Let's get to it:
MARQUEZ SMITH FROM SACRAMENTO, CA:
With Kelvin Beachum's skill and versatility, I think he would've made a better left guard than Ramon Foster. Do you think it would've been better to drop Foster and sign Beachum and then move him to guard, with Al Villanueva now taking over the left tackle position?
ANSWER: Your question ignores the reality. Let's begin with Kelvin Beachum having gone on record before free agency even started as saying that he wasn't interested in playing any position except left tackle. In early February, Beachum was asked by Mark Kaboly of TribLive.com what he would say to anyone who asked him to move to guard. Beachum's answer: "I am not going to say anything. I am just going to look at them like they are crazy. I have played left tackle my entire career, and I was thrust into all kinds of positions when I got here, and I was a team player from that perspective, but I made my mark as a left tackle."
Then, there was the issue of Beachum being an unrestricted free agent and therefore able to sign with any NFL team he chose at the best price he could find. In other words, Beachum was looking for big money, premier left tackle money. And Beachum would not have been a happy camper at any position except left tackle. Your scenario never ever had any chance of happening.
JOHN POWER FROM GLEN ROSE, TX:
Can you please help me understand why Cortez Allen is still on the roster? Seems like he is getting more chances than most. Is this the front office not wanting to admit they were wrong? That money could have gone toward a defensive back who could contribute.
ANSWER: Tell you what, I'll take a stab at answering your question if you can answer mine, which is: Can you please help me understand why Cortez Allen being on the roster in late March matters at all? Rosters can hold up to 90 players at this time, and so it's not as though the Steelers need the spot for another player. As for the salary cap, the top 51 salaries count, and if the Steelers needed cap space badly for a player they believed could help AND HAD A REALISTIC CHANCE TO SIGN, there are things they could have and would have done to create that space.
And what "more chances that most" is he getting exactly by being on the roster? You're acting as if the Steelers have a game this weekend. Training camp is five months away. Sheesh, OTAs are more than two months away. Plenty of time to allow this to play out.
RICHARD ROBISON FROM PENDLETON, IN:
Is it possible if Christian Hackenberg were to drop to the fourth or fifth round in the upcoming draft, could it be plausible for the Steelers to grab him? Especially because he need tons of time to develop to be a backup or a starter, and who would be a better teacher than Ben Roethlisberger at helping him develop?
ANSWER: You a Penn State alumnus? Fan? Because Christian Hackenberg doesn't seem like a guy I would really be excited about adding to the roster. His measurables are fine, but his best season in college was as a freshman, and it's important a player improve over time. When asked by NFL personnel about not improving his statistics over his time at Penn State, Hackenberg blamed Coach James Franklin.
Robert Klemko wrote this for TMMQB.com, "According to two personnel sources on two separate teams who have shown interest in drafting Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, the quarterback has said all the wrong things in interviews when asked to explain his declining sophomore and junior numbers (a combined 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions). Hackenberg has shifted blame to James Franklin, who took over in 2014 when Bill O'Brien departed for the Texans. Said one evaluator. 'Despite the fact that it's probably true, you don't want to hear a kid say that.'"
A quarterback who cannot or will not take the blame is a problem waiting to happen. So in my mind, that, coupled with mediocre college statistics make Hackenberg not worth having around.
HENNING JÜRGENS FROM OSNABRÜCK, GERMANY:
Since I am sitting at home with a broken finger, I have a lot of time to read football news and watch all the silly NFL Network programs. I would just like to say that I wish that ESPN, NFL Network and all those "expert" programs would employ more people with the same honesty and integrity that you show in this segment. Thank you.
ANSWER: Nice job of typing with a broken finger, by the way. Way to play hurt.
NICK MITCHELL FROM GLEN-LYON, PA:
Did the Steelers ever have the first overall pick in the draft? If so, what year, who was the pick, and did he help the team win games?
