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U mad, bro?: Not all Steelers fans are happy with drafting Devin Bush, Diontae Johnson | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

U mad, bro?: Not all Steelers fans are happy with drafting Devin Bush, Diontae Johnson

Tim Benz
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Not all Steelers fans were so excited about the team’s first-round pick Devin Bush.

It’s an all-Steelers-NFL-draft edition of “U mad, bro?” Fans are mad about trading up, my critique of missing out on certain positions, and uttering the name of a certain big-chested wide receiver out loud.


An unsigned email takes umbrage with my article likening Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson’s draft profile to that of Antonio Brown when he entered the NFL from Central Michigan.

“Please NO MORE ARTICLES LIKE TODAY…

I very seldom get angry over articles but you drugging all the ab stuff back up isn’t going to help the team or the fan base for that matter…

LET IT GO !!!! LET’S PLEASE MOVE ON !!!”

Well, whoever you are, it’s not my job to help the team or the fans “get over it” and “move on” from Brown’s trade to Oakland. You can do that on your own, like a grown up.

Secondly, just because Brown is gone doesn’t mean his name is banned from being mentioned. Are the names Jaromir Jagr, Barry Bonds, and James Harrison similarly banned? Let me know. Send me an email so I know the rules.

And lastly, the Steelers drafted a receiver with their second pick. They did so despite many other needs, and they used the acquired pick for Brown to do it. Plus, Johnson’s measurables and resume are nearly identical to Brown’s when he came out of college.

This is a worthwhile story. If you can’t see that, it’s because you are trying to miss it intentionally.


Here’s another unsigned one about the trade up to get Devin Bush.

Does this pick show us that (Kevin) Colbert might be worried about his job ????? This is a super reach based on need, in my mind.

If I’m Kevin Colbert, I’d be more worried about my job if I couldn’t figure out a way to make this trade happen.

Colbert doesn’t need to be worried about his job. Mike Tomlin will go long before Colbert does.

And I don’t see giving up a second-round selection this year and one of likely two third-round picks next year as all that much of a reach to fill a crater on your roster with a universally respected prospect.


A Twitter follower named “J” did NOT like my post on what positions the Steelers could’ve addressed more directly in the draft.

Well, your experts in the Steelers front office passed on Zach Gentry four times over, too. Maybe they should’ve waited another round or two — as apparently the rest of the NFL would have — and drafted an outside linebacker or a safety.

By the way, did you “ride with” the Steelers scouts when they reached on the likes of Ricardo Colclough, Alonzo Jackson, Artie Burns, Curtis Brown, Senquez Golson, and Chris Carter?

In your effort to fly the flag and be king fanboy, you missed the point. I’m not claiming to be a better football scout than them. The article says I would’ve preferred to see outside linebacker and safety positions addressed. Given the vacancy of depth at those positions, I don’t know how you could argue against that point.


“JSoft75” is set to declare the draft an unqualified success already. He also disagrees with my assessment that the Steelers still have holes to fill.

It’s funny how we can announce the draft “great” before anyone plays a snap. But it can’t be declared “bad” based on who they took. Weird, huh?

Generally, I’m fine with what they got. For those who like to grade drafts, I’ll play along and give it a B+. So don’t be prickly.

Again, the article merely points out that the Steelers failed to properly bolster pass rusher and safety. Show me how that is “a stretch.”

With Anthony Chickillo and Jordan Dangerfield as the lone experienced reserves at those two positions, it’s fruitless to argue against that stance.


Somebody who goes by the name Rieder79 sees nothing wrong with the Steelers’ approach.

Ola Adeniyi and Keion Adams are “the future?” Now that’s “a stretch.” I’m simply hoping at least one of them can become borderline serviceable. You make it sound like they are going to be the next James Harrison-LaMarr Woodley combination.

You are also reaching by justifying Bud Dupree’s value by stating “he draws penalties” in the same breath as Harrison. Harrison drew penalties, too. And for each one he got, five more weren’t called. Plus, he had 10 to 16 sacks per year in his prime.

Dupree can’t boast that production, averaging five per season over four years.

And likening Harrison’s situation to that of Adams and Adeniyi is a farce. Harrison started his career behind Jason Gildon, Joey Porter, and Clark Haggans (in a nine-sack campaign).

Adams and Adeniyi are blocked by “Bud” and “Chick.” Gimme a break.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz
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