U mad, bro?: Readers get ‘biblical’ as they sound off about Steelers’ QBs, Russell Wilson, Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher
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This week’s “U mad, bro?” features angst over the Steelers’ quarterback situation, the Bible, ‘80s pop songs, and Bill Cowher’s playoff record.
Obviously, I listed those things in order of general overall importance.
Those topics may come off a little disjointed and scattered. Just know that the connecting thread is that everybody is ticked off at me.
Which is exactly why we created this weekly column.
Joe wasn’t wild about my recent column regarding the Steelers’ quarterback situation.
Stir the pot. Geez. Try writing son
Of importance rather than be lazy going for
Clicks.— Joe Dykta Sr (@joed8518) February 19, 2024
As a general rule, when I see fans complaining about “stirring the pot,” that usually means they are uncomfortable when a writer points out that their favorite team is in a situation that’s (far) less than perfect.
When I see fans accusing media members of “going for clicks” when they express a negative opinion or break news of an unflattering nature, that usually translates to: “Stop telling me things I don’t want to hear! Tell me only good stuff!”
And when it comes to “being lazy,” is there anything in the world more lazy than a fan base that is totally content with 8-10 wins and zero playoff victories every year?
Mark really enjoys my writing and expressed that to me in an email.
“It’s free comedy when guys who write for a living, or are great at smoking meat or selling insurance believe they know more than owners, GMs and coaches. If the Steelers ever hired you — they won’t — you would be (wetting) your pants and not even know where to begin. Keep these articles coming. You make my days brighter!”
Mark, the Steelers have failed to win a playoff game 11 of the last 13 years and seven in a row. I’d argue they are the ones who have been (wetting) their pants for most of the last decade and a half.
Meanwhile, before the season started, I said the Steelers would be a 10-win team, finish third in their division, make the playoffs as a wild card, and lose in the first round.
So tell me where the “free comedy” was in those predictions for how this season would go. Turns out they were dead-on accurate. Not bad for a meat-smoking insurance salesman, I guess.
Keep your emails coming. They make my days brighter.
Related:
• First Call: Justin Fields on trade preference, Acrisure Stadium; ex-Steelers move through coaching ranks
• Tim Benz: The Penguins’ nostalgia buzz can only last so long
• Tim Benz: Steelers’ QB situation gets national media to wonder if the franchise ‘has become unserious’
Scott is responding to something I wrote about the idea of Russell Wilson coming to the Steelers in “First Call” on Wednesday. I said, “Too old. Too much baggage. Too little return on investment. Give me Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields, or a top 100 draft choice before Russell Wilson.” Scott replied:
“Tim, you know Cousins is about three months older than Russell Wilson, right?”
Scott, I also think Cousins is better and less of a phony. Before Cousins got hurt, he had 18 touchdowns in eight games. Wilson had 26 in 15. Cousins also had a better passing rating, completion percentage and higher yards per attempt prior to his Achilles tendon injury.
Also Cousins wasn’t benched for Jarrett Stidham.
I was speaking more of the return-on-investment component than the age factor of those three things in the comparison there.
But, yes, I could’ve been more clear.
Paul would also like to comment on that “First Call” post, specifically the part that included Ben Roethlisberger’s comparison between Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher.
“The constant Tomlin bashing is laughable. Ben makes a comment that players can go talk to Tomlin and you turn that into the reason for not winning a playoff game. It’s asinine logic. Love Cowher, but what about all his playoff failures … never a peep about that. I like (Joe) Rutter and (Chris) Adamski. So I have no choice but to sift thru your nonsense. I’m sure your yinzer base eats it up though.”
Well, it’s 2024. Cowher last lost a playoff game in 2004. So that’s probably why you “haven’t heard a peep” about it lately.
You’re right, though. I’ve never, ever — not once — mentioned losses from Cowher in the playo… wait a minute.
You’re welcome, Paul.
But I’ll be sure to tell Chris and Joe you are a big fan of their work.
We end with an email from “Wxman21b.” He was really appreciative of my recent column discussing the release of Mitch Trubisky.
“After reading your column today, I am wondering who has the biggest ego? You or Tomlin? So you foresaw all the problems with signing Trubisky while the rest of us were completely fooled? LMAO! I was taught in the Bible never to trust anyone that won’t admit to his own mistakes! I am willing to bet that you even wear sunglasses indoors! Lol.”
Admittedly, my Biblical knowledge is a bit rusty. But can you remind me which passage discusses wearing sunglasses? Was that the book of Ephesians? Or was it Philippians? I get those confused.
Anyway, I honestly don’t think my prediction that Trubisky was going to wash out in Pittsburgh was all that much of a hot take or going out on a limb. But, indeed, many people — such as yourself — were (to use your own words) “completely fooled” by the Steelers’ spin doctoring.
It’s not my fault for pointing it out in advance. And I’m certainly not going to apologize for pointing it out after the fact.
Oh, one more thing. I do not wear my sunglasses inside. I do, however, wear my sunglasses at night.
So I can, so I can… Take it away, Corey!