U mad, bro? Readers rage over coverage of Mike Tomlin, Le'Veon Bell, Pirates commercial

In “U mad, bro?” this week, readers disagree about Mike Tomlin. They feign disinterest over Le’Veon Bell. And they find the real root of the Pirates’ problems.

Richard sent me an email responding to my column about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s denial of distractions impacting his locker room last year.

“It all starts with the coach. Tomlin has no control and blames everyone other than himself.”

That’s not true. He once blamed the headsets in New England, too.

Jim chimed in with a response to that post, as well.

Not sure those things are locker room stuff but more off the field personal issues or money decisions. Ben and Browns issues were both personalities(thin skin)and control on the field/sidelines.

— Jim Duron (@JimDuron1) July 22, 2019

That’s all well and good, Jim. But as I pointed out in the piece, if none of those things were problems, why are those great players gone?

You can characterize the problems however you want. But teams don’t get rid of great talents unless those talents are outweighed by negative off-field baggage.

And Tomlin’s insistence that no baggage existed is comical given that those great players have been shipped out.

This Twitter follower didn’t like my column ripping Le’Veon Bell’s social media rant.

Why are you so obsessed with this dude? Move. On.

— TheRodgGodCommeth (@greenbeeey) July 22, 2019

Why? Bell is one of the best players in recent Steelers history, and he screwed over the franchise in one of the most publicly controversial negotiating ploys in NFL history.

I’m going to wait until he actually plays a few games in a different uniform before I move on.

That OK with you?

Oh, by the way, that story was the most-read post on the entire site that day. So maybe I’m not the only one who has failed to move on.

Dusty wasn’t a fan of Jalen Ramsey’s decision to arrive at Jaguars training camp in a Brinks truck.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if these guys just showed up and did their job...???

— DustyBootsBD (@BD3Hockey) July 24, 2019

Yes. It would be. Because they are 100% physically and mentally incapable of doing so.

Tom has a beef with one of the commercials that airs during Pirates games.

“I have a complaint about the commercials which are aired repeatedly during games. It is that lady who does the Pirate promotions. In the latest, she ends it using “these ones” … referring to the premiums given away at games.

I heard it and I couldn’t believe it. It is terrible language.”

Well, we seem to have narrowed down the Pirates’ biggest issue. Not the disappointing starting pitching. Not the fading offense. Not the leaky bullpen, spotty baserunning or untimely defensive errors.

It’s the grammar of the scripts for commercials that air during the game broadcasts.

Indeed.

No wonder they haven’t won a playoff series since 1979.

At least we’ve identified the problem. Now, fixing it becomes the issue. Maybe the Dodgers can send back a better script editor in exchange for Felipe Vazquez.