff test at...
Airing of Grievances: Mitch Trubisky’s interceptions, regressing run defense define Steelers loss’ to Ravens
I guess the Pittsburgh Steelers only ordered a short stack of wins. After weeks of discussing “stacking victories” down the stretch of this rudderless season, the Steelers only could manage two in a row against equally listless foes in the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons. That winning streak ended Sunday...
Friday Football Footnotes: Dueling views on Steelers’ chances for a late-season surge
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at some dueling views on the state of the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin’s place in it. The team is 5-7 with five games left. It needs to win at least four (or go 3-1-1) to avoid Tomlin’s first losing season...
U mad, bro?: George Pickens’ outburst, Mike Tomlin-fan video, Kasperi Kapanen have Steelers, Penguins fans on tilt
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers getting a second straight win for the first time all year, the temperature is hot in Steelers Nation. Lots of folks are taking heat. George Pickens. Mike Tomlin. Diontae Johnson. Me! Even Kasperi Kapanen of the Penguins is getting dragged. And he just had his best...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger on George Pickens’ sideline sulking; 2 surprising Steelers on ESPN’s ‘overrated’ list
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Ben Roethlisberger gives his reaction to the sideline histrionics of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens. ESPN is calling Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt overrated. And while one former Pirates star has a new home, another may be on the move once again. Seen this fish before...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s deaf ear to criticism of George Pickens shows he’s not listening to his quarterbacks either
I’m sure Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin thought he was simply supporting George Pickens by turning a deaf ear to criticism of the rookie wide receiver. But in doing so, Tomlin also turned a blind eye to the needs of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickens took some fan and media...
First Call: Ravens add QB in case Lamar Jackson can’t face Steelers; AL East team may want Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds
As a date with the Pittsburgh Steelers approaches, the Ravens are stocking up at quarterback in case Lamar Jackson is sidelined. Teams are lining up to take a run at acquiring Bryan Reynolds from the Pirates. Duquesne’s men’s basketball team is getting some national attention. Logan Cooley is back on...
Tim Benz: 12-team college football playoff will solve some complaints, create others
Now that we know what to complain about regarding this year’s College Football Playoff, let’s compare that to what we’ll be griping about in 2024 — when the format expands from four to 12 teams. Oh, because, trust me, we’ll still be complaining. The only question is, will the complaints...
