First Call: A story about Nick Saban, Mick Jagger and Jack Lambert; John Harbaugh's reason for 2-point try vs. Steelers

In Monday’s “First Call,” Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh explains why his team went for two points at the end of their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday.

The Steelers next opponent may still be smarting from their loss by the time kickoff rolls around Thursday.

Pitt is an early favorite over Michigan State in the Peach Bowl. And Alabama coach Nick Saban tells a wild story about how a rock ‘n’ roll legend managed to influence the career of Steelers great Jack Lambert.

What they were thinking?

After the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 20-19 Sunday, many were wondering why Ravens head coach John Harbaugh decided to go for a 2-point conversion attempt at the end of the game instead of kicking an extra point to force overtime.

According to Harbaugh, his decision was largely based on the premise that his defensive backs were beat up, presumably impacting his belief that they could hold up beyond regulation.

“Try to win the game right there.”

Coach Harbaugh on the decision to go for a two-point conversion. pic.twitter.com/CEc3tCDF1i

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 6, 2021

“We were pretty much out of corners at that point in time,” Harbaugh said. “It was an opportunity to try and win the game right there.”

Baltimore lost corner Marlon Humphrey during the game to what is feared to be a significant shoulder injury.

Marcus Peters has been on injured reserve all year with a knee injury. Chris Westry was inactive due to a thigh injury. Anthony Averett (shoulder/ankle), Tavon Young (illness) and Jimmy Smith (neck) all missed at least one practice during the week.

‘Paint it Black’ … and gold?

Here’s a story out of left field. And out of 1972.

Credit Maxwell Donaldson of the Tuscaloosa News for posting this doozy.

It involves Steelers Hall of Famer Jack Lambert, Alabama coach Nick Saban and Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger.

You with me so far?

Saban was on his weekly radio show last Thursday leading up to the SEC Championship game against Georgia. He was asked about playing college football with Lambert when they were both at Kent State in the early 1970s.

Saban launched into a story about how Lambert made the position switch from defensive end to middle linebacker. A move that would eventually get him drafted by the Steelers in the second round in 1974.

According to Saban, members of the Kent State football team would often work security at concerts. Heading into Lambert’s junior year, Saban said the team was posting up as stage security at a Rolling Stones concert in Cleveland.

Someone was about to throw something at Jagger as he was walking off the stage. The team’s middle linebacker, Bob Bender, saw what was about to happen and knocked it down. According to Saban, Jagger pointed out Bender and hired him as part of his security team. As a result, Bender didn’t show up for camp. So head coach Don James moved Lambert from defensive end to inside linebacker.

Later that season, in a game that would decide the conference championship, Miami (Oh.) had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Four times in a row, future NFL running back Bob Hitchens (Steelers, Patriots, Chiefs) tried to jump over the middle of the defense into the end zone. Four times in a row, Lambert stopped him.

“It is the greatest individual performance I’ve ever seen,” Saban said.

So there you have it. If not for Mick Jagger, maybe Lambert stays at defensive end and the Steelers never draft him as a linebacker. Let that one rattle around in your brain for a while.

You can see Saban recount the entire story here. It starts at the 1:07:26 mark.

Minnesota’s mood

The Minnesota Vikings (5-7) can’t be feeling great about their position as they prepare to host the Steelers (6-5-1) on a short week.

The two teams play each other Thursday night. Minnesota lost to the previously winless Detroit Lions by a final score of 29-27 Sunday.

The Lions won with a touchdown pass on the final play of the game from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Love to see it ????@JaredGoff16 to @amonra_stbrown for the game-winner!

????CBS | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/aN1S3hKP8A

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 5, 2021

So this game between the Steelers and Vikings will feature the only clubs who managed to play the Lions without winning this year. The Steelers tied Detroit at Heinz Field 16-16 four weeks ago.

The Vikings are now in ninth place in the NFC, a game off the pace for the final wild-card slot, with three teams (Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia) standing in their way for a playoff spot.

Minnesota played without star running back Dalvin Cook Sunday. He is also expected to miss the Steelers game Thursday. And former Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen suffered an ankle sprain in the first quarter and did not return.

Panthers laying the points

Call it the “Narduzzi Bowl.”

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi is leading his Panthers into the Peach Bowl to play the Michigan State Spartans on Dec. 30.

Narduzzi was the defensive coordinator in East Lansing before coming to Pitt. According to BetRivers.com, the Panthers are favored by four points. Michigan State is 10-2, fresh off a 30-27 victory over Penn State.

The Spartans are ranked 10th in the AP poll. The Panthers are 12th in the wake of their ACC Championship game victory over Wake Forest.