First Call: Joey Porter Jr. ‘licking his chops’ to play Steelers; ex-Packers OL not surprised by Rodgers-McCarthy spatVideo
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Joey Porter Jr. is sounding off about playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers someday. The Indianapolis Colts have some concerns along the defensive line as they get ready to visit Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. A former teammate of Aaron Rodgers is downplaying his heated exchange with Mike...
Alex Ovechkin’s retirement plans reboot a conversation about Evgeni Malkin that Kyle Dubas wants to avoidVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas made it abundantly clear on Sept. 28. He doesn’t want to be part of the ongoing speculation about Evgeni Malkin’s future. “I’m not doing this day-to-day, year-to-year thing with Geno,” Dubas said without elaboration. Well, I have fantastic news for Dubas. He doesn’t have...
Tim Benz: Mike McCarthy noncommittal about 2 big issues exposed by Joey Porter Jr.’s departure
Joey Porter Jr. is gone. The chiropractic experts in Dallas have worked their miracles. Porter is playing for the Cowboys despite his monumental months-long struggle with back pain. Heroic, indeed. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have two questions to answer in the wake of Porter’s departure: How do they replace him?...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. lands on Cowboys’ injury report; coaches quell concerns about Chris Boswell, Max IheanachorVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at some challenges facing Chris Boswell and Max Iheanachor. We reveal Sunday’s CBS broadcast crew for Steelers-Colts at Acrisure Stadium. And Joey Porter Jr. is already on the Dallas Cowboys injury report. Not bothered by Boz Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has missed three field goals in...
Tim Benz: Sergei Murashov keeping proper perspective on challenges of NHL competition
For a 22-year-old kid, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov sure comes off as a philosophical old soul. When he was asked to assess his 2026-27 season debut during postgame interviews, Murashov said: “Give me a couple minutes. I’ll come back tomorrow maybe with a clear mind, quiet mind, rested mind....
First Call: Joey Porter Sr. celebrates son’s debut in Dallas; Steelers open as favorites over Colts; Cincy WRs injuredVideo
Joey Porter Jr. and his father both seem to be happy moving on from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They celebrated Porter Jr.’s debut for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Penguins get ready to host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night. The Steelers watched as the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati...
Madden Monday: Joey Porter’s departure ‘will be the reason (the Steelers) miss the playoffs’
After last week’s trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. made his debut with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. While playing limited snaps, the former Steelers cornerback helped the Cowboys beat the Houston Texans, 34-30. DallasCowboys.com, citing Next Gen Stats, claims the Penn State alum “played 24 of...
Football Footnotes: Early test for Joey Porter Jr. in Dallas; ex-Steeler ILB’s harsh opinion of Patrick Queen
Well! That was a typical Tomlin loss, wasn’t it? Wait a minute. The Pittsburgh Steelers lost on the road. At a divisional opponent. In Cleveland on a Thursday night. It doesn’t get any more signature “Minecraft Mike” than that. Except this time, it was the other Mike. Having Mike McCarthy...
First Call: Julian Edelman mocks Mike Tomlin’s Minecraft obsession; our 1st goalie goal of the NHL season
Friday’s “First Call” features a former New England Patriot needling Mike Tomlin for his Minecraft fixation. The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting ready for their home opener. Robert Morris’ hockey teams are on big stages. A local comedian is making a sports movie with an interesting twist. And we have our...
Airing of Grievances: Pass protection regression, underperforming defense undermine Steelers in ClevelandVideo
What a deflating loss that was for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland on Thursday night. Not just because it was a game where the club rallied late to tie after trailing by two touchdowns. Not just because it undercut last week’s win against Cincinnati and dropped the Steelers to 2-2...
Tim Benz on Steelers-Browns: A WR ‘problem’ for Steelers, ‘lawn darts’ for Deshaun Watson, and other battlesVideo
When it comes to Steelers-Browns, there are always plenty of subplots, angles and stories-within-the-story. Twice a year. Every year, for two crucial games within the AFC North. In 2026, both franchises have new coaches. Both teams are 2-1 to start the year. The Steelers have won only once in their...
