OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Whats a Running Back? Does it make the Steel Steeler?

[JTG]

Madden never asked Pickett to be on his show. Doesn’t need him.

It's a schtick. It's insta-hits when he tweets something bad about Pickett from here on out, and Pickett's career will probably coast Madden into retirement. Madden hates how chumy media is with pro athletes in Pittsburgh, and he's hellbent on doing the opposite. Meanwhile he'll tie his wagon to guys that could use some criticism at times, but he refuses to do it and calls everyone idiots for criticizing said athletes.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Hating on a player on your own team because of a college rivalry from the past is one of the dumbest things I've seen from a sports fan. I don't even know or care what college team like 95% of NFL players played for. Being mad because other fans especially like Pickett because he went to Pitt is just moronic, and actively cheering against him/taking shots at him because he went to Pitt is even dumber.

If you agree with an opinion Mark Madden has, I highly recommend you think about that opinion. Because Madden's entire thing is being a troll/heel and he regularly says things to get rises out of people.

 

[UnrealMachine]

Hating on a player on your own team because of a college rivalry from the past is one of the dumbest things I've seen from a sports fan. I don't even know or care what college team like 95% of NFL players played for. Being mad because other fans especially like Pickett because he went to Pitt is just moronic, and actively cheering against him/taking shots at him because he went to Pitt is even dumber.

If you agree with an opinion Mark Madden has, I highly recommend you think about that opinion. Because Madden's entire thing is being a troll/heel and he regularly says things to get rises out of people.

He’s an angry white guy (how unique!) with the adopted gimmick of a 15-year old edgelord (even better?) preying upon the fears & shortcomings of his token white guy audience. I suppose I could give him credit for being an early adopter of this bottom feeder existence?

 

[Peat]

Why the hell we talking Madden anyway? Let's just ignore that doofus like he deserves.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Madden has had, pretty easily, the most popular radio show in Pittsburgh not just right now, but for the past ~25 years.

And I don’t agree with the guy on everything, but there are some very good points he makes especially regarding the Steelers.

The popularity of his show really has nothing to do with it.

There’s no way he decided not to have KP on his show. It’s way more likely KP was asked and declined, and now Madden is butt hurt.

I’ve listened to his show enough over the years and he has good takes, and some really shitty ones like mostly any other talking head.

His shock jock schtick is unique in the Pgh sports radio market, which let’s be frank, is kind of a lame and boring market without much competition.

That unique selling proposition is what makes his show popular, not really his intelligent takes.

You think over Sid and TJ? I don’t live in the Burgh but that’s interesting.

Not like I’ve taken a vote, but knowing Pgh like I do, Steelers dominate and Pens are second fiddle even when they were winning cups.

TJ I’m sure is popular, but the most popular position in any sport is QB… and if you are the #1 pick and QB of the Steelers… and you played at Pitt?

Well…

I did see that Watt had the tenth best selling jersey through the summer for 2023… and KP was 4th last year so… I dunno.

 

[JTG]

The popularity of his show really has nothing to do with it.

There’s no way he decided not to have KP on his show. It’s way more likely KP was asked and declined, and now Madden is butt hurt.

I’ve listened to his show enough over the years and he has good takes, and some really shitty ones like mostly any other talking head.

His shock jock schtick is unique in the Pgh sports radio market, which let’s be frank, is kind of a lame and boring market without much competition.

That unique selling proposition is what makes his show popular, not really his intelligent takes.



Not like I’ve taken a vote, but knowing Pgh like I do, Steelers dominate and Pens are second fiddle even when they were winning cups.

TJ I’m sure is popular, but the most popular position in any sport is QB… and if you are the #1 pick and QB of the Steelers… and you played at Pitt?

Well…

I did see that Watt had the tenth best selling jersey through the summer for 2023… and KP was 4th last year so… I dunno.

I think in the millennial generation, the Pens do range supreme for a way larger portion v. the general Pittsburgh population. We will see how deeply rooted that fandom is in the next few years. A lot of kids that grew up with fantasy football just don't cheer for teams anymore - it's all individual. Sid has now been around for an entire generation of fans whole lives. Kids born when the Pens drafted Sid are going to college this year. Wild to think about. I say this as many of us have been bantering sports together for nearly 20 years together.

 

[JTG]

James Washington released by the Saints. Career is probably over. That 2018 class was really average at best. Edmunds, Washington, Rudolph, Okorafor, Marcus Allen.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I think in the millennial generation, the Pens do range supreme for a way larger portion v. the general Pittsburgh population. We will see how deeply rooted that fandom is in the next few years. A lot of kids that grew up with fantasy football just don't cheer for teams anymore - it's all individual. Sid has now been around for an entire generation of fans whole lives. Kids born when the Pens drafted Sid are going to college this year. Wild to think about. I say this as many of us have been bantering sports together for nearly 20 years together.

