That didn’t take long. One week of Steelers training camp, and “U mad, bro?” is composed almost entirely of frothing Steelers fans.

With just enough Pirates grumbling as a garnish.

I can’t wait for September.

Ken emailed last Monday. It appears he didn’t like something that Mark Madden and I discussed in last week’s “Madden Monday” podcast.

“You two are horrible supporters of your hometown teams, esp. the Steelers who, win or lose, are held in high regard by their fan base. You are skeptical at best when looking at their future. They will once again this year be strong and improved in the secondary, on the edge and upfront on D line. Barring injuries at inside backer they can hold teams under 20 points. Picket (sic), his offensive weapons, and retooled O line will average in the high twenties. Save this email and we’ll see who’s right. And why don’t you two move to NYC where your cynicism and lack of support would fit right in.”

OK, Ken, I’ll save this email. Have you been saving my columns over the past six years discussing all of their flaws en route to this run of seasons without a playoff win?

Or does saving receipts only matter if you are right and I end up being wrong? I’m pretty sure I know what that answer is.

By the way, it is comical to me that some of you think our job is to be a “supporter” of the hometown teams. That’s not what we get paid to do. They have PR departments for that. Skepticism is in the job description.

Also, if I moved to New York and everybody appreciated my cynicism, there would be no emails like yours for “U mad, bro?” It’d just be people complaining about trying to get a cab after a Knicks game.

What fun would that be?

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Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com recently rated Mike Tomlin as being the second-best coach in the NFL, behind only Kansas City’s Andy Reid. For a coach that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, I think that is ludicrous. But based on Jim’s email, he agrees with Florio.

“He never had a losing season. That is remarkable especially with all the roster changes these days. How many coaches in NFL history can say that? Being competitive every year with a chance for bigger things gives hope. How many teams would love to be in that position year after year? Both Noll and Cowher had a number of teams that did not compete very well. Tomlin Perfect? No, no coach is.”

He never had a losing season? Really!!?? Huh. That’s fascinating. That’s the first time I’ve heard that one.

For you, Jim, I’ll play along. So Tomlin has never had a losing season in 16 years? Impressive, indeed.

Bill Belichick has only had two losing seasons in the past 22 years, and he won six Super Bowls along the way and went to three more. Yet, he was rated behind Tomlin in this poll.

As for that Chuck Noll/Bill Cowher argument, it kinda makes my point for me. You’re right. At times, they didn’t have great teams. Yet neither of them went six full years without winning a playoff game.

I thought Tomlin’s credo was “the standard is the standard.” Not “the standard is average competitiveness.” That slogan wouldn’t sell as many T-shirts at yinzer souvenir stores in the Strip District.

But, hey, the bar has been lowered around here, and you are proud that the Steelers aren’t the Atlanta Falcons.

Good for you. Whatever gets that Terrible Towel twirling for you is good enough for me.

Speaking of the Patriots, Timothy sent this message about Le’Veon Bell trying to rewrite history regarding the Steelers failing to win a championship ring in the 2010s.

OK we know. The steelers could never beat your patriots.

— Timothy Mclaughlin (@ctmac13) August 2, 2023

“My” Patriots? No. But the rest of your tweet is right.

Skip doesn’t think Mike Tomlin’s stretch of seasons without a playoff win is relevant.

Gee… you think the hall of Fame QB’s turning the ball over and digging a hole had anything to do with those losses? Think MT coached him up to fumble and throw pick 6’s?

— skip (@Skip1288) July 26, 2023

I do.

I don’t.

And how did Tomlin’s defense do against Jacksonville, Cleveland and Kansas City in those playoff games? Was Big Ben the only reason for their collapse from 7-2-1 in 2018 to miss the playoffs altogether?

Before this recent stretch, what were the reasons for him missing the playoffs entirely in ‘09, ‘12 and ‘13 as well?

Never mind, I’m sure you have excuses for all those seasons too.

Duke replied to my column about the Steelers bracing themselves for more T.J. Watt injuries.

I would think we worry about 3 playoff wins in 10 years

— Duke414 (@Duke4143) August 2, 2023

Based on how they play without Watt, Duke, I’d suggest one thing leads to another.

This guy views the Watt discussion a different way. What way, though? I really don’t know.

Poor take. Look at the teams we have played without Watt. Big difference between playing against Bills, Dolphins, and Eagles and Raiders, Panthers and Falcons

— F. S. Flip Fisher (@Flipsteeler) August 2, 2023

Soooo … what’s the “poor take”? Are you somehow arguing that Watt’s presence is immaterial to the team success or failure and that 1-10 record without him is entirely coincidental over the course of the last two seasons?

What were the records of the team we played with and without Watt last year?Watt has a presence, but there is no coincidence that we won a bunch of games with him last year. That would be like saying that Pickett's lights turned on the 2nd half, and our record proves it

— F. S. Flip Fisher (@Flipsteeler) August 2, 2023

If you are trying to tell me the second half of the schedule was junk in 2022, you aren’t going to get any argument from me.

But I’d also suggest that in the first half of the schedule, they maybe would have grabbed another win or two against the Jets and/or Patriots if Watt was healthy. That’s not a stretch at all.

Finally, David didn’t like the post I wrote about the possibility of the Dodgers trading for Mitch Keller before the deadline.

This was written in 45 minutes with minimal effort.

— David Stegon (@DavidStegon) August 1, 2023

Well, based on how the Pirates have played since May 1, it looks like the entire team was assembled in 35 minutes with even less effort.

When the franchise starts to care about its win-loss record at the end of every season, David, I’ll care more about how intently I cover them.

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