'U mad, bro?': Fans hot over Harrison's envelope, Pirates payroll, Crosby comparisons

This week’s “U mad, bro?” hits on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates alike. So all the Pittsburgh pro sports fan bases can be satisfied with those who are unsatisfied!

We look for balance here at “Breakfast With Benz,” and we aim to please.

Or agitate. Whatever comes first.

It appears more of the latter this week.

An Ohio State fan named “@TGristedes” ripped the Steelers after James Harrison stated that Mike Tomlin gave him “an envelope” back in 2010.

Presumably, that was code to say Tomlin covered Harrison’s fine for hitting Browns receiver Mohammed Massaquoi.

Steelers are one of, if not the, dirtiest franchises in NFL, just so good at getting away with it, because the league and other owners love the Rooney’s. They’ll get away with this too. Scumbags

— 2112togo (@TGristedes) May 14, 2020

An ethics lecture from an Ohio State fan. That’s rich!

If — if — Tomlin actually did it, at least he paid in cash. Not tattoos.

OOOHHH! Then again. Maybe that’s what was in the envelope. A gift card for Harrison at “Fine Line Tattoos” in Columbus.

The tat should be a self-portrait of Harrison falling asleep in a team meeting.

John responded to a recent edition of “Madden-Benz: Unfiltered.” You can see it weekly on the TribLive Facebook page at 9:30 a.m. Monday mornings.

I said the Steelers would go 10-6. Mark said 9-7.

John replied. He says we aren’t being optimistic enough.

“11-5 …book it!”

John, I’m wondering what you “booked” each of the past two years when they didn’t reach 10 wins.

Was it a vacation from watching the NFL playoffs?

We talked some baseball during that episode, too. “Daryll” sent us a message. He’s ticked about the Pirates’ lack of spending.

Even if there is no MLB season.

“The Pirates are purposely tanking so (Bob) Nutting can move the team at the end of the stadium lease. He’s like the female owner from Major League.”

Pfft! No, he’s not.

You think Nutting would pay for free agent veterans like Eddie Harris and Roger Dorn?

No way.

A guy named “@A_Ray_93” didn’t like last week’s “U mad, bro?” That tends to happen around here.

He was mad about an exchange over Jay Glazer’s criticism of Ben Roethlisberger’s workout routine.

Although A-Ray seems to think I was the one with ruffled feathers.

Pittsburgh media members are benny cheerleaders. That's why it triggers you guys so bad when negative stories are written or talked about him

— #Mason2020 (@A_Ray_93) May 14, 2020

It was a fan emailing about Glazer, A-Ray. Not me. I don’t care that Glazer went at Ben. I’m more put off at how he doused his own “hot take” once Ben complained.

Speaking of which, do you think Roethlisberger is mad at Gov. Wolf because he criticized the quarterback for going to a barber to get a haircut and a beard trim?

Let me be the first to welcome the governor to “Big Ben’s Twitter Block Party”! It’s not exactly exclusive company, but it’s quite an esteemed group.

Last week, I wrote a column about MLB owners and players disputing salaries as the league tries to reboot. While I put most of the heat on those two sides, I also mentioned that fans and media can’t just “stomp their feet” and demand that baseball returns on their terms.

The finances and logistics may just be too tough to work out this summer.

Somebody named “MTAguy” didn’t like the piece.

The stomping seems to be predominantly from reporters. I’m a huge Pittsburgh sports fan.....however it’s not just that important when lives can be put into danger.

— MTAguy (@AguyMt) May 13, 2020

Until there is no chance of coronavirus — which won’t happen without a vaccine — “lives” will “be in danger.”

Waiting until that happens wasn’t the stated goal at the start of March. The goal (I thought) was to “flatten the curve.” Follow guidelines. Listen to the doctors. Limit the strain on hospitals.

Now it seems like we have moved the goalposts to zero risk. When did that change?

If MLB can work it out, they should play. If they can’t, they won’t. But if doctors clear states individually to play games, let it happen.

Also, serious question, would you be so dismissive if the Pirates weren’t so hopeless?

“Tony D” is mad about the column I posted comparing Sidney Crosby to Michael Jordan.

“I guess you never heard of Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky or Mark Messier.

Michael Jordan was the greatest player in NBA history. Your boy Sid has to get in line behind the players I mentioned as well as Gordie Howe & Guy LaFleur.

Please, don’t insult Jordan by comparing Crosby to him.”

I do know who those people are. Do you know who Mark Recchi is?

Because that was his stated opinion. Not mine. Those were his quotes. Not an opinion piece by me.

This is the part where I normally say thanks for reading. But clearly you didn’t read the piece. Or else you would’ve seen that. You just chose to see the headline and be offended.

So I’ll just say “thanks” for emailing instead.

P.S.: Do you also know Crosby is sixth in points per game all-time at 1.29? That’s better than Messier, Howe and LaFleur.

Might wanna take a closer look at that list.