Matador_Marvel: Is Fred Taylor still running?

Ed Bouchette: No, but we finally got this chat up and running. And this is Ed Bouchette, not Paul Zeise. I had to log on as him because for some reason, the PG is not recognizing me today. Perhaps it's some kind of sign.

notgettingitdone: Ed, any updates on Marvel and Ike?

Ed Bouchette: Ike is OK. Marvel is probably not going to play. He has back issues that likely won't be resolved over the course of a few days.

RC: Were they surprised by the draw play on 3rd and 10 from the Steelers' 30 on the Jaguars last drive or did they just not execute the defense? Seemed pretty obvious here in TV land.

Ed Bouchette: The Jaguars like to run that play on third and long, so they should not have been surprised by it.

RichRodBrokeRHeart: Has the Steelers offense become too predictable?

Ed Bouchette: No. Inefficient, perhaps, but not predictable.

DFWSTEELER: We got manhandled yesterday all over the field, whats your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: Just about what you said. This team certainly is not peaking near the end of the season. They play 2 games on the road that are both losable, yet they could still make the playoffs at 9-7.

Bucco: Where is Ed?

Ed Bouchette: We've sent out an APB. This is Ed, masquerading as Paul, sort of like the Steelers defense masquerading as the No. 1 defense in the NFL yesterday.

PhillyMarty: Upon hiring, Mike Tomlin spoke of understanding what the "Steelers Way" was. Did you see much evidence of that yesterday?

Ed Bouchette: No. They looked as though they were going the wrong way.

steelers: Ed, what will it take for the Steelers to start playing their best game in the first quarter instead of only getting fired up in the fourth? It has cost the team too many close games in recent years.

Ed Bouchette: Earlier in the season they had a great first-half record.

Tprod: Ed, the NFL's no. 1 defense has not been able to stop three late scoring drives against QB who have started less than two full years. On all three of the scoring throws, there appeared confusion in the secondary. Is the defense vastly overrated?

Ed Bouchette: Seeing that they're ranked No. 1 and watching them the past two weeks, I would say, yes, they are.

DFWSTEELER: Hopefully are OLine isn't handling your Tech Support!

Ed Bouchette: Sacked again.

Tprod: Ed, Will the Steelers be able to retain Max Starks or will they let him enter FA and seek someone else. Marvel Smith's back could be a reoccurring problem.

Ed Bouchette: I would think they can retain him, but how much money he might command is another thing.

1_RonPaul_2008: What's the status on Nate Washington?

Ed Bouchette: Sounds as though he's OK.

BigGameTorryHolt: Mangini and Belichick shook hands. The earth can revolve again.

Ed Bouchette: OK

Steeler_in_CO: The Rams have a big back with speed. Do you expect yesterday to be a 1 game aberration, or did the loss of Smith open a gaping hole in our defense (as it looked yesterday)?

Ed Bouchette: I think the defense could be in for some problems Thursday night in St. Louis.

Jax_Steel: Was training camp too grueling? Looks like a few of the guys are losing their legs late in the year. This is often a rookie coaching mistake, isn't it?

Ed Bouchette: No, it was not too grueling.

Big_Alan: Ed, will Ben be starting with the sore shoulder on a short week?

Ed Bouchette: Yes. MIke Tomlin said he came through the game fine.

SteelersGate: What would you say are the keys to the Steelers pulling themselves up and winning the last two and making a go in the playoffs? Are they just out-matched, over-rated, or under-performing?

Ed Bouchette: Let's remember they are 9-5 and not 5-9. They should beat the last two teams on their schedule. Does not mean they will, and if they lose one or both, then we can talk.

Tprod: Ed, Is Roethlisberger holding the ball too long looking for an open receiver or is the line just failing to provide protection?

Ed Bouchette: I believe it's a combination of a lot of things, including the two you mention.

steelers: Ed, it seems as though the defense is seeing its greatest strengths made into weaknesses (the pass against NE, the run against JAX). Do you think they will get back on track to finish the season strong and win the division?

Ed Bouchette: You'd like to think so, but they certainly have not shown us reason to think that way since their loss to the Jets.

mike: Is Hines head in the game or off the field?

Ed Bouchette: He made a pretty tough TD catch on Sunday, and yes, I know he dropped two, including what looked like one easy one.

copall: Ed, which unit of the Steelers is the biggest problem right now; O line, linebackers, secondary?

Ed Bouchette: I'd say the offensive line.

steelers: Do you think Ben will make the Pro Bowl?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, I do. I think it will be Brady, Manning and him. That would be his first. They announce it tomorrow.

manosteel: How is Rossum? If he's injured, do we see Willie Reid returning kicks Thursday night?

Ed Bouchette: Of, if he's healthy? He is healthy enough to play Thursday. Mike Tomlin called it a "mild concussion.''

BML79: Should Tomlin consider bring in Hampton as the new short yardage back?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think Casey is interested in that.

RC: Did Hines react at all to getting booed? That seemed a bit harsh (even though his drop was crucial).

Ed Bouchette: I don't know for sure, but I believe the jeers were intended as a general dissatisfaction with the play of the Steelers and not at Ward in particular.

Matador_Marvel: Other than the return against San Francisco, has Allen Rossum done one thing to warrant a roster spot?

