U mad, bro?: Readers dislike my Pitt column, questions for Mike Tomlin and college football OT format

This week’s “U mad, bro?” is peppered with Pittsburgh Steelers fans who resent me for asking Mike Tomlin about some vacant college coaching jobs.

Others voice their displeasure with the new college football overtime format.

And prickly Pitt fans are … well … just being true to who they have always been.

Jim didn’t like the fact that I asked Steelers coach Mike Tomlin about the connection made between him and some college coaching vacancies.

Stupid question because it was nonsense spread by idiots

— Jim Duron (@JimDuron1) October 26, 2021

I wouldn’t call the question stupid. Actually, I thought it was pretty well phrased.

I also wouldn’t call Doug Whaley stupid. He was an NFL general manager after all. Ryan Clark isn’t dumb. He’s made a successful transition from player to media personality. And Carson Palmer is acting as a quasi member of whatever quasi search committee USC has for its open coaching position.

Those sound like three informed sources to me. Hence, my inquiry.

But, hey, you’re a guy with a Twitter account and a cell phone so you understandably have higher standards.

Mike chimed in on Tomlin’s response.

This year for Halloween Tim Benz can just go as “eaten alive.”

— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) October 26, 2021

I’m not familiar with Eaten Alive. Is that a Marvel character?

Chris also seems to think I was off base in bothering to ask Tomlin about the college job openings.

“Tim, not that (Tomlin) can’t absorb a financial loss, or that a suitor couldn’t easily make him whole. But Tomlin and his wife are in the midst of having a swimming pool and pool house constructed on their property in Sq.Hill.

Just sayin!”

Thanks, Chris. But I was never suggesting that Tomlin would ever actually take the USC or LSU job. I merely was seeking comment about the scuttlebutt advanced by Whaley, Palmer and Clark.

In the meantime, swimming is wonderful exercise, and I congratulate the Tomlins on their fabulous home addition.

Perhaps Mike will invite me over for pina coladas by the cabana sometime.

No?

After Pitt beat Clemson Saturday, I felt like I gushed about the Panthers’ victory in my column. In part, because this group of Panthers did what so many before them have failed to do.

Answer the call and win a big game they were capable of winning.

I don’t think you can tell that story without referencing a few of the past disappointments Pitt fans have had to endure over the last 20 years.

This guy disagrees.

“Pitt fans don’t need a run down of their past flops and blowouts. We are more versed than you are in the past 35 years on Pitt football disappointment. Why don’t you write a (sic) article about the present moment.

As a matter of fact, why didn’t you put in your little article how Pitt was the only team to beat an undefeated Clemson team to win the national championship that year. The only lost (sic) on their record.

Why didn’t you put that in your little article of history. Because you wanna point out the negativity that we already know. We’re staying focused on this year.

Go back to Syracuse and re-explain to their fans how (expletive deleted) they have been for the last 25 years, Benzhole.”

Nice talk. Do you kiss ROC with that mouth?

Pitt fans are so predictable. An entire column praising the team after a big win, suggesting this team could be different. Better.

Yet you manufacture a way to suggest the Panthers are somehow being wronged. Somehow a victim of media bias.

You’ve been singing that same song since Dan Marino left. Start humming a new tune. It never changes with you people. You have the biggest persecution complex of any fan base I’ve ever encountered.

Pitt fans: “YOU DON’T GIVE US ENOUGH COVERAGE!”

Pitt fans after you get coverage: “IT’S NOT THE KIND OF COVERAGE WE WANT!”

The truth is a lot of Pitt fans like you don’t want coverage. You want promotion. You want propaganda. And nothing else.

That’s not my job.

Sincerely,

Benzhole

Mike was another Pitt fan who didn’t like my column after the victory over Clemson.

Thx for rehashing all the bad memories, like we weren't there for it.

— Mike (@Mike86292084) October 24, 2021

You’re welcome.

Henry didn’t like the new college football overtime rule that was on display as Penn State lost to Illinois. He offered a different solution.

Start kicking feild goals at the 25, move back 5 yards every kick. No time outs.

— Henry W Schaadt (@MLCHank44) October 24, 2021

So, it’s like the world’s most boring version of a shootout?

Nah, Henry, I don’t think so. Football is doing whatever it can to minimize the number of kicks. Not maximize them. Especially in college where elite kickers are few and far between.

That said, a kicking contest still may have been a better viewing experience than watching Penn State and Illinois butchering two-point conversions back and forth.

Let’s wrap up with one more on the “Tomlin-to-USC-or-LSU” topic from Duncan. After all, I have a special place in my heart for any “Your an idiot” email that I receive.

“Your an idiot and should not have a press pass or own a laptop to ‘report’ anything. You are what’s wrong with the media today. Go cover tee ball league games and interview parents and 10 year olds, that is a much better fit for your ignorance.”

Trust me, Duncan, if Carson Palmer says any of those parents are candidates for the open USC tee ball coaching vacancy, I will be there to ask them questions.

But if my laptop and tee ball press pass have been revoked, I’m not sure how I’ll be able to gain access or file the story.

I mean, “your” a smart guy. You tell me.