The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
VADEN WARD FROM DUNBAR, WV: So I just finished watching the Steelers game against the Bears, and on the last play instead of kicking it why did we go for it on fourth-and-6?
ANSWER: On the play you reference, it was fourth-and-6 from the Chicago 47-yard line. In the case of a field goal attempt with that as the line of scrimmage, the ball would have been placed at the Pittsburgh 45-yard line (8 yards behind the line of scrimmage) to make it a field goal attempt of 65 yards. Chris Boswell's career best is 60 yards, and that's also the longest field goal in Steelers history. The difference between a 60-yard attempt and a 65-yard attempt is significant, and any belief that a 65-yard field goal attempt is some simple matter is ridiculous.
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BRIAN BARTSCHT FROM PENSACOLA, FL: Why didn't the Steelers try to kick the field goal from around the 50-yard line on the last play of the game against the Bears? And why was Chris Boswell just now tying his shoes with 38 seconds left in the game? Are the two things related?
ANSWER: As I explained in the above answer, the line of scrimmage was the Chicago 47-yard line, which would have made the attempt 65 yards. As mentioned above as well, Chris Boswell's career long was a 60-yarder, and that came off artificial turf in a dome. When the TV cameras showed Boswell on the sideline, he was getting himself ready for a possible attempt, and maybe what he was shown doing was re-tying the laces on his shoe. If you thought, or if you're suggesting Chris Boswell was so unprepared and oblivious to the situation that he wasn't already wearing the proper footwear is absurd and an insult to the professionalism of the best placekicker in the NFL.
JAMES ORENCHAK FROM RIESWEILER, GERMANY: I haven't been happy with the Steelers' play-calling this season. Have the Steelers thrown a pass on first down before the fourth quarter this season?
ANSWER: What I find really annoying are submissions from "fans" that are little more than rants and/or accusations. Have the Steelers thrown a pass on first down before the fourth quarter this season? Well, after an exhaustive search that took a matter of seconds and required I go all the way back to Sunday's game vs. the Bears, in the 13-play, 95-yard drive in the first quarter that ended in a touchdown that tied the score, 7-7, Mason Rudolph completed a 21-yard pass on first-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 30-yard line, he completed a 3-yard pass on first-and-10 from the Chicago 39-yard line, and he completed an 8-yard pass on first-and-10 from the Chicago 18-yard line. Do better next time.
JOHN PACE FROM VENICE, FL: Just watched an impressive Dallas Cowboy comeback win. George Pickens' talent is undeniable. He seems to be enjoying himself and acting mature. In your opinion did the Steelers simply not put enough effort into leading this young man? Helping people develop is a responsibility of the coaching staff.
ANSWER: Help me remember, was that the game where George Pickens was benched for the first series because he was in a casino past curfew on the night before, or was that the one where his team was penalized and he was fined over $25,000 for using the stanchion of the goal post as part of a celebration? And just so I'm certain, which one of those things are most representative of Pickens "acting mature"?
SHANNON GYDOSH FROM STROUDSBURG, PA: Again the defense got torn up on passes 10-20 yards downfield over the middle. It would have been even worse if Caleb Williams was more accurate. Conversely the Steelers didn't try to do that even with 3 backup linebackers. I only remember like 2 passes over the middle area all day, 1 of which was the touchdown to Pat Freiermuth. Why is it they can't defend it, and why do they not try it more on offense?
ANSWER: For whatever reason, I didn't think the Steelers did a very good job defending the middle of the field vs. the pass against the Bears on Sunday, and there have been other games where that also has been an issue. Against a team that runs the football as effectively and often as the Bears, there is a possibility the linebackers were somewhat preoccupied with that and weren't doing a good job of getting to their spots in the zone coverage and then reacting to the football. When it comes to the offense and attacking the middle of the field, I think it has become something that is talked about and complained about when it's not necessarily that big of a deal within a game. On Sunday in Chicago, for example, the offense put together a 13-play, 95-yard drive that ended in a touchdown, an 8-play, 85-yard drive that ended in a touchdown, and a 17-play, 72-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. If, as you claim, the offense never attacked the middle of the field, and the offense nevertheless was about to put together those 3 scoring drives, maybe attacking the middle of the field isn't as important as some might have you believe.
DAVE GRACE FROM McKEES MILLS, NB, CANADA: There were 3 penalty flags thrown at different points in the Bears game and in each of those instances the referee turned on his mic and says there was no foul on the play, and he offered no explanation. Why are flags thrown when a foul has not been committed, and why does the referee make those announcements without explanations?
ANSWER: I'm with you in that officials picking up penalty flags is one of my pet peeves, because I believe an official should only throw a flag WHEN HE IS SURE HE HAS CLEARLY SEEN A PENALTY COMMITTED. If he only "thinks' a penalty was committed, or if he's not certain a penalty was committed, then he SHOULDN'T THROW THE FLAG. As for why there is often no explanation, maybe it has to do with not wanting to embarrass a fellow zebra with something like, "There is no penalty on the play because my fellow official thought he saw something that never happened."
ANTHONY STAGNO FROM BUTLER, PA: I appreciated your response to David Powell about John Mackey. While we fans may marvel at the athleticism and abilities of today's players, the history of the game is full of individuals who did it just as well. Thanks for the reminder.
ANSWER: I started watching NFL football in 1963, and I have many fond memories of games and players from that era. It's fun for me to remember those days.
JAMES R. LABAR JR. FROM BYRNEDALE, PA: What is the reasoning for not being able to advance a muffed punt?
ANSWER: Because it's the rule.
