U mad, bro?: Steelers and Pitt fans viciously vent after dreadful weekend at Heinz Field

The Steelers lost their home opener to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Pitt lost at home to Western Michigan.

A weekend like that leads to a “U mad, bro?” edition like this.

The messages I received from readers were venomous. Vindictive. Vicious. And, occasionally, vapid.

I didn’t even include any about the Pirates. I have to keep this column within the boundaries of good taste after all.

Rick is mad at T.J. Watt for getting a groin injury.

“Watt’s injury was caused by Watt not being fully prepared to play. Staying away, staying lazy. He gets a rich, lazy man’s, injury who hadn’t prepared properly. Now Watt, instead of playing, can count his money.”

If Watt got a groin injury only because he didn’t fully participate in training camp, how come Devin Bush, Alex Highsmith and Joe Haden got the same injury and they did practice?

Geez, Highsmith hurt his groin twice. And he’s nowhere close to as rich as Watt.

So, I’m gonna say your logic is flawed twice over, Rick.

A guy named Quoc emailed all the way from Vietnam.

“Do you think they’ll ever incorporate Derek Watt into the offense to help the running game? Seems to work for Baltimore.”

Couldn’t hurt, Quoc. At least to try in short yardage situations. Sure. Why not give it a shot?

Big picture, though, I’m more concerned about the five guys blocking in front of the backs instead of the backs behind Ben Roethlisberger.

In the wake of their 44-41 loss to Western Michigan, Paul wants to know if Panthers super-donor Chris Bickell wants his money back.

Hopefully that donor got a receipt for that 20 million.

— paul francis (@pse1098) September 18, 2021

Good point, Paul. I guess $20 million can buy a new training center. It can’t buy a win over a MAC school.

This tweet is a tad more optimistic. A tad.

Rebound game next week. Will rock UNH. Tho i may take the points.

— PhilRunsPgh262 (@PAG162) September 18, 2021

Take the moneyline, my friend.

If it hits, you can become the Chris Bickell of UNH football and still have some extra cash to spend on your own.

Maybe buy some tickets to the Belk Bowl, or wherever Pitt winds up this year.

Howard was very bitter about Raiders quarterback Derek Carr trying to denigrate the Immaculate Reception prior to the game.

“I’m 67 and remember the Immaculate Reception vividly. I hope the Steelers break his arms and legs and stick some sod down his throat!

That’s not too over the top, is it?”

It is too far, actually. And seeing as how the defense only managed to sack Carr once after T.J. Watt went out, your desire for bodily harm wasn’t going to be fulfilled.

Plus, after 382 yards and two touchdowns, Derek Carr sure stuck something up somewhere on Steelers Nation.

But it wasn’t sod. And it wasn’t down your throat.

Anthony doesn’t like our college football coverage.

“Where are the ACC and Big Ten standings? Why aren’t they in the Sunday paper? Or even the Friday paper to get ready for college football weekend?”

Anthony, based on how that Pitt defense looked against Western Michigan, I’m not so sure you are really going to want to look at the ACC standings by mid-year.

Finally, this email was unsigned. It was also unrealistic.

“I’m 76 years old and I could do a better job at pass defense and offense, for half the money than anyone on the Steelers team that is getting big bucks to do.

The pass defense stinks and so does the pass offense! Tomlin needs to change them ALL out and get taller, and better players in these positions.

Otherwise the rest of this season will be a total loss.”

At 76, sir, don’t be offended if Mike Tomlin moves you from corner to safety. It may be time.

But more importantly, are you telling me I can just type “get taller” and there’s a chance it might happen?!

Why hasn’t someone told me about this before?!