1b. Harrison had very little choice. I hope he either brought an attorney with him or secured a recording or transcription of his interrogation session. And next year, when he retires, the NFL can’t touch him any more. But he can go after them in court.

2. Senquez seems to be a continuation of the second round curse. Even when they seem to work out, they don’t (like Bell). I don’t expect anything of the guy any more, so if he says he’s ready, put him in there. What the hey!

3. Tomlin couches his words very, very carefully. And he knows the background. We don’t. He says the guy was put on the PUP list because of his ankle. Fine. That doesn’t mean AFTER he was put on the PUP list, his headaches recurred. Tomlin is smarter and better with the English language than either Ed B or Homer J. You really have to parse what he says to get at the truth. He’s not lying at all. He’s answering the question that he wants to answer, which may not be the one you asked. But if you don’t follow up, it’s on you. So, yeah, it was the ankle that put Green on the PUP list. But there’s more to the story.

4. The Williams signing is a good use of money. it doesn’t mean that Timmons will be gone. Not at all. It simply means the Steelers have a way forward, with or without him. It gives them options going into negotiations with Timmons. Their backs are not against the wall. If LT signs a team friendly extension, fine. If not, we’re still okay.

5. If Landry Jones is the answer, guys, someone is asking the wrong question. Have you guys considered trading for a backup QB, or do you still have Vick on speed dial? And why does God continually mock Steeler back-up QB’s in pre-season?

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1b. This just puts a spotlight on how weak and clueless the leadership is at the top of the NFL. One only needs to ask one question in this regard, and there really is no satisfactory answer. Why?

2. He’s practiced barely at all in pads, but he has been exposed to the system for over a year. And, referencing back to some of the issues implied in the comment concerning Bell, there is tremendous pressure on these athletes to get on the field and perform, not the least of which coming from the fans. If he is physically able he will attempt to play. He almost has to.

3. Are Tomlin and Green liars? Or is the NFL rumor mill proving to be, once again, irresponsible and out of control. Remember how disgruntled Ben was supposed to be a couple of years ago? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

4. More of the same. Did the re-signing of Ramon Foster mean the end for David DeCastro? That would be the logic, right? Vince Williams is young, improving on schedule, and for now, cheap. Why wouldn’t you lock him up when you have the chance. And yes, great insurance against the possibility of things going sideways with Timmons either on the field or in the negotiating room. But coming off of, what for him was a somewhat subpar campaign, both sides in the Timmons negotiation may be well served to wait.

5. Burn as much incense as you can get your hands on and pray that Ben remains upright.

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I think it is 100% non-newsworthy. He was arrested in August of 2014 and suspended in April, 2015. I don’t care if he smoked weed in December and personally I don’t trust his memory to remember exactly what happened 20+ months ago because, you know, weed. In between those two times I hope he smoked enough weed to get it out of his system so that he wouldn’t smoke anymore.

b. Was James Harrison right to agree to be interviewed by Roger Goodell’s cronies on the basis of a now recanted report for Al Jazeera?

Yes. When you are James Harrison and the 800 pound bully in the room grabs you by the throat and tells you that you can’t work until you talk to him, you tell him to go F himself, because you are James Harrison. Then you realize that not talking to him would hurt your teammates more than it would hurt you, so you talk to the bully no matter the consequences to yourself. Because you are “a professional” and the bully is not.

2. Senquez Golson is declaring that he will play in 2016. Given that the number of times Golson has practiced can be counted on one hand, do you think it would be wise for the Steelers to try to play him, even if he beats the odds and his health will allow him?

I’m assuming he will be treated like everyone else: If he can prove himself in the practices the week before the game he will play. If he can’t, he won’t.

3. Both Ladarius Green and Mike Tomlin have said that it is Green’s ankle and not his headaches that are keeping him on the PUP. Yet, Ed Bouchette has said that Green is in the NFL’s concussion protocols. Leaving aside, for this installment of the Smolderings at least, the mess this is creating at tight end, who do you believe?

I don’t recall Tomlin or Green ever saying that it was his ankle that is keeping Green on the PUP. They just said that he was placed on the PUP because of the ankle and then gave no further information about anything else that may be keeping him on the PUP. So, I believe Tomlin.

I know Tomlin’s answer was weasely, but given that the media treats any found discrepancy between interviews as a giant “gotcha” moment it’s probably wise to not discuss injuries in public, especially since your opponents are happy to learn about any and all of them so that they can take full advantage when they meet you on the field.

In my opinion based on nothing but guesses and zero knowledge, which in today’s social media contract is just as valid as things that are actual facts, Green came from an extremely low humidity, moderate climate to a hot, extremely humid Latrobe, PA training camp. He had some headaches or something which were initially questioned by the medical personnel as possible concussion effects but we’re later determined not to be. But were still monitored in a protocol similar to actual concussions just to be on the safe side. Ed B, who seems to be in full Grandpa Simpson mode these past couple of years, decided to burn the bridge he was crossing by calling Tomlin a liar. Guess who’s gonna come out looking better? I’m guessing the Steelers.

4. The Steelers surprised many by inking Vince Williams to a 3 year deal? ….. Do you think this spells the beginning of the end for Lawrence Timmons in Pittsburgh, and if so has the Steelers brain trust made the right call?

There was an interview the other day on some online Steeler news website that I forget the name of now because I’m old and I’m lucky if I remember what day it is, but it was with Colbert who was talking about the general ages where different positions tend to jump the shark. (And who says my research skills are lacking?) The brain trust may figure Timmons will be jumping the shark this year so it’s a good idea to have a backup signed and in place because while we only look at what’s going on this year, Kevin and company are paid the big bucks to assess the needs of the Steelers over the next several years in every move they make today.

So sign Williams and lock him up now because he is cheap and a suitable minimal replacement. It may also motivate Timmons, who was probably injured most of last year, to put on a really good show this season. But it may not matter to the Steelers how well he performs this year because he will be owed so much money next year that it probably won’t be cost-effective to keep him.

Yes, I think they made the right call. I think it was an intelligent move.

5. Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley invite you into a conference about the Steelers backup quarterback options. What do you tell them?

Thank you for inviting me but you must be insane if you’re asking my opinion. Anywho, here it is anyway: Jones is okay as number two. However, please try to find a quarterback with a few years of NFL experience who will agree to a minimum contract this year and a few million next year to be number three. Stop laughing at my advice.

If Chad Henne was available I would suggest they take a serious look at him. I think he would be a good fit.

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