U mad, bro?: Readers ramp up emotion over coverage of T.J. Watt's sack record quest; Ben Roethlisberger's retirement; Steelers' future

Glad tidings from Steelers fans coming off the holidays and Ben Roethlisberger’s goodbye party lasted only briefly.

Given their unfortunate playoff predicament, my inbox was sour like three-week-old eggnog and saltier than that holiday nut-mix grandpa likes.

If somehow the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts and the Steelers manage to lose in Baltimore anyway, look out!

Because “U mad, bro?” is already starting to bubble over in 2022 and we aren’t even a week into it yet.

Bob sent an email to me. He’s still angry over how I covered the Steelers in the wake of their 36-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago.

“I happen(ed) to read the AP sports review of the KC/Steelers game and compared to yours, it was totally awesome compared to the 4th grader report that you put out each week!

I hate to say this but as a Hometown Sports Reporter, You (stink)! Saying that Johnson didn’t deserve to be in the Pro Bowl was ridiculous as his stats bear otherwise! You are critical of everyone on the team every freaking week! Are you sure you are not from OHIO because I can’t imagine that you were born even close to Pittsburgh! I am tired of your negative commentaries and more tired of (you) saying that everyone that responds to you is nothing but an idiot! As far as I am concerned, you can bags your bags and get the Hell out of town now! We don’t need you or want you here!

Steelers fan since they played at Pitt Stadium!”

I’m not a “hometown sports reporter,” Bob. I’m a Pittsburgh sports columnist. Associated Press game stories are supposed to be down the middle and largely absent of opinion. My job is to give an opinion. After the Steelers lose 36-10 or 41-10 or tie the Detroit Lions, I’m going to tell you that they stink.

If you can’t deal with reading that, keep reading the AP. Emails expressing anger because I’m not spoon-feeding you positive spin are a waste of my time to read and your time to write.

Also, Diontae Johnson has not had a better season than Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill or Ja’Marr Chase. His stats compared to Keenan Allen are minimally better at best. Maybe Allen doesn’t have as many drops and doesn’t fumble the ball in the open field untouched as often?

Being a fan since they were at Pitt Stadium doesn’t make you smart. It just means you have been ignorant longer than most.

OK. That’s all I’ve got. I’m going to move on so I can “bags my bags” for Ohio.

Someone named Sharpie0975 doesn’t like the idea of the Steelers pursuing Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the offseason.

Nah, we take football players, not man bunz contemplating the meaning of life on a podcast

— sharpie0975 (@sharpie0975) December 31, 2021

He looked pretty decent picking apart the Steelers defense, building that 111.1 passer rating this season.

But you’re right. The Steelers get guys dancing on TikTok, posting cat-death videos, walking on milk crates and faking injuries to get out of town.

*REAL* football players. Yup. You got me.

Sharpie wasn’t done, though.

Aaron is the Barry Bonds of the NFL, personal stats look great championships….meh

— sharpie0975 (@sharpie0975) December 31, 2021

Um, who did Rodgers beat to win his “only” Super Bowl? Remind me.

On Twitter, @Sullas4 is pessimistic about the Steelers’ future after watching the Bengals play lately.

The Steelers are heading into uncharted territory: being stuck in the same division with the best qb in football, Burrow. Like being stuck with Brady or Rodgers. Dark decade of beatdowns coming.

— Sullas (@Sullas4) January 3, 2022

“Dark decade of beatdowns” sounds like a great name for a death metal album.

And I agree. The forecast for the Steelers in the AFC North doesn’t look great right now.

Well, unless they get the “man bunz podcast guy” from Green Bay.

Steve doesn’t think the national media is giving enough attention to T.J. Watt’s attempt to break Michael Strahan’s sack record this week.

“T.J. Watt needs 2 sacks to break Strahan’s single season record, but it seems the national football loving media could care less.

I remember when the gap-toothed GMA host was still a few games away from the accomplishment, and it was all any of the NFL talking heads could do to keep from blathering about it … even in games he wasn’t playing in.

In the game against the Packers where he eventually set it, it was the only thing of importance from the opening kickoff, until he eventually got the record with a comical and unearned sack that Favre gifted him.

Strahan did it in 16 games. If Watt does it, it will be in 15 — in a season in which he was dealing with nagging injuries and covid restrictions.

If Watt can set the record against the Ravens — a team that will surely not be gifting any sacks to the Steelers, let alone helping Watt set a record on their behalf — will anyone recognize it to the level it should be if it happens?

Most importantly, will he eventually get a national morning show gig as a burly but afable suit-wearing sidekick to an estrogen driven audience?”

So, clearly Steve watches NBC or CBS in the morning. We’ve established that.

But, Steve, you emailed me this screed less than 24 hours after Watt got his four sacks on “Monday Night Football.” He was five away from Strahan’s record going into that game against the Cleveland Browns. It wasn’t on people’s radar for that game because it didn’t appear to be attainable until perhaps the last week of the season.

Watt was so good against the Browns, he advanced the dialogue. It’ll gain traction this week as the days go along. Relax.

Plus, the national media is talking about it. Just take a look.

There’s nothing I hate more than “You guys in the media never write/talk about (fill in the blank complaint)” when it is actively being written/talked about and readers/listeners actively choose to pretend the topic is being ignored.

Finally, an emailer named “Hollywood 6” had an idea about what Ben Roethlisberger might do after he retires.

“Tim, how about this? WalMart greeter. Used car salesman, something 9-5 cause Momma wants him home. Hence, why the Steelers were lacking postseason championships.

And that worthless Head Coach needs to go. Winning to me is championships. How many AFC, and Super Bowl championships?

Just ask yourself, look at all of the talent that has passed through Pittsburgh. Let’s TALK Running GAME! So Connor (sic) leaves Steelers, what’s his STATS?”

First off, on the Conner point. Yes, he has scored 14 touchdowns. He’s been great in the red zone. But you asked, “What’s his STATS?”

His stats are 50 yards rushing per game and 3.7 yards per carry. And he’s been out of the lineup the last few weeks, as was often the case here in Pittsburgh. So let’s not get too carried away, especially after what we saw from Najee Harris last week.

Now, as for your other points …

• Mike Tomlin hasn’t won enough with the talent he’s had.

• Tomlin’s “never had a losing season” record is overhyped.

• The Steelers run game stinks.

Yes. I get all those emails all the time. But blaming “Mrs. Big Ben” for Roethlisberger’s lack of Super Bowls since 2010? That’s a new one.

Roethlisberger threw deep too much under Bruce Arians. He throws the ball too short now. He held onto the ball too long before. He gets rid of it too fast now. I’ve certainly heard all that over the years. And maybe there’s an element of truth to all of it.

But blaming Roethlisberger for being around the house too much, that’s a first for me. For his first five or six years in Pittsburgh, didn’t we used to say, “Stay out of the South Side, put away the motorcycle, settle down and just focus on family and football”?

Now you are suggesting that the Steelers woulda gone to the Super Bowl if Big Ben didn’t spend so much time out on “Roethlisberger Ranch,” huh?

Hmm. And here I thought it had something to do with the offense being too one dimensional and overly reliant on a dinky short passing game.

But what do I know? Just ask that emailer from the first entry.