The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
DENNIS BRADLEY FROM TOLEDO, OH: In the Super Bowl era, is Kenneth Gainwell the first Steelers running back to lead the team in number of receptions?
ANSWER: He is not. In 1971, WR Ron Shanklin and HB Frenchy Fuqua finished tied for the team lead with 49 receptions apiece; in 1982, the season that was shortened to 9 games because of a players' strike, FB Franco Harris led the team with 31 receptions; in 1986, HB Walter Abercrombie led the team with 47 receptions; in 1988, WR Louis Lipps and FB Merril Hoge tied for the team lead with 50 receptions; and in 1994, FB John L. Williams led the team with 51 receptions.
ED COURTNEY FROM SPOTSYLVANIA, VA: Kenneth Gainwell was a bargain acquisition in unrestricted free agency for the Steelers this year, but his contract was only a one-year deal. I know Pittsburgh will do everything in its power to retain Gainwell. However, is it realistic to retain two RBs with each one likely receiving similar contractual payouts/guarantees?
ANSWER: I believe it will be realistic to re-sign Kenneth Gainwell to a contract extension that will satisfy him and not be a strain on the team's salary cap, but until the start of the new league year and it becomes time for that kind of business to be conducted it's nothing but speculation.
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CHRIS WELBURN FROM GLASTONBURY, CT: I did not see any snap count reports, but I assume Dylan Cook played all or most of the offensive snaps vs. the Ravens. And I don't think I heard his name mentioned at all, which of course is the best compliment for an offensive lineman. Why are we not hearing and giving him more praise?
ANSWER: The offensive players for the Steelers who played 100 percent of the offensive snaps in the win over the Ravens were RT Troy Fautanu, RG Mason McCormick, C Zach Frazier, LG Isaac Seumalo, and QB Aaron Rodgers. LT Dylan Cook played 72 of the 75 offensive snaps (96 percent) vs. the Ravens, and Andrus Peat played the other 3 snaps, which I believe happened during the machinations that are necessitated by rules involved in using Spencer Anderson as part of the jumbo package. I believe there has been sufficient in-house praise for Cook's play, and I also believe there has been the necessary critical eye applied as well because no one played a perfect game. Monday night's challenge posed by the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round will be the NFL's best tandem of pass rushers in DEs Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 23 quarterback hits) and Danielle Hunter (15 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 22 quarterback hits). The time to throw bouquets is after the season.
LORI STULMANIS FROM FEASTERVILLE, PA: After the end of the amazing Steelers victory over the Ravens to win the AFC North, NBC's Mike Tirico narrated video of a Catholic priest sprinkling holy water in one of the end zones before the game. Have the Steelers ever had a priest bless the field before? Who arranged the priest's visit?
ANSWER: It actually has been a regular occurrence since the stadium opened for the 2001 season. Every time the Steelers re-sod the field, a priest is invited and blesses the field and prays for the safety and good health of all the players who will be using it.
LARRY HAWKINS FROM BROWNSTOWN, MI: Was the partially blocked extra point attempt low or did the defender have penetration?
ANSWER: There was definitely penetration. Ravens safety Keondre Jackson got into position to get a hand on the ball by taking advantage in a gap in the blocking between Cam Heyward and Derrick Harmon.
RICH DECIUS FROM SHELBY, OH: I have been a lifelong Steelers fan. I'm 58. I was actually excited to see we had the Monday matchup against an opponent that statistically has the best defense in the NFL. Could you remind your readers of the Steelers record at home on Monday night?
ANSWER: Since Monday Night Football debuted in 1970, the Steelers are 55-25 (.688) all-time, and 32-5 (.865) in games played in Pittsburgh. That .865 winning percentage at home is the best of any NFL team with a minimum of 25 appearances. Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are 22-3 on Monday Night Football, and 11-0 in those games that were played in Pittsburgh.
DAN McNEEL FROM MANCHESTER, NH: I've watched it several times and still cannot understand why the extra point was missed. Is it me, or did the football appear to be heading directly through the goal post then suddenly veer off? I recall seeing the initial report online of the play as the PAT being blocked, however that does not appear to be the case now. Just wondering if anyone else sees something different about the trajectory of the ball.
ANSWER: As I explained in a previous submission in this installment, the kick was tipped by Ravens safety Keondre Jackson, which caused the ball to sail outside the right upright. And when a kick is tipped and is a miss, the play is recorded as a block. The NFL is very serious about the accuracy of such details within its game statistics, and I am confident that the league had the Elias Sports Bureau, which is the official statistician of the NFL, examine the play and come up with the correct conclusion about the miss. Since the play was scored as a block, and that ruling was not overturned by Elias, then the kick was blocked. With all due respect, what you think you saw is incorrect.
KEITH MILLER FROM CANTON, NC: Mike Tomlin's "aunt and uncle" quote is outstanding, but do you have a personal list of Tomlinisms you like as well or better?
ANSWER: I will give you two of my favorites, each one in a different category. In a category similar to the "aunt and uncle" quote, when Mike Tomlin was asked about his interest in leaving the Steelers to accept a college coaching job, he said, "Never say never. But never." And in the category of coaching philosophy, there's this that he frequently tells the players: "I know what you're capable of, but what are you willing to do?"
JOHN SAMPSON FROM LATROBE, PA: At the end of the Steelers win vs. the Ravens on the postgame show on Peacock, in the background, it looked like some people were either cutting grass or maintaining the field in some way. Any idea what was actually going on?
ANSWER: Maintenance on the Acrisure Stadium playing surface is constant and ongoing, and it begins soon after the game ends. What those machines are called and what their specific function is I cannot tell you, but it was part of the process of maintaining the playing surface.
JOHN KELLER FROM THE VILLAGES, FL: Do the practice squad players get paid extra during the playoff run?
ANSWER: Practice squad players continue being paid their weekly salaries during the postseason, but they do not receive playoff bonus money like the guys on the 53-man roster.
MARCK LEWIS FROM AMITY, OR: We are in the playoffs! Can we just enjoy the ride?
ANSWER: I'm sorry to report that based on the submissions I have received for Asked and Answered since the victory over the Ravens clinched the AFC North and a home playoff game, I would have to say there is much less enjoying the ride than there is whining and complaining.
