LATROBE, Pa. – Let's get to it:
KEITH MILLER FROM CANTON, NC: In 1976 and 1977, the seasons between their two separate back-to-back Super Bowl wins, the Steelers went 10-4 and 9-5, respectively, to win the AFC Central Division both years. Wasn't there a playoff game when both Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier were injured (at a time when most plays were runs) and therefore costing them a shot at three Super Bowl wins in a row?
ANSWER: In 1976, with Terry Bradshaw missing 6 starts after being the victim of a cheap shot by defensive end Turkey Jones in the second of the home-and-home series with Cleveland on Oct. 10, the Steelers turned to their running game almost exclusively. Franco Harris finished with 289 carries for 1,128 yards (3.9 average) and 14 touchdowns, and Rocky Bleier carried 220 times for 1,036 yards (4.7 average) and 5 touchdowns. But in the 40-14 win over the Colts in Baltimore in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, both Harris and Bleier were injured. Harris sustained a rib injury while rushing for 134 yards on 18 carries, and Bleier was knocked out of the game early with a toe injury on the same foot that had been damaged during the Vietnam War. Neither Bleier nor Harris could play in the AFC Championship Game the following week vs. the Raiders, and with Frenchy Fuqua also limited by injury, the Steelers used a one-back attack in a 24-7 loss in Oakland.
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JAMES MEEHAN FROM BETHEL PARK, PA: Has any NFL defense in the modern era given up fewer points than the 1976 Steelers?
ANSWER: The way the NFL categorizes such records is based on the number of games during the regular season. As an example, the 2000 Ravens hold the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season with 165. And it's the 1977 Atlanta Falcons and not the 1976 Steelers who hold the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 14-game season. While the 1976 Steelers posted 5 shutouts and allowed only 28 points in their final 9 games, Oakland (31 points), Cleveland (14), New England (30), and Minnesota (17) combined for 92 points over the first four games, and so their total that season was 138 points allowed. The 1977 Falcons allowed 7 points or fewer 7 times, allowed more than 2 touchdowns in a game just twice, and the most points an opponent scored on that Atlanta defense was 23 by the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 11. Those Falcons ended up allowing just 129 points, but they finished 7-7, which was good for second place in the NFL Western Division but not good enough to make the playoffs.
CHUCK REIN FROM ERIE, PA: Just wondering why NFL teams have joint practices, like the Steelers and Bills will on Aug. 15?
ANSWER: Generally, it's a chance for teams to get some work against players in different color jerseys after the grind of going against their teammates for most of a training camp. At some point in every training camp, players become accustomed to going against their teammates, and the injection of "different" competition can help guys continue to develop while also possibly providing the coaches an additional opportunity to evaluate. The downside in the joint practice route is that the sessions can be marred by fighting and cheap shots, both of which have the potential to injure players in otherwise meaningless on-field work.
MARK RICE FROM LAS VEGAS, NV: If you do not make the 53 man roster but are chosen for the practice squad, is there a set amount that all practice squad players are paid? Or are they all paid differently depending on their position?
ANSWER: Practice squad pay is based on the number of years of NFL service of each of the individual players. Guys who have accrued two or fewer NFL seasons are paid weekly at a fixed rate, and for 2024 that fixed rate is $12,500 weekly. In 2025, that number will increase to $13,000 per week and will continue to rise in each subsequent season until 2030. Teams are permitted to have as many as 6 players on their practice squads who are classified as "veterans," and those guys have the ability to negotiate the amount of their practice squad pay within the range set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In 2024, that pay range is between $16,800 and $21,300. That range also will increase in each subsequent season until 2030. What position the individual on the practice squad plays – offense or defense – is irrelevant to the pay scale.
GRANT SPELLERBERG FROM CUTLER BAY, FL: In the event the 49ers are willing to deal wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, do you think the Steelers would throw their hat in the ring?
ANSWER: This is a purely hypothetical question, and so my answer is a pure guess. Based on "reports" of what the 49ers would want to get in return for any trade of Brandon Aiyuk, and based on "reports" of what Aiyuk would want in terms of a contract extension my feeling is it's not going to happen.
MICHAEL COOPER FROM CHAGRIN FALLS, OH: Do the Steelers routinely look to re-sign previous players when possible, or is that just happenstance?
ANSWER: I would characterize those kinds of things as happening on a case-by-case basis. If a certain former player fits a need in terms of a role on the team, and if his salary requirements are considered reasonable, and if he was not a problem in any way during his initial period with the team, then the Steelers might look to explore a reunion. But it's not as if they're beating the bushes in search of former players who might come available.
KERWIN BROMAN FROM DECATUR, IN: In the July 12 edition of Dale Lolley's "Five for Friday," he wrote that the Steelers were in "11 personnel" 71 percent of the time. That is an unfamiliar phrase to me. What does it mean?
ANSWER: The first of the numbers refers to running backs on the field, and the second of the numbers refers to tight ends on the field. And so "11 personnel" represents an offense that has 1 running back and 1 tight end on the field at the same time. So, "12 personnel" would mean 1 running back and 2 tight ends on the field, and "13 personnel" stands for 1 running back and 3 tight ends on the field.
DAN McNEEL FROM MANCHESTER, NH: Reminder to all those who once again are upset with whatever the top 100 players list is and where Steeler players are ranked. The list is completely irrelevant. Please refrain from comment and or questions related to this list in order to allow Bob time to review relevant and interesting material.
ANSWER: While I appreciate your attempt to look out for me, rest assured I never have paid any attention to that list of the top 100 players in the NFL and I never will. It's the definition of click-bait.
