Ed Bouchette: Let's get this started.

James_Taiwan: Are the Steelers destined to play in the first round of the playoffs? It seems that even if the Steelers ran the table they might not get a week off.

Ed Bouchette: I saw them run the table once and the table beat them by 3.2 seconds. I would think that Indy and New England would earn the top two seeds. But strange things can happen in the NFL and the loser of that game will be just one ahead of the Steelers, provided they beat Baltimore Monday night. We are talking about this way too soon, by the way.

Terrible_Trousers: Ed, What did Tomlin have to say today about Aaron Smith? He is the best run-stopping DE in the league; we can't afford to be without him too long.

Ed Bouchette: He said he has a chance to play Monday night. That surprises me because Hines Ward missed 2 games and had a bye week to recover from the same injury.

Terrible_Trousers: Ed, I thought Anthony Smith had quite a good performance on Sunday, as did the secondary as a whole. Did the coach have any specific commentary about any members of the secondary, or about the entire unit?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, he praised Anthony Smith when someone asked him about him. Ryan Clark is still on a wait-and-see list, so Smith could start again.

manheimmagic: What is the status of Kreider?

Ed Bouchette: He has a sprained ankle; Mike Tomlin issued a good report on him and said he too might play Monday.

Hinestheman: The loss of DE Aaron Smith, in my opinion, is huge. Eason did a decent job last week, but do you think he can sustain that level of play until Smith's return? Also, the stage is set for the Steelers to have a huge game on Monday night... National TV, Hatred Billick... I mean Ravens... 75th Anniversary.... do you think this adds pressure on the team, and do you think this could be a trap game? Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: Trap, Schmap. I've been asked about so-called "trap" games the past three weeks. I'm not even sure what that might be. I believe the 75th anniversary stuff will boost them, and I think they'll beat Baltimore Monday.

PhillyMarty: Ed: Tony Romo reportedly will receive $67 millon over 6 years, $30 million guaranteed. Considering he has yet to win a playoff game, let along QB his team to a SB win, that surely drives up Ben's price. Do you see the Steelers having trouble re-signing Ben this off-season?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know how much trouble, but I believe they will sign him and Romo's contract becomes the starting point.

PhillyMarty: After the Denver loss, it became a bit clearer as to why you have not projected even 12 wins. But with 4 of the next 5 games at home vs. Balt., Cleve, Miami and Cincy and with only a road game vs. the 1-win Jets, who do you foresee preventing us from being 10-2 when we go to New England? Do you think the team has the leadership necessary to maintain the focus needed to win these next five?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, they do, but remember this is also a team that lost to Arizona and Denver, not exactly Super Bowl contenders themselves.

PhillyMarty: The unbeaten SB Champs are an underdog at home this week vs. New England. Who do you like?

Ed Bouchette: You mean Super Bowl XLI 1/2? I will be on my way to the convention center for the Steelers 75th anniversary celebration. I hope to read about that game in Monday's Post-Gazette.

NHSTEEL: Ed, a lot has been made of the Patriots flipping off the rest of the league by keeping the tempo up late in games that are already in the bag. Do you approve? Is it a lack of class? What about the unnecessary risk of injury to starters in a guaranteed win?

Ed Bouchette: You'll have to read my answer in today's question of the day, but I will tell you I loved Mike Tomlin's answer. He said it's not up to the Patriots to stop scoring, it's up to the defense to stop them. Chuck Noll had a similar saying when asked why he'd keep his first team on the field so long in a seemingly one-sided game: I didn't see them waving any white flag over there!

Stiller_fan_near_Redskin_Park: Ed -- My newborn has colic. Where can I get an audio copy of a Bellichick interview so that I can lull him to sleep?

Ed Bouchette: The NFL destroyed all those tapes.

Datruth4life: Ed, is this the week that we might see more carries from Najeh Davenport since Fast Willie can never get going against the Ravens? Will Kreider be available for this game?

Ed Bouchette: Then it's about time they get Willie Parker going against the Ravens. Their defense is way overrated and not as good as they were 3-4 years ago.