First Call: Why Dallas made the move for Joey Porter Jr.; Le’Veon Bell jabs Mike Tomlin for his Minecraft city
Thursday’s “First Call” figures out Joey Porter’s fit in Dallas and examines ESPN trade grades for the move. Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin reveals his Minecraft city. David Bednar closes out the Yankees’ first-round American League playoff win. And fellow Western Pa. product Mason Miller did the same thing...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans go into defense mode for DK Metcalf and Mike McCarthy after victory over Bengals
It’s funny how one win can turn the tide for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. A week ago, their goose was cooked after falling to 1-1 with an ugly loss in New England. This week, after a victory over Cincinnati, it appears that the whole team is untouchable. Don’t talk about DK...
First Call: Ex-Steelers receiver opening eyes in Las Vegas; bad season debut for Tristan Jarry
Wednesday’s “First Call” checks on Cleveland’s injury status before Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some former Steelers are in the daily transaction wire. A former Pirate is back on the mound in time for the playoffs. And it was a tough opening night for Tristan Jarry in Edmonton. Ex-Steelers...
Jerry Jones’ radio appearance advances Joey Porter Jr. trade speculation from Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys are doing very little to quell trade rumors surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Appearing on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answered a question that began with a reference to Porter and branched into the trade landscape on defense in general....
Robert Morris hockey players know what to expect opening season at NCAA power Wisconsin
As was the case a year ago, there will be no easing into the season for the Robert Morris University men’s hockey team. The Colonials opened the 2025-26 campaign on the road in Michigan and at Notre Dame. This year, Derek Schooley’s team begins 2026-27 in Wisconsin against the sixth-ranked...
First Call: Bengals guard admits Steelers recovered game-clinching fumble; Steelers punter OK after hitVideo
A Cincinnati Bengal is setting the record straight about the team’s final offensive play during their visit to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. We get a health update on Steelers punter Cameron Johnston. A former Pirate just put together one of the worst offensive seasons in baseball history. And some Duquesne...
What must happen in order to turn Jared Jones’ 90-win prediction into a reality for 2027 Pirates?Video
After helping to pitch the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 82nd victory in the regular season finale at Detroit on Sunday, Jared Jones made a bold prediction. “I truly do think that we win 90-95 games next year,” Jones said via Pirates On SI. The 25-year-old right-hander put a few...
First Call: Dexter Lawrence’s dismissive assessment of Steelers’ offense; Jared Jones’ bold prediction for ’27 PiratesVideo
Monday’s “First Call” features some dismissive quotes about the Pittsburgh Steelers from one of the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive players. Baltimore won an international game in exciting fashion. The Cleveland Browns have some momentum heading into Thursday night’s game against the Steelers. And pitcher Jared Jones is making a strong statement...
Madden Monday: Why Mike McCarthy deserves most of the credit for Steelers’ Week 3 win
After last week’s loss in New England, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said he was planning to trim the menu of plays on offense. “If you’re making the same mistakes, those are the things, whether you’re young or a veteran, that we have to address,” McCarthy said. “We’ve got to...
Feats of Strength: Rediscovered run game, Derrick Harmon’s heroics key Steelers’ victory over BengalsVideo
You can do all the homework in the world on an NFL game, and it can go 180 degrees in the other direction once the ball is kicked. The Steelers looked like a team that would need three games to score 30 points during the first two weeks. They did...
Tim Benz: Cracking a 6-pack of questions as the Penguins begin the regular season
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ decision to keep Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang together for yet another last kick at the can is worthy of debate. Eh, actually, no it isn’t. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. They aren’t going to make another lengthy playoff push together. A sincere...
Football Footnotes: Usual pre-Bengals Pat Freiermuth reminder; Cincy WR concerns; the Dexter Lawrence problem
Our weekly Friday “Football Footnotes” post is pretty much a clean slate. A blank template, if you will. It could be news items. A full column. A podcast interview. News and notes. Or a smattering of opinions and random thoughts. “Popcorn,” as Mike Tomlin may have called it. So here’s...
First Call: Joe Flacco dismisses trade talk as Bengals visit Steelers; Pirates look to secure winning season in DetroitVideo
Joe Flacco is downplaying trade rumors in advance of a visit to Pittsburgh with the Cincinnati Bengals. Penn State and West Virginia face tricky conference matchups, while Pitt welcomes Bucknell at Acrisure Stadium. The Pirates conclude their season in Detroit. Duquesne has its football home opener as RMU travels to...
Tim Benz: Pirates feel conflicting emotions of too little, too late push to conclude 2026Video
Spencer Horwitz came up in the eighth inning with the potential go-ahead run on third base. He could hear it. And feel it. “During my at-bat, the fans were getting on their feet, getting loud,” Horwitz said. “I was just thinking how cool it would be if we were still...
