With the Steelers playing Thursday night, part of me considered holding “U mad, bro?” until Friday morning. You know, just in case the Steelers lost.

As you will soon read, though, between the Kenny Pickett slide debate and the tense Steelers-Ravens game last Sunday, I wasn’t exactly lacking for material.

Plus, let’s not kid ourselves. If the Steelers do end up losing to the Vikings Thursday night, I’m sure the entries for next week’s “U mad, bro?” will age like a fine wine.

So, let’s get to it!

This tweet is from someone who didn’t appreciate the criticism Mark Madden and I voiced during this week’s “Unfiltered” about Kenny Pickett’s fake slide in the ACC Championship game.

Bigger issues need fixed first. You and Madden need to chill.

— 412 Sports Fan (@All412Sports_) December 7, 2021

I’m aware. We are working on gas prices, global warming, America’s employment crisis and a coronavirus cure next.

But I think I’ve got my priorities straight on this one. Getting this play outlawed is a much more pressing concern.

Look, I don’t blame Pickett for exploiting the rule and pulling off a play like this. I blame pro and college football for over-protecting quarterbacks to the point that he felt comfortable even trying it.

I wrote a follow-up on the Pickett fake slide, citing the opinions of football rules experts Gene Steratore and Dean Blandino. They both stated that the play needs to be addressed immediately before someone else tries it.

Patrick didn’t like what I wrote.

I think you’re off base on your opinion on how the play developed. You make it sound like during the week they planned for this play. I feel what happened was he intended to slide , realized he had more space to run and just continued on running.

— Patrick hogan (@Patrick40504158) December 7, 2021

I’m not off base in my opinion because I didn’t even express an opinion in the post, Patrick. Blandino and Steratore did. I just quoted them. So I don’t know how I “made it sound like” anything.

However, since you brought it up, I don’t think he “planned” it, either. As you said, I just think he instinctively did it on the spot.

Either way, it’s still a garbage play. And it needs to be made illegal or blown dead.

There. Now that’s an opinion.

This email is from Dan. I’m not sure what column he is referencing. But he obviously enjoyed reading it.

“The world will hold its breath for your next worthless opinion.”

As I will be holding mine for your next highly enlightened email.

Jim sent this email after reading my column following the Steelers victory over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday evening. In it, I essentially said it was an exciting win.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it has done as much toward getting the Steelers back into playoff contention as some fans want to believe.

At least not yet anyway.

“As a Steelers fan I am enjoying this win, saw some positives there and will avoid your bah humbug approach. Does this mean the Steelers are on their way to another Super Bowl? No. But in life you learn to smell the roses when you can!

I am very objective about the Steelers. But if even after a win there is nothing good to say then why even watch them? I don’t think there are many Steeler fans who think last game put us back on track … but there were positives.

Just looking for a little more objectivity in your writing … Hope you can find some objective good in the Steelers soon. It is still just a game and not life or death.

Merry Christmas!”

Jim got me. I never wrote anything good or objective about the Steelers after the win versus Baltimore.

Or … did I? Hmm! Where did this come from? It’s a Christmas miracle!

I appreciate the holiday wishes, Jim. For you, I’m getting a dozen roses to smell and a small brush.

The one you are painting with is apparently a little too broad.

This email is from a warm and kind fellow named Kevin. He didn’t like my criticism of Ravens coach John Harbaugh for his decision to go for two points against the Steelers at the end of regulation during last week’s game.

Kevin doesn’t appear to have quite the same level of Christmas spirit that Jim did.

“This is why you are a (expletive) writer. You do zero research. Harbaugh said that all their cornerbacks were hurt. That’s why they went for two. Of course it’s nowhere in your ‘article.’ C’mon man.”

You’re right. I never mentioned it.

Oh wait. I did. It’s right here. Is that the “research” you were looking for, Kevin?

By the way, I also don’t care what Harbaugh said about the defensive backs. It was still the wrong decision. Get to overtime. He has the better team. Better quarterback. Better kicker. And more momentum. The better team should always extend the game.

And it was a dumb play call. Any play design that goes at T.J. Watt and allows Watt to rush the quarterback unblocked is stupid.

Finally, Gregg emailed me regarding a “First Call” item I posted on Monday about Nick Saban. The Alabama coach relayed a story regarding how Jack Lambert’s career was magically altered by — of all people — Mick Jagger of the “Rolling Stones.”

“How about driving to Worthington, Pa. and confirming this story with Jack Lambert. It would be a good follow up. A ‘Where are they now’ story, too. I can give you a contact from the municipality who can show you where he lives.”

Why not? I mean, Lambert hasn’t done a one-on-one, in-person media interview in about 30 years. I assume he’d be cool with me showing up on his doorstep unannounced.

But, yeah, pass along his home address. I’m sure it’ll end up going great for me.

I’m willing to bet the results of that decision will make some of our previous emailers very happy.

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