Let's get to it:
AARON VANNATTER FROM LOGAN, WV:
We re-signed Stephon Tuitt, but some of the fans I've talked to don't like the signing. I thought he played well and is a strong No. 2 cornerback and will only get better at 24 years old. Was it a good signing?
ANSWER: The Steelers gambled with Ross Cockrell when they offered him an original-round tender as a restricted free agent. The original-round tender meant that if Cockrell had presented the Steelers with a signed offer sheet from another team, the Steelers would have had the right to match the offer or receive a fourth-round draft pick – which is how Cockrell originally entered the NFL with Buffalo – as compensation. For a team with so few cornerbacks, that move was seen as something of a gamble by the Steelers, but the gamble recently paid off when Cockrell signed the tender, which means he is under contract here for the 2017 season at around $1.8 million. It's very likely the Steelers will look to upgrade their talent at cornerback during next week's draft, but having Cockrell for at least one more season – and at a reasonable salary – is good news.
CARL HERBERT FROM BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM:
If a player is extended an offer sheet, is the team obliged to keep that player or can he then still be cut at training camp? Obviously I understand the impact on salary cap, etc., but my thinking is, what would stop a team from signing someone to prevent a division rival from signing him, and then that team could cut him when the other team's roster is full. I appreciate that this may be a dumb question, but in my eyes NFL contracts are more complicated than understanding women.
ANSWER: There is nothing in the rules that would prevent the machinations you describe, but my experience is that teams don't operate that way. In the NFL, it's much more about building your own roster into the most talented and diverse group it can be, as opposed to wasting your own roster spots trying to sabotage another team.
A photo gallery of images spanning the life and career of Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14th, 2003.
A portrait of Art Rooney II and Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney hugs Jerome Bettis after a Division Round win against the New York Jets January, 15 2005.
Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II sit down to talk with newly drafted QB Ben Roethlisberger after he first arrived to the Steelers facilities in 2004.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with the 2004 1st Round Draft pick Ben Roethlisberger at a press conference presenting him his jersey.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 24th, 2005.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 18th, 2005.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with CB Ike Taylor during the 2005 Training Camp at Saint Vincent College.
Dan Rooney talks with Commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2006 home opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Dan Rooney talks with RB Merril Hoge.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Jerome Bettis during the Super Bowl XL ring ceremony at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his wife Patricia and son Art Rooney II during the Super Bowl XL ring ceremony at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with General Manager Kevin Colbert during the Super Bowl XL ring ceremony at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with President George W. Bush during the team's visit to the White House after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney along with James Rohr present Cardinal Wuerl with the American Ireland Fund honor.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney speaks with Head Coach Mike Tomlin on the practice field during the 2007 Rookie Mini-Camp.
Dan Rooney talks with NT Casey Hampton during the 2007 Training Camp at Saint Vincent College.
Dan Rooney talks with General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a 2007 Training Camp at Saint Vincent College.
Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II pose for a photo with Mike and Kiya Tomlin after signing Mike Tomlin to the Steelers as Head Coach.
Dan Rooney shows Head Coach Mike Tomlin some historical photographs after signing him to the Head Coaching position.
Dan Rooney talks with Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert at FedEx Field prior to a preseason game against the Redskins.
Art Rooney II, Head Coach Bill Cowher, General Manager Kevin Colbert and Dan Rooney on a practice field at Training Camp.
Dan Rooney along with David Morehouse present Sidney Crosby with the American Ireland Fund honor.
Dan Rooney watches as QB Ben Roethlisberger raises the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Dan Rooney stands with President George W. Bush during the Steelers White House visit after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney talks with James Harrison, James Farrior and Larry Foote.
A portrait of Dan Rooney on the field prior to Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st, 2009.
A portrait of Dan Rooney as he walks onto the field prior to Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st, 2009.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes during the Steelers parade through downtown Pittsburgh after the Super Bowl XLIII win.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Art Rooney II, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert after winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin puts his arm around Dan Rooney on the podium after winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Head Coach Mike Tomlin in the Steelers locker room after a Divisional Round win against the San Diego Chargers January 11, 2009.
Lynn Swann, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, Joe Greene, Dan Rooney, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Dermontti Dawson.
Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia are photographed with President Jimmy Carter during the Steelers visit to the White House.
The Chief and Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney, Chuck Noll and Art Rooney each hold a Lombardi trophy in 1979.
Dan Rooney speaks with Joe Greene in his office.
A young Dan Rooney appears in the front row of the 1940 team photo.
A news clipping shows a young Dan Rooney carrying a tackling dummy at Training Camp 1946.
