Ed Bouchette: Hello, good to be back with you again. Let's get started.

PhillyMarty: Ed: You have written that the Steelers see Posluszny as an inside LB and unlikely to take him. Given the teams apparent greatest weakness being at outside LB how do you see them addressing that need?

Ed Bouchette: I think they'll try to trade down a little in the first round, pick up an extra third or fourth rounder in the process, and then draft someone such as Timmons or Beason or Spencer or Bradley.

Steve: I don't believe there is any doubt that the Steelers will eventually move to the 4-3 defense. With that in mind what do you think of the Steelers drafting Jamaal Anderson of Arkansas?

Ed Bouchette: He's another possibility. I do believe they will go heavy on the defense the first day.

Surgical_Steel: Sir, I would rank the Steelers' needs - for starters or to replenish depth - as follows: OLB, DE, ILB, RB, CB, WR, OG, OT, DT, P. Do you think that's generally in line with how the front office views it?

Ed Bouchette: I would move the offensive line higher than you have them. Jeff Hartings retired and they have 3 starters who enter the final years of their contracts. They need to replenish the line.

Tommy: I know the steelers have many positions of need, but I was wondering what you thought was the biggest?

Ed Bouchette: Outside linebacker, defensive tackle/end. I love their starting D-line but if they ever want to move to a 4-3, they better add to it. Whether they stay in a 3-4 or switch to 4-3, they need OLBs.

Atlanta_Dan: Given that an esteemed P-G reporter wrote that the Steelers gave Joey Porter his release at least in part to avoid Porter missing mini-camp, holding out, and otherwise challenging Mike Tomlin's authority, which allowed Porter to cash in with a big contract immediately rather than risk having to wait until 2008, do you think the lesson Alan Faneca and his agent believe that the Rooneys will pay the market rate or let a player go to greeener pastures to avoid turmoil at the start of Tomlin's tenure? More importantly, is such an conclusion correct?

Ed Bouchette: Porter was released for several reasons, not the least of which they did not want to pay him $5 million this year. I don't think Alan Faneca will cause problems for the team, no matter what his contract issues are. If they do not agree to an extension, I would expect him to play the season and then move on in 2008.

Atlanta_Dan: Do you think Ben decided to share his feelings regarding his issues with former Coach Cowher more out of problems with his former coach or as an effort to suck up to his new boss?

Ed Bouchette: I talked to Ben about that the next day. He said he never had the kind of serious issues with Cowher that maybe his comments portrayed.

bagwell4480: What are the chances of the Steelers not only grabbing Revis in the first round, but also getting either also getting Posluszny or Michael Bush as well in the second round?

Ed Bouchette: Poszluzny could slip a little, but I cannot believe he won't be selected in the top 46 picks, before the Steelers draft a second time. Bush has injury issues and I don't think the Steelers will touch him.

mxpxbv82: Since the chances of Faneca returning grow slimmer by the day, do the Steelers now take a harder look at bringing back Kendall Simmons at year end?

Ed Bouchette: I think they will take a harder look at drafting a guard.

mxpxbv82: If Paul Pozlusny is available at #15 (or wherever after a trade down), does the picking/passing on him give us a good idea of what happens with the 3-4 or 4-3 debate? I think he's a great fit in a 4-3, but an average, at best, fit at OLB in the 3-4.

Ed Bouchette: If they draft him -- and I believe 15 is way too high -- it would signal they ultimately would like to switch to a 4-3, I believe. If they pass on him, it indicates nothing.

bill_cowhers_mustache: Ed, you mentioned in your question of the day that you think we would only get a 2nd rounder for Faneca, why do you think we wouldn't get more than that for someone who is considered by most to be the best guard in the league?

Ed Bouchette: Because he has only one year left on his contract.

Windber-Rambler: Do you consider Leon Hall the top corner in this Draft?

Ed Bouchette: Yes.

Frenchy33: Ed, I think the Steelers need to get bigger at WR and what are the chances they draft Dwyane Jarrett of USC with their pick? He would be a great compliment to Santonio Holmes.

