Tim Benz Columns category, Page 77
‘NFL on CBS’ rules analyst Gene Steratore on late penalty in Super Bowl: ‘It needs to be called’Video
Ever since the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35, there have been complaints from fans about the officiating. Specifically, a defensive holding call against Philadelphia’s James Bradberry on Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster with 1:54 left in the game, deep in the Eagles defensive...
Tim Benz: Jerome Bettis’ critique of Mike Tomlin’s offense should resonate
In his post-retirement life, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has done his fair share of media work at ESPN, NBC and locally at WPXI. At no point has anyone ever labeled Bettis a “hot-take artist.” At no point has The Bus garnered the reputation of a flamethrower, spewing...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster describes recruitment to K.C.; predictions for Cam Sutton’s contract; big Super Bowl TV ratings
Tuesday’s “First Call” features some interesting offseason predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers, including one about Cam Sutton’s future. JuJu Smith-Schuster describes how his recruitment to Kansas City began. The Super Bowl television ratings were gigantic. And the Pitt basketball team looks to stay hot against Boston College. Recruitment revealed Wide...
Tim Benz: Fancy stats prove a simple notion in Chiefs’ Super Bowl win — coach, QB shine en route to victory
Sometimes we oversimplify NFL coverage. We make everything about the coach and the quarterbacks. Sometimes, though, that is the case. And sometimes fancy stats can be used to highlight a simple premise. All that was proven true in Super Bowl LVII as the Kansas City Chiefs outscored the Philadelphia Eagles...
Madden Monday: After watching the Super Bowl, the Steelers are ‘nowhere close to being in a game like that’
Let’s try to view the results of Sunday’s Super Bowl victory for the Kansas City Chiefs over the Philadelphia Eagles through the lens of what it means for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE offers a rather blunt assessment....
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers not in the Super Bowl? Here’s how to gamble your way into a rooting interest
It’s another Super Bowl without the Steelers. The 12th in a row, unfortunately. And a clear rooting interest doesn’t seem to exist for Pittsburgh. On one hand, the Kansas City Chiefs are fast becoming the constant goliath out of the AFC. On the other hand, what are you going to...
U mad, bro?: Readers send Valentines on Steelers predictions, Mike Tomlin’s recent record, Ron Hextall’s roster
This is our final “U mad, bro?” before Valentine’s Day. Obviously, Pittsburgh sports fans are feeling the love. Some of you are fawning over Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Others are swooning over Penguins general manager Ron Hextall. And then there are all of you who just can’t get enough of...
Tim Benz: If anyone is happy about ‘hitting the reset button’ for Penguins, it should be Kris Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was clear in his directive for his struggling players upon their return from the All-Star break. The Penguins limped into their week off by dropping two games in a row and four of six. So Sullivan told his squad to “hit the reset button” before...
Duquesne players look to serve coach Keith Dambrot some more ‘gravy’ with his 500th win
In a way, the ultimate compliment to Keith Dambrot as he approaches 500 college basketball coaching victories came from one of his peers in the Atlantic 10, LaSalle head coach Fran Dunphy. “To be perfectly honest, I’m surprised he doesn’t have it already because of all the great work that...
Tim Benz: NFL must listen to Cam Heyward and other defensive players on ‘hip-drop’ penalty consideration
If the NFL just wants to govern itself by Twitter, I hope it follows the account of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward. Because at least he’s tweeting something reasonable. No, seriously. Someone is actually doing that in 2023. It appears the NFL is strongly considering the elimination of the...
A trade scenario Ron Hextall is looking to avoid and some Penguins history he may want to replicate
While meeting with the media Sunday, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall had to deal with a lot of hypothetical questions. About how the team may create salary-cap room. About how it may approach various methods to make his roster better. About what he is going to do with the...
Madden Monday: Why Ron Hextall ‘shouldn’t trade a 1st-round draft pick under any circumstances’
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall met with the media Sunday, and he was asked about a wide range of topics. He didn’t necessarily answer all of the questions that were asked. At least not directly. But when it came to the idea of trading a first-round pick as a...
Tim Benz: We keep hearing about ‘volatility’ within Penguins’ performance — now it’s time to fix it
Before the Pittsburgh Penguins left town for the All-Star break, head coach Mike Sullivan did his best to summarize the way his team has been playing. “There’s been volatility in our game. We’ve got to bring a consistent game every night. We’ve got to put a game on the ice...
