U mad, bro?: Some fans didn't like the Steelers' draft (or my opinions on it); 'ruff' debut for Pirates' pup (2024)

Despite a draft that has gotten positive reviews, not all Pittsburgh Steelers fans are happy about the organization’s efforts last weekend.

Others just didn’t like my coverage of it.

We also have some angst over the Steelers’ QB situation, baseball pitch counts and general disdain over how the Pirates “have gone to the dogs.”

You’ll see.

All that in this week’s “U mad, bro?”

Kevin leads off this week. He thinks I gave Omar Khan too much praise after the draft.

“He went dumpster diving to get our 2 qb’s. Let’s hold off on the hype.”

Neither Justin Fields nor Russell Wilson were drafted this weekend. That article was about the draft. I’ve already written that I’m less than impressed by the quarterbacks. Multiple times.

But you know me. Always trying to dwell on the positives! That’s my reputation. You got me.

This guy had a similar response.

The name Khan artist will take on a whole different meaning for Steelers fans after they go through 3 years (or more) of watching Wilson and Fields show they are not the answer at quarterback.

— Real Steelers (@RealSteele46157) May 1, 2024

I disagree. You can’t “con” (or “Khan”) those who are knowingly willing to be deceived.

David sent this scorching hot take in response to my draft coverage.

That’s why they play the game. We will know when we know.

— David Anthony Castelveter (@AviationVet) April 30, 2024

Thanks for the bold opinion, Coach. That sounds like a compelling column. I’ll work with that as a premise.

Here’s an email exchange I had with Ralph about my annual “Here’s what the Steelers didn’t get in the draft” column.

“I’m wishing that the Trib would finally hire (draft) a better sports writer with more positivity!”

Ralph, it’s not the Trib’s job to hire people to be “positive” about the team. It’s the Trib’s job to hire people that are objective about the team. It’s the Steelers’ job to be positive about the team on their own website. If you want unfettered optimism, go there.

But, let me guess, you did read the headline, but didn’t actually read the article, right? Because there is no way you actually read the article and walked away saying I was too negative about the draft.

That column, which I write every year, is as self-reflexive and tongue-in-cheek in tone as it is serious in analysis. And, honestly, I thought they had a pretty good draft, which I stated in the first few lines of the story on multiple occasions. I also linked a story where I praised the first-round pick after it happened.

Here’s how Ralph began his response.

“A bit defensive aren’t you Tim?”

I’m not sure how anyone who read that article, interpreted it as too negative, and felt the need to fire off an angry email on behalf of their team, can then turn around and call anyone else “defensive.”

I mean, that lack of self-awareness is just spectacular! Well done. I’m actually impressed.

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Gil doesn’t like the Pirates’ restrictive pitch counts on the likes of Jared Jones and Paul Skenes.

“The practice of ‘babying’ pitchers is totally counter-productive, in my opinion. The Pirates do that at all levels in their farm system. I read every ‘Pirates farm report’ in the Trib online. It is striking how often the starting pitcher is pulled after only 3 or 4 innings, regardless of his effectiveness. That practice OBVIOUSLY is NOT working, since the number and seriousness of injuries to pitchers continue to increase. In my opinion, it’s because they train the durability OUT of their pitchers before they ever approach the Major Leagues.”

I agree, Gil. But at the same time I think the Pirates should be commended for their efforts to keep those arms as fresh as possible so they can thrive in New York, Los Angeles, Houston or Atlanta when those teams inevitably acquire them as soon as their contracts get to be too much for the franchise’s blood.

That’s some true professional courtesy, there.

Let’s go off the board to conclude this week’s “U mad, bro?” edition. The Pirates introduced a new “team dog” on Tuesday. And they asked folks on social media this week to pass along name ideas.

In the middle of a catastrophic team-wide batting slump and a stretch where they have lost seven of eight, the attempt to be cute may have been, um, mistimed.

Hello world! I’m your new @Pirates team dog, and I can’t wait to bark at PNC Bark all summer long!

But first, I need a name! Cast your votes!

https://t.co/kZBxwGpwJZ pic.twitter.com/jJ3CRIdqAA

— Pirates Pup (@PiratesPup) April 30, 2024

Based on how frequently the lineup strikes out, I think they should name the dog “K-9.”

Or given what just happened in Oakland, “Shutout” or “Swept” would work. But let’s see what you folks suggested.

Whiff

— Yuusko (@mountaindroppin) May 1, 2024

Misery

— Jesse Huba (@hubaJT) April 30, 2024

Mendoza

— John Doubleyou (@jcwadman) May 1, 2024

Pitch Count

— cojac™ (@cojac87) April 30, 2024

Good choices…or maybe “Oh-fur”?

— Lance Johnson (@LanceJohnson99) May 2, 2024

Loser!

— Frank Jackson (@Frankerson) April 30, 2024

Sub five hundred

— JoshuaB (@sacSAIDso) April 30, 2024

Puppy to be Named Later

— Footy Chancellor (@FootyChancellor) April 30, 2024

"Strikeout with runners in scoring position" seems cute.

— Mike Eaves (@Mike_Eaves_Jr) April 30, 2024

Let's call him the new hitting coach

— Jon Jacobs (@Stuck_in_CLT) May 1, 2024

Cash Considerations pic.twitter.com/Zfje7UgRYE

— JB11MVP (@myfe214) May 1, 2024

Paul Skenes....because that will clearly be the only way we'd see him in Pittsburgh at this rate.

— Gay Shark (@Gayshark8) May 1, 2024

You had me at “OhFur.” I do like that last one too, though. But as someone else in the comments section pointed out, shouldn’t it be “PAWl Skenes”?