I kicked a hornet’s nest with my recent column about former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens. Pirates fans have their usual discontent about team ownership, and there’s already a little concern about Aaron Rodgers.
This heat makes everyone agitated.
Why don’t we all vent a little steam in “U mad, bro?” and then find a nice, cool place in the shade to relax.
“Moxie” wasn’t thrilled with Aaron Rodgers’ inauspicious start to training camp.
Let's just make Will Howard the starter.
— Moxie (@Patrick09215375) July 24, 2025
C’mon, Moxie. The kid’s name is spelled “Will Hahhrrrrd.” I think that’s pretty clear now.
Well, at least that’s how I’ve heard it pronounced when people scream it on the hillside at Saint Vincent College and on sports talk radio.
Here. I will use it in a sentence for you. “Hi. First-time caller, long-time listener. Don’t yinz think if ‘aht Aaron Rawdgers ain’t no good at the start of the year, they should just skip over Mason and let ‘at Will Hahhrrrrd be the starter n’at ?”
On Tuesday, I wrote a column praising ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for dismantling George Pickens’ assertion that the Dallas Cowboys were synonymous with the Super Bowl, even though he just left a Steelers franchise that has more Vince Lombardi Trophies, and that Dallas hasn’t won one in 30 years.
But that didn’t stop me from taking a few shots at the Steelers along the way, since they have failed to win a playoff game in 12 of the 14 seasons since they were last in a Super Bowl back in 2010.
This guy didn’t like that last part.
Pickens made ridiculous statement that “Cowboys are known for the Super Bowl.” Stephen A. rightly ridiculed him as they haven’t been to a Super Bowl in 30 yrs & the Steelers have been to 3 more recently & won 2. But u turned it into an opportunity for random snark about Steelers.
— You Know It’s Tru Tho (@know_tru) July 30, 2025
Yes. Yes, I did. Thank you for noticing.
Although I’m offended by your characterization of “random” snark. That, my friend, was calculated, researched, deliberate snark.
A reader named “jock235” wanted to follow up on that column too.
“All (is) well and good if you taunt Smith for going overboard by going overboard. But if you’re trying to sneak in the concept that George isn’t an idiot, that’s a complete swing and a miss.”
No. I wasn’t trying to “sneak that in.” Can’t I taunt both at the same time?
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“Ron A.” seemed to love that post.
”To be honest, you don’t know (expletive). YOU’RE just mad because he has a better shot at winning then [sic] the Steelers. So you bring up winning Super Bowls? Like that’s so easy to do. Shows your (backside) is sore. But, hey! Pandering for clicks is important.”
I won’t argue against the Cowboys being in a better position than the Steelers right now. When did I ever suggest otherwise?
Meanwhile, Pickens brought up the Super Bowl. Not me. Not Smith.
And, agreed. Winning a Super Bowl is not easy. Which is why Pittsburgh hasn’t done it for almost 15 years, and Dallas hasn’t done it for twice as long.
To be clear, I’m not mad. I’d rather see Pickens win in Dallas than have him do anything good, bad, or indifferent in Pittsburgh. I’m just glad he’s gone. He acted like an immature child here.
Worry less about me “pandering for clicks,” and worry about how much you are caping for an underachieving wide receiver with an attitude problem.
Mort makes an interesting point about Jack Suwinski.
”You experts have not JUSTIFIED Suwinski’s place in the Pirate Organization!”
Well, Mort, as an “expert,” it’s not my place to JUSTIFY anything involving this mess of an organization — least of all the presence of Jack William Suwinski.
That’s the job of the Pirates front office. My job is to tell you if I think Suwinski should be on the roster. My response is a resounding, “No.”
Anything else is slightly beyond my control.
Finally, Bob has a thought regarding Paul Skenes piping up about the Pirates’ lack of payroll spending.
Skenes is right but talking to Nutting means words go through one ear and out the other. But thinking back to the McClatchy days I wish the Pirates could have been sold to Mark Cuban if he wanted to buy the franchise. https://t.co/0dkUs7upqh
— Bob Jarzomski (@bjarzomski) July 29, 2025
Yes, the “if he wanted to buy” part of that sentence is the most important part. If I had a dollar for every time I heard Mark Cuban was going to buy something Pittsburgh-related, I’d be able to buy … Mark Cuban.
