Tim Benz Columns category, Page 88
Pirates enduring frustrating ‘close but no cigar’ stretch of road games
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ current road trip has been defined by two things. Competitive games and frustrating results. Overall this season, the Pirates are pretty decent in one-run games, 10-9. Of late, though, winning the tight ones have been a problem. That’s unfortunate for a team that also has a propensity...
Tim Benz: Watching the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup celebration gives Penguins fans a lot to consider
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby got so much love during the Colorado Avalanche’s championship celebration, I thought he was going to come on the ice and skate a lap with the Stanley Cup. First, Avs star (and fellow Nova Scotian) Nathan MacKinnon told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that he felt destined...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s conversation on Steelers’ Super Bowl XLV loss puts new spin on result
To hear Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talk so openly about the Super Bowl XLV loss to the Green Bay Packers adds a different perspective on that defeat. Tomlin appeared on a recent edition of “The Pivot” podcast with ex-Steeler Ryan Clark and former NFL players Channing Crowder and Fred...
Madden Monday: Kris Letang and Ron Hextall are ‘further apart on money’ than we’ve been told
During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE provided a less-than-optimistic update for those that want to see free-agent defenseman Kris Letang stay in a Pittsburgh Penguins uniform. “Letang and (general manager Ron) Hextall are further apart on money than what I had originally...
Tim Benz: Jam-packed half-hour for Michael Chavis ends up telling whole story for Pirates
Michael Chavis seemed disappointed that he hadn’t impacted Thursday’s Pirates-Cubs game much. He was 0 for 3, and over at first base, he hadn’t been given much of an opportunity to impact the game defensively. Yet once the game was over, Chavis was at the center of the three biggest...
Tim Benz: Steelers shouldn’t stop adding to defense with Larry Ogunjobi. Another position is in need
Now that the Steelers have spent even more money on the defense by signing Larry Ogunjobi, I’m sure that will regenerate the conversation about the disparity between how much the team is spending on defense versus how little the team is spending on offense. So I have an idea of...
U mad, bro?: Chase Claypool’s bravado, Rashard Mendenhall’s excuses have Steelers fans grumbling
A Steelers wide receiver is making bold predictions. An ex-Steelers running back is making lame excuses. Mike Tomlin is talking about Antonio Brown. And a local university is considering a nickname change. So much for a midsummer swoon for “U mad, bro?” Things are plenty hot this week. Let’s start...
Tim Benz: Plenty of concerns about the Steelers offense — how much they’re paid shouldn’t be one
In recent weeks, many people have pointed out the disparity in pay between the Steelers offense and the Steelers defense. At $65 million, Pittsburgh’s offense is the cheapest in the NFL. Their $116 million defense is the NFL’s most expensive. That has resulted in criticism from many, including FS1’s Colin...
Where Tristan Jarry sits amid a swirling Penguins offseason
The biggest question surrounding Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry has now become: When is he going to be allowed to answer the biggest question? Yeah. One of those quizzes, inside an enigma, wrapped in a riddle type of things. I mean, he’s twice proven that he’s an above-average regular-season goaltender,...
Tim Benz: Steelers WR Chase Claypool still hasn’t learned the difference between confidence and false bravado
During a recent episode of the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool said that he sees himself as a top-five — or perhaps even top-three — wide receiver in the National Football League. “I’m not normal. I feel that way when I’m on the field. I...
Tim Benz: Ex-Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall picked the wrong fight
The last thing I’d ever try to give myself on my birthday is a Twitter flame war with an entire NFL fanbase. But that was the present former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall gift wrapped for himself Sunday. On his 34th birthday, Mendenhall sent a tweet regarding his memorable...
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...