When you and I are in rocking chairs, that dynamic could possibly change, can’t argue that.

I never thought kids would watch videos of other people playing video games, but that’s now a source of entertainment for my kids’ generation.

Entertainment is various things to various people and generations though, so who knows what my grandkids will be doing.

Hardcore Yinzers of my dad’s generation and our generation are still around though for now, so I’d bet hard money the Steelers are the dominant team by a laughable margin in Pgh still.

Based on my experience after moving back, it still seems true, and Steelers talk dominates sports radio around here every time I have it on.

But maybe it’s just confirmation bias on my part.

 

[Flying Dego]

I think in the millennial generation, the Pens do range supreme for a way larger portion v. the general Pittsburgh population. We will see how deeply rooted that fandom is in the next few years. A lot of kids that grew up with fantasy football just don't cheer for teams anymore - it's all individual. Sid has now been around for an entire generation of fans whole lives. Kids born when the Pens drafted Sid are going to college this year. Wild to think about. I say this as many of us have been bantering sports together for nearly 20 years together.

I'm around Sid's age so I'm in the group you talk about. I've always been a bigger fan of playing and watching hockey since the 90's... But I consider myself outside the norm as I'm a huge fan of both the Pens and Steelers.

I'll never get it misconstrued that the Steelers will always be #1 in popularity. The Pens will struggle with the casual fan once Sid retires. Heck pre Sid it was myself and only about 5k others going to the games when we sucked. Almost lost the team. That would never happen with the Steelers.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Media existed back then, including the internet and message boards.

This wasn’t the 70s.

There were plenty of rumors about his boorish behavior and articles written alluding to Roth’s abrasive personality.

I constantly ran in to people who met him and thought he was a douche.

It wasn’t exactly fun to hear the new star QB may be a dick, but that stuff was most definitely out there.

Aside from that, Madden’s tweet is in the present where phones and Snapface do exist.

It’s now known Roth was douchey and lazy, and people’s most recent memories of him are of a broken down QB playing out the string his last couple seasons.

KP is the fresh faced hope that hasn’t failed yet, the guy that has a rep for his hard work and being a friendly, good natured dude.

Not exactly surprising who is more well liked currently.

Remember the Kordell rumors? That sure was a good look for everyone...

 

[OnMyOwn]

Football is just more popular in general. Average people have always had easier access to the sport as you can go and play backyard games on any patch of grass or pavement. There are countless leagues and it’s also relatively cheap to play.

Having a child in 8U hockey, after growing up playing football myself, there’s such a huge difference in pretty much every aspect of the process and responsibilities. I have to drive over a half an hour, one way, just to get to some ice from where I live. Then games are overnight stays on weekends in a whole other area, costing even more money. There’s still only really Altoona and State College as far as ice in my region.

Hockey will never take over in western/central PA. It’s popular, but foolish to ever expect it to be more popular. Especially with how storied the Steelers are and how far reaching the fanbase is.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Remember the Kordell rumors? That sure was a good look for everyone...

Ya, I didn’t want to repeat them, but I figured people who followed the team back then know exactly what I was referring to.

Maddox had his house TP’d after that horrific Jax game, and that was the beginning of the end for him.

Maddox, family target of abuse

Tommy Maddox on Thursday confirmed a report that his lawn had been trashed by fans following the Steelers’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. When asked how bad it

www.tribdem.com

Edit: Guess the abuse was even worse than I rem…

How it started: Tommy Gun Flakes!

How it ended: Free toilet paper donated by adoring fans - personally delivered right to his house!

 

[JTG]

Kenny doesn't look like a big guy to me for some reason, but he said he's playing around 230 this year. I had to look up his combine numbers, and there he weighed in at 217. Gotta think adding that much muscle some things may change with him.

 

[Factorial]

I'm around Sid's age so I'm in the group you talk about. I've always been a bigger fan of playing and watching hockey since the 90's... But I consider myself outside the norm as I'm a huge fan of both the Pens and Steelers.

I'll never get it misconstrued that the Steelers will always be #1 in popularity. The Pens will struggle with the casual fan once Sid retires. Heck pre Sid it was myself and only about 5k others going to the games when we sucked. Almost lost the team. That would never happen with the Steelers.

I'm 3 months older than 66 and Pens hockey will still be a big deal after Sid retires. FSG is not going to let the Pens wither on the vine.

 

[MayorofWBS]

Kenny doesn't look like a big guy to me for some reason, but he said he's playing around 230 this year. I had to look up his combine numbers, and there he weighed in at 217. Gotta think adding that much muscle some things may change with him.

Doesn't look big because he has baby hands

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Anything that involves Watson remaining in the pocket has been an adventure.

Said this last summer, but no matter what happens with KP, the worst of it will be they wasted a 20th overall pick.