Ben: Why did Verron Haynes get cut and Gary Russell not, when Russell has not even touched the ball?

Ed Bouchette: They saw more promise in Russell as a young player to develop than in Haynes, who has been hurt alot. Haynes, by the way, has not been picked up by anyone.

Datruth4life: Ed, did Tomlin say if he planned any changes on special teams to get the team to play better? Would you allow C. Wilson to return some punts, since we are getting nothing in that area of the game right now?

Ed Bouchette: He said he dealt with that topic with his team on Monday. He did not say he made any changes. I think they need help on both sides of the ball, coverage and in the returns.

Steve: Regarding the Patriots, I don't have a problem with teams trying to score when they have a big lead, but when it is done in a way that is contrary to conventional wisdom, i.e. run out the clock when you have a big lead, I don't see how there can be any explanation besides "rubbing it in". How do you feel about that issue?

Ed Bouchette: You'll have to read the answer to may question of the day, as I said before. How else can I get you to go read it (I get a bonus every time someone reads my question of the day).

Michael_Vick_Bites: Santonio Holmes is a weapon at wide receiver. Is it time for him to replace two-yard Rossum and put his skills to use as a punt returner?

Ed Bouchette: As many of you know, I advocated Holmes return punts long before they traded for Allen Rossum.

Steve: In light of the fact that the 3rd and 4th Steeler receivers can hardly be described as elite (even elite 3rd and 4ths), I'm assuming that Willie Reid has something wrong with his game preventing him from cracking the top 4. Are you able to see what it is?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know that any team's third and fourth receivers could be described as "elite." Reid was drafted in the third round. It's not like teams were breaking down doors to get him. Perhaps he just needs some seasoning.

cgolden: Was the "bend but don't break" with little pressure a sign of things to come against spread offenses or just something that was the result of injuries to Smith and Clark?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think it had anything to do with injuries. As Mike Tomlin has shown and said in his early days as coach, it's all about winning a game. He'll do what he has to do to win the game that week, whether that's pressure or cover 2.

bigbenredzone: Ed, Ben is amazing and can dominate teams but lets them off the hook with his red zone interceptions (Seattle in SB, Cincy last yr, AZ this year, Cincy last week). Brady, Manning don't make those mistakes, do you know if Anderson makes him study film of those guys?

Ed Bouchette: And you know what? Tim Wakefield does not throw the ball as fast as Sandy Koufax did. No one said Ben Roethlisberger was better than Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. But perhaps he is among those regarded in the next tier of QBs in the league, and that's not so bad.

Datruth4life: Ed, my former question that I misspelled a word in was, What is your advice for Ben in going up against the Ravens D this week with the Steelers OL -- To Shuck then Duck?

Ed Bouchette: Don't overrate the Ravens. The bookies certainly don't regard them as highly as apparently Steelers fans do.

Art_Vandelay: There is word afoot that Mahan is tipping off when he is going to snap the ball by bobbing his head, and that defenses are aware of it. If true, it doesn't seem to be helping the defenses anyway. Any knowledge/thoughts on this?

Ed Bouchette: No.

BDenny29: Ed, love the Daily Q&A. If anyone can take down the Pats, I believe it's the Steelers. They have the only formula that can work...a run game to eat the clock, and the ability to pressure Brady. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but what chance do you give the Steelers?

Ed Bouchette: You're a little late. This was a popular question before the Steelers lost to Denver. After that loss, though, everyone wanted to fire Mike Tomlin.

woodym112: Ed, did you have any ideas on who will start for the Ravens at QB on Monday night?

Ed Bouchette: It looks as though it will be Air McNair.

Tprod: Ed, What's going on with Troy? He has no interceptions in the last 13 games, no sacks this season and admitted he was the "out of position player" for several of Denver's big gains. Is it time for Lebeau to limit his freelancing?

Ed Bouchette: I'm not sure, but I do know he had cartilage ripped off his ribs several weeks ago. Try just walking after that happens. He's not having the kind of impact he's had on defense in the past, and I'm not sure why.

