U mad, bro?: Sounding off on Matt Canada’s dismissal, NHL refs, Clark Griswold, Jimmy Buffett
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In the height of Steelers season, this week’s “U mad, bro?” post involves both Jimmy Buffett and Clark W. Griswold.
I mean, how can anyone be mad about that?!
Then again it also includes references to Matt Canada, the Diontae Johnson non-touchdown, the Predators’ overtime pick play against the Penguins and Pitt’s basketball loss to Missouri.
So I guess everything balances out.
The holiday season is upon us. It’s time to be merry, n’at!
Just not in “U mad, bro?”
We’ll start with this guy, who didn’t think Mark Madden and I were enthusiastic enough after the Steelers win in Cincinnati during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast.
— Big Ern (@BigErn_88) November 27, 2023
So I just replied in kind — with a “Christmas Vacation” GIF of the Steelers’ performance in the red zone so far this year.
Going over 400 yards is great. They are going to need more than 16 points per game to catch Baltimore for the AFC North crown or win on the road in a postseason game.
Up next is JR. He tweeted me about the Steelers’ offensive growth Sunday, even though they only posted 16 points.
Rome wasn't burnt on a day
— ????.????. (@qgunk) November 26, 2023
Agreed.
But when was it burnt … at night?
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Donald disagreed with my assessment that the officials blew it in overtime of the Penguins-Predators game Tuesday when they didn’t call interference on what appeared to be a blatant pick play against Sidney Crosby.
“Which part of interference did the refs miss? Where Karlsson grabbed the Predator player’s stick trying to pull him offsides, eventually having both sticks?”
No. That would be holding. Specifically, holding the stick.
C’mon, Donald. Ryan O’Reilly plowed right into Crosby with the intent of picking him. Wanna call it matching minors with Karlsson? Fine, go ahead. But then blow the play dead when O’Reilly bangs into Crosby and send them both to the box before the shot on goal.
Are you actually arguing it somehow wasn’t a pick play? That one would’ve made Tom Brady-era Patriots wide receivers blush.
I posted this comment in the wake of Diontae Johnson’s “incompletion” in the end zone early in the game against the Bengals Sunday.
The differentiation of that rule is so stupid. If Johnson catches that ball in the middle of the field instead the end zone they are calling it possession and a fumble.
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) November 26, 2023
Heath replied below.
But why can't he just hold on?
— Heath Bloxton (@NotoriousHDB) November 26, 2023
Heath is right. But both things can be true.
And in this case, they both are.
John has a question.
“Why no mention of the Pitt basketball game on Tuesday night?”
I guess I just never got around to it. To be fair, I didn’t mention it Wednesday morning either. And based on the way they shot from the floor against Missouri, you should be thanking me for that.
Our pal Hollywood6 emailed about Matt Canada getting fired as the Steelers offensive coordinator last week.
“Fire Coordinator, Offense Explodes! I’m wondering what would happen if ‘Coach’ was fired?”
Then the space-time continuum would explode.
Because my guess is that will happen before Art Rooney II ever fires Mike Tomlin. This team could go 0-6 down the stretch of this season and 0-17 next season, and Tomlin’s job would still be 100% secure.
Finally, Kevin also emailed about the offensive coordinator change.
“I was wondering if Matt Canada was at home Sunday watching the game with a pitcher of Margaritas, and singing a Jimmy Buffett song and saying, ‘It was my own damn fault.’”
Kevin, all I can say to that is …
I didn’t ponder this question too long
I was hungry and went out for a bite
Ran into Najee with a bottle of rum
And we wound up drinkin’ all night
It’s those changes in latitudes. Changes in attitudes
The offense can’t remain quite the same
Warren is running, and Freiermuth is humming
Now Kenny can laugh, and he won’t go insane