Tim Benz Columns category, Page 89
Tim Benz: Alex Highsmith wants ’10-12′ sacks this year — and he knows what he needs to do to get them
Questioning outside linebacker depth for the Steelers is nothing new. That’s been going on since Melvin Ingram pushed his way out of Pittsburgh at the end of October. But maybe more of a focus should be on getting increased production from the starters. Well, at least one of them. I’m...
Examining the idea that Aaron Donald could end his career playing for the Steelers
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio has cooked up a way for former Pitt and Penn Hills standout Aaron Donald to come back to Pittsburgh to finish his career as a Steeler. Or as one of their chief rivals. If he wants to, that is. That’s despite the fact that Donald just reworked...
Tim Benz: If anyone was making too much of Najee Harris’ weight this spring, it was Najee Harris
During Tuesday’s minicamp interview sessions, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris certainly gave the impression that he thought the media was overreacting to his alleged weight gain. I’d argue the only one who may have overreacted was Harris. Over the course of last month’s OTA practices, just about every Pittsburgh...
Tim Benz: NHL Draft could yield quality pick for Penguins, and some Pittsburgh hockey history thanks to Logan Cooley
Already a candidate to be the highest-ever Pittsburgh-area hockey player to be selected in the NHL draft, West Mifflin product Logan Cooley is still in the conversation to go No. 1 overall. While the Montreal Canadiens are expected to take Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) center Shane Wright with the top pick...
Former Steelers from multiple eras on college football Hall of Fame ballot
A host of former Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia players made the ballot for the National Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. They include ex-Nittany Lions Paul Posluszny, Ki-Jana Carter and D.J. Dozier, former Panthers Matt Cavanaugh and Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, and Mountaineer product Aaron Beasley....
Tim Benz: Difficult early season schedule bound to influence Steelers’ starters
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth paused and gave some sincere consideration before answering the question. At what point in your rookie season last year did you stop thinking and feel like you truly knew the playbook cold? “Honestly, the first game it really clicked for me, where I felt...
Madden Monday: Steelers roster construction would not have changed had Stephon Tuitt retired sooner
When it comes to how the Stephon Tuitt situation wrapped up with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE said he saw the retirement coming. “Not to blow my own horn, but … toot-toot,” Madden said on this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “I said two months...
Tim Benz: Steelers in better position to handle loss of Stephon Tuitt this time around — if they are smart and lucky
The subtraction of Stephon Tuitt from the Steelers depth chart in 2022 doesn’t have to hurt the defense as much as it did last year. If the Steelers address it right. And if they get a little lucky. For as much of a fan as I was of Tuitt as...
First Call: Ex-Pirate flirts with perfect game; David Bednar named a top trade candidate; Steelers linked to free agent tackleVideo
Friday’s “First Call” has a free agent connection to the Steelers. The NFL is shelving covid-19 testing. An ex-Pirate pitcher turned in a fantastic effort Thursday. And is David Bednar destined to be traded off the Pirates roster? Going “Fishing”? ESPN.com published a list of the top 10 remaining free...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans pounce on Doug Whaley’s Jack Ham comments; Pirates fans rip roster; reader backs Jacob Trouba hits
Despite a good week out west, fans are still piling on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Criticism of Jacob Trouba’s hits have hockey fans in a snit. And someone was critical of a Super Stiller from the 1970s. Perhaps the ultimate Pittsburgh sin. All that and more in this week’s “U mad,...
New Steeler Myles Jack addresses specific concern about his game coming from Jacksonville
After linebacker Myles Jack signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, a concern emerged from his days with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A few outlets noted that Jack wasn’t particularly effective wearing the green dot communication helmet. Many Steelers fans had hoped Jack would be a natural for...
Tim Benz: Offseason tells us how owner Art Rooney II feels about what will fix Steelers’ postseason slump
In an offseason that could’ve led to significant upheaval for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the franchise instead appears to be an example of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Actually, they are the very personification of that notion. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert retired. Vice president of...
‘Madden Monday’: Steelers promoting Omar Khan won’t change the way the team operates
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan to be the franchise’s new general manager. It’s a move that surprised some because Khan doesn’t have much player scouting or development experience. He’s known more for his acumen on the business side and for...