Unlike the Browns who mortgaged their future on Watson.

 

[PensandCaps]

Said this last summer, but no matter what happens with KP, the worst of it will be they wasted a 20th overall pick.

Unlike the Browns who mortgaged their future on Watson.

Watson has years of elite top 3-5 QB play. Personal issues aside, he is elite on the field and is probably extremely rusty. I wouldn't let a few bad practices scare me if I'm the Browns.

Or maybe he's cooked. Who knows, hopefully.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Watson has years of elite top 3-5 QB play. Personal issues aside, he is elite on the field and is probably extremely rusty. I wouldn't let a few bad practices scare me if I'm the Browns.

Or maybe he's cooked. Who knows, hopefully.

At what point is it OK to say he's not rusty?

I admit I like hearing these kinds of reports because I am happy when the Browns are bad and living in central Ohio there is plenty of opportunity for schadenfreude with some of my buddies (although Browns fans only just slightly outnumber Bengals and Steelers fans). Maybe this is a narrative that writers are running with and it's way off-base. But at some point it's not rust anymore. I'd think we're already past that point.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Watson has years of elite top 3-5 QB play. Personal issues aside, he is elite on the field and is probably extremely rusty. I wouldn't let a few bad practices scare me if I'm the Browns.

Or maybe he's cooked. Who knows, hopefully.

Watson missing a year of football so last year him struggling in practice was no big deal.
This year it’s alarming the browns went all in on him he can not be the worst Qb in this division

 

[pistolpete11]

Football is just more popular in general. Average people have always had easier access to the sport as you can go and play backyard games on any patch of grass or pavement. There are countless leagues and it’s also relatively cheap to play.

Having a child in 8U hockey, after growing up playing football myself, there’s such a huge difference in pretty much every aspect of the process and responsibilities. I have to drive over a half an hour, one way, just to get to some ice from where I live. Then games are overnight stays on weekends in a whole other area, costing even more money. There’s still only really Altoona and State College as far as ice in my region.

Hockey will never take over in western/central PA. It’s popular, but foolish to ever expect it to be more popular. Especially with how storied the Steelers are and how far reaching the fanbase is.

It's much easier to follow a football team than a hockey team. You only have to watch 1 game a week, usually on the weekend, as opposed to watching every other day for 7+ months.

Growing up in Pittsburgh during the prime Crosby-Malkin years, hockey was obviously very popular. However, all of my friends that watched the Pens also watched the Steelers. Not all my friends that watched the Steelers also watched the Pens.

Granted the Steelers were pretty good during that time, too. Maybe the equation changes if you have a good hockey team and a shitty football team Although, I think the Lions do alright and that's "Hockeytown".

 

[Goalie_Bob]

The NFL is more popular and will be more popular because of betting and fantasy sports.

 

[OnMyOwn]

The NFL is more popular and will be more popular because of betting and fantasy sports.

Football is just a much more casual sport in general. People have parties on weekends and whatnot, tailgating. It’s more of a blue collar sport.

Hockey is very much “uppity”.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Watson has years of elite top 3-5 QB play. Personal issues aside, he is elite on the field and is probably extremely rusty. I wouldn't let a few bad practices scare me if I'm the Browns.

Or maybe he's cooked. Who knows, hopefully.

He was never a top 3-5 QB, but that’s what he’s going to have to be to even come close to justifying what they did.

When you give up three first rounders and give him a record breaking guaranteed deal that will haunt your cap for years if he doesn’t work out…

Gotta be a lot of nervous people around the Browns HQ right now.

Maybe he goes next level this season, I don’t think he’s a bad QB, but I can’t see how he ever lives up to what they gave up/gave him.
It reeked of desperation.

 

[WickedWrister]

 

[Peat]

The NFL is more popular and will be more popular because of betting and fantasy sports.

Only reason I'm into it. I got talked into doing a work fantasy football league back in the UK to make up the numbers. Once I started to know players I got into watching redzone when it was on at my in-laws, then I got into watching games when it was on...

... my big breakthrough moment was at the Steelers bar in Rome though, and watching a replay of a game with all the time between downs removed, and realising it was an exciting game once it didn't stop every 10 seconds.


Also, on contrasting the culture around the NFL, NHL, other sports... the crowd I talk to tailgating outside Heinz Field feels a lot like the crowd I'd talk to at Shales or Milanos before a Pens game. I'd agree the relative rarity of football brings out more of a party element in general, but it's the same sort of people at games.

Obviously the make up of sports fandoms that can't go to games are a bit different for both...



Anyway.

Watson being rusty for the Browns is pretty concerning for them at this point.

I also love how their lineman were complaining about cheap shots from Eagles players in practice. One, because it's funny. Two, I'm wondering if he's going to be one of the players that the refs don't protect all that much.