Asked and Answered: May 11

WILLIAM H. KUKLAR FROM GULFPORT, MI: I’m a pre-Joe Greene Steelers fan and would like you to elaborate on the 1969 draft question in the May 9 Asked and Answered. How long did Jon Kolb, Joe Greene, and L.C. Greenwood play together? Also list their Pro Bowl, MVP, and other awards. Are they all in the Hall of Fame?
ANSWER: The careers of Joe Greene, Jon Kolb, and L.C. Greenwood perfectly coincided, with each player’s final season with the Steelers coming in 1981. Greene was voted to 11 Pro Bowls, was first-team All-Pro 4 times, was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. Kolb was never voted to the Pro Bowl. Greenwood was voted to the Pro Bowl 6 times and was first-team All-Pro twice. All three players have four Super Bowl rings, and all have been inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor – Greene and Greenwood in 2017 and Kolb in 2021.

GEORGE THOMAS FROM OCALA, FL: I have heard the term “12 personnel” used when describing a team’s offensive alignment. What does that mean?
ANSWER: When naming a personnel grouping, a specific system is used to refer to the number of running backs and tight ends on the field. For example, if there are two tight ends and one running back on the field, the grouping is called 12 personnel.

TOM LAUDICINA FROM FISHERVILLE KY: What is the difference between a first-round contract and a second-round contract? Will Joey Porter Jr. get a first-round contract being the 32nd overall pick?
ANSWER: The way the slotting system typically works when it comes to rookie contracts is that the amount of the contract decreases a little bit from the first overall pick to the last overall pick on a player-by-player basis. And for the life of me I cannot understand why fans continue to ask whether Joey Porter Jr. will get a “first-round contract” as the 32nd overall pick. Porter was the first pick in the second round, and so he will be paid accordingly. And the way you will know he will not get…