U mad, bro?: Failed fake punt debate; criticism of Steelers media; putrid Penguins failures adding up

What a difference a year makes! Right about this time in 2023, the Steelers were 6-3, but no one was happy because we were all in full-blown “FIRE CANADA” mode.

Now the Steelers are a mere one game better at 7-2, yet it feels 180 degrees different around the city. Pittsburgh appears to be overwhelmingly optimistic about the local football team.

So much so that this week (for the most part), the majority of the complaints I received were about the media asking questions surrounding one rarely-seen play that actually worked and pushing back on criticism of another trick play that didn’t during the team’s 28-27 win in Washington.

Meanwhile, a year ago, the Penguins were plodding along at 9-8 through 17 games. And this year … eh, well, never mind.

This year, things with the Pens are actually even worse.

So we’ve still got plenty of fodder for this week’s “U mad, bro?”

A lot of people were angry with me because I was critical of the Steelers running a fake punt from their own 16-yard line Sunday. It would have worked if James Pierre didn’t drop the pass from Miles Killebrew. But I thought the risk of running that play from their own 16 was unnecessary.

As for Rich, he liked the call.

Well, it wasn't a bad call, just poor execution

— Rich (@rxn128) November 10, 2024

No. It wasn’t a bad play design. But if that play design relies on one DB throwing to another DB, I’m not calling it on my own 16 because … well, you saw why.

Jesse was also on board with the decision.

I'd bet on most linemen in the league making that catch. No one without 10 yards and easy first down. Why not take what should be a free drive extender

— Jesse Malecki (@Jmalecki13) November 10, 2024

Because the swap of possession became at least a free field goal and eventually a free touchdown. That’s why. The defense had just forced a pair of three-and-outs to begin the game. When there is a full field to defend, punt the ball. Maintain the lead.

Jake is also calling me out.

Second guessing

— Jake (@ScarQuip) November 10, 2024

Ummm, no. It was first-guessing. My first guess is always to punt from your own 16.

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Al sent me this message after the Dallas Stars scored six times against the Penguins in the first period of Monday night’s game.

Was that Rico Fata, Kris Beech, and Ramzi Abid skating around that period? pic.twitter.com/zpIXEHqi9A

— Al Sciarretti ???????? (@AlSciarretti) November 12, 2024

Based on how bad the Penguins were that night, honestly, those three guys would’ve been an upgrade.

A significant upgrade.

This guy thinks the Penguins are in need of an old-fashioned coaching rant the likes of which we used to get from Michel Therrien.

Where is Therrien this group is on need of some SOFF yelling

— CSev32 (@ctslax) November 12, 2024

Forget Therrien and the “soff yelling.” What this team really needs is Jim Rutherford and some hard roster reconstruction.

This is a message from Michael. He apparently doesn’t understand the concept of a postgame interview. He is upset that someone asked Steelers center Zach Frazier about how they baited Washington to jump offside on that fourth down play with a minute left in the game Sunday.

Come on man, Tribliv reporters asking Zack Frazier to see his hole card on the off sides bluff. Leave it alone.
No way we will use that play again.

— Michael Shettig Construction Manager Pro (@MichaelShettig) November 12, 2024

Somebody prodded him for the answer. It was on Tribliv's feed.

— Michael Shettig Construction Manager Pro (@MichaelShettig) November 12, 2024

So you are upset that a reporter … asked a question? Oh, my! God forbid!

He's a rookie. He will learn.

— Michael Shettig Construction Manager Pro (@MichaelShettig) November 12, 2024

Well, I have no idea how old you are. But maybe someday you’ll learn that asking questions is a kind of important part of being a journalist.

Finally, Dennis was — how can I put this — less than impressed with the Steelers win in Washington.

They played a lousy game, and survived. That is huge. Maybe they can build on that for the run through the North. Definitely outperformed my expectations thus far.

— Dennis (@BeerLeague32) November 10, 2024

Lousy! Lousy? Washington is 7-3. The Steelers came back from 10 points down on the road. I don’t think “lousy” is the right word.

Occasionally flawed? Yes. Inconsistent? Sure. Uneven? You bet.

But, “lousy?” If 28 points is lousy, based on what we’ve seen offensively the last few years, I’ll take “lousy.”