A portrait of Dan Rooney on the field prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 16th, 2012.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with John Stallworth, Joe Greene, Art Rooney II, Franco Harris and Lynn Swann during an Alumni dinner at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Santonio Holmes during an Alumni dinner at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney talks with Deshea Townsend and Larry Foote during a practice before Super Bowl XL.
Art Rooney and Dan Rooney stand at a chalk board discussing the Draft.
Dan Rooney holds the ball for his father Art Rooney to kick during the 1968 groundbreaking ceremony for Three Rivers Stadium.
Dan Rooney and his son Art Rooney II pose for photographs during a groundbreaking ceremony for Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his father Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney stands with Art Rooney II and Ben Roethlisberger as they receive the Larmar Hunt trophy after winning the AFC Championship on January 22, 2006.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 15, 2005.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with QB Ben Roethlisberger during practice Thursday, January 19, 2006.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during Steelers practice in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Peter Rozelle, presents the Super Bowl trophy to Pittsburgh Steelers president Dan Rooney, center, and coach Chuck Noll after Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, to win Super Bowl X in the Orange Bowl in Miami, January 18, 1976.
A young Dan Rooney with a broken arm.
Cardinal Wuerl blesses Heinz Field before its opening.
Dan Rooney sits with Chuck Noll during a press conference announcing his retirement from the NFL.
A portrait of Dan Rooney with a statue of his father, Art Rooney behind him.
Dan Rooney stands with his Hall of Fame bust and presenter Joe Greene, during the induction ceremonies.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his brother Art Rooney Jr.
Dan Rooney as a baby with his mother and father.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with CB Ike Taylor.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during his time as Ambassador to Ireland.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney holds the Lombardi trophy with his father Art Rooney and Chuck Noll after winning Super Bowl XIV.
A portrait of Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II.
Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II review plans together for the construction of Heinz Field.
Ambassador Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Ambassador Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia Rooney are joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Bill Cowher after signing him to the Steelers head coaching position.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during his years at North Catholic.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
Dan Rooney stands in the oval office with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Dan Rooney stands in the oval office with President Barack Obama.
A portrait of Dan Rooney prior to the Steelers 1000th game.
A portrait of Dan Rooney with his father Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney stands in the rubble of Three Rivers Stadium after it was demolished.
Dan Rooney, No. 33, kneels for prayer in the locker room with his North Catholic team.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney and Pope Benedict XVI
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a press conference.
Dan Rooney, top left, pictured with his class mates and Patricia Rooney, front row third from the right.
Dan Rooney poses with five Lombardi trophies behind him.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his airplane.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his airplane.
Dan Rooney holding a Terrible Towel with servicemen aboard a Navy vessel.
Rod Woodson hands Dan Rooney the Lamar Hunt trophy after the Steelers won the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens on January 18th, 2009.
Dan Rooney and the Steelers honor PGA legend Arnold Palmer at Heinz Field on November 10th, 2002.
Dan Rooney stands in the locker room with the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his son Art Rooney II in the locker room with the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XL.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Ashley Roethlisberger, Ben Roethlisberger, Patricia Rooney and Dan Rooney stand in front of the Ambassador residence.
Dan Rooney attends a memorial unveiling, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.
Dan Rooney and Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.
Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia Rooney pose for a photo with the American Bowl trophy.
A portrait of Dan and Patricia Rooney.
Dan and Patricia Rooney ride in a car during the Steelers parade following their Super Bowl XL victory.
Dan Rooney stands with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a flag ceremony in 2013.
Dan Rooney stands on stage behind his father Art Rooney following a parade celebrating their victory in Super Bowl XIV.
Dan Rooney and his father, Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney and his father, Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney with his father Art Rooney and brother Art Rooney Jr.
Art Rooney Jr., John Rooney, Art Rooney (The Chief), Tim Rooney, Pat Rooney and Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney during a press conference announcing the release of his autobiography.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with a group of Navy Seals before a game against the Baltimore Ravens, November 6, 2011.
Dan Rooney stands with Dermontti Dawson, Jack Butler and Art Rooney II during a locker unveiling for the newest members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joe Greene gives Dan Rooney a hug during his jersey retirement at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney Shakes hands with Hines Ward.
Dan Rooney stands along side Chuck Noll and his bust during the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in 1993.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his grandson Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney stands with his bust during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Dan Rooney with his four brothers, his father Art Rooney and mother Kathleen Rooney.
Dan Rooney takes a picture with his family and his Hall of Fame bust.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Chuck Noll after signing him to the Steelers head coaching position.
Dan Rooney, pictured far right, sits on the bench as a ball boy.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Coach Mike Tomlin.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney talks with Senator Barack Obama.
Dan Rooney stands with Ernie Stautner during a jersey retirement ceremony.
