U mad, bro?: Fans are peeved over Pirates' ineptitude, torn over Steelers quarterbacks, alarmed by preseason offense

On July 22, Pittsburgh was pumped up about Steelers training camp starting in two days, and the fact that the Pirates were a half-game out of a wild-card slot.

Exactly one month later Pittsburghers are doubting the Steelers offense, longing for Kenny Pickett and ready to turn off Pirates games until April of next year.

For Pittsburgh morale, it’s bad. For “U mad, bro,” it’s glorious.

Here’s this week’s edition.

Someone calling themselves “AP” emailed me about Kenny Pickett.

“Forget the stats, Pickett was a winning QB. Had the freak injury not occurred, the Steelers would have been in a better playoff position and he would be our starting QB today. Pickett got screwed.”

Always remember that anytime you read/hear someone say “forget the stats” to set up their point, that means that they have no evidence to back up their point.

Also, Pickett got hurt with six weeks left to go, right before halftime as the team was losing 10-3 to the Arizona Cardinals. So, unless you believe that Pickett would’ve gone at least 4-1 to close the season, I’m not sure how you are presuming that they would’ve been in “better playoff position” than what Mason Rudolph provided by winning three games in a row down the stretch to get them into the postseason as the No. 7 seed.

I know. Never let facts get in the way of hyperbole.

Technically, you’re accurate, though. Pickett was a winning quarterback … with a 14-10 record. Clearly enough to get him in the Hall of Fame regardless of how things go in Philadelphia.

I just hope that when Pickett is inducted, the folks in Canton break from tradition and make his bust look like the Ralph Kiner “hands-on-the-bat” sculpture at PNC Park.

Just make two disembodied, tiny hands in gloves holding onto a giant bronze football.

Someone calling themselves “Panther Pride” says those of us in the Pittsburgh media aren’t hard enough on Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ player development.

Mike Tomlin failures year after year with personnel and the @steelers organization never does anything about it. The Steelers media never covers it @Dejan_Kovacevic @MarkKaboly @dlolley_pgh @TimBenzPGH @scorindorin @PaulZeise

— ???? Panther????Pride Mike???????? (@Panther49547104) August 18, 2024

You’re right. I never write anything negative about Mike Tomlin or Steelers’ player development.

Nope. I can’t seem to find one single thing.

Not one.

You got me. Good tweet.

More sports

• Russell Wilson: It's time for Steelers starting offense to 'celebrate in the end zone'
• Steelers notes: Roman Wilson vows return to field 'soon,' Markus Golden explains retirement
• Mark Madden: Given Steelers' QB options, Mason Rudolph would look pretty good in Black and Gold

This week I piled on Mike Greenberg’s jab at the Steelers quarterback position while he was on the Pat McAfee show.

This guy sent a reply sticking up for Russell Wilson.

“I’ll take the 2 time Super Bowl QB with tons of playoff games under his belt.”

Hmmm. Would you have “taken him” two years ago when the Denver Broncos acquired him and the Steelers wound up with Mitch Trubisky? Or are you only “taking him” now because he’s a Steeler, and because the Broncos are still paying for him?

Do you actually like the quarterback? Or do you just like the Steelers’ logo and the cheap contract?

Don’t get me wrong. I think Wilson will be better than Pickett. But I’m not ready to assume he’ll be good enough to get the Steelers a playoff win for the time since 2016.

Rich emailed. He’s feeling a little down.

“Why do Pittsburgh fans lately always get shortchanged? We work hard all week, buy tickets with money we don’t have, then have to see the garbage put out on the fields. It don’t matter if it’s the Steelers or the Pirates lately but this is getting beyond acceptable.

We have the best NFL defensive player in the league, the best MLB pitcher in the league and we can’t score more than three points or lose so many games due to our offensive woes, it’s hilarious.

It’s sickening and no one cares or can do anything about it. How can you even do your job without being sick about it?”

Nothing about the Penguins power play or the 3-9 Pitt football team, Rich?

As far as paying for tickets with money you don’t have, that’s not wise. You should watch the Pirates more closely. Learn a thing or two about being budget conscious from the team’s owner and general manager.

P.S.: Who says I’m not sick about it?!

This week, I wrote about the struggles of the Steelers’ offense in the preseason so far. William did not appreciate my analysis.

They are showing zero. Relax.

— William Fuller (@threerivers21) August 20, 2024

And I’m sure the opposing defenses from Houston and Buffalo have been very intricate and have emptied the bag in terms of scheme and game planning. Right, William?

But who am I to argue? I’ll just ignore the Steelers in the preseason. In fact, you convinced me. The Steelers shouldn’t be discussed or written about at all until the regular-season opener has concluded.

My bad. We should only write about the Pirates until Monday, Sept 9.

Speaking of bad offense, how did they do yester….

Another Wyatt walk-off! #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/o0QTgNSZgc

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 21, 2024

Never mind.

Finally WashPA_JDM sends this post about Mike Tomlin.

Is now a bad time to remind everyone that Tomlin has never had a losing season?

— WashPA_JDM (@WashPA_JDM) August 20, 2024

Sir, for my colleagues in the national media, it’s never a bad time.