Tim Benz Columns category, Page 96
Tim Benz: As decision day looms for Robert Morris hockey, fundraising efforts approach goals
Most hockey teams go into extra skater mode in the final minutes of a game. For the Robert Morris Colonials, they’ve been living in that world since May. That’s when university President Dr. Christopher Howard blindsided both the men’s and women’s hockey teams with the news that the programs would...
Tim Benz: Coaching will prove to be more important than ever for Steelers, rest of the AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers fans can take comfort in at least one thing during this maddeningly inconsistent 2021 season. They aren’t alone. Just about every fan base is asking the same question about their own favorite team: “Are these guys any good or not?” We always hear that the NFL is a...
Tim Benz: Enjoy Steelers’ win over Ravens, but don’t make it into something it wasn’t
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ nail-biting 20-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday was invigorating. In fact, it was season-saving. But let’s not assign more to it than that until the Steelers earn it. On social media, talk radio and in general conversation around Pittsburgh Monday, I kept hearing the rhetorical question...
T.J. Watt, Chris Wormley, depth offensive players highlight Steelers ‘Feats of Strength’ during upset of Ravens
As we discussed at “Breakfast With Benz” leading up to Sunday’s latest chapter of Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens, these two teams can’t help themselves. They don’t know any other way than to play each other close, even if what’s happening on paper suggests the game should be an easy...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans fuming at Chase Claypool, Mike Tomlin; Pirates fans angry about Jacob Stallings trade
Over the last three weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers tied the woeful Detroit Lions and allowed a combined 82 points in losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals. Next up, they are about to play as home underdogs to the hated Baltimore Ravens for the first time with Ben...
Tim Benz: Practice music won’t save Steelers’ season. Their best hope may be even more obscure
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool thinks the team needs music at their practices. “I think some music would help,” Claypool said Monday. “That stuff is fun. People are dancing, having fun, so I think maybe music would make practice a little more fun and a little more up-tempo.” When...
Airing of Grievances: Bengals humiliate Steelers in every possible way
During his Tuesday news conference, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stopped short of calling Sunday’s game in Cincinnati a “must win.” Barely. Good thing. Because if he really felt the Steelers absolutely had to have that game, they failed miserably. The Bengals thrashed the Steelers, 41-10, Sunday afternoon, dropping them to...
U mad, bro?: Loss to Chargers has Steelers fans grousing about Mike Tomlin, defensive depth, red-zone play-calling
Here is something to be thankful for, Steelers fans. Because of Thanksgiving this Thursday, you get “U mad, bro?” a day early. You also don’t have to deal with my snark, sarcasm and general crotchety disposition to upset your stomach before your turkey dinner. Instead, I’ll just set the table...
Tim Benz: Praise for Steelers’ gutsy effort in Los Angeles is warranted but comes off as empty
I’d love to pound out a column applauding the Steelers even though they lost 41-37 Sunday night in Los Angeles. Since coach Mike Tomlin’s squad was missing five starters on defense, they should be praised for making a valiant comeback against a quality Chargers team, with a blossoming young quarterback...
First Call: Ex-Steeler makes unlikely play on ‘Monday Night Football’; Steelers’ remaining odds are growing; latest path for Penguins
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows a lack of faith in the Steelers at the betting window. An ex-Steeler makes a surprising play on “Monday Night Football.” Saquon Barkley’s return was underwhelming. And the Penguins are being nasty to our northern neighbors. Fading faith: BetRivers.com has the Steelers (5-4-1) as early underdogs...
Airing of Grievances: Wasted comeback, defensive debacles, red-zone mishaps stand out in painful Steelers loss to Chargers
I can sum up Sunday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-4) in three words: What a waste! A game-long defensive debacle by a diminished Steelers depth chart wiped out what may have gone down as one of the great Steelers comebacks in team history, as...
Former Steelers, Penguins, Pirates pitch in to help save Robert Morris hockey
Former Pittsburgh Penguin Ryan Malone didn’t play college hockey for Robert Morris. He played at St. Cloud State. Colby Armstrong, another former Penguin, didn’t play college hockey at all. He played junior hockey in Red Deer. Brett Keisel and Shaun Suisham played football for the Steelers. And Neil Walker was...
