Question:

Hi Ed,

I'm a Steelers fan from Aguascalientes, Mexico, where the Steelers are one the most popular teams in the country. Also, I read your column and the question of the day in the Internet so I have a few questions for you.

All season Ben has been running around for his life because of bad pass protection, especially the right side. Simmons is frequently doing false starts penalties and Colon is the weakest link in this line. Do you think pass protection could improve returning Max Starks to the RT spot? Also, do you think this team is moving on Cowher's inertia and the season will be like the last game's second half?

Luis F. Baca, Aguascalientes, Mexico

BOUCHETTE: It's hard to tell what might help the pass protection at this point. Roethlisberger has been sacked 38 times, 8 short of his record last season with 3 games to go. Starks was a starter last year, and people complained about the performance of that line. They'll have to do something next year to shore up the line, and they might start by trying to sign Alan Faneca. If he leaves, it'll only make it worse. As for the Cowher inertia, they did finish the second half of last season at 6-2 but they woefully underperformed overall at 8-8. Perhaps they merely are finding their true level.