U mad, bro?: Readers bristle at criticism of Russell Wilson from Seattle, idea of Dak Prescott in Pittsburgh next year

As always, this week’s “U mad, bro?” relies on meat and potatoes: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback debates and Penguins trades.

But we also branch out to some uncharted territory: concert bookings, World War II history, and, even more foreign of a concept, the NBA.

Never accuse my readers and listeners of failing to get creative.

Andrew did not like the podcast I did about Russell Wilson with Seattle sports media personality Ian Furness.

As a former journalist, I’m amazed at how much sports writers have to drum up to stay relevant between the Super Bowl and Hall of Fame game. Welcome to the ‘Burgh, Russ!

— Andrew M. Rose (@AndrewMRose2) April 2, 2024

Well, Andrew, as a current journalist, I’m amazed that a former journalist doesn’t understand that fans may be interested to know about the background of their new quarterback from another current journalist who covered him for 10 years.

I’m also amazed that a former journalist thinks this current journalist’s job is to be writing/saying things like “Welcome to the ‘Burgh, Russ!”… as if I work for the team’s website or something.

I’m getting the impression that you might be a former journalist because you don’t understand the difference between journalism and public relations.

“Delta Blues” wasn’t a fan of the interview either.

Striving for negativity within unknown situations. That often times is more revealing about 3rd parties than the actual story subjects.

— Delta Blues (@DeltaBluesLife) April 2, 2024

If you listened to the content, the situations were not “unknown,” and it doesn’t appear that Furness had to “strive” very hard.

Deren had some thoughts about the notion of Jake Guentzel re-signing in Pittsburgh once he gets to free agency.

“If you’re Jake Guentzel, why would you want to go back to Pittsburgh to play for an OLD team? Of course Sid is an all time great, but the team isn’t going to compete for another 3-5 years. Jake playing for a young, competitive and hungry team like Carolina makes all the sense in the world for not only him, but the Hurricane organization.”

Deren, my guess is that Guentzel will go to whatever team gives him the most guaranteed money over the most guaranteed years possible. If that team is young and competitive, even better.

But to your point about the Penguins, I agree. I would consider him returning here a longshot, even if they made him a competitive offer.

Sean replied to the conversation I had on 105.9 The X about the Sports and Exhibition Authority fan survey they launched regarding the feasibility of bringing a WNBA and/or NBA team to Pittsburgh.

@TimBenzPGH well it would mean 50 ish less days to host concerts @ PPG if a NBA team would come to the Burg

— sean craig (@Sean_Craig_) April 3, 2024

They could figure that out. Madison Square Garden in New York, TD Garden in Boston, the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota and Capital One Arena in Washington all get concerts and shows while housing NBA and NHL teams.

What they may not be able to figure out here is how to drum up enough corporate dollars, television advertising sponsors and interested season ticket buyers in Pittsburgh.

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Steven J. wasn’t wild about the idea of the Steelers signing Dak Prescott before 2025 if Russell Wilson and Justin Fields don’t work out.

“Dak? No thanks. I’d hold out for Burrow after the Bengals realize he’s not leading them to the promised land. That or Allen when he refuses to keep renegotiating at some point.”

Well, if Burrow can’t lead the Bengals to the “promised land,” he at least got them to the coastline of it three years ago. I’d take that in Pittsburgh.

And if that’s something the Bengals “realize,” what makes us think the Steelers shouldn’t realize it too, by that point?

Or, maybe better said, what makes us think that he’d have a better chance of finding the promised land here?

Finally, when I was on 105.9 The X this week, discussing my affection for the show “Masters of the Air,” this person got upset with me for giving away too much of the ending.

@TimBenzPGH Spoilers man! I haven't watched it yet

— Jared Phillips (@AdmiralSoup) April 2, 2024

Um, OK. I don’t think I gave away too many plot twists. And I didn’t think it was really necessary to “spoiler alert” the ending of World War II.

Were you unsure how it turned out or something?

That’s sorta like someone being upset at a person for mentioning that the boat hits an iceberg toward the end of the movie “Titanic.”

Let me put it to you this way, if “Masters of the Air” had any sort of a different outcome, I would be writing this post in German, it’d probably be a lot more about soccer, and it would be called, “Bist du wütend, bruder?”