The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t pull off a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, and fans can’t escape me discussing it.

Colin Holderman can’t pitch, and Oneil Cruz can’t get out of his own way.

Also, readers apparently can’t find our Olympics coverage, and I apparently can’t find my dictionary.

It’s the dog days of August, and “U mad, bro?” is really barking up a storm this week.

After Colin Holderman lost a fourth straight decision out of the Pirates bullpen on Wednesday night, I was feeling a bit snarky.

Whoever the 49ers get for Brandon Aiyuk, they should have to take Colin Holderman too

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) August 8, 2024

In the comments section, this guy out-snarked me.

Colin would be great on the OL. He never holds. ''

— Local HeroTM (@HofSpillane) August 8, 2024

Speaking about the Aiyuk trade, Mark doesn’t want it to happen.

”The Steelers don’t need another WR they can win with the guys they have. They need another strong corner. Just my opinion.”

Mark, what makes you think that way with no clear-cut No. 2 on the roster?

And “win” what, exactly? The Super Bowl? The division? A playoff game for a change? Nine games to protect the sacred “never had a losing season” streak?

Yes, they could use another corner. It doesn’t look like many are available. That doesn’t mean they should avoid getting a star wide receiver.

Keith didn’t like that I asked receiver Van Jefferson about the notion of the Steelers acquiring Aiyuk.

Terrible question

— Keith Smolkowicz (@Kmsmolk) August 6, 2024

Actually, it was a great question — if for no other reason than it ticked you off.

David is questioning our Olympics coverage.

“Tim just wanted to let you know when I come to TribLive I hit sports and read the stories. I noticed that over in Paris, France there is a sports thing called the Olympics going on. Did the Tribune Review miss this? In the slowest sports time of year, shouldn’t the Olympics be a good filler?”

David, I just wanted to let you know that this story about the Olympic tennis gold medal match was on the front page the morning that you emailed me.

Also, this story about local Olympian Ayden Owens-Delerme was on the front page the day before you emailed.

Did you miss these?

If you did, this story about Franklin Regional wrestler Spencer Lee was posted Wednesday.

There’s also an entire section on the site dedicated to Olympics coverage.

#GoodFiller.

More sports

• If Steelers offer only picks and no players to 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk, 'the deal is dead' • Justin Fields to start at QB, play 'couple of series' in Steelers' preseason opener • Steelers sign rookie ILB Easton Gibbs

Someone named “Tooth75” emailed about Oneil Cruz and his 21 errors at shortstop.

“It’s obvious that Cruz has no position on defense. It’s hard to know if he could adapt to, or has ever played, another position. Physical skill alone does not make a great baseball player. He has a low baseball IQ. Like a lot of gifted athletes, he doesn’t know how to play baseball. His only non-liability position at this point is DH.”

If the Pirates have to take Cruz’s arm and speed off the diamond because they can’t teach him to play one of seven spots in the outfield or infield, then that will be the greatest indictment of this franchise’s player development that I have ever seen.

Finally, before we fini….

Uh oh! Wait a minute! Dust off the siren. It’s been awhile, but we are getting pulled over by the grammar police.

Officer Bill busts me for something I wrote in “First Call” on July 31. I was discussing some posts from NFL reporters Jeremy Fowler and Ian Rapoport about Roman Wilson’s ankle injury.

”Neither inferred that Wilson suffered a fracture of any kind nor did it look like he’d be in danger of missing the regular-season opener.”

Bill scolded me for my error.

“A person can imply something when speaking or writing. We can infer something from another person’s words. Infer and imply are not synonyms. I’d think a professional writer would know this.”

Ah! Got it. Thanks.

So, I guess that I can infer from your words that you are an anal-retentive snob who is no fun at parties.

Am I doing it right, Bill?

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