Tim Benz: Penguins players grasp recent struggles — now it’s time to follow their own advice
Is Fenway Sports Group really sure it wants to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins? Based on the way things have gone on the ice of late, principal owner John Henry might want to keep his money in his wallet. If Henry does still feel like spending, though, maybe he can buy...
Tim Benz: Horrible tackling, untimely turnovers among grievances to air after Steelers’ rotten tie against Detroit
On a few occasions before the 2021 season began, I sarcastically predicted the Pittsburgh Steelers would go 8-8-1 in the NFL’s first 17-game regular season. That way, we could still say, “Well, you know, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season!” I thought I was kidding. Now, after Sunday’s...
U mad, bro?: Penguins fans prickly about Tristan Jarry criticism; Najee Harris taking heat; Pitt fans percolating
In this week’s “U mad, bro?”, Penguins fans defend Tristan Jarry. Pitt fans are agitated. And at least one Steelers fan is already turning on Najee Harris. Now I think we’ve gone too far! Who am I kidding? We go too far in this post every week. So, let’s have...
NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore on taunting penalty, other controversies from Steelers vs. Bears
Former NFL official and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore made his weekly appearance on WDVE on Tuesday morning and addressed the many rules debates that took place during the Steelers’ controversial 29-27 win over the Chicago Bears. The most hotly contested of many calls — or non-calls — was the...
Tim Benz: Chris Boswell, T.J. Watt, Pat Freiermuth lead ‘Feats of Strength’ after harrowing Steelers win over Bears
It could’ve been a pedestrian win for the Pittsburgh Steelers, right? A plain old 20-something to 12 or 13 victory against a sub-mediocre Chicago Bears team. I mean, that’s the way it was pacing on “Monday Night Football” late in the third quarter when the Steelers went up 20-6. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers can now use positive reinforcement for run game — on both sides of the ball
When the Pittsburgh Steelers were scuffling at 1-3, there was plenty of room for negative reinforcement from the coaching staff if it decided to go that route. “Here is what you are doing wrong. Go fix it.” Well, some of that must’ve worked, as the Steelers have won three in...
Tim Benz: Derek Schooley prepares for Robert Morris hockey’s ‘championship game’ this Sunday
Autumn weekends have become very difficult for Derek Schooley. The Robert Morris University men’s hockey coach has a void in his life right now. Those days are usually dedicated to coaching his Colonials in Atlantic Hockey contests. In a normal season, his team would have six to eight games under...
Fake field goal furor, misplaced Pitt angst dominate this week’s ‘U mad, bro?’
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is all about Pitt’s flameout against Miami and the Steelers’ botched fake field-goal attempt. Oh, and one guy who is still angry that I asked Mike Tomlin about those college coaching jobs. Maybe I should change the name of this column to “Let it go,...
Tim Benz: Rush defense, rookie stars top this week’s ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers score gutsy win in Cleveland
I’m not sure how the Pittsburgh Steelers got there. But they did. They somehow closed out a gutsy, important 15-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. They lost kicker Chris Boswell to a concussion on a fake field goal. They had more third-down issues on offense. And they committed eight penalties....
First Call: Steelers could face familiar foe vs. Browns; celebrating Sidney Crosby anniversary; James Conner keeps scoring
Friday’s “First Call” tells us that the Steelers better be prepared for a familiar foe when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Another Browns player is already planning his post-touchdown celebration. We recognize a Sidney Crosby memory. And a former Steeler keeps ringing up points on the scoreboard. Ready...
Tim Benz: Unless Steelers have a better option, don’t give in to Melvin Ingram’s trade request
I apologize. You’ve read this Steelers column from me before. I first wrote it on Aug. 9. Three days earlier, ESPN reports surfaced stating that wide receiver James Washington had asked for a trade. My belief back then was that the Steelers shouldn’t acquiesce to Washington’s request because he’s a...
The 2 biggest issues facing the Steelers coming out of the bye and heading into Cleveland
There are plenty of areas where the Steelers can improve coming out of their bye week as they head into a crucial game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Let’s pick two. One on offense. One on defense. One — theoretically — is fixable. The other? I’m not so sure....
Tim Benz: Question about college coaching rumors was appropriate. So was Mike Tomlin’s response.
It sure seemed like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hated one of my questions at his weekly press conference Tuesday. That’s OK. I loved his response. After 21 minutes of on-field and health-related inquiries in advance of the team’s game in Cleveland, I figured an appropriate amount of time had...