ANSWER: It happened twice. The first time was in 1942, and the Steelers used the first overall pick on Virginia single-wing tailback Bill Dudley. With the Steelers still utilizing the single-wing, Dudley led the team in rushing, passing, and scoring that season, and it ended with the Steelers posting a 7-4 record, the first winning season in a franchise history that started in 1933. Then World War II happened, and Dudley didn't resume his NFL career until the final four games of the 1945 season, and the Steelers were 1-3 in those on the way to a 2-8 finish. In 1946, Dudley led the NFL in rushing, punt returns, and in interceptions with 10 for the 5-5-1 Steelers. Dudley was traded to Detroit the following year.
The other time the Steelers had the No. 1 overall pick in the draft was in 1970. The guy they picked was Terry Bradshaw. You might have heard of him.
THAD SPREG FROM MAKAKILO, HI:
I'm curious as to how the new rule regarding players being ejected for receiving two personal fouls might affect the game. In recent seasons, how many players would have been ejected if this rule had been in place?
ANSWER: You're not the only one curious about that, which is just one of the reasons why I believe the rule was adopted by NFL ownership on a one-year trial basis. The owners will re-visit this rule in March 2017 and maybe a final determination is made then. According to a statistic I saw, there would have only been one player ejected in 2015 under that rule.
ALLEN BIXEL FROM JOHNSTOWN, PA:
Just a thank you for your insight, expertise, and sense of humor, sprinkled with your not-always-hidden dose of sarcasm when dealing with the range of questions you face every day. I enjoy reading the questions and seeing your answers to them, whether a it's a serious answer to a legitimate question or one of your "are you kidding me" responses to one of "those" questions.
ANSWER: Happy to be able to inform and entertain. That's the purpose of this, after all.
DERECK FYE FROM CEDAR RAPIDS, IA:
Even with the addition of Ladarius Green at tight end, would the Steelers still consider a tight end in the draft?
ANSWER: I hope not.
Who is your top draft pick in Steelers history from Round 8 & later? Make your #UltimateDraft pick now!
1969 L.C. Greenwood (Round 10): In 1971, his first year as a starter, Greenwood had five fumble recoveries. He led the Steelers in sacks for the first time in 1973 with 8.5 and followed that with a career-high 11 in 1974, both of which were 14-game seasons. In Super Bowl IX, Greenwood batted two of Fran Tarkentons passes, one of which was intercepted by Greene, and in Super Bowl X he sacked Roger Staubach four times. When his Steelers career ended before the start of the 1982 season, he was the franchise's all-time sack leader with 73.5. He was voted to six Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice. Four Super Bowl rings.
1969 L.C. Greenwood (Round 10): In 1971, his first year as a starter, Greenwood had five fumble recoveries. He led the Steelers in sacks for the first time in 1973 with 8.5 and followed that with a career-high 11 in 1974, both of which were 14-game seasons. In Super Bowl IX, Greenwood batted two of Fran Tarkentons passes, one of which was intercepted by Greene, and in Super Bowl X he sacked Roger Staubach four times. When his Steelers career ended before the start of the 1982 season, he was the franchise's all-time sack leader with 73.5. He was voted to six Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice. Four Super Bowl rings.
1969 L.C. Greenwood (Round 10): In 1971, his first year as a starter, Greenwood had five fumble recoveries. He led the Steelers in sacks for the first time in 1973 with 8.5 and followed that with a career-high 11 in 1974, both of which were 14-game seasons. In Super Bowl IX, Greenwood batted two of Fran Tarkentons passes, one of which was intercepted by Greene, and in Super Bowl X he sacked Roger Staubach four times. When his Steelers career ended before the start of the 1982 season, he was the franchise's all-time sack leader with 73.5. He was voted to six Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice. Four Super Bowl rings.
1971 Ernie Holmes (Round 8): There was a time during the mid-1970s when Ernie Holmes was the best defensive lineman the Steelers had, and the group at the time included Joe Greene, Dwight White, L.C. Greenwood, and Steve Furness. In both the 1974 and 1975 seasons, both of which ended with Super Bowl championships, Holmes led the team with 11.5 and 8.5 sacks, respectively, and those seasons were 14 games long. Two Super Bowl rings.
