Pittsburgh Review

Mark Rice from Las Vegas, NV: I saw two plays against the Texans that should have been intentional grounding by the Houston quarterbacks. During the commentary, Charlie Batch said something along the lines that the intentional grounding rule had changed but didn't go into detail. So do you know what changed in that rule, that made those plays incomplete passes instead of intentional grounding?

Answer: I watched the game from the press box at Acrisure Stadium, so I didn't have access to the KDKA-TV feed. All I can do is tell you how the intentional grounding rule likely will be officiated this season. It used to be that a quarterback could avoid an intentional grounding penalty by simply throwing the ball beyond the line of scrimmage as long as he was outside the pocket. During the offseason, there was a proposal to change that rule to one where anytime the quarterback threw the ball past the line of scrimmage it was not intentional grounding even if he was still in the pocket. That rules proposal was not passed by a vote of the owners. But what you can expect to happen this season is that if any part of the quarterback's body – just one arm or a foot – is judged to be out of the pocket by the on-field officiating crew and if he throws beyond scrimmage, it will not be called intentional grounding.

Owen O'Ceallaigh from Kilkenny, Ireland: With excitement for NFL regular season start bubbling in my veins like a trout in a frying pan, I wonder what was your most memorable football game attended? Doesn't have to be a Steelers game.

Answer: I'll give you two that jump out at me. The first one was in 1975, and it was a college game between Pitt and Notre Dame at Pitt Stadium. Notre Dame had been beating up on Pitt for a long time, but on that day Tony Dorsett – who would go on to a Hall of Fame career with Dallas Cowboys – rushed for 303 yards leading Panthers to 34-20 win over Fighting Irish. The other game was 2008 AFC Championship Game matching Steelers and Ravens at Heinz Field. That contained Troy Polamalu's dramatic pick-6 in fourth quarter icing win before boisterous crowd; also believed by Coach Mike Tomlin as cause for player-safety initiative in 2010 due to violent play throughout.

David Deom from Katy, TX: Can you give thoughts on why Steelers would consider trading for Brandon Aiyuk? He is great receiver but considering cost in draft capital and salary along with his attitude; better perhaps bolster roster across board addressing quarterback situation beyond this year then use high pick next year on wide receiver.

Answer: It's simple: Why Steelers would consider trading for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk is because they believe adding him makes them better team. That's WHY they consider it. Not certain it happens since unsure they'd meet 49ers' asking price but decision aims improving football team.

Tyler Firth from Greensburg, PA: When will we trade for Brandon Aiyuk? I've been waiting so long now.

Answer: Maybe never. Maybe tomorrow. In all conversations team might have had about issue doubt fans' long wait considered.

Mike Robey from Tiltonsville, OH: Since Patriots released WR JuJu Smith-Schuster any possibility Steelers sign him? Realize hasn't played well since leaving Steelers but wonder if systems or lack ability? He's still young.

Answer: Please read next submission.

Todd Walker from Port St Lucie, FL: Before all "let's re-sign JuJu" questions come can people submitting those sign waiver stating read why released? Drops and more drops even at 27 his body breaking down injuries aren't healing as should.

Answer: Love when others do my work for me.

David Bystry from Mentor, OH: In preseason game against Houston saw Joey Porter Jr wearing gold gloves wouldn't draw attention hands on receiver? Did same last year after penalties switched black gloves what's opinion?

Answer: Opinion is any defensive back wanting avoid flagged holding/pass interference shouldn't hold/interfere with receiver; proper techniques avoid penalties regardless glove color.

Henry Mathis from Albany, GA: Will Russell Wilson or Justin Fields start QB for 2024 regular season?

Answer: If asking what think will happen say believe Russell Wilson starts QB when opening regular season Atlanta Sept 8; no specific knowledge about happening otherwise don't know.

Thomas Ward from Ladson SC Why not give up No1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft obtain WR Brandon Aiyuk Last time traded future No1 pick recall worked good Minkah Fitzpatrick better than any player available draft pick Don't think Aiyuk would be too

Answer Why not trade future No1 pick Because time Steelers history trading future picks way franchise did business From '58-'67 traded away No1 pick six times missing chance possibly draft Hall Fame players Chuck Howley Alex Karras Mike Ditka Bob Lilly Herb Adderley Lee Roy Jordan Dave Robinson Dick Butkus Gale Sayers Joe Namath With all trading won nothing And irony believe Minkah Fitzpatrick finishes career great player franchise history without trading away No1 pick '20 NFL Draft would've been '18th overall selection Still board WR named Brandon Aiyuk Arizona State went SF '25th overall

Don Summers Fairmont WV Do Steelers have someone booth monitoring replays sending info whether challenge call head coach make calls own

Answer Yes Steelers have someone coaches' box passing info Coach Mike Tomlin based replay reviews shown via network TV feed Tomlin makes final decision

Dennis Nevinsky Erie PA The '24 Steelers better inside linebackers better secondary potentially better QBs than had '23 Why so-called experts picking them '14th overall next year's draft

Answer Maybe because individuals really aren't experts thus aren't worth time spent paying attention thinking