Tim Benz Columns category, Page 82
Tim Benz: Robert Morris’ men’s, women’s hockey teams practicing together for next year’s return
Latrobe’s Serena Slusarczyk clearly remembers where she was when she got the news about Robert Morris University cutting its hockey programs. “I was trying on my high school graduation gown,” Slusarczyk recalled. “I get a text message to get on this Zoom call. And they say the RMU hockey program...
Madden Monday: For scapegoats during Penguins’ losing streak, ‘you have got to start with the Big 3’
At the start of the NHL season, I praised the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning the games they needed to win in an effort to bank points early. In other words, build a cushion before the oldest team in hockey wore down late in the season and suffered too many injuries....
Friday Football Footnotes: Pittsburgh native in charge of Bears’ plans for Chase Claypool; Steelers’ next opponent faces Ravens
Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a bye this Sunday. But there is plenty of NFL action to keep you intrigued this weekend. For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we tell you what the plans are for Chase Claypool’s debut in Chicago. Monday night’s game has lots of Steelers implications. And...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans have their say on Chase Claypool trade, Najee Harris, criticism of Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers got blown out again. They made a trade. Despite being 2-6, head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t making changes to his staff, and the former No. 1 pick running back is struggling and carping about the blocking. So, yeah, I had plenty of material at my disposal for...
Fixing how the Penguins play with the lead begins with diagnosing the root of the problem
I know what went wrong with the Pittsburgh Penguins en route to blowing a three-goal lead Tuesday night. During their “Pittsburgh Night” festivities, with the team up 5-2 in the second period over the Boston Bruins, the Pens decided to play “Renegade” as an homage to the Steelers. Let’s just...
Tim Benz: Chase Claypool trade is a win for Steelers’ front office, a loss for Steelers’ image
The trade of wide receiver Chase Claypool looks like a win for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office. It’s also a loss for the entire narrative surrounding Steelers football. Both outcomes are the result of the same necessary reality check this organization just made at the halfway point of its rotting...
Tim Benz: Even the most optimistic spin on Steelers after bye rings hollow
There are two main bullet points when it comes to Pittsburgh Steelers fans talking themselves into how their team can be competitive after this bye week. My suggestion is to enjoy the bye while it lasts. At least it’s an entire weekend when you know the Steelers can‘t possibly lose....
Airing of Grievances: Steelers standards sink so far that blowout in Philadelphia seems expected
Fortunately for the Steelers, as heavy underdogs, their 35-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday didn’t go all that much worse than expected. Unfortunately, it just went — well — exactly as expected. That’s how much the Steelers have fallen and how good the 7-0 Eagles have gotten. The...
U mad bro?: Matt Canada and Kenny Pickett shouldn’t worry — Steelers fans are sinking their teeth into other folks instead
When I started covering the Pittsburgh Steelers more than 20 years ago, I learned two things very quickly. 1. Steelers fans bask in criticizing the quarterback and offensive coordinator. 2. The only thing Steelers fans enjoy more than criticizing the quarterback and the offensive coordinator is criticizing the media for...
Tim Benz: Mike Sullivan points out must-fix flaws after Penguins’ losses in western Canada
The Penguins’ hot start to the 2022-23 season quickly brought visions of a Metropolitan Division title and a deep playoff run to the minds of hockey fans in Pittsburgh. A 4-0-1 start. Scoring over five goals a game. The outset of this season felt like the end of 2016 or...
Tim Benz: Steelers need to get over fear of change at offensive coordinator
During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was reminded that a few weeks ago he said he would be open to changes — if he felt like those changes would yield better results. Now that the team has sunk to 2-5 and the offense is struggling...
Ben Roethlisberger’s latest ‘Footbahlin’ gives unique view of Steelers game-ending play in Miami
During his latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recorded himself and his co-host, Spencer Te’o, watching and analyzing Sunday night’s Steelers-Dolphins game in real time. It was interesting to see how he was taking in the game on television just like the rest of the...
