U mad, bro?: Steelers fans rant about Maurkice Pouncey retiring and all the J.J. Watt talk
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This week’s “U mad, bro?” has Steelers fans popping off about J.J. Watt and Maurkice Pouncey. Penguins fans speak up about Jim Rutherford. And cancel culture wants a piece of William Shakespeare.
Lord, what fools these mortals be.
We start with Tony. He hated last week’s “U mad, bro?”
“All I will say to all your advanced criticism is how ‘bout you wait for a sub -500 season? Or a Cleveland or Cincy SB win? Or the Ravens, who I take it are far superior?
Yet in the last 15 years, all have had a lot of top 10 draft picks compared to our, what, one or two?
We always believe cuz year in and year out WE ALWAYS COMPETE !! And only one other team can say they done better. But that’s been for two decades. Not five, like us. So hate on us if you will. But check the stats moron! Since 1972 NO ONE BEEN BETTER!!”
So, Tony, let me see if I get your point. Do the Steelers have to actually finish under .500 before I’m allowed to say it’s going to happen?
Now, if comparing the Steelers to the Bengals and Browns makes you feel better, go ahead. But I thought “the standard” was a little higher than that around here.
As far as the Ravens being “superior” and waiting for them to win a Super Bowl, well, they have won one more recently (2012) than the Steelers (2008).
As for your point about top 10 picks, yes. The Steelers have had just one, Devin Bush (2019), since the 2004 draft. However, the Ravens have had just one as well — Ronnie Stanley in 2016.
I’d also caution you against bragging so much about “five decades” of Steelers success. Maybe you are too young to remember the 1980s? Sadly, I am not. And with only three playoff victories this past decade — and missing the playoffs four times — I wouldn’t exactly say the last ten years have qualified as excellence either.
But, hey, what do I know? I’m just a moron checking the stats.
The “Local Hero” on Twitter has some thoughts about recently retired Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and whether he should be in the Hall of Fame.
No Rings. No HOF.
— Local Hero (@HofSpillane) February 12, 2021
So I suppose we have to pull Dermontti Dawson out of the Hall of Fame, too, huh? And, like, Anthony Munoz. And John Hannah. And Dan Marino. Barry Sanders. Jim Kelly…
Look, I get it. As I wrote this week, failing to win a Super Bowl (or even play in one) dents a Hall of Fame candidacy. For sure. Especially in a market like Pittsburgh where everyone is judged by Super Bowl wins.
But winning a ring can’t be a universal qualification for induction. Especially at the center position. That seems silly to me.
Larry emails with some angst about all those rumors about the Steelers and J.J. Watt.
“The Steelers already have a $5 million dud with the last name of Watt. An edge rusher is way down on the list of Steelers priorities. Releasing Ben would be like a kick in the teeth but what is best for the long-term success of the Steelers. It would surprise me if they are better than 8-8 next year. There are going to be some lean years before the next Lombardi Trophy. Mason Rudolph can be successful with a running game.”
First of all, Larry, based on his recent Instagram post, it’s clear to me that Mason Rudolph’s life is already highly “successful.”
Well played, Mason.
Secondly, I assume you mean Derek and not T.J. Watt, correct? That’s a little harsh. Not the “dud” part. The $5 million. It’s more like $3.8 million, but I get your point.
As far as everything else you wrote, yeah, I’m with you. Sing it! If Roethlisberger played any position besides quarterback, he’d be released. And by the start of the season, I wonder if we’ll be considering 8-8 as cockeyed optimism.
Russ has some thoughts on the Steelers’ potential signing of Watt, too.
I dont understand this infatuation with JJ. He's 31 now. He's only played 2 full seaons on the past 5 years. He played 1/2 season in 2019 only 4 sacks. Played a full season this past season with only 5 sacks. JJ Watt is aging, past his prime, & declining. Let the Browns have him.
— g8udak8 (@g8udak8) February 17, 2021
Agreed on many points here, Russ. That said, I am looking forward to your “U mad, bro?” email about how the Steelers should’ve signed Watt when he inevitably has two sacks and a forced fumble against Roethlisberger when the teams first play during the 2021 season.
Don’t worry. I assure you that I will be sending out similar tweets of my own.
Let’s squeeze in a thought from Bryan on Jim Rutherford’s decision to jump ship on the Penguins.
“I suspect he knows the team’s trajectory is downward. The Pens will be average at best until a complete rebuild is undertaken. With an empty cupboard in the minors, aging superstars on the big club, and a potential dark playoff future, I don’t blame him for getting out while the memories of his two Stanley cups are still fresh in the minds of Pittsburgh fans. I remember how quickly they turned on Craig Patrick and Ray Shero.”
Penguins fans celebrating someone after achieving Stanley Cup success, only to turn on them when times get rough, and appreciate them more when they are gone? No! That would never happen.
What’s that? Oh. A hand is raised in the back. Yes, Mr. Fleury, would you like to add something to the conversation?
Finally, here’s one that made me mad. Apparently, 400 years after his death, we just now have determined that William Shakespeare isn’t culturally progressive enough. So some educators are taking it upon themselves to “cancel” him.
William Shakespeare ditched by woke teachers over 'misogyny, racism' https://t.co/4HbFeIm1Z5 pic.twitter.com/oCq0G7CSp5
— New York Post (@nypost) February 16, 2021
Fret not, Bill. “The fool doth think he is wise.” All I have to say to them is they “speak an infinite deal of nothing.”