U mad, bro?: Revamping Penguins' announcers; Steelers' 'new standard'; Pittsburgh port-a-potty fight

This time next week, “U mad, bro?” will be filled to the brim with one of two types of complaints from readers.

1. That the Steelers didn’t win.

Or….

2. That the Steelers didn’t win by enough.

Either way, it’s bound to be wildly entertaining.

In the meantime, for our last week on the calendar without NFL action for the next six months, here’s a little variety.

Hockey announcers. Football trades. Port-a-potty fights. We’ve got it all.

This guy didn’t like this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. He thought Madden and I were out of line for warning people against setting expectations too high for the Steelers based on challenges other teams may present.

Steelers fans are happy and excited about a good young emerging team and QB after a universally hailed strong offseason. It’s not fair! Make it stop! Only in Pittsburgh!!!

— You Know It’s Tru Tho (@know_tru) September 4, 2023

Steelers fans are looking at their team’s projections in the vacuum of their own analysis of the Steelers themselves from preseason and failing to take into account the depth of the AFC and the prospect that other teams on their schedule may also improve from 2022.

So they manufacture a way to be offended even though, generally speaking, the commentary suggests that the team will be improved but will fall short of 17-0.

Only in Pittsburgh.

Related:

• First Call: 49ers coach addresses Nick Bosa's snap count vs. Steelers; George Kittle, other Niners return to practice
• Tim Benz: A season-opening trend to watch that may decide Steelers-49ers outcome
• Mark Madden: Here's what Penguins should do with new broadcast team

Salvadore tweets about the Steelers trading Kendrick Green to Houston.

If Kendrick Green somehow makes the starting lineup, I plan on betting against the Texans every week.

— Salvadore (@SalvadoreYoga) August 31, 2023

May I also interest you in the “over” for sacks allowed and the “under” for rushing yards gained?

Robert emails about the new “standard” for the Steelers in recent years.

“Isn’t ‘The Standard’ 9-8? When they finish 9-8 there seems to be celebration for another non-losing year. And that appears to be a record they want to continue. I think it is time to strive a little harder to get off that train. In my opinion, they are miles behind Cincinnati, and may be behind Baltimore. Cleveland is the wild card. Personnel wise they are loaded. Whether they perform up to it is the question.”

I agree with your thoughts on the general willingness to accept being at least 8-8-1 as the new standard for achievement with the Steelers.

I hate it too.

However, I’m not as on board with your other comments, though, about where the Steelers stand heading into this season compared to the rest of the AFC North. In my opinion, they have closed the gap a bit on Cincinnati. I think they are just about even with Baltimore. And I think they are better than Cleveland.

That said, when you wrote, “Cleveland is the wild card. Personnel wise they are loaded. Whether they perform up to it is the question,” I think that thought could be used for both the Browns and the Steelers.

The fact that this question is so mutually applicable should speak volumes about both teams.

For some reason, Steve J. emailed me about Mark Madden’s column endorsing the idea of Pierre McGuire having a role with the Penguins broadcast team, even if Twitter isn’t onboard.

”’Twitter’s nutty minority doesn’t like McGuire.’

If by Twitter, Madden means everyone in the world who has an opinion on hockey, he’d be correct. If by minority, Madden means everyone but him, he’d also be right.

If by nutty, he means people who think like Phil Kessel does, and in that McGuire is an agitating irritant and would rather not hear from him over pronouncing player names and his spouting off worthless hockey trivia intended to make him come off as smart but instead only smug, he’d be 100% on point.”

Good, so you like the idea, too, Steve? Excellent. We’ll let FSG know immediately.

I don’t think that way about McGuire. I think McGuire is enthusiastic, current, informed, prepared and knowledgeable. And I think he helps most broadcasts when he is on them.

I also hate it when viewers/readers/listeners lash out at the broadcasters for “sounding smart.” It’s not up to them to be as dumb as the audience. It’s up to you to be better informed.

We end with some commentary regarding our in-depth coverage of the North Side port-a-potty-fight that involved multiple women attending the Morgan Wallen concert.

This guy insists he has seen better.

I was at a Kiss concert in Dayton in the early 80s girl twirled another girl by the hair then started kicking her in the face. Then two guys started fighting one had a handcuff belt took it off used as a weapon.

— JTD (@jblgduron) September 1, 2023

OK. Good memory. But what KISS song was playing at the time?

“Ain’t That Peculiar”

“Hooligan”

“Murder in High Heels”

“Dance All Over Your Face”

“Hard Luck Woman”

“Good Girl Gone Bad”

“Sweet Pain”

Answer me that, then I’ll be impressed.