For those of you familiar with this column, you'll know that these are questions posed by Bob Smizik of the Post-Gazette every so often. For those of you that aren't familiar with this column, well, now you know. I'll answer the questions the way I think and hopefully you guys will let me know what you think!
1. If Roethlisberger cannot play Sunday, who is your choice to start at quarterback: Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch? Why?
A: We know now that Roethlisberger is playing, but let's just assume he still is in limbo. Both are extremely capable quarterbacks in my opinion, and I believe the Steelers could be a playoff team with either starting. They both showed what they could do in Roethlisberger's absence for the first four games of last season, and with that I'd give my slight edge to Dixon. First of all, the line has been horrible so a more mobile quarterback may be beneficial. Plus, I'd like to see Dixon because he is likely to be around for a little while longer, while Charlie Batch is closer to retirement. Either way I'd be content with whoever Mike Tomlin picked.
2. What will the Steelers record be for the next 12 games without Roethlisberger?
A: Looking at the Steelers schedule, I'd be fairly confident in saying the Steelers would go 8-4 the rest of the way without Ben.
3. What will be it be with Roethlisberger?
A: Again looking at the schedule, I'm thinking the Steelers go 10-2 in their remaining schedule. There are just too many weak teams left. However, if they lose this week, then I'd certainly like to revisit this question and reassess the team.
4. Is Super Bowl ``hangover’’ part of the Steelers problem? Is so, how much?
A: I think so. The Super Bowl hangover is very real. It doesn't affect everyone as we've seen with the 4-0 Green Bay Packers, but for most teams it's tough to rebound after a Super Bowl appearance. That said, it's absolutely no excuse and they should be 3-1 at worst right now.
5. Who should start at running back: Rashard Mendenhall or Isaac Redman?
A: Isaac Redman. Now let me be clear. I'm far from through with Rashard Mendenhall as my starting running back, but right now Isaac Redman has been infinitely better and if that's your best chance to win right now, that's who you go with. Mendenhall will find it again, but until then to the bench he goes. The Steelers have a good reason to sit him this week and I would.
6. What aspect of the Steelers play this season has been most disappointing to you?
A: This is easily the offensive line. Mendenhall has been tip-toeing through holes, but the line hasn't helped. Add in the numerous hits Roethlisberger has taken thus far, and I'm not sure there are even five guys in the rotation that should be on an NFL roster right now. Hopefully if/when they get healthy it will be a major improvement.
7. What aspect has been the most positive surprise?
A: The secondary. They have been spectacular. Ike Taylor has barely given up a reception, William Gay has almost mirrored Ike on the other side of the field, Keenan Lewis has done a great job on the inside, and Troy Polamalu looks like the old Troy. Bryant McFadden has even likely been relegated to a reserve whenever he returns from injury. They look good, but the defensive line needs to pick up the slack.
8. What player has been the biggest disappointment?
A: LaMarr Woodley. Has he even played? At least that would explain why I've yet to see him this season. This guy has got to get it going. He's as much to blame for the lack of run defense as the line is.
9. What player has been the biggest positive surprise?
A: William Gay. I, like many other fans wrote this guy off long ago. It appears he's finally getting it though. The same can be said for my runner-up, Keenan Lewis.
10. On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being best, how would you rate Bruce Arians?
A: 1. He's horrible. I say this all the time, but the Steelers' players are too talented to lose. Any lesser talent and I'm not sure an Arians' coached team could even score. Just to be clear, I'm not rating him on this season. I am rating him on his entire body of work. There is no other team where the quarterback calling the plays has been so much more successful than when the coordinator calls them in.
11. On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate Dick LeBeau?
A: 8. I rated Arians on his entire body of work, so that's how I'll rate LeBeau. He's been a great coordinator for a long time, and he's one of the few guys that deserves the respect that he gets. The only knock I have on him is his teams' constant inability to get third down stops because the cornerbacks play 10-15 yards off of the receivers consistently. Everything else he does is perfect though, and even when teams convert those third downs, they are often held to field goals by Troy and the gang.
12. Should Hines Ward remain in the starting lineup?
A: Yes. He may have lost a slight step, but he's still valuable in the slot. If Ben had more time, Hines would be more involved. Teams have figured out how to keep Hines from catching passes, but they're still trying to figure out how to stop Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antonio Brown. I'll take Hines Ward as a decoy as long as it's working for the offense.
13. Who’s to blame for the problems on the offensive line: Kevin Colbert; Mike Tomlin; Sean Kugler?
A: Kevin Colbert, but that's not a fir question. Yes, the Steelers should have picked up a few linemen. But, by many accounts, the Steelers had one of the best under the radar offseasons by signing Jerricho Cotchery and Ike Taylor, and extending Lamarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu. There were other moves as well that I'm not remembering off the top of my head as well. All of these haven't worked out as perfectly as we may have thought, but how can you fault a guy that did what all of us would have done in his shoes.
14. After Maurkice Pouncey, who is the Steelers best offensive lineman?
A: Trai Essex I guess? I don't know. I don't even think there's a realistic answer to this, but I also don't think Maurkice Pouncey has looked very good either.
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