The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
DAVID PRICE FROM CRYSTAL LAKE, IL: With all the questions you get about Darnell Washington moving to tackle, which you've said, and I agree, is unrealistic, it makes me wonder about Larry Brown. He did make that switch for the Steelers back in the 1970s. Was it just easier to change positions in that era, or was Larry simply that much of a freakish athlete?
ANSWER: Larry Brown made an appearance at Saint Vincent College during Steelers training camp this summer, and he appeared with Tom Opferman and me during our daily Training Camp Report radio show. I got Larry talking about his move from tight end to right tackle, and here are some of the things he told me on the air:
During the 1976 season, Brown injured a knee, and while he appeared in 13 of the 14 regular season games he was able to start only 8 times and his production dropped from 33 catches in the 1974-75 seasons to just 7 in 1976. After that season, Chuck Noll explained to Brown that he was concerned the knee injury would impact his speed and mobility as a tight end and that a move to offensive tackle might be best for both him and the team moving forward. Brown understood the serious nature of such a "suggestion" from Noll and immediately went about the task of making the transformation. He worked with offensive line coach Dan Radakovich, who was a master at teaching technique, and he also began the process of bulking up from tight end weight to offensive tackle weight. Over the next 8 seasons (1977-84), Brown appeared in 90 regular season games at right tackle, with 85 starts. Brown also started 8 of 9 games in the playoffs, and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1982.
It's important to realize that Brown prepared himself to make the switch over the course of an entire offseason, and with Jon Kolb entrenched at left tackle Brown played only right tackle after making the switch.
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MATTHEW BERGER FROM COLUMBUS, OH: Is there any reality to the Steelers looking to add an additional "WR2" and what would that mean for the wide receiver room? Who is the odd man out if they do bring in an additional receiver? I'd like to think it's Scotty Miller because I think Roman Wilson can still be a special player.
ANSWER: My sense of the situation is that the Steelers are going to go with what they have in terms of eligible receivers unless there is a significant injury to a player toward the top of the depth chart.
GIANNI D'ANGELA FROM WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA: I thought Aaron Rogers played well, however he can be so much better with better pass protection and a running game. I like Broderick Jones, but he did not play well Sunday based on the stats. With Aaron Rogers not able to sustain that punishment all year, do the Steelers go out and get a left tackle?
ANSWER: "Go out and get a left tackle." You refer to that as something as simple as driving to a convenience store and picking up a gallon of milk. There is no such thing on an NFL team as an extra left tackle, and especially not so once the regular season has started.
DAVID PACY FROM SHERMAN, NY: Having been a fan since witnessing my Dad jumping and yelling after every Jack Lambert splash play, I've loved the ALPHA-Alpha dogs on our defense: Mean Joe, Joey Porter, James Harrison. These guys talked it and backed it up. Who else comes to minds as pure intimidation meets Hall of Honor performance?
ANSWER: I cannot say I agree with your representation of Joe Greene as a "talker" on the field, and neither Greene nor James Harrison belong in the same category as Joey Porter in that respect. Anyway, in terms of pure intimidation on the field, the names I would add are Ernie Holmes and Greg Lloyd. In the quiet, soft-spoken assassin category, I'd offer Troy Polamalu. I'm sure there are others, but I hesitate to offer any names because I'm not really sure I even understand your parameters.
DREW DOLL FROM DUBLIN, OH: Looking at the snap counts from the Week 1 game vs. the Jets, it shows that Jalen Ramsey had 1 offensive snap. I can't find this rep anywhere. Could you explain what his offensive snap was?
ANSWER: When the Steelers go into victory formation, there is always one defensive player who lines up about 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage, and he's there to track any loose footballs or opposing players who scoop up a loose football in the event of a fumble. That player used to be Minkah Fitzpatrick. Now it apparently is going to be Jalen Ramsey.
SHAUN CHALMER FROM BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA: With practice squads constantly chopping and changing for many teams throughout the season, how does the process work when practice squad players are cut from the team? Do they get notified in person with a meeting with a coach or text message?
ANSWER: My guess is that someone from the personnel department notifies a practice squad player if/when he is going to be released.
JASON PRASTER FROM SAN ANTONIO, TX: In the Tuesday edition you answered a number of questions about Chris Boswell and kicking. My question: is there a required distance from the line of scrimmage the holder must place the ball for the kicker in the NFL? Or can a team move up a yard or two to make the kick a little closer?
ANSWER: There is no rule stipulating a particular distance behind the line of scrimmage for a field goal or PAT, and most teams go with 7 or 8 yards, because in instances when the kicker needs to drive the ball for distance he sometimes will sacrifice height. And too close to the line of scrimmage could be a problem in those instances.
HOWARD O'NEIL FROM STAFFORD, VA: In your professional opinion, why do you think we kept James Pierre on the active roster instead of Beanie Bishop?
ANSWER: Special teams, specifically on the coverage units. Backup defensive backs have to be assets on special teams, and Beanie Bishop didn't give the team as much as James Pierre in that phase of the game.
STEVE SELCK FROM SUMMERTOWN, TN: Bill Dudley played in the two-way player era of the NFL. Didn't he also lead the league in interceptions as well as yards rushing, possibly in the same year?
ANSWER: In 1946 (an 11-game season), Bill Dudley led the NFL in rushing attempts (146), rushing yards (604), interceptions (10), interception return yards (242), punt returns (27), punt return yards (385), and average yards per punt return (14.3). In 1946, the Steelers finished 5-5-1, and Dudley was voted the Joe F. Carr Trophy, which from 1938-46 was what the NFL's version of the MVP Award was called.
PAT PALUMBO FROM WESTERVILLE, OH: I know that it is only one game, but the difference in the performance of Justin Fields was pretty good. Do you think it had to do with the difference in philosophies of the offensive coordinators?
ANSWER: I choose to give the credit to Justin Fields for working hard and taking the next step in his development as an NFL player. Let's not forget he was the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, and sometimes it just takes a while for a player to make a successful transition from college football to the NFL.
JEREMY KURUTZ FROM HOLLYWOOD, MD: Why do we not have someone helping chip the guy rushing on the left side like opponents do against T.J. Watt all the time to give Aaron Rodgers another second to throw?
ANSWER: That indeed may become part of the plan moving forward.
RON WILLIAMS FROM ASTORIA, OR: Is there any way possible to have ALL submissions asking to have Darnell Washington move to left tackle in the 2025-2026 season go directly into your junk email? Enough already, people.
ANSWER: Thanks for thinking of me.