1971 Ernie Holmes (Round 8): There was a time during the mid-1970s when Ernie Holmes was the best defensive lineman the Steelers had, and the group at the time included Joe Greene, Dwight White, L.C. Greenwood, and Steve Furness. In both the 1974 and 1975 seasons, both of which ended with Super Bowl championships, Holmes led the team with 11.5 and 8.5 sacks, respectively, and those seasons were 14 games long. Two Super Bowl rings.
1971 Ernie Holmes (Round 8): There was a time during the mid-1970s when Ernie Holmes was the best defensive lineman the Steelers had, and the group at the time included Joe Greene, Dwight White, L.C. Greenwood, and Steve Furness. In both the 1974 and 1975 seasons, both of which ended with Super Bowl championships, Holmes led the team with 11.5 and 8.5 sacks, respectively, and those seasons were 14 games long. Two Super Bowl rings.
1971 Ernie Holmes (Round 8): There was a time during the mid-1970s when Ernie Holmes was the best defensive lineman the Steelers had, and the group at the time included Joe Greene, Dwight White, L.C. Greenwood, and Steve Furness. In both the 1974 and 1975 seasons, both of which ended with Super Bowl championships, Holmes led the team with 11.5 and 8.5 sacks, respectively, and those seasons were 14 games long. Two Super Bowl rings.
1947 Elbie Nickel (Round 15): Based on how the positions are designated today, Nickel would be a tight end, and he was the first at that position for the Steelers to be a prolific receiver. During his 11 seasons, a time when the NFL was primarily a run-the-football league, Nickel caught 329 passes. He still ranks sixth in franchise history in that category.
1947 Elbie Nickel (Round 15): Based on how the positions are designated today, Nickel would be a tight end, and he was the first at that position for the Steelers to be a prolific receiver. During his 11 seasons, a time when the NFL was primarily a run-the-football league, Nickel caught 329 passes. He still ranks sixth in franchise history in that category.
1947 Elbie Nickel (Round 15): Based on how the positions are designated today, Nickel would be a tight end, and he was the first at that position for the Steelers to be a prolific receiver. During his 11 seasons, a time when the NFL was primarily a run-the-football league, Nickel caught 329 passes. He still ranks sixth in franchise history in that category.
1947 Elbie Nickel (Round 15): Based on how the positions are designated today, Nickel would be a tight end, and he was the first at that position for the Steelers to be a prolific receiver. During his 11 seasons, a time when the NFL was primarily a run-the-football league, Nickel caught 329 passes. He still ranks sixth in franchise history in that category.
1950 Fran Rogel (Round 8): Hey, diddle, diddle, Rogel up the middle. That's the way the Steelers always started a game during his career, and in the six seasons from 1951-56, Rogel led the team in rushing five times. He finished with 3,271 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.
1971 Mike Wagner (Round 11): How about a draft where you get Ernie Holmes in the eighth round and a free safety who started 116 games over 10 seasons, who finished his career with 48 takeaways, 36 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries, while being voted to the Pro Bowl twice? Forty-eight takeaways over 110 games works out to about six takeaways per 16-game regular season. Four Super Bowl rings.
1971 Mike Wagner (Round 11): How about a draft where you get Ernie Holmes in the eighth round and a free safety who started 116 games over 10 seasons, who finished his career with 48 takeaways, 36 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries, while being voted to the Pro Bowl twice? Forty-eight takeaways over 110 games works out to about six takeaways per 16-game regular season. Four Super Bowl rings.
1971 Mike Wagner (Round 11): How about a draft where you get Ernie Holmes in the eighth round and a free safety who started 116 games over 10 seasons, who finished his career with 48 takeaways, 36 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries, while being voted to the Pro Bowl twice? Forty-eight takeaways over 110 games works out to about six takeaways per 16-game regular season. Four Super Bowl rings.
