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Asked and Answered

Asked and Answered: Dec. 17

Let's get to it:

GLENN GIBSON FROM KINGSTON, NY: Has a kicker ever won team MVP, and what do you think the chances are that Chris Boswell could win it this year for the Steelers?
ANSWER: In 1983, which was his second NFL season, PK Gary Anderson was voted Steelers MVP by his teammates. By contemporary kicking standards, Anderson's season was rather ordinary. He converted 27-of-31 field goal attempts (87.1 percent) with none from 50-plus yards and 38-of-39 PATs (97.4 percent) for 119 points during the 16-game regular season. By comparison, Chris Boswell through 14 games in 2024 has converted 38-of-41 field goal attempts (92.7 percent) – with 11-of-13 from 50-plus yards – and 30-of-30 PATs for 144 points so far. I would say Boswell is the best placekicker in the NFL this season and should be voted first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career. I'm not going to put a percentage on a prediction as to whether Boswell could be voted Steelers MVP this year, because his teammates know the depth of his contributions to their current record and to what they're in position to achieve the rest of the way, and he is undeniably liked and respected. But if I had a vote – which I do not – I would find it difficult not to cast it for Cam Heyward, who is a team captain, the reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year, and a 35-year-old in his 14th NFL season who is playing first-team All-Pro caliber defensive tackle for a Top 10 defense.

MARK RICE FROM LAS VEGAS, NV: All year long, reporters seem to talk to certain players on the team, starting from the time players arrive at the start of training camp. Then through the entire regular season, either after practice, or after games, it's almost always the same players interviewed. Is there anything in the players contracts stating they have to talk to reporters after practices and games? Or is it by design of the coach/organization as to who speaks to the media?
ANSWER: There are NFL rules pertaining to player availability to the media, such as all players must be available after games, and all starting quarterbacks must conduct at least one mid-week media opportunity during the season. Using the Steelers as an example, it's only natural for the media to seek the opinions/insight of players such as Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt because of their status on the team and their on-field production, and other times it might come down to media talking to guys who allow themselves to be available to talk and are accommodating. The media has a job to do, too, and sometimes people look for the path of least resistance to get a particular day's assignment done.

JOE SCHMAELING FROM PITTSBURGH, PA: The offense didn't look very good against the Eagles. It seems like without George Pickens, they are not willing to throw downfield. It seems like they don't trust the available receivers to make a play. Don't you think they have to try to throw it downfield? I know Mike Williams is not Pickens but he is a big, strong, experienced, contested catch type of receiver.
ANSWER: The simple act of throwing the ball downfield will have no positive impact for the offense if those throws aren't completed. Defenses aren't going to adjust to something that isn't a productive part of the opponent's offense, and as you wrote, "Mike Williams is not (George) Pickens." Knowing the inclusive way in which Russell Wilson approaches distributing the ball, I am confident that if Williams was getting open he would be targeted. Just throwing him the ball when he's not open in the hope he can make a play is a recipe for turnovers. Calvin Austin III has been getting open. Throw him the ball.

LORI STULMANIS FROM FEASTERVILLE, PA: I grew up in Philly and now live in the Philadelphia suburbs and married an Eagles fan. So, the loss to the Eagles was really difficult to swallow. I'm questioning the penalty against defensive tackle Montravius Adams for hitting the long-snapper on a field goal attempt when he was blocked into said long-snapper. Do you think in this case it should have been a penalty?
ANSWER: The rule prohibits any contact with the long-snapper while he's doing his thing in the middle of the line of scrimmage. And while I do agree that replays showed Montravius Adams being blocked into LS Rick Lovato, it's probably one of those situations where you cannot put yourself in a position to be blocked into the long-snapper because it might be called. And if it is called it will be justified by the league. And it's a costly penalty.

BROC ROWE FROM PG, MARYLAND: Watching that game hurt, because I didn't feel as though our offense ever really threatened the Eagles defense. Do you think it's time to change things up in free agency and purchase a big-time acquisition?
ANSWER: The Steelers tried that when they got themselves in the running for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk with an offer that was more than San Francisco was offering. Davante Adams wanted to play with his buddy Aaron Rodgers, and Deandre Hopkins opted to accept a trade to Kansas City to join Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid to take a shot at winning a ring. The Steelers also spent a third-round pick (84th overall) on WR Roman Wilson in late April, but his rookie season has been lost to injury and inexperience. The Steelers made an effort, but things didn't work out.

ERIC SCHIER FROM DOWNINGTOWN, PA: If the Steelers lose to the Ravens leaving them in a tie and then both teams win out, who would win the division?
ANSWER: Using the ESPN Playoff Predictor, under the scenario you present, the Steelers would finish the regular season with a 12-5 record and as the No. 3 seed in the AFC Playoffs, while the Ravens would finish with a 12-5 record and as the No. 5 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Based on that, the Steelers would enter the postseason as the winner of the AFC North Division.

ED JOHNSON FROM GERMANTOWN, OH: I always hear all of the sports talking heads talking about how good the Steelers defense is, but I see so many missed tackles. When a player comes flying at a runner trying to knock him off his feet with his shoulder he slides off him or misses him. Do they not have tackling drills anymore? Whatever happened to wrapping up?
ANSWER: Yes, the Steelers did a poor job of tackling against the Eagles, and a handful of the missed tackles had a significant impact on the flow and outcome of the game. There is a period of live tackling in every Steelers practice in pads throughout training camp, but that kind of hitting stops once the regular season starts – and all over the NFL, not just in Pittsburgh – because keeping the roster healthy is integral to having a chance at a successful season. Whatever happened to wrapping up? That's so 1980s, unfortunately.

TOM HENSON FROM MARTINSVILLE, IN: Now that playoffs are a reality, would there be a chance that Coach Mike Tomlin would platoon some of the position groups more and put guys like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, George Pickens, and even Russell Wilson on a snap count?
ANSWER: The only possibility of something like that happening would be if the Steelers' playoff seeding had been determined. But that wouldn't come until the regular season finale, if then.

PATRICIA FISH FROM PHOENIX, AZ: Regarding the Injury Report. What's the difference between "questionable" and "doubtful?"
ANSWER: A designation of questionable indicates the player has a 50 percent chance of missing the game, and a designation of doubtful indicates the player has a 75 percent chance of missing the game.

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