Dan Rooney holds up the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney waves to fans as he walks off the field after Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Alan Faneca in the locker room after winning Super Bowl XL.
Art Rooney, Chuck Noll and Dan Rooney sitting on the team plane heading for Super Bowl IX.
Candid shot of Steelers owner Dan Rooney sitting with Steelers head coach Chuck Noll in the locker room after the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Steelers.
Dan Rooney introduces Vice President Al Gore to Coach Bill Cowher.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Coach Bill Cowher after winning the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 14th, 1996.
Dan Rooney and Kevin Colbert during a press conference in 2000.
A photograph of Dan Rooney and Kevin Colbert.
Dan Rooney talks with Coach Bill Cowher, Tom Modrak and Tom Donahoe in the Draft Room.
Dan Rooney, Art Rooney, Chuck Noll and Art Rooney Jr. pose for a photo with four Lombardi trophies.
Dan Rooney and his son Art Rooney II and grandson Dan Rooney pose for photographs during a groundbreaking ceremony for Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue prior to Super Bowl XXX.
Dan Rooney receiveds the Lamar Hunt trophy from Coach Bill Cowher after winning the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 14th, 1996.
Dan Rooney, Paul Tagliabue and Roger Goodell.
Dan Rooney is sworn into office as Ambassador to Ireland by Hillary Clinton.
Dan Rooney is sworn into office as Ambassador to Ireland by Hillary Clinton.
Dan Rooney talks with John Stallworth.
Dan Rooney, pictured top right No. 64, with his North Catholic team.
Dan Rooney with Steelers head coach Chuck Noll as they receive the Lombardi Trophy from NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle following their victory in Super Bowl XIII, where the Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-31.
Dan Rooney holds the American Bowl trophy with Coach Bill Cowher following their victory over the Chicago Bears in Ireland.
Dan Rooney waves to fans prior to Super Bowl XLIII.
Dan Rooney stands on the field with Coach Bill Cowher.
DONALD GRAHAM FROM TAMPA, FL:
Dan Rooney will always hold a very special place in my heart. Back in 1996, I lost my only son to a tragic auto accident. My son was an avid Steelers' fan as I am. I thought it would be a nice gesture to have a Steelers' logo put on his brass headstone plate. The plate maker said the only way he could do that was if the Steelers gave me permission. So I wrote a letter to Dan Rooney and asked for his permission. He wrote a most wonderful letter back to me expressing his condolences for my loss and gave me his permission. I have never forgotten that wonderful gesture. Please pass along my sincere condolences to his family and let them know Dan will always hold a special place in my heart.
DONN SCOTT FROM POMPANO BEACH, FL:
There is a lot of debate about the moniker, America's Team. What is the real truth? Some say that the name was originally offered to the Steelers and Art Rooney Sr. Can you offer any clarification on the matter?
ANSWER: The moniker, America's Team, was the brainchild of NFL Films in the late 1970s, and the Steelers were approached first with the idea that it would be the title of their annual highlights film. But Art Rooney Sr. decided that the Steelers weren't America's Team, but instead the Steelers were Pittsburgh's team. His response to NFL Films was in keeping with what happened in the days immediately following Super Bowl IX, which marked the first championship in franchise history. Walking through the lobby of the team's offices inside Three Rivers Stadium, Art Rooney Sr. overheard the receptionist answering the telephone with, "World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers." She was instructed to stop that, and the Steelers never have publicized their own success in such ways ever since.
RICK REGAN FROM ANDALE, KS:
Does B.J. Finney have a long-term contract, and if not do you think the team will keep him?
ANSWER: B.J. Finney does not have a long-term contract, because he entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie, but I also believe Finney has improved to the degree where he will enter this training camp as the No. 1 backup in the interior of the offensive line. The No. 1 backup in the interior of the offensive line can be assured of a spot on the 53-man roster as well as a helmet on game day. Finney still has to work to make the team, but as of today the job is his to lose.
JIM REICH FROM YARDLEY, PA:
I never met Dan Rooney. However, I have been a Steelers fan since about 1946 when I would listen to Joe Tucker doing the play-by-play of their games on the radio. My early years as a fan were pure torture as the Steelers were perennial losers. It was easy to become a cynic in those days. In 1969, one of Dan Rooney's first moves was hiring Chuck Noll. I attended the Dapper Dan dinner shortly after the hire and Joe Gordon, an old friend, was introducing Chuck Noll around the room. Chuck Noll, I thought, another bum in the line of Joe Bach, Walt Kiesling, and Bill Austin. Then, Noll's first draft choice was a guy named Joe Greene from North Texas State, a guy and a school I never heard of. Another bum, I thought, in the line of Dick Leftridge and other first-round busts. It just goes to show how wrong a guy like me can be.
