Early 12 Qs help needed ¹²⁸

How come no shout out to Bobby Mo?

I know this is typical Steelers form, and as much faith as I have in Colbert & Co. I am a little nervous with the way the defense is shaping up right now. Given the lack of depth at CB, S, and OLB how do you see the Steelers filling all of these holes?

So my question is, if you reach 10,000 subscriptions before the year is up will you be allowed to fly a better airline?

Serious question: with such an up and down showing of late, should we Pens fans be worried as the playoffs approach or will the ship right itself and the true talent show through?

Sorry to hear about being stranded, but anyway. I just don't understand how exactly a group of professional players are able to watch themselves lose again and again when they play like penalty minutes count towards points. And yet some of the players on the penguins don't seem to change their approaches? The signs are everywhere, what is it that makes some of these guys ignore what is causing them trouble?

Why do you hate Southwest Airlines? I love them... Never had an issue at all.

Do you think the Penguins' composure problems are lingering issues from the Bylsma era?

If the Penguins are eliminated in the first or second round of the playoffs, can you see a scenario of Johnston getting ford and replaced by Mike Babcock? He was a hot rumor last year. This team needs something. With all that talent they aren't considered a legit Cup contender.

DK, prior to the start of the season, I believe you had gotten the impression that Johnston would make Kris Letang part of the leadership group, but he has yet to wear the “A”. I know that Letang is among many on this team who complain to the refs, and obviously went too far on Sunday, but Kunitz, who is considered one of the “leadership” and does wear the “A” shot a puck in the direction of a referee . I’ve never seen Letang’s work ethic questioned, on or off the ice, and seems to be a team player. I just wonder what happened to make Johnston change his mind, and what do some of these players, especially Kunitz, do to deserve it over a player like Letang?

With the combined and well-documented struggles of the Penguins' Power Play and Steve Downie's apparent lack of "getting the message" on not taking an excess of penalties, how much responsibility falls on Rick Tocchet?

Do you see a scenario where it would make sense for the Pen's to trade Crosby? I know he is a great player, but he is also getting older and has had some injuries. Could they get enough value back that it makes sense to move him and his salary for some combo of picks and NHL ready talent? Could they be a better team and deeper from top to bottom by making such a move?

With the injuries pens suffered over weekend to geno and hornqvist, as well as the recent scoring drought, do you see pens going with 7 defense and getting poulliot into lineup? Assuming they call him up for the trip...

Considering all the information present, wouldn't it be a shame if Neil Walker is outta here in two years?

I don't even know if the rules would permit (I'm guessing no since I haven't heard it discussed), but is there any way that the Pens could bring Kapanen for the end of the regular season and the playoffs?

Instant top-6 forward, I would think

I've always suspected that you prepare at least some of your answers to the submissions much earlier than the 'starting time,' based on the depth of your responses.

Whatever happened to the graphics whiz, Alex Messmer?

Considering coach Johnston's inability to discipline his players, has he done enough for the Penguins so far this season to guarantee himself a job next year?

In roughly four years from now, which program do you feel will be more successful/relevant - Pitt football or Pitt basketball?

You wrote a column on January 14 about how Pittsburghers should be relieved that Parise and Suter weren't signed in 2012. The next day the Wild acquired Dubnyk to upgrade pathetic goaltending and they have been on a tear since, now sitting in a wild card spot and #5 in ESPN's power rankings (the Pens are 10th). Parise has 53 points and is a +15 and Suter has bounced back from double digit minus to +1. Would you revise your opinion of Parise and Suter in light of this?

Could Mike Johnston possibly be a one & done coach?

How do you rate the free agent moves of the Browns, Ravens and Bengals so far?

So what, the Pens have hit a two game slump. Why are fans so quick to act as if these Penguins are in dire straights? This team, barring discipline as you succinctly wrote on, as well as a line that they refer to as a power play unit but refuses to show any power whatsoever, is fairly well rounded. I'd go as far as saying they're a deep team. I don't understand the pessimism that flows from so many Pens fans. Is this unique to Pittsburgh hockey, or is this a common theme amongst other sports franchises?