Kevin Gorman: Tackling the big question — will the Steelers throw the ball to Zach Banner?

The question for Duck Hodges came from the back of the media scrum in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, from the offensive tackle that is their most-eligible receiver and has a personal interest in the rookie quarterback’s answer.

How open does someone have to be to get the ball?

Duck let out a little laugh, then deadpanned that “they’ve got to be pretty open” for him to throw that player a pass.

“I’m not going to say No. 72, Zach Banner, wasn’t open,” Hodges cracked, “but I will say that I didn’t want my completion percentage to go down by throwing it to him.”

Banner objected, saying there was no need to use names. He continued to press, attempting to get an answer.

“This is my interview,” Hodges snapped, with a sly smile, “so next question.”

A certain tackle-eligible receiver @ZBNFL had a question for #Steelers QB @DevlinHodges10. pic.twitter.com/odGZgxWksq

— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) December 11, 2019

The comedy bit between the teammates — the newest Heinz Field cult heroes — is symbolic of why fans are finding these Steelers so likeable after the distractions and drama of past seasons. They are winning again — and on the brink of making the playoffs — but aren’t taking themselves too seriously.

Banner is one of the biggest cut-ups on the team, as his gregarious personality matches his larger-than-life frame, whether it’s by trading barbs with teammates or cracking jokes with fans on social media. At 6-foot-8, 360 pounds, he’s a mammoth presence who loves every time fans cheer when Heinz Field public address announcer Larry Richert declares that “No. 72 is reporting as an eligible receiver.”

The Steelers have long used a backup lineman in jumbo packages to serve as an extra blocker, typically in short yardage or goal-line situations. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin even gave an emphatic “No” when asked Tuesday if Banner is athletic enough to be a fullback in goal-line situations.

But the Steelers are using Banner more regularly, and he’s run some pass routes. As much as Banner knows he’s there to block, he’s been used as a decoy to keep defenses honest. The Steelers, however, have the option of throwing to him — and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said they even practice it.

“There’s no doubt you could. We always reserve that opportunity to pull the trigger, if you will, at the appropriate time,” Fichtner said, with a laugh. “But he’s primarily a run blocker for us.”

Just don’t rule out a pass.

Banner, meantime, is keeping his fingers crossed.

“Do I dream of catching a pass?” Banner said. “Hell yeah, I do.”

Quarterback Mason Rudolph, sitting at the next locker, bursts into laughter and mocks Banner in a dramatic voice.

“God, this is like some sob story,” Rudolph said. “Do I dream of catching a pass? I’m not going to lie. I do!”

Banner plays along with a laugh, but believes it can happen.

I’m keying my initials in your car when we get back @DevlinHodges10 #GreatTeamWinTho https://t.co/FqLAGBf3GK

— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) December 9, 2019

Banner was open Sunday at Arizona late in the first quarter on a second-and-9 at the Cardinals 18 when Hodges tucked and ran, coming up 3 yards short of the first-down marker.

“Didn’t he scramble for 6?” Banner said. “I can do that. Are you kidding me?”

If there is hope for Banner, it’s a few lockers down. Starting left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who was a wide receiver at Army, became the rare offensive lineman to score on a 2-yard touchdown pass from kicker Chris Boswell at Denver last year.

CHRIS BOSWELL

TO

ALEJANDRO VILLANUEVA ?

(Yes, you read that correctly.) pic.twitter.com/0FtvWfCkCO

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 25, 2018

That makes Villanueva the resident expert, so I asked if he thought Banner could catch a pass in an NFL game.

“I don’t know,” Villanueva said. “Mine was a trick play, on a field goal.”

Villanueva has been on the other side of the story, when the trickery blew up on the Steelers back in 2015. On a fourth-and-2 at the Seattle 27, the Steelers had a 3-0 lead when Landry Jones threw a short pass intended for Villanueva that was intercepted by Jeremy Lane and returned 54 yards to the Steelers 24. It set up a touchdown for the Seahawks in their 39-30 victory.

Like Villanueva, Banner is athletic for his size. He led Lakewood (Wash.) High to a state basketball title in 2011, and played both sports at USC as a freshman before focusing on football. Not only is Banner a big target but he has huge hands — measured at 10 ¾ inches at the NFL Scouting Combine — and swears he could catch a pass.

“I have great hands,” Banner said.

Villanueva believes Banner could catch a pass in a game, but it becomes a matter of risk versus reward. Throwing a pass to a tackle doesn’t deliver the same dividends as a tight end.

“He can catch a football and he can gain, I’d say the maximum I’d give him in a football game is probably 17 yards,” Villanueva said. “If you want him or I to catch a football pass, it has to be on a completely blown coverage. You’re not going to fit the ball in tight windows when me and Banner are out there.”

That’s why it probably won’t happen.

Banner said Fichtner warned him his worry is what happens after the catch, when the risks outweigh the rewards. Hodges doesn’t want to adversely affect his completion percentage, let alone risk throwing an interception or losing a fumble. And the Steelers would look foolish if Banner got hurt on a gadget play.

“That’s all it is — and it’s true,” Banner said. “It’s liability.”

So look for Banner to be more blocker than receiver for the Steelers. As long as he’s eligible, should we consider the possibility of throwing Banner a pass? No question.

But he’s going to have to be pretty wide open.

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