Tim Benz: Chase Claypool wants more ‘go balls’ in Steelers offense — stats suggest he may be right
After another putrid result from the Pittsburgh Steelers offense Sunday night, Chase Claypool had a direct suggestion to help matters. Following the team’s 16-10 loss in Miami, the third-year receiver said the offense needs a few more deep shots. “I just think we need more go balls. Not enough go...
Madden Monday on Steelers’ defeat in Miami: ‘I thought (Kenny) Pickett lost the game’
In the wake of Sunday’s 16-10 defeat in Miami, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has one very clear message about the play of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. He needs accountability. Not excuses. “I thought Pickett lost the game,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast....
Airing of Grievances: After an inspiring win against Tampa Bay, Steelers return to losing ways with a thud in Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16-10 loss in Miami was a prime example of what we’ve seen from them so far this year — even their good isn’t good enough. The defense held the Dolphins to 16 points but dropped at least five interceptions and didn’t come up with any sacks. The...
Friday Football Footnotes: Tua on facing Steelers assistant Brian Flores; Bucs on Tom Brady’s tantrum; Eagles unbeaten forecast
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” shares Tua Tagovailoa’s view of facing Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line is reacting to Tom Brady’s mid-game tantrum in Pittsburgh. There is trade speculation surrounding a player in the Steelers-Dolphins game besides Chase Claypool. The New York teams are...
50 years after ‘The Fake’: Dolphins’ Larry Seiple recalls his fake punt to help beat the Steelers, preserve a perfect season
On Christmas Eve, “Raider Nation” will have to suffer as Steelers fans at Acrisure Stadium revel in the memory of the Immaculate Reception. In honor of the 50th anniversary of that play—and that Steelers playoff victory — the league is using Pittsburgh as the stage for a rare Saturday night...
U mad, bro?: After beating the Bucs, ‘How do you like us now?’ is the theme from Steelers fans
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally won for the first time in a month, and the “How do you like us now?” crew is out in force. At least that’s what my inbox and Twitter feed is showing me. Now, they may not know what the heck they are talking about. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ emergency players in secondary should get a longer look
After a successful effort holding down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary will have another challenge on their hands Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins. Two questions exist. • Can they replicate what they did against the Bucs? • Who will they deploy...
Tim Benz: If Kenny Pickett is cleared, Mike Tomlin is right to start him — for 2 reasons
When Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett left Sunday’s game with a concussion, backup Mitch Trubisky replaced him with a game-winning (and perhaps season-resurrecting) performance. On Tuesday, however, coach Mike Tomlin announced that — if healthy — Pickett would be the starter this Sunday night in Miami. “It’s my understanding...
Ben Roethlisberger on Tom Brady: ‘It didn’t look like he wanted to be out there … It just looked like a different Tom’
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger managed to beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots three times in Pittsburgh during his career. This weekend, the future Hall of Famer saw his soon-to-be Canton counterpart lose to the Steelers in a different capacity. Brady was quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
Tim Benz: Mitch Trubisky must embrace what made him successful vs. Buccaneers
For Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky, there’s no doubt his performance in less than one half of football Sunday was more memorable than any stretch he put together in his four starts to begin the year. Hopefully, he embraces one of the obvious reasons why. When Trubisky replaced an injured...
Madden Monday: ‘If both quarterbacks are available, I would go with Mitch Trubisky’
Revisiting the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debate this week will become a moot point if Kenny Pickett is ruled out after suffering a concussion Sunday during a 20-18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if he is ready to play Sunday night in Miami, Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9...
Feats of Strength: Trio of much maligned Steelers comes up huge as Steelers stun Buccaneers
Go ahead. You figure out the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers. Or the NFL in general. The 1-4 Steelers entered Sunday’s game against the 3-2 Buccaneers on a four-game losing streak. A week after getting shredded in Buffalo, 38-3, the Steelers secondary dressed just one healthy starter. Coach Mike Tomlin’s team also...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers must address plenty of specific areas if they are to hang with Tom Brady, Bucs
The Pittsburgh Steelers are eight-point underdogs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home. That’s not something this fanbase is used to seeing. But they are used to seeing Tom Brady shred the Steelers defense. And that’s usually when the defense has been good. Without T.J. Watt, this year’s Steelers defense...
