The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
MATT WIBORG FROM WADSWORTH, OH: I've noticed that most play-callers cover their mouths with their laminated call sheet. When they closed in on Arthur Smith during the Bengals game, he didn't appear to do so. That got me thinking, do teams have people designated to spy and read lips of the coaches as they are sending in plays? Is it someone's responsibility to try to gather intel and call it in to the respective coaches?
ANSWER: The time factor, the ticking play clock makes what you suggest impossible. The amount of time between plays is 40 seconds, and all communication from the sideline to the field via the in-helmet system is cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock. Unless the offense is in hurry-up mode, the play isn't called immediately, and so for the sake of this question, let's say the play has been picked and communicated from the sideline to the quarterback with 30 seconds left. That gives the spy/lip-reader 15 seconds to decipher what was said – which is likely in team terminology and not anything as straightforward as "toss to No. 30 around left end" – and get the info down to his sideline, which then has to be communicated to the defensive player wearing the green dot for the opponent. That individual would then have to communicate that information to the other 10 players. The more efficient approach is to react to the personnel grouping the offense has on the field, plus all of the other on-the-field situations – down-and-distance, score, time on the clock, the offense's tendencies and what it can execute – and call your defense based on that. Then trust the players and let them think only about executing.
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NICHOLAS MIHULKA FROM ST. LOUIS, MO: What has been the general assessment of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator this year? It seems from my perspective he tries to utilize each player's skill-set to the max and divides the labor due to defensive scheming. Looks like throwing short and letting the players make a splash play with YAC is the overall move. How challenging is it as an OC to divide the labor?
ANSWER: It's been my experience that during each and every NFL game there are very few civilians in attendance who don't believe they could do a better job of calling the offensive plays for their favorite team. And most of the time calling the plays is a thankless job, because one week the complaint is not getting the ball to Darnell Washington and another week it's not getting the ball to Pat Friermuth, without considering that they're both TEs and it's actually the coverage and the quarterback that dictates where the ball is thrown. I believe that to win consistently down the stretch of a regular season in today's NFL, teams need to be producing 30 points – give or take a couple either way. Those points can come from defense and/or special teams, too, but that's the number for me. And when that number is not attained – or when it is – both the play-calling and execution share in the responsibility.
MIKE FOSTER FROM EWA BEACH, HI: If Darnell Washington is an extra-large TE, does that make Spencer Anderson a XXL TE? Why is Anderson the only OL used as a jumbo TE? Are the backups at OT not capable or is it just a matter of getting best 6 OL on the field?
ANSWER: For the "extra offensive lineman reporting as eligible" role, the Steelers prefer that player to have had some experience at a non-offensive lineman position in his football past, because that means the guy has had some experience doing things such as going in motion, lining up in the backfield, etc. It's not necessarily a hard-and-fast rule, but it is a preference.
CARLOS BERNAL FROM SANTA FE, NM: Do you think the NFL will ever do away with International Games or at least change the kickoff times so they are not so early in the morning? I personally am not a fan of the early morning games.
ANSWER: I feel you, but let me say that I'm not a fan of the night games. When a Sunday night, or Monday night game starts around 8:30 p.m. and doesn't end until close to midnight, that's around 9 p.m. on the West Coast. Some sacrifices involve getting up early, and some sacrifices involve staying up late.
JD AKERS FROM NIXA, MO: It seems like some players are signed to the practice squad as an adjustment period, such as Asante Samuel Jr. and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Are they truly just being evaluated, or learning the schemes, or are they simply longshots to join the 53-man roster? If other teams have immediate emergencies are these two players open to walk away or is there something that would allow the Steelers to match or prevent them from going?
ANSWER: Because both of those players have NFL resumes, my impression is they were added to at least provide depth on the 53-man roster and hopefully more. While it is true that players can be signed off the practice squad with no compensation due to the original team, those pilfered players must spend 3 weeks on the active roster. Both Asante Samuel Jr. and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were unrestricted free agents when the Steelers signed them to the practice squad, which means any other team that was interested could've gotten into the bidding. But didn't. And it's also worth noting that a practice squad player is not required by rule to accept an offer from another team.
JIMMY ROBERTS FROM CHARLESTON, SC: Just wanted to express appreciation for Mason Rudolph. Toiling in the background, always ready, and the consummate professional. We are fortunate to have him.
ANSWER: Totally agree. I believe that in the NFL, backup QB is more than just a job. It's a skill-set, and guys who have the skill-set and are willing to develop that and work at it can make a very lucrative career out of it.
MICHAEL ROBERTS FROM ELIZABETHTOWN, KY: How fun is it to watch Darnell Washington play live? And how big is he really? Got to be at least 300-plus pounds right?
ANSWER: I would guess Darnell Washington to be in the neighborhood of 300 pounds, and he's pretty fun to watch play on TV as well. He reminds me of John Mackey, a Hall of Fame tight end who played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963-71 and was a dynamic on-field factor as both a blocker and a receiver. Off the field, Mackey became the first NFLPA President following the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.
MIKE ABRAMS FROM BIG PINE KEY, FL: Regarding Pat Flynn's question about college and high school teams playing at pro stadiums, I know that Pittsburgh's own Dan Marino, is the Special Advisor to the Vice Chairman, President and CEO of the Miami Dolphins, and they allow the University of Miami Hurricanes to play all home games at Hard Rock Stadium and some high school championship games also.
ANSWER: Thanks for sharing.
LEE JOHNSON FROM MIDLAND, VA: I just read your answer about artificial turf. I played on it once in high school and hated it. My grandson's high school has it and he too dislikes it and they have a lot of injuries. My question is this, how many NFL stadiums have artificial turf?
ANSWER: There are 15 NFL stadiums with grass fields: State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals); M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens); Soldier Field (Chicago Bears); FirstEnergy Stadium (Cleveland Browns); Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos); Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers); TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville Jaguars); Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs); Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders); Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins); Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles); Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers); Levi's Stadium (San Francisco 49ers); Raymond James Stadium (Tampa Bay Buccaneers); and Northwest Stadium (Washington Commanders).