1963 Andy Russell (Round 16): His 12 seasons were spread among a two-year stint in the Army and the most dramatic coaching change in franchise history. Russell was consistently good enough in all elements of linebacker play to be voted first-team All-Pro once and second-team All-Pro five other times. Teamed with Jack Ham and Jack Lambert to form one of the best 4-3 linebackers units in NFL history. Two Super Bowl rings.
1963 Andy Russell (Round 16): His 12 seasons were spread among a two-year stint in the Army and the most dramatic coaching change in franchise history. Russell was consistently good enough in all elements of linebacker play to be voted first-team All-Pro once and second-team All-Pro five other times. Teamed with Jack Ham and Jack Lambert to form one of the best 4-3 linebackers units in NFL history. Two Super Bowl rings.
1963 Andy Russell (Round 16): His 12 seasons were spread among a two-year stint in the Army and the most dramatic coaching change in franchise history. Russell was consistently good enough in all elements of linebacker play to be voted first-team All-Pro once and second-team All-Pro five other times. Teamed with Jack Ham and Jack Lambert to form one of the best 4-3 linebackers units in NFL history. Two Super Bowl rings.
1962 Gary Ballman (Round 8): After the Steelers made the mistake of trading Buddy Dial, who had posted 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 1961 and 1963, Ballman took over the team lead in that department. Ballman caught 47 passes for 935 yards (19.9 average) in 1964, and 40 passes for 859 yards (21.5) in 1965. The quarterbacks in those seasons were Ed Brown and Bill Nelsen, respectively.
1962 Gary Ballman (Round 8): After the Steelers made the mistake of trading Buddy Dial, who had posted 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 1961 and 1963, Ballman took over the team lead in that department. Ballman caught 47 passes for 935 yards (19.9 average) in 1964, and 40 passes for 859 yards (21.5) in 1965. The quarterbacks in those seasons were Ed Brown and Bill Nelsen, respectively.
1980 Frank Pollard (Round 11): Chuck Noll rarely acknowledged players reaching individual milestones, but in 1985 he did admit one of his specific disappointments was not getting Pollard the yards he needed in the final game of a 7-9 season to reach 1,000. Such was the respect Noll had for Pollard, who finished with 991 yards rushing that season, and 3,989 over a nine-year career with the team.
1980 Frank Pollard (Round 11): Chuck Noll rarely acknowledged players reaching individual milestones, but in 1985 he did admit one of his specific disappointments was not getting Pollard the yards he needed in the final game of a 7-9 season to reach 1,000. Such was the respect Noll had for Pollard, who finished with 991 yards rushing that season, and 3,989 over a nine-year career with the team.
SCOTT COLLINS FROM GAMBRILLS, MD:
Can NFL owners offer their starting quarterbacks ownership in the team rather than a huge salary? If not, do you think that idea might emerge in the future? Some of these salaries for professional athletes, especially baseball pitchers, are running up the national debt and hurting GDP in some locations. I think it makes since for those star athletes to take some risk in the business. Maybe some form of preferred convertible bond that can be exchanged for equity or cashed out if the team wins a certain number of Super Bowls over a decade. Like a golden-parachute for CEOs. And while we are on the subject, shouldn't there be some ratio of a quarterback's salary to the lowest salary on the team?
ANSWER: Why? Why would NFL owners be interested in any of this? If I'm an NFL owner sitting on a franchise worth $1 billion, you think I'm giving up pieces of that to players, when I could just pay him a salary and that's the end of it? Why would the Players Association be interested in any of this? If I'm a $100 million quarterback, why would I have any interest in assuming any risk in terms of the worth of a franchise? I can just go and play somewhere else if the one that drafts me goes bankrupt. And what you suggest would make the NFL more like Wall Street, and while professional football is on the up-and-up, there isn't a more rigged game on earth than the one played out every day on Wall Street. Not to be bitter.
KEVIN MILLER FROM BILLINGS, MT:
I am a huge Rooney supporter. They are by far the best owners in football if not in all of professional sports. With them selling more shares, how long will they still be in charge of the franchise?
ANSWER: As long as the franchise exists. Don't forget, first and foremost, investors want to make money, and the way to do that is to have the business run by people who know what they're doing.
