U mad, bro? Fans pounce on Clint Hurdle firing, Steelers offense, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith
Are you mad about the Steelers? You’ve come to the right place.
Angered over how the Pirates mangled the firing of Clint Hurdle? I’ve got you covered.
Hate the NFL pass interference debate? Come on in. The water is just fine.
Wanna nitpick minor flaws on supermodels wearing costumes of your favorite childhood figures? This is the only place for you.
No. Literally. This is probably the only place you are going to find that last one.
Welcome to this week’s “U mad, bro?”
On Friday, I ripped ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for saying that if one team brings back Antonio Brown, it should be the Steelers.
I received nearly 100% agreement for my criticism of Smith’s comments in my column.
Nearly 100%. Until I read an email from a guy named Rodney.
“I know that you and the Steelers fans think Stephen A. is crazy, but I agree with him. The Steelers need Antonio more that he needs the Steelers. I will always love my Steelers, but who ever thought this team would be any good with[out] the two departed stars is just crazy.”
Two different arguments, Rodney.
Saying Smith was right to suggest that the Steelers should consider reuniting with A.B. is crazy. But feel free to bask in Smith’s level of crazy, if you like.
Just don’t conflate that stance with your anger at those who tried to convince themselves that the Steelers would be better without Brown and Le’Veon Bell. That’s a completely different topic.
I agree with you on that one.
Doug did not like my sarcasm regarding the Steelers running-back-heavy passing attack Monday night.
You’re trying to funny, but all you PGH fanboys media types post these hot takes every time a Steeler makes a good play. “Did you see that WR block downfield, it’s the second coming of Hines Ward!!!!”
— Doug Smith (@DougSmith8) October 1, 2019
Hey! I wasn’t trying to be funny.
That was funny.
At least these guys thought so.
That’s actually pretty funny!
— BigTroubleLC (@th3storms) October 1, 2019
Not quite, but still funny. pic.twitter.com/JYVZADXEjm
— ?Deputydeez5310? (@leawood241) October 1, 2019
lol
— WCA (@wcapgh) October 1, 2019
And as far as being a fanboy, I think the fanboy might be the one who loves John Stallworth and Lynn Swann so much they get triggered by a light-hearted, sarcastic tweet.
Someone named “BRKLINE” disagreed with my assessment of the Johnny Holton offensive pass interference call during the Steelers win over the Bengals.
If no flag is thrown, no one thinks twice about this play. League is too flag happy. Replay has become too intrusive https://t.co/1CJZY8aB2s
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) October 1, 2019
I’ll go to my grave thinking that was the worst OPI call of all time. This guy has a different opinion.
He pushed off with his left hand ya dummy.
Not enough to have called it but clearly enough to not overturn it.
— BRKLINE (@HLandPitt) October 1, 2019
If you think that was “pushing off,” what was the Joe Haden penalty in New Orleans last year then? Felony assault?
"Pass Interference" called on Joe Haden pic.twitter.com/UbxKFCzTpt
— Heart of NFL (@HeartofNFL) December 24, 2018
I won’t call you a dummy back. I’ll save that name for the replay officials who refused to overturn the call or the official who dropped the flag in the first place.
Terry, a “60-year fan,” emailed me, sharing my agitation over how the Pirates handled the firing of Clint Hurdle.
“What a low class move on a day we were honoring Steve Blass for 60 years service to the Pirates. They couldn’t wait until Monday morning?
Neal (Huntington) should be cleaning out his desk as I type this. Start over properly and clean house or expect same results next season with a new manager.”
Terry, I hope you have another 60 in you. Because it might take that long to see another winning team in this town.
On Tuesday I posted a “scapegoating” column about Clint Hurdle getting fired by the Pirates.
I wrote that it’s hard to call Hurdle a “scapegoat” when he had a high level of culpability for the disaster of 2019. But I would’ve fired all the other “goats,” too.
“Al from Bellefonte” emailed me with a stronger suggestion for my word choice. His email subject heading was “wrong animal.”
“I have to disagree with the last line of your column.
‘Keeping the other goats around is what should make you mad.’
I do not think we are talking about goats. Perhaps asses??????”
I see what you did there, Al.
Actually, the animals we should really be worried about are all the sheep that keep going to PNC Park despite the lack of commitment from owner Bob Nutting.
That’s a really baaaaaad way to influence change.
Sorry. I’ll show myself out
You may have read my post about Dessie Mitcheson. She’s the former WPIAL athlete who modeled the “Sexy Mister Rogers” Halloween costume that got lots of people riled up.
Yeah. That costume. Well, we ran this picture in the story, too.
And Jim posted in the Facebook comments, “What happened to her knee?”
Jim. Dude. That’s what you took from this photo? From this story?
Sexy Mr. Rogers costume.
WPIAL athlete turned S.I. swimsuit model. A Kiski Area graduate.
And you noticed a scar on her knee? I must’ve looked at that photo 20 times before I noticed that.
OK, 30 times. I didn’t even notice she had knees.
But, if you must know, she had an ACL surgery after a pole-vaulting injury.
Seriously, her knee?
Wow! Tough room!
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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