BML79: Ed, when I reminded my 5-year-old that this was Baltimore week, he responded, "Daddy, I hate those Raisins!" Do I have your permission to now get on with the rest of my life's work?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, and no one here refers to it as "Baltimore week." That's something other teams and other cities use.

Datruth4life: Ed, is this the first week that we will see RB Gary Russell on the field with Kreider's ankle injury?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think so. I suppose he could be on the active list if Kreider can't play, but I would not look for him to play much other than on special teams or if someone got hurt during the game.

StillaYinzer: Ed, did you walk in front of the camera again this week while Stan filmed for his show at the press conference?

Ed Bouchette: After they refused to pay me an appearance fee the last time I did that, I vowed never to do it again.

black_gold: Ed, what are you dressing as for Halloween?

Ed Bouchette: I'm doing something really different. I'm thinking of wearing a sports coat and a tie.

911InsideJob_: For the first time I can remember, Ben actually scanned the "whole" field while making another of his brilliant escapes Sunday. Is this a focus with Anderson and Ben?

Ed Bouchette: Ken Anderson, I believe, has had a good impact on Ben Roethlisberger.

woodym112: It looked like the Bengals were trying to run the ball towards Aaron Smith's replacement, and they had some success. They were close to 100 yards; what changes do you think they will make for the Ravens game, because you know they will try to do the same thing?

Ed Bouchette: You're right, it did look as though they were doing that. Ken Watson had 88 yards rushing, the most against them in the past 20 games. Smith may return; if he doesn't, they'll just plug Nick Eason and/or Travis Kirschke in.

got2thumbs: With the number of great hitters you have seen over the years, is there a way to qualify what makes Anthony Smith's hits seem so much harder, and louder, or at least more noticable? Is it technique, strength, sacrificing of the body, something else...?

Ed Bouchette: At that position, Donnie Shell was also a great hitter. I think it's just a knack with timing, leverage and opportunity thrown in.

NCSteelerFan: We did not get to see the game down here in NC; did the Steelers blitz much, or did they run a lot of cover 2 like they did against the Seahawks?

Ed Bouchette: Cover 2

Steel_in_CO: Do you think Big Ben is worthy of a spot in the the Pro Bowl, behind Brady and Manning this year? If not him, who else in the AFC is the 3rd QB?

Ed Bouchette: No one. I pick Big Ben right now.

Auntie_Rae: When will Ben stop making stupid mistakes? That was a blowout until he threw 15 yards across his body.

Ed Bouchette: That indeed was not a good throw, but I think for the most part, he played a good, smart game against the Bengals.

BDenny29: WRs historically take 3 seasons to really make an impact. Any particular reason Santonio has become as legit an impact player as soon as he has?

Ed Bouchette: They grow at different paces. Louis Lipps, for example, was an immediate hit. Troy Edwards, believe it or not, had his best season as a rookie. Plaxico Burress did not. Neither did Lynn Swann or John Stallworth.

Pat_from_Penn_Hills: Ed, do we have anything to worry about regarding the Ravens offense?

Ed Bouchette: Not a lot, except that I've seen Steve McNair do some incredible things at QB and just because he has not done them yet this season does not mean he can't do it for a game against the Steelers.

GoogleTerrorStorm: Soft zones and little or no pressure on the QB will get the Steelers what the WasheeRedfaces got against the Pats... Do you think LeBeau and the staff are holding something back for that match-up?

Ed Bouchette: I don' t think the Patriots game has even crossed their minds yet.

BDenny29: Deion recently said that there is no cooler coach in the NFL than Tomlin. Obviously there is no cooler beat writer than you, so would you agree with Primetime?

Ed Bouchette: I agree more with you. Sorry for the delay, but Dan Rooney walked in and wanted to chat and I always make time to chat with the chairman, as I did with his father. OK, that's it for this week. Good questions. I think you're getting better, kind of like the Steelers.