The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
NEDRA STARLING FROM CLEVELAND, OH: The successful 70-yard field goal in last week's preseason opener against the Jaguars by Jacksonville's Cam Little was amazing to watch. What's the longest field goal Chris Boswell has made?
ANSWER: Chris Boswell's career long field goal is 59 yards, and it came at the end of the first half of a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 2, 2022. And just so you know, Cam Little's 70-yard field goal is not recognized by the NFL as an official stat because it happened during the preseason.
GERARD PERICLES FROM MIAMI, FL: With so many talented defensive backs on the roster, who do you expect to be the odd man out? I ask because Beanie Bishop was so good with interceptions last year.
ANSWER: As of this writing, this is how I view the pecking order in the Steelers' secondary: the starters at cornerback are Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Joey Porter Jr.; and the starting safeties are DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill. That's the top 5. Behind them, you have CB Brandin Echols, SS Chuck Clark, and Miles Killebrew, who has been voted to 2 Pro Bowls and first-team All-Pro for special teams. That's 8. At the next level, I would put CBs James Pierre and Beanie Bishop Jr. I also wouldn't rule out CB Daryl Porter or SS Sebastian Castro. Then it comes down to how many defensive backs do the Steelers keep on the initial 53-man roster (9 or 10), and are there any injuries among the defensive backs or at another position that could impact the number of defensive backs kept? I understand that it's getting late in this preseason process, but there's still a lot of time left before any determination is made on who among the defensive backs currently on the 90-man roster is the "odd man out."
TERRY ZIEKE FROM GRANITE CITY, IL: Will the Steelers start using Darnell Washington more this year? He had one catch in the Jaguars game.
ANSWER: And that 1 catch in the Jaguars game was for a 19-yard touchdown. I believe we'll begin to have a much better feel for the passing offense once Aaron Rodgers is in the lineup, and while Washington was targeted a fair amount of times during training camp at Saint Vincent College, I just don't know that he's ever going to be a high-volume catch guy at tight end. I definitely can see him develop as a weapon – in the red zone and/or on possession downs – but I anticipate the volume catch tight ends once the regular season arrives will be Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth.
JAMES WALBERT FROM HEMET, CA: Recently read an article that listed all the picks that went No. 1 overall since the NFL draft was implemented in 1936. The Steelers have had the No. 1 overall pick 3 times (1942, 1956, 1970). Since 1970 what is the highest the Steelers have drafted, and what was their record the year prior?
ANSWER: Since 1970, the Steelers have drafted in the top 10 five times. In 1986, they picked Temple guard John Rienstra 9th overall; in 1987, they picked Purdue cornerback Rod Woodson 10th overall; in 1989, they picked Georgia RB Tim Worley 7th overall; in 2000, they picked Michigan State WR Plaxico Burress 8th overall; and in 2019, they traded up to pick Michigan LB Devin Bush 10th overall. In 1988, the Steelers finished 5-11, which put them in position to pick Worley.
DAVID OROCHENA FROM POTOMAC, MD: You mentioned that if Will Howard is placed on IR before rosters are cut to the initial 53, that he is out for the season. I have a hard time keeping up with the NFL rule changes every year, but I thought teams were allowed to designate up to two players for return during the season who are placed on IR during the preseason. They would count against the 8 players teams can designate for return from IR once the regular season starts.
ANSWER: Allow me to explain in more detail. If a team puts a player on injured reserve before the date that rosters must be reduced to 53 – which this year is on Tuesday, Aug. 26 – that player is either out for the year, or the team will reach an injury settlement with the player that will make him a free agent once he is healthy. If a team puts a player on injured reserve as part of the cuts it makes on Aug. 26 to get down to 53 players, then the player will automatically be designated to return and count against the 8 players the team is able to designate to return during the upcoming regular season.
RAY RAFFERTY FROM DUBLIN, OH: Can you explain exactly what the new automated first down measurement system does? I have heard a lot of talking heads on TV who seem to think it helps the officials get the ball spotted right on close-call plays. I think all it does is stop the chain gang from having to run on the field and measure.
ANSWER: In my opinion, the issue with spotting the ball correctly has less to do with whether the measurement is done with two sticks and a 10-yard chain and more to do with how the ball is spotted after a gain or a loss by officials who started out stationed at the line of scrimmage and are either running upfield or downfield and guessing where the ball was when the player with it was tackled.
JOSE TOVAR FROM TEXCOCO, MÉXICO: If a player is drafted but doesn't make the 53-man roster, what are the odds to be kept on the practice squad? And provided he has already signed his rookie contract, how is he paid if by chance he is promoted to the 53-man roster for gameday?
ANSWER: Any player who was drafted in April and then waived when the team reduces its roster to 53 on Tuesday, Aug. 26 would have to pass through waivers, which is a 24-hour period when any team in the league can claim him. If he is claimed that player must go to that team. After the 24-hour waiver period, then teams are allowed to assemble their 16-man practice squads. Players on the practice squad are paid between $17,500-$22,000 per week. Players on the practice squad who are elevated to the 53-man roster for a regular season game then are paid for that game based on their seasons in the NFL, per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
RON NEWSOME FROM GOODLETTSVILLE, TN: Can a player on the practice squad refuse to sign with another team when they come calling and remain on the current team's practice squad? I'm not asking how much the difference in money is, just whether or not under the CBA if it's permitted.
ANSWER: It is permitted, but it never happens because if a team wants to sign a player off another team's practice squad it is required to keep that player on its 53-man roster for a minimum of three weeks, meaning three game checks. By declining that offer, a guy would be turning down a minimum of $140,000 for 3 weeks and earning a maximum of $66,000 for those same 3 weeks.
MIKE MAGGIO FROM BUFFALO, NY: This is in response to Tim Hamlin's question about Season Highlight Films. The last few years, I have caught the Steelers Season Highlight Film on NFL Network in July. NFL Networks only airs each highlight film 2 times – the premiere showing and then the a replay later that day (in the early morning hours). I DVR both just in case something happens, like this year during the premiere showing a "Breaking News" segment about trades cut out about 5 minutes of the episode. I hope that helps.
ANSWER: Thanks for sharing that information. Hope Tim Hamlin is a regular reader of Asked and Answered.
JOHN THOMPSON FROM CONNEAUT, OH: I recently had a Steelers Day, during which I went to the Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium and then drove straight to Latrobe for a day at training camp. I must say that anybody who loves the Steelers needs to get to the Hall of Honor Museum. Folks who work there are very nice, and it is a fun experience. And don't be afraid to try the announcer booth – it is so much fun.
ANSWER: Happy to hear your enjoyed your day.