DANIEL TOKAR JR. FROM OAK HARBOR, OH:
As a Michigan fan, which player in the draft would you take if available at 30: Jabrill Peppers, Taco Charlton, or Jake Butts?
ANSWER: Jake Butts is a tight end, and I don't care if you know all of the words to "Hail to the Victors" backwards, there is no rational person who ever could advocate for the Steelers picking a tight end in the first round. Of the other two – Taco Charlton or Jabrill Peppers – I'm going with the pass rusher.
CHRIS GALISZEWSKI FROM HICKORY, NC:
I had the privilege of covering Steelers training camp one summer while interning with 93.7 The Fan. Naturally, Mr. Rooney was there a lot, which was cool enough in its own right just to be in his presence. However, on one occasion while I was on the sidelines at Saint Vincent, I noticed a man walking toward me out of the corner of my eye. I didn't think anything of it at first, but as he got closer I looked up and saw it was Mr. Rooney. I thought to myself, no way is he coming over to talk to me, but there was nobody else around. Low and behold, not only did he want to talk to me, but he knew my name. I've met several professional athletes, and during my internship had conversations with guys like Andrew McCutchen, Jason Grilli, William Gay, Heath Miller, and others, but nothing prepared me for meeting Mr. Rooney. He thanked me for being there and supporting the Steelers (even though I was working), and we chatted about the Steelers and my future plans. Here's a guy who didn't have to care about some twentysomething intern. He could have just kept walking and gone about his daily business, or talked to someone more important. I will never forget that moment. Thank you for allowing me to share this encounter with one of the greatest men I have ever had the pleasure to speak with.
See who has worn jersey No. 58 in Steelers history.
AL DOWNEY JR. FROM KNOXVILLE, IA:
I've been a Steelers fan for over 40 years, and to my fellow fans: Please STOP talking about drafting a tight end. On another matter, it's a risk taking an injured player, but how do you feel about cornerback Sydney Jones, who is certain he will play this year?
ANSWER: There might be a time during the draft when picking Sidney Jones would be a gamble worth taking, but an Achilles injury is never a minor thing, especially for a player who plays a position where speed and quickness and change of direction are so important. If my medical people signed off on Jones' progress, I would consider it.
MICHAEL RICKLEY FROM BRUNSWICK, MD:
My condolences to the team on the passing of Dan Rooney. Did he ever pass along to you any words of wisdom that you apply to your day to day life that you would care to share with us fans?
ANSWER: When I was first hired to be the editor of Steelers Digest, Dan Rooney told me, "When we stink, you have to tell the truth, so that when we tell people we're good, they'll believe us."
KYLE DOOLITTLE FROM GRENADA, MS:
Do you think there is a viable long term quarterback for us on an NFL roster somewhere, or do you think our future is definitely in the draft?
ANSWER: Look around the league at the recent franchise quarterbacks, and there are only two who come to mind – Brett Favre and Drew Brees – who weren't drafted by the teams they came to lead. And please don't try to give me the Eli Manning-Phillip Rivers situation, because those guys were swapped before the draft even ended. The future at quarterback is almost always in the draft.
ROBERT ZOTZ FROM ARMSTRONG, IA:
This pains me to say because I totally believe in the Steelers draft philosophy/mentality. However, what if we broke the norm/tradition and traded our back-end picks to get one higher pick. One would think this higher pick has a better chance to be an impact player next year than later round picks, so this approach is more likely to yield a starter. I know this is a terrible long-term strategy, but we could be looking at a short window with our elite franchise quarterback so let's gets aggressive for one year and get quality over quantity. Yes, Antonio Brown was a sixth-round pick, but that was like winning the lottery.
ANSWER: Two major problems with this "strategy:" The first is that what team would be stupid enough to trade a premium pick for a bunch of back-end picks? And how did this very strategy work out for Mike Ditka when as the coach of the New Orleans Saints he his entire draft for a single No. 1 pick that he then used on Ricky Williams? It's neither a good idea, nor is it a realistic one.
PAUL DONEN FROM DEERFIELD BEACH, FL:
Putting a positive spin on the situation, let's assume Martavis Bryant is reinstated. This would change the number of snaps for Sammie Coates. Thus the question: does Coates have the size and strength to be converted to a tight end?
ANSWER: I thought we were moving Sammie Coates to cornerback. Can you people please make up your mind.
ETHAN VOLK FROM FRANKTON, IN:
How did you even get this Asked and Answered job?
ANSWER: At the time, it seemed like a better alternative than serving my sentence on a chain gang.
