Asked and Answered: Jan. 19

KEITH CARTER FROM RICHMOND, VA: I’m not a talent evaluator, but Mark Robinson really caught my eye with his aggression against the run vs. the Ravens. What are some areas he could improve on during the offseason if he wants to get a shot at more playing time next season?
ANSWER: In the days leading up to the game vs. the Raiders on Dec. 24, Coach Mike Tomlin had this to say about Mark Robinson: “He has a skill-set that we can’t coach: he embraces the physical component of play. He’s a physical matchup and confrontation guy, but the intellect component of the game, the nuances of the game, the things that you have to know to play football at this level – he’s still very much in development. He’s a one-year linebacker at the college level, but within that year we did see some things that were really attractive. That’s why we’re doing business with him, and he’s proven those things to be true. But we got into this relationship with the understanding that it was going to be a growth and development thing. There was a lack of exposure to the position.” My impression of what Robinson would need to do during the offseason is to study the nuances of inside linebacker play since he was a running back until his final season of college football, but he also must work on his conditioning and preparing his body for the rigors of the NFL so that once training camp opens, he’ll be able to be available to practice every day to maximize the number of on-field reps he gets to facilitate his “exposure to the position.”

SCOTT SWEENEY FROM HICKORY, NC: Do you know if a Chase Claypool for Roquan Smith trade was discussed with the Bears?
ANSWER: In return for Roquan Smith, the Bears wanted a premium draft pick and them something else. They would not have done a straight up one-for-one deal for Smith in exchange for Chase Claypool.

OWEN O’CEALLAIGH FROM CORK, KILKENNY, IRELAND: Which Steelers game of the 2022 season was your favorite?
ANSWER: I was impressed with the entire presentation…