The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
ERIC SMITH FROM WOODBRIDGE, CT: I read your answer to a reader's question about Roman Wilson in the previous Asked and Answered. Taking that into consideration and what was written regarding the initial depth chart, what are your thoughts on Roman being behind Robert Woods on the depth chart? Is it more reflective of Woods' experience or Roman's performance during training camp so far?
ANSWER: In my experience, training camp/preseason depth charts don't have a lot of meaning in terms of a strict pecking order, especially at a position such as wide receiver where those players are used in combinations at the same time base on personnel groupings. So, I would agree with your assessment that at this stage of the process, Robert Woods being listed ahead of Roman Wilson on the depth chart has more to do with Woods' NFL experience and the fact Wilson essentially missed his entire rookie season because of injury. What's more noteworthy is that in Tuesday's practice, Aaron Rodgers twice went to Wilson and he made the play both times. The first instance came on the third play of 7-Shots. The formation had 3 receivers to the right and Wilson alone on the left. Rodgers's pass to Wilson was put in a spot where only he could make the catch, which he did for a touchdown that gave the offense a 3-0 lead in the drill. Later in the practice in another 11-on-11 period, Rodgers went to Wilson over the middle about 25 yards downfield and again Wilson made the play.
JOHN GENSMAN FROM SEBRING, FL: I thought Russell Wilson played well for the Steelers last year. He may have held the ball too long in an effort to make plays, but he was mostly playing from behind the last 5 games. With Aaron Rodgers being older and less mobile, what do you think he brings as an upgrade from Russell Wilson if anything?
ANSWER: I don't care what the birth certificates say, Aaron Rodgers is a significant upgrade over Russell Wilson in all aspects of quarterback play at the NFL level. I would agree with your assessment that Wilson was not the reason the Steelers ended their 2024 season with a 5-game losing streak, but from watching Rodgers every day at training camp I will tell you he has a stronger and more accurate arm, he is a better anticipatory thrower, and he can deliver the ball from a variety of angles to cut down on the number of passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. And while Rodgers doesn't figure to post many yards rushing, he has shown good mobility within the pocket either to buy some time or to create throwing lanes. After a period dedicated to the 2-minute drill during Tuesday's practice, Coach Mike Tomlin said this about Rodgers: "He's in complete command. I've seen some things that I've seen from the opposing sideline over the years in terms of his ability to take advantage of substitution changes and so forth."
MILTON MANSION SR. FROM LOUISVILLE, KY: Is Daryl Porter Jr. related to Joey Porter Jr.?
ANSWER: No. Daryl Porter Jr. is the son of Daryl Porter Sr., who was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft.
STEPHEN CUPRZYNSKI FROM COCKEYSVILLE, MD: I understand teams not wanting to risk their starting players to injuries in a preseason game, but practices can only go so far in simulating game conditions. Barring injury, how long will it take to see a well-oiled machine in the regular season?
ANSWER: Once the regular season begins, a team doesn't need to be a well-oiled machine to win games; it just needs to be better than that week's particular opponent. Since no teams give significant playing time to their starters during the preseason, there are no well-oiled machines in the NFL in September. Or even into early October.
SCOTT RANDALL FROM CONWAY, SC: When the team has a few rainouts/lightening days at camp do they get the quality of practice needed inside or make that up on another day outside?
ANSWER: Saint Vincent College is in the process of building an indoor athletic facility, but that won't be ready until 2026. So the only alternative for the Steelers has been staging a walk-through in the gymnasium. And there are no make-up days in an NFL training camp schedule, because two-a-day practices are not allowed and the only off days are the ones mandated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
CHRISTOPHER WINKLER FROM FRANKLIN, PA: The trend over the last few years has been for veteran starters to play very little during preseason games. To my eyes this has led to an appreciable drop in the quality of play early in the regular season across the league, particularly on offense. Do you see this trend continuing? And how much can we expect to see of Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and other new veterans this preseason?
ANSWER: As I explained to a previous question, once a team gets into the regular season all that's necessary to win a game is to be better than the particular opponent that week. Coaches have to balance the quest for quality play early in a regular season with the potential for injuries to key players during the preseason. I just believe given those choices, teams are going to err on the side of trying to keep their top players as healthy as possible for the start of the regular season. As for the amount of playing time that the players you mention will get this preseason, I would guess it won't be a lot.
SHAWN BITTNER FROM JACKSONVILLE, FL: The Steelers have several positions with more talent than they can actually keep on the 53-man roster. Cornerback, linebacker, and tight end all have guys who will be cut and likely picked up by another team. Do the Steelers have a model for how many of each position they typically keep year to year?
ANSWER: There might be guidelines for numbers to keep at a particular position, but it's not a hard-and-fast rule. Things such as minor injuries, special teams contributions, and position flexibility all can be factors in how a 53-man roster is configured.
SAM MIKHAIL OF BETHESDA, MD: Yahya Black is a man mountain. He is listed as a defensive end at 6-foot-5, 336 pounds. How has he been utilized in training camp? How would you rate his performance? Do you believe his eventual position will be nose tackle?
ANSWER: Yahya Black is an interior defensive lineman, and I think some of the difficulty the offense has had in some of the short-yardage running drills has been due to his play and development. The Steelers don't use a lot of a base 3-4 defensive alignment, and so whether the position Black ends up playing will be called nose tackle or defensive tackle. Either way I see him being an instrumental component in the team's run defense as a rookie.
GLEN WHITTEN FROM AGUADILLA, PR: Thanks to you and the entire Steelers media juggernaut for all the amazing and in depth coverage at training camp. To make sure I time my day to maximize my Steelers news, can you point me to a schedule of the audio coverage? For example, I don't want to miss a minute of you and Tom Opferman. Steeler fans really are spoiled by the 24/7 IV drip of information you all provide.
ANSWER: We all appreciate your kind words. Below is a schedule of the night shows and the daily schedule for the remainder of training camp:
NIGHT SHOWS
Thursday, Aug. 7: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 11: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 12: WDVE; 7-9 p.m.
DAILY SCHEDULE
10:00 a.m. - Noon - In The Locker Room, Presented by Ford
Noon - 2:00 p.m. - The Training Camp Report
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - SNR Drive
