U mad, bro?: Too much criticism of Mike Tomlin and George Pickens; more grievances from Packers game
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Some people think I’m being too hard on Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Others think the media, collectively, is being too hard on wide receiver George Pickens.
Still, others take sports writing a little too … hmmm … literally.
These are all things we learn in this week’s “U mad, bro?”
Bob believes I’m too quick to counter the national media fawning over Mike Tomlin.
“Your stance on Tomlin’s winning record being a denial’ish benchmark has turned this issue about you. You seem to be obsessed with convincing Steeler fans that they are misguided in their opinion of Coach T. If you want to mention his accomplishments may not match his reputation among the NFL — that is a journalistic opinion worth writing and reading. But to throw it into the reader’s face in what seems like every Steelers article is making it about you. Having fans find some kind of consolation in a competitive season is natural. Yea, the Pens did not make the playoffs, but they were at least not The Flyers. … Just move on. You made YOUR point.”
First off, Bob, I’d hope that the standard of expectation for the local sports teams would be higher than: Don’t be as bad as the Flyers.
The Yankees had a bad season this year too. Are they saying in New York, “Hey! At least they aren’t the Pirates”?
But, I’ll make a deal with you. When the national media stops trying to turn Tomlin into Vince Lombardi every time he wins nine games or beats a non-playoff team 20-16 in the final seconds, I’ll stop reminding you he hasn’t been as good as they have been portraying for the last 12 years.
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J.P. believes I should have included another complaint in this week’s “Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances.”
“You missed a big grievance. Green Bay was 10/18 on third/fourth down, many of the conversions of long distance. Granted, the pass defense has been crippled, but still …”
Agreed, J.P. Consider that added to the list of grievances. And, yes, to your point about the injuries to the safety and inside linebacker positions, I expect this grievance to be aired again in the future.
Somebody named “JohnBeer41” thinks too much was made of George Pickens’ pouting and social media behavior leading up to the Steelers game against Green Bay.
Pgh sports media are starving for another Antonio Brown personality that you'll take a guy who didn't celebrate a teammate and turn it into some kind of melt down. Don't you get tired of making drama?
— Dakota Dickey (@JohnBeer41) November 9, 2023
Right. I made the drama. It was me who actually hacked Pickens’ Instagram and posted “Free me.”
You can say I’m making something out of nothing. But then you should send a similar message to Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson who admitted to the media that they felt the need to speak with Pickens before the Packers game. In the case of Harris, he did so before the game against Tennessee was even over.
Also, I could go back and show you about a hundred tweets like this one that I got, saying, “You guys in the media are making something out of nothing” when it came to A.B., Martavis, Claypool and JuJu.
Did any of those situations end well? Aside from A.B., did any of those players sign a multi-year deal here beyond their first contract?
This guy, Keith, agrees with Mr. Beer41.
— Keith Smolkowicz (@Kmsmolk) November 9, 2023
Keith sent me that gif as a reply to a column I posted the day after Pickens and his teammates first addressed his little social media dust up. So here’s how I responded.
How is it beating a dead horse when yesterday was their first chance to speak? Want a cute gif? He's one of you. pic.twitter.com/na5zHG2NYj
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) November 9, 2023
Keith wasn’t done.
He already commented online and said the same thing to yall
— Keith Smolkowicz (@Kmsmolk) November 9, 2023
Well, Keith, I wanted a more specific in-person response than him posting “Y’all Need Urgent Care” as his only comment on the matter. If that makes me an old-fashioned journalist, guilty as charged.
Ken chimes in about some of my posts about the controversial forward-pass review in the Green Bay game.
“Hey you were right. The boys got away with one on backward pass no call. But we got taken on a few this year too. Bad calls are a part of the game and you hope they even out at year’s end.
Remember our conversation before the season? I’m sticking with my 10-7 prediction and a playoff spot. Running game heading in right direction now that Okafor is benched and Jones is on the field … We’ll see who was right in the end.”
First of all, Ken, to your point, yes, it is about evening out with the officials. I ripped the officials when they blew some calls against the Steelers during the Jacksonville loss. So I’m ripping them when they got a call wrong in the Green Bay game that helped the Steelers.
That’s me being even. Also, I gave them credit for getting the OPI call right (by the letter of the law) against the Steelers late in the game.
Second, “10-7 and a playoff spot. We’ll see who is right.” Dude, that was my exact preseason prediction. If you are right, I’m right. Based on their schedule the rest of the way, we’ll probably both be spot on.
And, lastly, when did the Steelers get Emeka Okafor? He’s 41 years old now. I’m not sure they want him playing tackle at his age. He may have to bump inside to guard. Although, 6-foot-10 might be a little tall to play guard.
Finally, TribLIVE hockey writer Seth Rorabaugh began his game story recapping the Penguins’ 5-3 win in Columbus on Tuesday night by writing, “It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon or a veteran of nearly two decades in the NHL to realize that games against divisional foes command more gravity than other contests.”
Thomas emailed me because he was puzzled by what Seth wrote.
“Can you ask Mr. R. what a rocket surgeon is — his Penguin article has me addled.”
Thomas, if you don’t get the sarcastic play on words that Seth was going for by spinning the phrase “rocket surgeon,” it’s safe to say that you’ll never be one.