U mad, bro?: After a 30-6 loss in Houston, angry Steelers fans swarm on Mike Tomlin, Kenny Pickett, Matt Canada

After a 30-6 loss in Houston Sunday, the sharks are circling for Steelers coaches and players.

And even the media that covers them.

If they lose again at home to Baltimore this weekend, well….

Enjoy the apricot brandy. Here’s this week’s edition of “U mad, bro?”

We start with Calvin. He was unhappy with Kenny Pickett’s performance in Houston Sunday.

@MarkMaddenX @TimBenzPGH is Kenny Pickett 38 years old already? Throws short of the sticks, doesn’t run for yards, passes seem slow. Reminds of a QB in 2021.

— Calvin Isaac (@CalvinIsaac4) October 1, 2023

Calvin, I hate to break it to you, but Pickett was 38 when he graduated from Pitt.

When I wrote about fans blaming the media for not asking Mike Tomlin the “hard questions,” this is the guy I had in mind.

Honestly I’m a little disappointed that the Steelers media don’t push Tomlin harder to be more committal or critical of Canada. At some point something would break. @bepryor @gerrydulac @JRown32 @EdBouchette @MarkKaboly @rayfitt1 @TimBenzPGH #FireCanada

— Marshall Clapper (@M_Clapper) October 2, 2023

So you think it’s our job to … what exactly? “Talk him into” firing Canada? Shame him into it?

It’d be nice to actually hear him have to answer what he thinks about Canada’s performance or the offensive scheme in detail instead of just dismiss the questions with nonsense cliches.

— Marshall Clapper (@M_Clapper) October 2, 2023

He’s been asked that pretty much every week since the start of last year. When you say “have to answer,” we can’t “make him” answer “without nonsense cliches.” Only one guy can do that.

Guess who that is. It ain’t one of us in the media. His last name starts with an “R” and ends in “ooney.”

CJ replied to me when I shared a post on “X” about the problems in Chicago surrounding former Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool.

We don’t care Tim this is Pittsburgh

— cjbranc (@branch_cj) September 30, 2023

Actually, this isn’t Pittsburgh, CJ. This is a worldwide social media platform. Sometimes people come here to find out about stuff that happens beyond the end of their own driveway.

And seeing as how Claypool was a Steeler less than a year ago, it’s not really beyond the end of the driveway. More like, just backing out of the garage.

There’s a thin line between sports provincialism and jingoism, and you are toe-tapping just in front of it right now.

After Seattle rookie corner Devon Witherspoon ran back a 97-yard pick-6 on “Monday Night Football” for the Seattle Seahawks, I sent out a post sarcastically alluding to Joey Porter Jr.’s lack of playing time. It appears Eric is on the same wavelength.

He got mojo

— Eric Love (@ejlove57) October 3, 2023

Indeed he does. And from what I’ve been told, “mojo” is very important.

Related

• Practicing in pads 'overall beneficial' for Steelers after loss and in advance of Ravens game
• Steelers QB Kenny Pickett wears brace, practices on limited basis in return from knee injury
• Mark Madden: The Mike Tomlin error is in full swing, but who will recognize it?

Z thinks I’m not hard enough on Mike Tomlin.

What has Tomlin ever done?
Why won’t you guys say it?
Won a championship with someone else’s staff and players.
We all know Canada should have been fired last year.
You guys are a joke reporting about them.

— Z (@EdZelanJr) October 1, 2023

You’re right, Z, I’ve never been hard on Mike Tomlin before. You got me.

Except for this time. And one other time before that.

And maybe one time since then. And I guess I was kinda critical here. And of course there was that one instance …

Pfft! C’mon, Z. Take that weak stuff somewhere else. I can only write/say my opinions so often. Eventually improvement needs to come from the coach or action needs to come from the owner.

It’s my job to express an opinion. It’s not my job to force Tomlin’s resignation. And I can’t make Art Rooney II change out someone on his football team that he seems to like.

But I can — and I do — say what’s on my mind when it comes to being critical of Tomlin when that criticism is warranted.

Z sent a follow up about Pickett versus Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud.

Is CJ that much better than Kenny or scheme?

— Z (@EdZelanJr) October 1, 2023

Yes.

This guy disagreed with my assessment that the Steelers should’ve gone for a field goal instead of throwing on fourth-and-1 from Houston’s 33 with 16 minutes left in the game.

That’s the problem, Tim. Settling for FGs is how you get beaten 30-6. The gutlessness of this coach and is disgraceful. #Steelers https://t.co/gswTzFbXSx

— Gurn Blanston (@BrioniBoy12) October 1, 2023

If you don’t kick the field goal there, OK. Just don’t run the play that they did. That was stupid.

Finally, Kevin wanted to add his two cents on that play.

The timeout gave Canada time to think. First mistake.

— Kevin in ABQ (@KevinInABQ) October 1, 2023

Thank you, Kevin. I’ll Venmo you two more pennies. Talk to you again next week.

Listen: Ian Eagle is on the call for Steelers-Ravens Sunday. He joined Tim Benz on 105.9 the X Wednesday afternoon.