TIMES NFL WRITER T.J. SIMERS POSES--AND ANSWERS--THE BURNING QUESTIONS ON GAME DAY

1. Question: Will San Francisco’s players be affected by Eddie DeBartolo’s self-imposed banishment?

Answer: The news couldn’t have come at a better time. Embarrassed by a 44-9 loss to the Chiefs, DeBartolo’s announcement turned the spotlight away from the players and onto other things, like his gambling woes.

Said quarterback Steve Young: “We’re happy to put a top on that stinking pot and put it away.”

2. Q: But long range, will DeBartolo’s removal from the scene affect the team?

A: Not in the slightest. First off, we’re asked to take the word of DeBartolo, a man who reportedly is about to be indicted, that he will no longer pass on advice or orders to team president Carmen Policy. No one is going to be tapping Policy’s phone lines, so who monitors DeBartolo’s involvement? Nothing has really changed: He and his sister remain 50% partners in their ownership share of the 49ers. As much as anything, this was a publicity stunt to dull what would have been a surprising uproar had DeBartolo been indicted with no prior announcement taking the edge off such legal action.

3. Q: So you’re saying this won’t distract the players?

A: Not as long as they continue to get signed payroll checks. Policy made a big deal at his news conference last week telling everyone that after DeBartolo addressed them in the locker room, everyone applauded. You want to be the only guy that doesn’t put his hands together and clap for the guy who is paying you?

“He had a lot of emotion and a lot of love for the guys,” tight end Brent Jones said. “It was great to see him. It was tough not to have your eyes welling up a little. The best thing this team can do for itself and Mr. DeBartolo is to play hard and not let it affect us.”

Chokes you up, doesn’t it?

4. Q: How did Bill Schroeder react to being grabbed by the jersey by Packer Coach Mike Holmgren on national TV last week?

A: “How would you feel if somebody grabbed you?” said Schroeder, who was chastised for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. “Think of it yourself. If someone grabbed you by the throat, how would you feel? You’d feel mad, wouldn’t you?”

Ask P.J. Carlesimo.

“Well, I was mad,” said Schroeder, who has been in Holmgren’s doghouse for mishandling several punts. “Not anymore. You guys want me to cuss him out?”

Holmgren apologized to the team for roughing up Schroeder.

“He apologized,” Schroeder said. “That’s what you’re supposed to do, right?” Asked if that gesture meant anything to him, Schroeder said, “Next question.”

5. Q: Does Dennis Erickson understand that if his team doesn’t make the playoffs, he’s a prime candidate to be fired in Seattle?

A: “I’ve never been told that at all,” Erickson said.

Consider yourself told.