Q: I'm going to go Jerry Seinfeld on you here. So what's the deal with Paul Ernster? Does he have some damaging inside info on Tomlin or something? Seriously, can't they find a punter who can at least clear a 28.5 average? I think you could do better ...

Dave Putt, Leesburg, Va.

BOUCHETTE: Thank you, I think. Ernster may be gone by the time you read this. He apparently suffers from stage shock, and it hit him in Pittsburgh the way it did in Cleveland and Denver. I believe they let him punt one more game Thursday because he also holds for Jeff Reed. Maybe they need to have Hines Ward just go ahead and do that because with Ernster gone, Reed will have his fourth holder this year, counting Daniel Sepulveda in training camp. Maybe they can scout the WPIAL finals Saturday and find a punter there.