Let's get to it:
MARIO ZINNA FROM PALM BAY, FL: Have the Steelers considered using Justin Fields in a "Slash" role like they did with Kordell Stewart? Coach Mike Tomlin keeps saying he wants to utilize Fields' talent.
ANSWER: There is one very significant issue that was present when the Kordell Stewart "Slash" role developed in 1995 that doesn't exist with Justin Fields in 2024, and that is this: Stewart was the No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart, behind Neil O'Donnell, Mike Tomczak, and Jim Miller; Fields is Russell Wilson's backup. As the No. 4 quarterback on the roster back in 1995, there was absolutely nothing for Stewart to do during practice each day during the season. And so when injuries at wide receiver left the Steelers short in numbers at the position during practice, Stewart was asked to help out there. Things then evolved from that point. Unlike Stewart, Fields has a full week during the season, because he has to be prepared for the possibility of having to enter the game should something happen to Wilson. The real-world situations for Stewart in 1995 and Fields in 2024 are vastly different.
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ROBERT KING FROM TILGHMAN, MD: Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me that Russell Wilson's height is a disadvantage when he is in the pocket and can't see if anyone is open, thus resulting in a sack or incompletion. Blocking at times is not great either. Do you think this is a combination of problems with the lack of offensive efficiency?
ANSWER: Russell Wilson is the same height today that he was when he was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Seattle, and he's the same height he was when he went on to accomplish many things during his career. And Wilson accomplished all those things by being able to move around within the pocket to help create throwing lanes for himself. That skill-set has allowed him to pass for 341 touchdowns and almost 45,000 yards. In my opinion, the Steelers need to do a better job of protecting Wilson to allow him to do what he always has done.
MICHAEL POLECHKO FROM MOUNT PLEASANT, PA: Just re-watched the highlights of the Browns game. On the final play, the "Hail Mary" pass into the end zone, I watched it over and over again, and it seems to me that pass interference that occurred on George Pickens. He was being shoved backwards repeatedly as the ball was in the air. Am I the only one complaining?
ANSWER: Based on the Asked and Answered inbox, you are certainly not the only one complaining. But one of the realities of NFL officiating is that the on-field zebras do not want to make calls at the end of a game like that because those calls could directly impact/change the outcome.
LARRY LASH FROM TARENTUM, PA: Not so much a question but an opinion. My brother and I visited the Hall of Honor Museum, and it definitely was worth it. I took him for his birthday and we really enjoyed ourselves, and we had a chance to call a play in the broadcast booth. Reading Asked and Answered and hearing how much people enjoyed the tour is what convinced me that my brother and I had to check it out. You said that all Steelers fans need to take a tour, and I couldn't agree more. Thank you for influencing me. My brother said it was a great birthday gift.
ANSWER: I'm very happy that you and your brother enjoyed yourselves. And a Happy Belated Birthday to him.
THOMAS BATTIN FROM ROANOKE, VA: During the Browns game some fans were using this metal gong thing that was so loud it interrupted the TV broadcast. Why was that not some type of delay of game against the home team?
ANSWER: There were some views of fans during the game, and it seemed to show – through the snow – that they were banging on a façade that was part of Huntingdon Bank Field. Annoying, yes, but there are no NFL rules prohibiting that kind of noise-making during games. If that continues to be an issue/distraction, the league could force the team to do something to correct the situation. But until that happens, there's nothing preventing Browns fans from doing that.
RICHARD OVERSTREET FROM RICHMOND, VA: No question. I'm an old, retired man. A lifelong Steelers fan. I get up on Tuesdays and Thursdays to read Asked and Answered.
ANSWER: From one old man to another, glad to be of service.
EDUARDO MELLO FROM BRASÍLIA-DF, BRAZIL: How is the NFL schedule made? I have never seen a team play their division rivals in 4 consecutive games. Isn't that a little absurd? Taking into account that these games are more physical?
ANSWER: Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about that at a recent news conference and he said, "I hadn't thought about it in that way. I know we play six (division games) every year, and that's kind of my mindset. When they occur, I'm less concerned about because we don't have control over that. I love them in the latter part of the year as the road gets narrow because there's weight on it. As a competitor, you like to be in big moments and big games, and so that's exciting."
KIM OWENS FROM FREDERICK, MD: I hear a lot about the salary cap. Are contracts approved by the league, before they are official, in order to not allow a team to go over the cap? If not, what is the penalty for going over?
ANSWER: If a team signs a player to a contract that puts it over the salary cap, the league generally will get in touch with the team and explain that contract cannot happen because it puts the team over the cap. The team is given every opportunity to correct the situation to keep everybody under the cap. The preferred method of handling such situations is preventative rather than punitive.
