U mad, bro?: Readers express doubts about Dwayne Haskins, Joe Schobert; the Pirates' rebuilding plan

If you were mad that this week’s “U mad, bro?” was delayed by a day, I apologize. I was at a work function in Las Vegas for two days.

However miffed you may have been doesn’t even approach my level of anger with some of the cards I got on the blackjack table. Remember Chevy Chase’s experience in “Vegas Vacation” with that dealer who was played by the dude from “The Princess Bride”?

Yeah. I had a guy like that. Also, leave it to me to bet against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a night that they upset the Philadelphia Phillies.

I would’ve been better served throwing my wallet into the Golden Nugget’s pool with all the sharks that swim around when you go down the big slide.

So, let’s see if my level of outrage is equaled by that of the readers in this week’s tardy — but by no means tepid — “U mad, bro?”

James isn’t buying the excitement level on Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins just yet.

“I read the hype on Dwayne Haskins. But from what I saw last Thursday night against the Eagles, Steelers fans should not sleep on Mason Rudolph. I was very impressed with the zip on his throws. I won’t anoint Mason as the ‘first-round talent’ the Steelers said shortly after they drafted him. But I am intrigued.”

James, if you are suggesting that some people are going too far too fast on Haskins, I agree. Let’s see what he does in a game against first-team defenses before we go too crazy about what he could be.

But, if it’s “zip” on throws that you are looking for, he’s got more of that than Rudolph does.

Jock disagrees with my belief that newly acquired linebacker Joe Schobert will help the Steelers defense, even if he isn’t a great run-stuffer.

“Not sure I agree with your analysis. Teams that can run on you pass when they want to. Teams that can’t run on you pass because they have to.

That’s why you stop the run, then put in more pass defenders. You seem to dismiss Vince Williams and Robert Spillane, one a great Steeler for a long time, the other a player who came in last year and filled Devin Bush’s boots very nicely.

It was only after Spillane got hurt that the defense sagged a little.

My take on Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl win was their ability to run the ball right in KC’s face once they got ahead, keeping (Patrick) Mahomes off the field. Maybe KC could have used a Vince Williams?”

This is a good email. But when was it sent? 1976?

Look, Jock, I appreciate the art of running the football and the need to stop the opposing offense’s attempts to do so.

But it is a passing league these days, and the Steelers have had greater issues in coverage at the linebacker position than they have run-stopping in recent years.

You might want to avoid overstating the impact of Williams and Spillane. Williams was hardly a “great Steeler for a long time.” He was pretty good. Dependable. But limited. And I wouldn’t refer to him as “great.”

As far as Spillane goes, I’d argue the loss of Bud Dupree was a bigger dent to the defense, seeing as how the demise of the team immediately correlated to his ACL injury.

Regarding the Chiefs’ lack of a run-stuffing inside linebacker like Williams, that’s who Damien Wilson was. I guess it didn’t work out so great. Also, the Jags just signed Wilson this offseason to make Schobert expendable.

So, we’ll have a pretty easy comp to make this year, I guess.

Dennis wonders why Schobert can’t wear No. 47 if he wants it.

“Why can’t Joe Schobert wear the number #47 like he wore for the Jaguars? I understand it’s to honor Mel Blount. But Scott Shields wore it in the 2000s. The number should be in rotation. It’s already been worn.”

Yes, Dennis. Shields did wear it. And how did that go?

David has some thoughts on the struggling Pirates.

“I get it. There is no other logical option at this point (than) a total rebuild again. Maybe new management is smarter than previous management. Maybe this draft and these trades will provide a great haul.

However, am I nuts to think that next year and maybe the year after will be just as bad or even worse? There seems no help on the horizon for a couple of years at best.

Now here’s the question: For players like (Ke’Bryan) Hayes, (Bryan) Reynolds, (David) Bednar, doesn’t playing on a hopeless team for years like the Pirates hinder their development? Or am I underestimating competitive drive and talent?”

David, both things can be true. Those guys can all be competitive and driven, yet still be sapped by constant losses. Bad habits can form from trying to do too much when the team is constantly playing catch-up.

And, yes, the next two years may be just as bad or even worse as more players are traded away from the big league team in the name of stocking the minors.

Don’t worry, though. By 2025 every single one of the club’s recent trade acquisitions and draft picks will pan out and be All-Stars in Pittsburgh.

Every. Single. One. Without a doubt. At least that’s what my Twitter followers and emailers insist any time I have the temerity to criticize a franchise that hasn’t won a division title since 1992.

I posed this question about the Pirates on Twitter.

“The variety/frequency with which the Pirates lose is comical. Yet we’re trained not to care.

‘Doesn’t matter. No big deal! Help is coming in five years! You’ll see! Be happy then!’ Well, we’ve had five cycles of five years from now. When am I allowed to be mad about how the MLB team stinks?”

Chuck replied succinctly.

Two cycles ago.

— Chuck (@cgibson412) August 12, 2021

Sometimes brevity can be a writer’s best friend.