Pittsburgh Review

LATROBE, Pa. –

SCOTT SHILEY FROM BRICK, NJ: What is your opinion of Maurkice Pouncey's chances to be elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame? Obviously a top center in the NFL for 11 seasons, but we all know that offensive linemen are tough to evaluate with the lack of statistics. Do you believe 11 seasons is enough for him to be a great candidate?

ANSWER: I will begin with a belief of mine that is important to consider in every example of an individual's chances to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: There is the issue of worthiness, and then there's the more important issue of can/will he get the votes.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists 48 offensive linemen as having been enshrined, but by my assessment, there are only 9 pure centers who played post-World War II. And centers historically have to wait because none of those 9 was elected in his first year of eligibility, not even Jim Otto, whose name is synonymous with the position. Just as an aside to Steelers fans as examples of waiting: Dermontti Dawson's career ended in 2000, and he was a part of the Class of 2012; and Mike Webster's career ended in 1990, and he was a part of the Class of 1997.

Another real issue is what I will refer to as "Steelers fatigue." An example: there are currently 9 pure centers enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame – Pouncey would make it 10 – and so when it comes time to vote I am convinced there will be some people who will weigh whether 30 percent of the Hall of Fame centers should be Steelers.

Pouncey was voted first-team Associated Press All-Pro twice, and his selection as one of two centers on the Hall of Fame's All-2010s Team typically carries weight among voters. But he won't be able to count on championships weighing in his favor; winning championships undoubtedly helps a candidacy.

Another factor comes down to pure luck. If a candidate finds himself in a bad cycle regarding other eligible candidates' popularity or high-profile positions played, it could end up being a long wait until his star dims in voters' minds.

I believe Maurkice Pouncey is Hall-of-Fame caliber and that he was victimized by some bad luck during his playing career. There was a high ankle sprain that prevented him from playing in Super Bowl XLV; a season-ending injury early into the 2013 regular season opener; and another season-ending injury in a preseason game that cost him all of 2015. Those two injuries happened when he was at ages where he could have added more All-Pro selections. Another quality Pouncey possessed was his presence as both teammate and deterrent/enforcer on-field against defensive opponents considering taking liberties. I would vote for him, but I don't have a vote.

ANDREW CLAY FROM PITTSBURGH, PA: I hear about re-signing Cam Heyward, Najee Harris, and quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to new long-term deals, but what about Pat Freiermuth? Any word on the Steelers giving him a new deal after this year?

ANSWER: General Manager Omar Khan met with media on July 25 at Saint Vincent College stating: "You guys will probably ask about some contracts...this is usually an active time for us...there's nothing to report right now." On contract extensions for current players Khan added: "I wouldn't say there's anything necessarily ongoing today...this is historically when we've engaged...deals get done sometimes."

My sense is Steelers would be interested in extending Freiermuth’s contract—due $1.48 million final year rookie contract signed back '21—but only at reasonable cost deemed acceptable by Freiermuth too perhaps gambling himself putting together great season contributing successful offense playoff team wins postseason games etc.. In conclusion imagine Steelers exploring getting extension negotiated signatures documents guess point now...

KEN MAULDIN FROM CLYDE OH noticed Hakeem Butler involved injury settlement seems once player leaves team never plays again unlikely case sour attitude towards players receiving settlements?

ANSWER When team reaches injury settlement ending relationship determination made player won’t make team healthy practice hence settlement Hakeem Butler didn’t show enough healthy practice lead earn spot roster really evaluation player injury accelerated things...

GARY BUTLER FROM SANFORD FL asked if Steelers defense held all opponents less than hundred yards rushing postseason ‘74?

ANSWER Divisional Round win Buffalo Bills rushed hundred yards attempts OJ Simpson finished yards carries fullback Jim Braxton added yards carries AFC Championship Game win Oakland Raiders rushed twenty-nine yards attempts average Ken Stabler passed yards Super Bowl IX win Minnesota Vikings rushed seventeen yards carries average finished total net yards no offensive touchdowns...

THOMAS SPADAFORE PALM BEACH GARDENS FL talent defense why don’t see blitzing like Blitzburgh NFL today especially AFC many great quarterbacks pressure best defensive way go?

ANSWER Yes pressure critical containing great quarterbacks working AFC if blitz generate pressure same quarterbacks eat alive Good defense today’s NFL ability generate pressure without blitzing offenses ways ball quickly For example if team has blitz Patrick Mahomes generate pressure chance...

ROD KEEFER EDMOND OK asked several roster moves emphasizing kickoff coverage returns biggest changes new kickoff rules affect flow game?

ANSWER No idea answer question anyone stage offer uneducated guess Coach Mike Tomlin asked potential impact new kickoff rules said “I think anybody saying they’ve got handle lying naive no video words page anxiety peers concepts video imagine lot guys position watching Hall Fame Game see looks like” Chicago vs Houston August airing ABC ESPN...

SAM CALENDA ELIZABETHTOWN PA players stay Rooney Hall Saint Vincent College coaches staff stay camp?

ANSWER Coach Mike Tomlin Rooney Hall players Other coaches staff stay Saint Benedict Hall less hundred yards away Rooney Hall...