The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
CHRIS FACKLER FROM BENSALEM, PA Which, if any, of the UDFA have you been most impressed by? Do you feel like any of them have a shot at making the 53-man roster? Also, any update on the punter competition?
ANSWER: The answer to all three of your questions is the same: It's going to depend on their performances during the preseason games. There have been guys who have been impressive during practices at Saint Vincent College, but Coach Mike Tomlin has said a few times this summer already that the evaluation process places more importance on the preseason games than in practices. Undrafted rookies who have come on to make the 53-man roster all did so based on performance(s) during the preseason. And the same thing for the competition at punter between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman. During his Thursday news conference Tomlin said, "We intend on using both punters and will trade punt-for-punt, and we probably won't be in (position to decide) until we get clarity throughout the preseason. It's highly competitive. They're both varsity, but that's the type of competition that you want. You want guys to win jobs because of what they do, not because of what others don't do. So far, we've been really impressed by both guys out here (in practices) and will continue to watch them as we get into stadiums."
GLENN GAHAGEN FROM MADISON, WI: Do you see Roc Taylor possibly making it onto the 53-man roster? I hear good things about him. Unfortunately I have not seen him in action as of yet.
ANSWER: None of us have seen any of these new guys in action yet, because it's all been practice up until now. While the preseason games do not count in the standings and are used by veterans and established players to get themselves closer to being ready for the grind of the regular season, these 3 preseason games are a professional life-or-death situation for everyone else. There currently are 10 WRs on the 90-man roster, and I would think the absolute most they would keep on the 53-man roster is 6. And DK Metcalf is one of those, so that would leave 5 spots, at most. In my opinion, Roc Taylor is among those who will need to be special in these preseason games, either on offense or special teams, or both.
JOE ASHER FROM TAMPA, FL: On Aug. 7, you wrote, "...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." Does Mike Tomlin conduct training camp practices in full pads with full contact? If so, does he do it more than other teams? Has he ever been asked about this topic in an interview?
ANSWER: In interviews, Mike Tomlin has likened the physicality of his training camp practices to how a boxer needs to spar before a sanctioned fight. And the difference between sparring and a sanctioned fight is similar to the difference between a physical training camp practice and even a preseason game. Yes, there is hitting in both, but it's more controlled and sometimes even scripted in sparring and a training camp practice. Hits that would not be flagged or fined in an NFL game are not allowed during training camp, which is a noticeable difference. And from national media who make the rounds of NFL training camps, the Steelers' is as physical as it gets, and unless things have changed recently it's the only camp that employs any tackling to the ground.
ELLEN CAUDLE FROM CHATTANOOGA, TN: Every year NFL Network has analysts at all the training camps hyping up certain new rookies. They're saying he's going to be great after a few throws, catches, runs, and/or blocks in practice. Just because they did good or great things in college doesn't mean they'll do good or great things in an NFL regular season or playoffs. What if they don't deliver in the NFL? What is the time line for being a bust?
ANSWER: The timeline between boom and bust can be as short as the next show on that network, or ESPN, or FS1, or some talk-show or podcast. All of those shows are about entertainment, ratings, and buzz, and fans should stop taking the "information" spewed as gospel.
ERIC HANSEN FROM DEATH VALLEY, CA What is Aaron Rodgers' record against the AFC North?
ANSWER: Aaron Rodgers has a career record of 3-1 vs. the Baltimore Ravens, 1-2 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, 3-0 vs. the Cleveland Browns, and 1-2 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
SHAWN BITTNER FROM JACKSONVILLE, FL: In signing Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers did something that I have never seen. They have 3 voidable years in his contract. There is no guaranteed money or even a salary in those years. What does that do for the team or the player?
ANSWER: Basically, what voidable years accomplish is to get more money up front to the player while allowing the team to spread the salary cap hit over more years via dead money.
