Alex Smith and Ben Roethlisberger shake hands after the Steelers beat the Chiefs, 20-12, Sunday. — GETTY

DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS

Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that takes place each week at 2 p.m. and tosses the keys to you to do the driving.

The format is simple: Use the comments section below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling, then monitor new entries once we go live. All topics welcome, as always.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: Away we go …

bernard.diggins: Seriously, Ben Roethlisberger has to be the real MVP of this team regardless of how the players vote, right? What is their record without Ben? Great seasons for each of the big three, but ask Mike Tomlin which player he’d most hate to lose for the playoffs, and he won’t hesitate with the answer.

DK: A lot of variables come into play with a debate like this, and it sounds like the one you’re prioritizing is the position. Almost any team would hate to lose its QB more than any other position. And that would apply doubly for the Steelers, when the drop would take them from Roethlisberger to Bruce Gradkowski.

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Marcus Gilbert was inactive Sunday in Atlanta but should suit up for the Steelers this weekend. — GETTY

DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS

Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that will take place this week at 3 p.m., an hour later than usual. Sorry, had to allow for a doctor’s checkup scheduled for 12:45 p.m. I might be back by 2, but there’s a chance I won’t, and I don’t want to risk it.

The format is simple: Use the comments section below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling, then monitor new entries once we go live. All topics welcome, as always.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: Away we go …

Bridge: What the heck has Marcus Gilbert not done in his performance and preparation to not dictate a starting role over Mike Adams?

DK: Wow, way to start me off with an easy one!

Sorry, no idea.

I mean, Mike Tomlin did describe Gilbert’s injured ankle as not yet being ‘above the line’ at his press conference today, while at the same time saying he felt ‘positive’ about his return, while at the same time saying he wasn’t sure if Gilbert would hold his starting spot over Adams. So, one can take all of that, stir it in a pot, and still come up with nothing conclusive.

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DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS

Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that takes place each week at 2 p.m. — allowing ample time for me to get over to the South Side for the Mike Tomlin press conference, obviously — and encourages you to dictate the discussion.

The format is simple: Use the comments section below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling, then monitor new entries once we go live. All topics welcome, as always.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: With the fresh news that the Pirates are bringing back Francisco Liriano for three years and $39 million — much more to come later on this — away we go:

Alan Gifford: Thoughts on the contract for Liriano?

DK: I’ve made thoughts on this clear leading up to this, and nothing changes, Alan: The Pirates needed to bring back Liriano to remain a contender. The Pirates recognized that need and took it seriously. The Pirates never took their eye off the ball, even after the Russell Martin disappointment. I thought maybe that might have gotten a bit distracted by Edinson Volquez also being out there, but last week’s Friday Insider set that straight. Frankie was the target.

Again, I’ll have much, much more on this later on the site. I just feel it’s fair to proceed with the chat at the scheduled time. But obviously, it’s a very, very good day for the Pittsburgh Baseball Club, from ownership on down.

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