U mad, bro?: A Steelers victory, a Pirates win streak -- yet plenty of complaints from Pittsburgh sports fans

A Week 1 victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Pirates’ four-game win streak have done very little to quell the pessimism running rampant through the Pittsburgh sports scene.

Mercifully, I provide for you “U mad, bro” as macabre therapy.

You can thank me later.

We begin with an email from Ray about the Steelers. He seems like a chipper chap.

“Sorry Tim, but you are too optimistic with your 9-8 win-loss prediction . The team weaknesses on offense you have noted will not be offset by a good, but not great, defense facing a tougher schedule than last year. The Steelers could easily go winless until they face the Giants and then the team formerly known as the Redskins. Two games against a mediocre Browns team are the only other likely wins later in the season.

My prediction: The Steelers go 5-12 with one upset win along the way. The disappointment of reality will start Sunday in Atlanta.”

Sooooooo, 6-11 now, Ray?

Let’s give Ray a break. He is like wine and roses compared to Roger.

“Frustrated, angry, sad. RE: ALL Pittsburgh sports teams. You seem like a nice fellow trying to have a journalism career as a ‘Burgh sports reporter. IMO, I suspect you could shift to another subject to report on such as the flower and plant display at Phipps. At least that isn’t negative.

Being realistic, the state of ownership of all 3 major sports teams in Pitt is so bad, I see no future for any to be even remotely entertaining let alone win anything — even just one playoff game!

This ‘down’ is more than a trend. I see it getting worse before better, to be completely honest. We all need hope and optimism to enjoy being a fan. When I look down the dark tunnel of Pittsburgh sports, all I see is an oncoming train.”

Thanks for the career advice, Roger. But as an ink-stained wretch, I don’t have much of a green thumb. More flowers have wilted in my planter boxes this summer than power plays at PPG Paints Arena.

Hence, I don’t think horticultural hot takes are in my future.

Regarding that oncoming train, don’t worry. If either Arthur Smith or Matt Canada is the engineer, it’ll likely stall out about 30 yards short of its final destination.

John was unhappy with the officiating in the Steelers’ win over the Falcons on Sunday, particularly that shaky offensive pass interference call against George Pickens.

This call and the missed face mask is why fans think the league is fixed.

— John Veltri (@veltri_john) September 8, 2024

Why would they “fix” it for the Falcons, and against a team with one of the biggest national fan bases in the sport?

Saying it’s “fixed” is letting the officials off easy. NFL officiating isn’t corrupt. It’s inept.

Michael thinks he has an answer to that question.

Economics 101. It's fixed because Vegas controls the betting which controls the scores

— Michael Lober (@FlatAlbertt) September 9, 2024

Economics 101 has to do with ratings for the NFL. Not the rake on the point spreads. Better ratings mean they can charge more for betting outlets to advertise.

The dawn hasn’t come up on a day when the NFL has a better bottom line, or betting ratings, because the Atlanta Falcons win and the Pittsburgh Steelers lose. That has literally never happened.

Salvadore sent me this during the San Francisco 49ers’ win on Monday Night Football.

@TimBenzPGH Undrafted Jordan Mason already with 11 carries for 74 yards against a tough Jets defense and you Pgh media guys wet yourselves over Najee gaining 70 yards on 20 carries for a 3.5 YPC average yesterday ????

— Salvadore (@SalvadoreYoga) September 10, 2024

I did that … where, exactly? Show me.

My pants are perfectly dry, thanks for asking.

With the Steelers up 15-10 in Atlanta, Joe hated the Steelers’ decision to go for a fourth down deep in the Falcons’ red zone during the fourth quarter.

“Whoever made the decision to go for a first down on fourth and one in easy field goal position which would have given them an 8-point lead should have their butt kicked. I don’t care what kind of spin Tomlin puts on it. The call was absolutely stupid. Thank goodness for the good Steeler defense.”

Well, Tomlin would have to do a lot more spinning because, by your standards, he would end up having to kick his own butt … which requires a fair amount of balance.

Clearly, that was Tomlin’s call.

Honestly, though, I hated the previous third-down play design even more. How do you throw short of the sticks, complete the pass, on a third-and-2 from the 7-yard line, and fail to pick up a first down? That’s almost impossible to conceive.

Unless, of course, the play relies on 5-foot-8, 160-pound Calvin Austin to throw a successful block — which neither he nor George Pickens was able to do.

I got this message from someone last week after the Pirates were no-hit by the Cubs en route to a 12-0 loss.

Beyond mad. Into the maternal disappointed in them. Tsk, tsk.

— Beaver Falls Hosiery (@subBurgher) September 5, 2024

Sorry, but I don’t even think a mother’s shame could guilt Bob Nutting into spending more on payroll.

We’ll end with a musical tribute for Brendan.

Can we start a Pirates-focused segment called "U depressed, bro?" Or maybe "U numb, bro?"

— Brendan Berkley (@TallBlondeGuy) September 5, 2024

Dear Brendan,

There is no pain, you are receding (Just like the Pirates after the trade deadline.)

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon (The Gateway Clipper filled with more people on it than there are in the stands.)

You are only coming through in waves (Anytime Ben Cherington opens his mouth.)

Your lips move, but I can’t hear what you’re saying (Anytime Bob Nutting opens his mouth.)

When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse … (I was 5 years old when they last won the World Series in 1979) … o ut of the corner of my eye

I turned to look, but it was gone (Our view of the Wild Card chase in July.)

I cannot put my finger on it now (I can. They don’t hit. The bullpen is erratic. Oneil Cruz is a fielding mess. And they are poorly managed.)

The child is grown, the dream is gone (It has been since the playoff loss to the Cubs in 2015).

I have become … comfortably numb .