Asked and Answered: July 19

DEREK LAKE FROM BUSHNELL, FL: What position battle are you looking forward to the most in training camp, either for a starting spot or a backup position?
ANSWER: The most visible, the most anticipated, the most chronicled battle is going to be the one at quarterback. The reasons for that are many, from the importance of the position to the fact there hasn’t been one of those in Pittsburgh in a long time. While there certainly are going to be members of the media, and fans, too, who will be compiling statistics from every practice session, from every seven-on-seven drill to try to get a handle on the quarterback competition, my belief is that more of the important stuff is going to happen behind the scenes and/or during the preseason games. There is only so much to be learned from the controlled environment of a practice where the threat of physical violence is lessened, and the public won’t get much of an inkling of how the candidates are either gaining or losing the trust/respect of their teammates during the process. There is no doubt there will be many significant battles taking place this summer at Saint Vincent College and then on the field during the three preseason games, but it would be naïve to suggest any will be more under the microscope than what will be happening with the quarterbacks.

NICK MITCHELL FROM GLEN-LYON, PA: Where did the Steelers play their home games before Three Rivers Stadium was opened in 1970?
ANSWER: When Art Rooney Sr. founded the franchise in 1933, the team played its home games at Forbes Field. Then there was a period when the team split its home games between Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium, and then the Steelers played their home games exclusively at Pitt Stadium before Three Rivers Stadium opened.

TERRY HALDEN FROM LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA: Since it is no longer Heinz Field, was Heinz given a chance to renew the sponsorship, or was it just thrown open to the highest bidder?
ANSWER: My sense is that The Kraft Heinz Company was…