Ed Bouchette: I don't like that pick. They don't necessarily need bigger, but faster -- although a guy 6-4 can make up for a lack of speed.

PatsHater_inMA: What about a guy like Joe Staley who's athletically gifted for a Tackle? Move him to LT and switch Marvel back to the right side where he belongs.

Ed Bouchette: That's a possibility, although it should continue to make you nervous about OLB.

Windber-Rambler: Is Anthony Spencer a "safer bet" at OLB than Lawrence Timmons?

Ed Bouchette: I'm not a big Timmons fan. Can you say Alonzo Jackson?

jwoods: Over the past 3 drafts only 11 or 25 player drafted are still with t he team. For day 2 draftee's only 3 player in 3 years are still with the team -- what changes have occurred to rectify this poor record?

Ed Bouchette: They've had good picks and bad and not done particularly well on the second day, when most of their picks are made.

steelers7: I know this will be a remote possibility, but what if the Steelers took Ted Ginn with their first choice? He has game-changing ability. He would make an immediate impact on kick and punt returns like Devin Hester did last year, and he would bring game-changing speed to our receiving corps.

Ed Bouchette: Taking Ginn with the 15th pick in the draft is way, way too high.

Windber-Rambler: Any interest by the Steelers in Tyler Palko, say, around the 6th or 7th rounds?

Ed Bouchette: I don't believe the Steelers should waste a draft pick on a quarterback. They have Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch. They don't need to groom anyone and they can either put Brian St. Pierre on the roster as the No. 3 QB or carry a rookie free agent on their practice squad.

steelers7: How about Tony Hunt in the third round of he's available?

Ed Bouchette: I love that pick. I think he would be the perfect complementary back to Willie Parker.

wb: Will the Steelers draft a kicker? Special teams are a need for this team that are often overlooked.

Ed Bouchette: They could draft a punter, but they won't draft a kicker.

lookinforlinks: Do you think that the defense will switch between the 3-4 and 4-3, depending on the team and offense that they play?

Ed Bouchette: They could, but I see this as primarily a 3-4 team this year. They don't have the personnel to play a 4-3 in the line -- which, of course, could change on Saturday.

Chad: What about trading back a few spots and taking Moss from Florida?

Ed Bouchette: I could see that.

JerryAtrick: Everyone is concerned with the OLB position. I personally am looking forward to seeing Harrison start this season. That said, the "experts" talk ad nauseum about this or that person is a system QB. Who's to say that the many of our OLBs aren't simply products of the system? I can't name one OLB that left Pittsburgh and had overwhelming success. That said, I'm not overly concerned with OLB, depth of course would be nice.

Ed Bouchette: How about Chad Brown? You are one injury away at OLB from catastrophe, not to mention your two starters have never made a Pro Bowl.

Surgical_Steel: I don't disagree that the Steelers will need to address the OL, especially looking ahead to next year. That said, they can't keep everyone they already have on the roster. Smith, Faneca, Okobi, Simmons, Starks, Colon, Essex, Kemoeatu, Mahan, and Phillip make ten - before drafting anyone else. Where is the odd man out? I guess they'll cut one of the centers, and draft one G or OT.

Ed Bouchette: That's not exactly a murderers row behind the starters. You could lose a few without blinking.

PhillyMarty: Many mock drafts have Revis staying in Pgh. Do you see the Steelers taking a CB that high given their many greater needs?

Ed Bouchette: I don't see it because I think they have other needs but if they can't trade down and Revis is the overwhelming value there, they'll probably grab him. Tomlin's eyes lit up on Monday when talking about him.

MPL12: Ed, do you feel that this draft could significantly impact our chances on returning and going deep into the playoffs this upcoming year?

Ed Bouchette: Not really. You can't count on rookies for that. This is a draft for 2008 and beyond. That does not mean a rookie can't have an impact this year, just that you can't count on it.

Windber-Rambler: If a RB is taken by the Steelers on Day One, does this essentially mean Najeh battles for Haynes' roster spot?