Friday Football Footnotes: If not for Tom Brady, how many more Super Bowl rings would Steelers have?
Every now and then, Pittsburgh Steelers fans love to put themselves through the exercise of determining how many Super Bowl trophies the franchise would have in its display case if it weren’t for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Usually that answer comes back at nine or...
Tim Benz: Pittsburgh native Jeff Bergman discusses emotions of ending 30-year NFL officiating career in Super Bowl LVII
As young kids playing football in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh’s North Side, Jeff Bergman and his friends wanted to become “Johnny Unitas — The Pittsburgh kid with the golden arm.” Or any one of the of the region’s many other pro football legends. Instead, he became Jeff Bergman — a...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans sound off about Rashard Mendenhall, critics of Kenny Pickett, NFL officiating, politics in sports
Pittsburgh Steelers fans want to be critical of Rashard Mendenhall, but they don’t want criticism of the team. Ex-officials are analyzing how other ex-officials are criticizing NFL officiating. Readers want journalism without critical analysis. But everyone wants to be critical of me. Just another, typical week for “U mad, bro?”...
Tim Benz: Bengals LB Joseph Ossai isn’t acting like a media victim, so let’s stop trying to turn him into one
Fret not for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joseph Ossai. He’s been positioned as a media victim by Twitter. It’s the safest, most protected spot in the world. No one can criticize him now. I mean, apparently, no media member can even ask him a question without a “DEFCON 1” online rebuke....
Kenny Pickett ‘snubbed’ for Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley as Pro Bowl replacement — and it’s not going over well in Pittsburgh
Maybe someday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will get to a Pro Bowl. He’s a first-round pick. As a rookie, the Pitt grad won six games as a starter after the bye to help the Steelers to a 7-2 record down the stretch. Plus, he only threw one interception during...
NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore breaks down officiating issues from AFC, NFC title gamesVideo
During his weekly “Zebra Talk” segment, former NFL referee turned CBS officiating analyst Gene Steratore joined WDVE Tuesday morning to discuss numerous officiating controversies from this weekend’s AFC and NFC Championship games. • Joe Burrow’s intentional grounding: On Cincinnati’s final possession of the AFC contest, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was...
Tim Benz: The Penguins ‘roadies’ need to do more to support ‘the band’
It was one thing when the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to keep the band together this past spring. But did they have to keep all of the roadies too? Management’s offseason strategy to find whatever has been missing from this group after four straight years without winning a playoff round clearly...
Tim Benz: Derek Shelton not worried about Bryan Reynolds’ trade request — nor should he be
As much hand-wringing as there is over the trade request of Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, it could prove to be somewhat of a benefit. For everybody involved. Well, for the short term, anyway. If Reynolds truly wants out of Pittsburgh, the most effective way to do that is to...
Madden Monday: ‘Last 2 Pens general managers have been goalies, and the goaltending is in shambles’
As the Pittsburgh Penguins hit their break before the NHL All-Star Game, they have done so by losing three of four games. Their most recent defeat was a 6-4 decision at home against the hapless San Jose Sharks, who have just 15 wins on the season. But during this week’s...
Friday Football Footnotes: Art Rooney II says Steelers will keep Mitch Trubisky, pursue NFL Draft
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” looks at Mitch Trubisky’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also discuss the prospects of the city hosting the NFL draft, and potentially keeping the prospect of AFC Championship home games. Speaking of AFC Championship games, we also have an update on Patrick Mahomes’ injury...
Tim Benz: Ranking the Steelers’ 6 wins, 5 losses in home AFC Championship games
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II came out against the idea of having neutral site AFC and NFC Championship games. “I hate the idea,” Rooney said. “I don’t like that at all. My sense is that if you put that up for a vote it wouldn’t pass today,...
U mad, bro?: Readers angry about Steelers criticism, Tremaine Edmunds speculation, Ivan Provorov column
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are still trying to rationalize another season without a playoff win. We’re already making excuses for the team chumping out in free agency. Some Pirates fans are dubious of Andrew McCutchen’s return. And my Ivan Provorov column was a big hit! What I mean by that is...