Tim Benz: Ex-Pirates pitchers shining across MLB
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, baseball fans can start gauging who will be in the mix for the Major League Baseball All-Star game (July 19 in Los Angeles). One Pittsburgh Pirate who is making an early push is closer David Bednar. His nine saves are eighth in...
U mad, bro?: Steelers quarterback carping; Penguins postseason pouting; Pittsburgh postseason pontification
This week’s “U mad, bro?” features clamoring about the Steelers’ quarterback situation. There is much fretting about the future of the Penguins. Fans are pushing back about my concern of recent Pittsburgh playoff incompetence. Plus, my readers are very fired up about a particular movie poll. And, well, I think...
Tim Benz: Mitch Trubisky navigating choppy waters of Steelers QB situation with ease on Day 1
If Mitch Trubisky can read a defense as well as he can read a room, then maybe the Pittsburgh Steelers really do have a diamond in the rough. Speaking with reporters Tuesday for the first time (in person, anyway) after the first OTA practice, Trubisky appropriately addressed, deftly sidestepped or...
Bryan Rust discusses new Penguins contract, his knee procedure and futures of Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin
Penguins winger Bryan Rust surprised many in the hockey world by getting to the end of the 2021-22 season as a prospective free agent but then signing a deal to stay in Pittsburgh before testing the waters. On Monday, Rust joined TribLIVE columnist Mark Madden on his 105.9 The X...
Tim Benz: Penguins GM Ron Hextall seems to want to keep the band together. I’m still hoping for a few new tunes
Based on what Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said Monday, not only does he want to keep the whole band together, he wants to re-release a greatest hits album. As I listened to Hextall’s comments from his press conference, my mind started to picture Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, Evgeni...
Tim Benz: Cardinals vets feasting on Pirates an all too familiar scene
It felt like a turn-back-the-clock kind of weekend at PNC Park for the St. Louis Cardinals. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, meanwhile, time continues to stand still and the calendar never advances to a better year. Adam Wainwright spun a gem. Albert Pujols hit a pair of home runs. Paul Goldschmidt...
Madden Monday: What Bryan Rust’s signing means for Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin, Ron Hextall and other Penguins
A lot of questions are popping up in the wake of Bryan Rust’s decision to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. One thing isn’t up for debate, though. This is a good deal for the Pens. The franchise is keeping a two-time Stanley Cup champion who has 73 goals over the...
Struggling Pirates hitters now have to face pitching nemesis
For the Pittsburgh Pirates hitters, coming back to PNC Park on Friday might be a case of getting the wrong guy at the wrong time. The Buccos batters will face a familiar foe in Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals to open a three-game series and a six-game homestand....
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby’s comments on his long-term future should get us thinking
Because Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby is so consistent with his pragmatic, stay-in-the-middle-lane approach to dealing with the media, he rarely lets any quote slip that’s surprising. Frankly, the one he uttered Tuesday may not be all that remarkable either, but, during the Penguins breakup day interviews, the team’s...
Tim Benz: Steelers rookie DeMarvin Leal ‘touching the waters’ with decision to add some weight
Given the thirst so many people had for the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft a defensive lineman, I’m sure the instant reaction from most was to applaud when DeMarvin Leal’s name popped up next to the franchise’s logo in the third round last month. But that may have been followed by...
First Call: Vince Williams takes high school coaching job, endorses Antonio Brown’s idea to retire as a Steeler
A former Pittsburgh Steeler is making news by taking a high school coaching job. He is also endorsing a reunion between the Steelers and Antonio Brown. Things aren’t perfect in Cincinnati with the Bengals and a star player. The New York Rangers are underdogs in their next series despite dispatching...
Madden Monday: ‘Penguins blew it. Choked is too strong of a word. Or maybe it’s not.’
A lot of Pittsburgh Penguins fans seem to have sympathy for the club even though it blew a 3-1 series lead to the New York Rangers. Sunday’s 4-3 overtime result in favor of New York finished off the series comeback for the Blueshirts and ended the Penguins’ season. After all,...
