The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
MIKE BOBRICK FROM NEWPORT NEWS, VA: With many changes to projected starters for the offense and defense, which position group do you believe appears to be most improved heading into training camp?
ANSWER: One of the seeming constants of this part of the NFL calendar is that what "appears to be" on the eve of training camp can change once the pads go on and the hitting and competition begins. Once we get there, I will be interested in watching the quarterbacks in terms of accuracy, release, and consistency of NFL-caliber throws; the competition between the WRs and the CBs; and how some of last season's rookies look in what's going to be their second lap around the track. Other storylines will develop, I'm sure.
JOSH CAMPBELL FROM CINCINNATI, OH: Do you know the jersey numbers that Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith are going to be wearing? I saw a post on social media by Ramsey saying he would wear No. 5, but that is currently assigned to Cameron Johnston and D'Shawn Jamison.
ANSWER: Jalen Ramsey and Cameron Johnston are assigned No. 5 for training camp, and the NFL allows double-numbers through the preseason. Jonnu Smith has been assigned No. 81; and D'Shawn Jamison has been assigned No. 17.
LANCE TAYLOR FROM CLINTON, NC: What is the cost savings for the inactive players on game day? With the large revenue stream that the NFL has, would it not be smarter to have all players dressed on game day?
ANSWER: All players on the 53-man roster for each regular season game receives his game check as outlined by the terms of his contract, whether he is active on game day, nor not.
DAN CLIFF FROM NORTH CHILI, NY: As a member of the media do you have any insight into Pro Football Focus? The media seems to be enamored of them, and I don't get it. How did a guy come up with a bunch of made-up stats and get so many people to buy into them?
ANSWER: I never have been a big believer in Pro Football Focus, because it seems that a lot of its conclusions are based on video study that's done without knowing the play-calls, and the individuals' assignments within those calls, and without knowing whether there were any verbal or non-verbal changes taking place – or supposed to be taking place – at the snap. That's my individual opinion, but the frequency with which Pro Football Focus is cited by the media indicates my opinion is in the minority.
DON CONNORS FROM OCALA, FL: What is the history of 1950s Steeler defensive player, Dale Dodrill? I was a seasonal neighbor of his when he would be in Pittsburgh during the season.
ANSWER: Dale Dodrill came to the Steelers as a No. 6 pick (67th overall) in the 1951 NFL Draft from Colorado State. From 1951-59, Dodrill, 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, played either middle guard or middle linebacker for the Steelers, and he appeared in 103 games with 93 of those as the starter. In those games he had 10 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries, which had him voted to the Pro Bowl 4 times (1953-54-55-57), and he was a first-team All-Pro in 1954. Dodrill died in January 2019, at the age of 92.
TED WEBB FROM JACKSONVILLE, FL: Typically the Hall of Honor class is announced at the end of July, correct? Do you have any insight of who you think should go in?
ANSWER: As a member of the Hall of Honor Selection Committee, I will not divulge any of the discussions that take place during those meetings. But I can tell you that the Class of 2025 will be announced on Saturday, July 26, at the Fred Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent College.
KEITH A. WIMER FROM YOUNGSTOWN, OH: I was surprised to read that Troy Polamalu "only" had three pick-6s in his career. Is that regular season only, or did the number include perhaps his most famous; that being the one against Joe Flacco and the rival Ravens in the 2008 AFC Championship Game?
ANSWER: Troy Polamalu returned three interceptions for touchdowns during the regular season, and a fourth came in the playoffs.
His regular season pick-6s:
• Oct. 4, 2004, vs. Cincinnati, when he intercepted Carson Palmer in the fourth quarter and returned it 26 yards to ice a 28-17 victory.
• Dec. 12, 2010, vs. Cincinnati, when he intercepted Palmer in the second quarter and returned it 45 yards to break a 7-7 tie on the way to a 23-7 victory.
• Dec. 18, 2013, vs. Miami, when he intercepted Ryan Tannehill in the third quarter and returned it 19 yards in a 21-17 loss.
And in the playoffs:
• Jan. 8, 2009, vs. Baltimore, when he intercepted Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter and returned it 40 yards to ice a 23-14 win in the AFC Championship Game to send the Steelers to Super Bowl XLIII.
HOWARD RADZIMINSKY FROM SCOTTSDALE, AZ: It looks like we have 2 pretty good punters. We have accumulated a number of extra draft picks for 2026. Any idea on what trade compensation a punter might bring to add to that number?
ANSWER: I agree with your assessment that Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman both are NFL-caliber punters, but any team looking for an upgrade at punter at the end of the preseason knows the Steelers will be cutting one of theirs in the process of reducing the roster to 53. And so the most likely scenario would have a punter-hungry team waiting for the Steelers to cut one of those two. If there would be a trade, my guess is it would bring a conditional pick late on Day 3 of the draft.
MICHAEL ROBERTS FROM ELIZABETHTOWN, KY: Are there any "camp battles" you're looking forward to seeing this year? For me, I'm excited to hear about Troy Fautanu going against T.J. Watt, and Derrick Harmon against Zach Frazier. It's always fun seeing the big guys work.
ANSWER: Watching "the big guys work" always is an interesting and illuminating part of training camp practices in pads, but so often what I saw had to be interpreted for me by Tunch Ilkin or Craig Wolfley. I will miss them dearly, both for helping me understand some of the intricacies of big-man work and maybe even more for the joyful way they shared their knowledge.
JOE ASHER FROM TAMPA, FL: I have long believed that a team's offensive line is akin to the foundation of a house. A good foundation leads to a good team. Last season, the Steelers had to deal with injuries at left guard, center, and right guard. We still made the playoffs, and I think offensive line coach Pat Meyer deserves credit for helping the team overcome that. Has there ever been a Steelers team that started all five offensive linemen for every game of the season?
ANSWER: The 2022 Steelers started the same 5 offensive linemen for all 17 games of that regular season – LT Dan Moore Jr., LG Kevin Dotson, C Mason Cole, RG James Daniels and RT Chuks Okorafor. And not only did those 5 start every game, but Moore played 99 percent of the offensive snaps that season; Dotson played 100 percent; Cole played 96 percent; Daniels played 100 percent, and Okorafor played 100 percent.