Ed Bouchette: Ahhhhhh ... I'm thinking ...

Art_Vandelay: Hi Ed, I know that time is a precious commodity around the holidays, but if you can spare a few minutes, can you try to find the Steelers' pass rush? I'd do it myself but I live near Philly.

Ed Bouchette: Not even Santa could bring one, it appears.

RichRodBrokeRHeart: Maybe Ben needs Jessica Simpson wearing his jersey up in the skybox to get the team rolling faster in the game ...

Ed Bouchette: You mean the way Tony Romo did in Dallas yesterday? Ben is not that kind of self-promoter.

steelers: Ed, if you could give the Steelers a brief, pre-game motivational speech before Thursday night, what would you say?

Ed Bouchette: Go get 'em!

RichRodBrokeRHeart: So did you write down Paul's password when you logged in today Ed so you can post funny pictures of him on his MySpace page?

Ed Bouchette: Please, don't tell me he has a MySpace page.

BobA: Ed, how do you rate Mahan so far? Is he a long term solution at center?

Ed Bouchette: I think they will be looking for a solution after the season.

adam12: Are you looking forward to listening to Bryant Gumble bore the nation when he calls the St. Louis game this Thursday?

Ed Bouchette: One of the true benefits of sitting in the press box is not having to listen to the broadcast of the game.

DFWSTEELER: Is it time to let Woodley and Timmons get in on blitz packages to try something new?

Ed Bouchette: You likely will see Woodley make his first start for injured Clark Haggans Thursday.

copall: Ed, did you agree with the roughing-the-passer call against Haggans?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, he hit him low. You cannot do that and they all know it. I would expect he'll also get a fine out of it.

PhillyMarty: Does this offense have an identity? Or is it missing along the offensive line?

Ed Bouchette: It's on a milk carton.

Tom_M.: Will the Steelers have the $ to be active in FA? And will they?

Ed Bouchette: You won't see them sign a lot, nor sign a big name. They have to sign Big Ben, though.

TERRORSTORM_onGoogleVideo: Better Christmas Present: NFL Leading Rusher Snow Globe ... An NFL #1 Defense Door Mat ... An AFC North Championship Browns Flag... or a 100% New Steeler Coaching Staff for 2008?

Ed Bouchette: You guys are rough. They ARE 9-5.

Tprod: Ed, the Steelers have not drafted well in the middle and later rounds and is reflected in the quality of the back-ups and the age of the starters. Will Colbert start taking some heat for miss fires following the first round?

Ed Bouchette: What, you don't like what they got on the fourth and sixth round last year? And the seventh round for 2008?

DFWSTEELER: Want to go on record, I'm a die hard steeler to end, but also a football realist. We have a great foundation and skill players, and I like what Tomlin has done. But think we have too many holes to go deep in the playoffs. Overall season has been a huge success. Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: I wouldn't quite term it a HUGE success, nor would I think many of the others in this little chat room today. They still have a chance to do that, though.

steelers: I am VERY grateful that Ben is taking better care of the football this year, but now it seems as though he has taken holding onto the football to an extreme, allowing too many sacks. I have heard Tomlin address this specifically, but I have not seen a difference on the field. Why is there a disparity between what is said and what is done?

Ed Bouchette: Ever have kids?

Black_Gold829: Hey Ed, from an IUP grad you do a great job keeping the fans updated on all the Steelers news throughout the week. My question is what your thoughts were on the offensive playcalling so far this year...what grade would you give them through 14 weeks?

Ed Bouchette: Everyone always has issues with the offensive play calling, even during Super Bowl years. It always seems as though we -- yes, I include myself -- could do better. I think Bruce Arians has done a decent job with what he's had to work with.

Big_Alan: Dean Ed, not that long ago we were hoping for a #2 seed and now it looks like we'll be anywhere from #4-#6. Do you think we're one and out in the playoffs?

Ed Bouchette: If they get a home game, I think they can win one.

Dewmansdad: Will Anthony Smith learn to play the deep ball better or is he a lost cause?

Ed Bouchette: He's very aggressive, and he's still very young so he has time to learn a position in which he's started about half a season.

adam12: Do you think Grimm or Whisenhunt would be 14-0 right now? Are losses a product of poor coaching decisions above anything else?

Ed Bouchette: Do you really think if Vince Lombardi were coaching the Miami Dolphins they would win their division?

JtownJoe: Ed, was Coach Tomlin still angry today at the press conference like after the game or was he calm?

Ed Bouchette: Much calmer, like me.

Tprod: Ed, Simms from TB may never play again due to the removal of his spleen. Will Clark be able to return for next season? Anthony Smith has great physical talent, but he is leading the league in mental errors.

Ed Bouchette: Doctors say he should be able to play. He has lost a lot of weight, though. He's been back to the facility and I believe is starting to work out a little.

Gregg_B: How come nobody is talking about Willie Parker leading the league in rushing yards? Seems like he's going under the radar!

Ed Bouchette: We had two items on that last week in the Post-Gazette and mentioned it this morning. He could be No. 2 after tonight.

Ed Bouchette: OK, that's it from here. Sorry for the delay. Like the Steelers, we had trouble getting started. Program note: No chat next week around Christmas. Check with us, but it looks as though next chat will be held New Year's Day. Hangovers and all.