Ed Bouchette: No, I think Najeh is on the team. They can use 4 RB and one FB. Right now, they have only 2 RB and one FB. There's also no guarantee that Haynes will overcome his injury and be productive again.

BigNastyZ: Just curious, if the Steelers address the pass rusher need in the first round, what are your thoughts on Ryan Harris, the OT from Notre Dame?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know that he's strong enough, although some have him ranked among the top 5 tackles.

Windber-Rambler: Any chance strong safety depth will be addressed on day two?

Ed Bouchette: Of course. They could lose Troy Polamalu, although I believe Anthony Smith could move into that position from free safety with Ryan Clark moving over.

Findlay_Fan: You said they would not draft a QB, but will they try to convert one to a WR? Like Troy Smith?

Ed Bouchette: Rasheed Marshall is already on their roster.

JerryAtrick: Absurd idea forthcoming: What about Briggs from Chicago for Faneca and a 3rd?

Ed Bouchette: Won't happen.

MPL12: Ed, Patrick Willis has been touted as possibly one of the next great linebackers in the league. Seeing that our defense has always relied heavily on the ability of our linebackers, do you see the Steelers making an attempt at positing to draft Willis?

Ed Bouchette: No, because they would have to move up to get him. He's an inside linebacker but the best of all the linebackers in the draft. He could even play outside if you wanted because of his speed.

Chad: Speaking of Troy....do you think that he will resign and be here long term?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know the answer to that one. They'll put a big push on around the start of training camp to get him signed.

VidEditor: Is it possible to judge Tomlin in his first Steelers draft, since players take a few seasons to develop? I know it's a mix of front office staff working the draft, just trying to get a baseline on how Tomlin will do a year down the road.

Ed Bouchette: No, I don't think you can either judge him by his first draft or his fifth, because it's not "his" draft. There are too many hands in it to blame one or give one credit.

oresteia: What about the Steelers drafting Antwan Barnes in the 3rd, 4th, or 5th. He could be a real steal.

Ed Bouchette: Sure.

rob: What is your take on Jon Beason?

Ed Bouchette: I like him because he's fast and a great athlete and makes plays. He'll be downgraded a little because he's only a little over 6 feet tall, but sometimes those smaller guys give the big tackles fit because they can play the leverage game.

PITTFAN: Are the Steelers satisfied with the WR spot? Can you see them addressing that somewhere in the draft?

Ed Bouchette: Satisfied? No. They'd like to add a receiver in this draft, which is deep, deep, deep. I'd look for them to draft a receiver perhaps on the fourth round.

DC_Diva: Want to go out on a limb and predict a surprise pick?

Ed Bouchette: No. I will try to whittle it down, as usual, on Saturday.

MPL12: Ed, I know we have a glaring need at cornerback. That being said, I am still convinced that we win games and championships in the trenches, on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Great attention is given to our O-Line, but every time I watch the steelers, it seems like our pash rush is lackluster. 1) will Adam Carriker be around for us and 2), is he the type of player that can give us the pash rush we so desperately need?

Ed Bouchette: Carriker would be a great pick, but I don't think he'll still be available when it comes to No. 15, and I don't see the Steelers trading up to get him. I also do not believe there is a glaring need at cornerback. You can always improve, but it's not glaring.

hungchow: Chances in 10 the Steelers are able to sign Faneca?

Ed Bouchette: 5

oresteia: How many potential OLB do you think the Steelers will draft?

Ed Bouchette: 2

JerryAtrick: I've seen no talk about a secondary mate to accompany Troy. Are the Steelers satisfied with Clark? If not, any viable options in mind?

Ed Bouchette: I think Anthony Smith will start at free safety.

cccccc: What about our first round pick and Faneca to Arizona for the 5th Overall and their 3rd rounder. Then draft Big Joe Thomas?

Ed Bouchette: That won't happen.

Ed Bouchette: OK, that's it. Enjoy the draft and we'll talk about what they did next time.