U mad, bro?: Fan anxiety over Penguins' playoff elimination; doubt about Steelers; pig wrestling

Since we are starting our “Breakfast With Benz” draft previews for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, we had to move up “U mad, bro?” to Wednesday this week.

But given that the Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday, one day shorter on the calendar doesn’t mean we are any lighter on Pittsburgh fan outrage, indignity, snark and general discontent.

And we like it like that.

Let’s start with Ed. He would like to make a couple of corrections.

“In your ‘First Call’ item today regarding the La Canfora podcast, you mentioned the selection process being next week, while the draft is in two weeks. In ‘U mad, bro,’ the aspiring journalist asked for either advice OR tips. You offered both. Regardless, you actually could have stopped after the advice since you told him to not pursue this field making the tips irrelevant.”

First of all, Ed, thanks for the feedback. I always welcome corrections when needed.

Yes, I was thinking one week ahead of myself when I wrote that. It’s probably because I inundate myself with so much NFL draft material that subconsciously I’m just trying to get it over with as fast as humanly possible.

In terms of the tips I offered to the young man who reached out for advice in last week’s “U mad, bro?,” this is neither the first, nor last time that my career tips will be considered irrelevant.

More sports

• Tim Benz: Fitting end to playoff hopes as Penguins miss postseason without even playing
• NFL Draft preview: With 5 tight ends on roster, Steelers can focus offensive needs elsewhere
• AP mock draft: Steelers to take Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu

This week, I reposted some very, um, illuminating numbers from Sharp Football Analysis about what the Steelers offense may look like under Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Arthur Smith. This person walked away from reading them with the same interpretation that I did.

Same short yard sandwich being served by new chefs.

— PtentialHuman (@PotentialHuman2) April 13, 2024

And my guess is that we won’t be considering any of these guys as the football version of Wolfgang Puck. Perhaps, more like …

You know, when Smith grows his mustache, he and the Swedish Chef do have a bit of a resemblance.

Chuck has thoughts on the Penguins. They were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday night.

“The pens are so frustrating. They play great hockey then have one bonehead play and it always seems to cost them. It’s that (darn) puck they can’t seem to clear. I sit upstairs — I’m a season-ticket holder — and I can just see that goal coming. They talked about playing a 60 minute game. They’re playing a 55 minute game and then those five minutes they’re consumed with stinko hockey.”

I hear you, Chuck. Although I’m less consumed by the (darn) pucks they don’t clear, and I tend to get more upset about the (darn) pucks they try to keep in the offensive zone with ill-advised pinches along the boards late in games when they lead by a goal.

Take it away, Erik Karlsson.

LUCAS RAYMOND HATTY. pic.twitter.com/jgb135aQCv

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 12, 2024

Speaking of the Penguins giving away a point against the Red Wings in that game Thursday night, Wayne emailed me enraged.

“Why is it that no one writes how Sully’s refusal to have the Pens control the puck and play solid defense twice when they had 2 goal leads? Ned is getting overwhelmed in net and the players have got to be getting exhausted trying to play this idiotic fire wagon hockey when we have the lead. Am I the only one that sees this stupidity and arrogance?”

Wayne, you emailed me only a few hours after my Friday morning column posted. In it, I essentially ripped them for everything you pointed out.

So, no. No you aren’t the only one.

J.B. was not happy with Tristan Jarry’s performance when he entered the game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

C'mon Jarry.."battle" like Ned. he battles.

— J•B (@jason_bassani) April 14, 2024

Alex Nedeljkovic’s “battling” > Kenny Pickett’s “moxie.”

Finally, Rich likes “Breakfast With Benz.” That said, he thinks I should avoid doing “U mad, bro?”

“I read most of your stuff on the Steelers. It’s usually targeted with a relevant theme to the current situation with the team. It usually includes the news portion along with good analysis. The arrival of all these social platforms typically provides a lot of beer talk, just because someone has an opinion doesn’t mean they have anything to say. When you engage these folks and defend your material, your process, your professionalism it’s like wrestling with pigs: You get muddy win or lose.”

Yes, Rich. But if you wrestle with pigs and win … you get to eat ham.

I like ham.