U mad, bro?: Steelers fans amped up about booing of Matt Canada, Kenny Pickett’s play, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s hit on Nick Chubb
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I’m sure that many of you think that “U mad, bro?” hit its zenith last week after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 30-7 in Week 1.
Nay!
When these Steelers lose that badly, sometimes it’s hard to comb through the voluminous amounts of reader interactions I get that are just so hate-filled, irate and foul-mouthed, that they often aren’t printable.
However, when the Steelers win and look lousy in the process, that is the “U mad, bro?” sweet spot.
I usually get plenty of outrage, but without the pure venom and bile that makes me wonder if I need to publish these emails or report them to federal authorities.
After beating the Browns 26-22 in a rag-tag “Monday Night Football” affair, no such moral decisions needed to be made. But there was still plenty of angst to digest.
Sean chimes in on the “Fire Canada” chants at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night.
Fire Hextall chant worked
— Sean Rutter (@seanr19) September 19, 2023
That’s true. We’ll know Canada is really in trouble if he starts using Mikael Granlund to run all those awesome jet sweeps.
Since I brought that up, these guys are tired of Matt Canada’s jet sweeps and end-arounds, especially after the one that got blown up by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. It killed a late third-quarter drive.
Jet sweep killed the drive. Why does he always have to call that.
— No Offense (@yinzer_takes) September 19, 2023
Jet sweeps don't work. #6 knew it was coming and had Austin teed up
— Rich N (@rxn128) September 19, 2023
He sure did. He even shot up after the tackle and pointed at his bench as if he was saying exactly that.
We talked all of last week about Patrick Peterson suggesting the 49ers have “tells” in their offense. The Steelers must as well. Especially on those end-arounds and jet sweeps. The opponent is never taken by surprise or out of position.
Frank sent an email about quarterback Kenny Pickett.
“Forget ‘Bubby Pickett’ and/or ‘Kenny Stoudt.’ ‘Mr. August’ should be how Pickett is known right now.”
OK. But then what are we supposed to call Clavin Austin III?
More sports
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• Steelers promote DT Breiden Fehoko, sign RB Godwin Igwebuike
Here’s a guy who thinks Minkah Fitzpatrick’s hit on Nick Chubb was dirty.
Going below the knee on a guy that was running right through them up until that point. Dirty.
— Sam (@wsamcap) September 20, 2023
If Chubb was “running right through them,” why would Fitzpatrick (who weighs 20 pounds less than Chubb) think that attempting to tackle him high would be the best option?
Kind of a self-defeating argument, isn’t it?
Brendan had a good submission last week, and I didn’t properly link his tweet. He has another good one this week. So we are going to use him back-to-back.
2. I remember you and Madden essentially writing off "play Warren more" as a typically reactionary Yinzer take, and yet I keep watching him do more with fewer opportunities. What am I missing here?
— Brendan Berkley (@TallBlondeGuy) September 19, 2023
Well, the touches and snaps are starting to even out. So the “fewer opportunities” angle is less a part of the equation.
But I will admit that after being one of Harris’ loudest and longest defenders, it was hard to look at Monday night and continue to dismiss the notion of elevating Warren more often.
Strangely, I was most alarmed by Harris’ best runs. Remember those two back-to-back carries Harris had in the third quarter that netted 21 and 17 yards? I felt like Warren could’ve popped both of those for at least 35 each.
When Tomlin talked about guys who need to start playing “fast and fluid,” Harris needs to start playing faster … and running a lot faster.
Matt responded Monday night after I pointed out that Kenny Pickett came up holding his left shoulder awkwardly after the touchdown pass to George Pickens.
Just let us have nice things Tim
— Matt D (@MD3727) September 19, 2023
I did. It was called the preseason. Didn’t you notice how sunny my disposition was in August?
Finally, back to the topic of booing. David appears to be a nice guy and a frequent reader. But he didn’t like my reaction to the Steelers’ win over Cleveland.
“I usually enjoy your writing, but after two games, you are on the gloom and doom path. That’s your opinion. Fine. But you also posted that the team deserved to be booed.’ No one deserves to be booed. It’s rude and ugly. And by posting THAT, after a winning game, is simply irresponsible, and gives the impression that you support such a reaction. THE STEELERS WON. And that’s my opinion.”
David, any team that runs the play that they did on third-and-1 with three minutes left in the third quarter deserves to be booed — regardless of how “rude” or “ugly” you judge it to be.
Fans can boo in the moment because the game hasn’t been won yet. And decisions like that one put the result in doubt, even though previously they had put themselves in a good position to win.
Similarly, in my business, you can be critical of the process, while still acknowledging the importance of the result.
And that’s my opinion.
Sincerely,
Gloom and Doom