Ed Bouchette: Hello to Chat I of our two chats this week. Like Mike Tomlin, I will say nothing today to rile up the enemy, in my case any other newspapers in town. Let's begin.

mwoodym112: Does the Defense think the Chargers will try to run Darren Sproales all over the place or do they think Rivers will pass alot depending on the weather?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know, but they'll prepare for both.

Terrible_Trousers: Easy Ed, Double Duty this week! I know you are pumped about your first of TWO chats, you are a true professional! Last time they played the Steelers racked up a bunch of yards vs. SD, but no points. Do you anticipate them being able to move the ball as well this weekend and perhaps even score a few TDs?

Ed Bouchette: They better hope so because they won 11-10 and did not commit a turnover. What they did commit were penalties, 13 of them, and if they do that again they'll have a hard time winning.

Freehold_Willie: James Harrison: Defensive MVP! Ed, did you get a vote? Why didn't Joey Porter get any consideration? He did have over 17 sacks.

Ed Bouchette: Yes, I voted for Harrison. Porter had 1.5 more sacks but Harrison also led the league with 7 forced fumbles, one of them causing a safety vs. the Chargers and another Woodley scooped up and ran in for a TD. You can't vote strictly on who has the most sacks. I did vote for Harrison and Porter for All-Pro.

Terrible_Trousers: What do you think is the most critical matchup of this game?

Ed Bouchette: Their punter vs. Steelers punter? Maybe whoever has to guard Antonio Gates -- Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior, Troy P.

bg_steel: Ed, Do you think the Steelers can stop Darren Sproles?

Ed Bouchette: No RB has hit 100 against them, so yes I think they can.

SDonTheRoad: I like the idea of SD playing in a hostile environment, especially if the weather 'cooperates.' Does foul weather give us as big an advantage this year in light of our inability to impose our will in the running game?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe, but I don' t think the Steelers can "impose their will" in the RG anymore. Plus, it was cold and snowy when SD was here in November and the Chargers lost by one point.

James_Taipei: Do you think we will see a Ravens -Steelers rematch on January 18?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, and I think it will be as juicy as they come.

tpresto: Hi Ed -- Do you think that Ron Rivera being the Defensive Coordinator has made the Charagers a much better team than they were when we first met them? I realize he WAS the coordinator then, but he only had the job for about 2 weeks prior to that first game against the Steelers. -- thanks

Ed Bouchette: He seems to have helped make them a better defense.

TheMesh: Are you completely convinced that Tomlin is happy with Arians and his offensive philosophy?

Ed Bouchette: No, although Mike has not shared his thought with me on that matter.

bg_steel: Ed, Are the Steelers going to pass more against the 31st-worst Chargers secondary?

Ed Bouchette: More than what? Ben passed 41 times against them on Nov. 16 and completed 31 for 308 yards.

Google_Fabled_Enemies: Without Mewelde Moore, do the Steelers even make the playoffs? He proved himself on the field, why isn't he the starter?

Ed Bouchette: Because Willie Parker is the starter. Yes, I believe they would not be 12-4 if it weren't for MM.

adamill: Hey Ed, wondering if you have any insight on Brett Keisel's condition? He was basically invisible in the two games at the end of the year. Can we expect a return to the disruptive defensive lineman we saw earlier this year?

Ed Bouchette: He's had a knee sprain and that may be why he has not been as active.

AmericanU_SteelerFan: Ed, what's the mood in the locker room? Everyone in the press seems to be writing this game off as a win for the Steelers, do you get a sense that they're laxing up?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, the press is certainly laxing up.

Google_Fabled_Enemies: Ed, Chargers WR Vincent Jackson was a no show in the game against Indy yet he had a quiet 1000+ season and averaged 18.6 yards a catch and had 7 TDs during the regular season ... Will the Steelers consider him the #1 WR and put Taylor on him or will they use Ike more on Gates who is their other big rec. threat?

Ed Bouchette: I think those two are the biggest threats and just because Jax did little vs. Indy does not mean the Steelers will play him any differently.

vzzrbird: Ed, do you have a prediction on the Ravens/Titans game?

Ed Bouchette: Nothing would surprise me, but I see the Ravens winning.

rbird: Hello Ed, I wanted your opinion on Ron Cook's article the other day. I wasn't too crazy about him guaranteeing a rematch of the Ravens and Steelers. Won't San Diego use that as billboard material?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think the Steelers are quaking in their shoes over any perceived repercusion from Ron Cook predicting a Steelers victory over the Chargers. Now, if they start planning a Super Bowl rap video ...

Away_with_Arians: How is Ryan Clark this week? Any problems with him going on Sunday? I think he's one of the keys to our playoff fortunes.

Ed Bouchette: He's fine.

bruised_brain: Ed, thanks, once again for getting the real dirt in the locker room this week. We always hear about the influence of the weather this time of year. Do you think the Chargers will really be at an increased disadvantage if its below freezing?

Ed Bouchette: That dirt, by the way, is getting harder to find now that they've installed carpeting. yes, the weather can be a factor and you'd think it would help a cold-weather team such as the Steelers. But I've seen warm-weather teams win here.

mwoodym112: Finally James Harrison won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award!!! I know that Ed Reed finished 3rd, but it seemed like all the TV shows were making a push for him again. Its bad enough that he screwed Jammes Farrior out of the award back in 2004. Ed, Who do you think was a bigger MVP for their team this year? Harrison or Reed?

Ed Bouchette: Harrison, by far. He was more disruptive at linebacker. Ed Reed, though, might have been my second choice.

michaelg: I've noticed that Orpheus Roye and Fernando Bryant haven't dressed for most of the late-season games. Are these two longtime stalwarts over the hill?

Ed Bouchette: You have to pick 8 not to dress (actually 7, because the NO. 3 QB dresses). Bryant wasn't even on the team until several weeks ago and Roye is the No. 4 DE.

Mwarren18: Ed, the fullback was used against Cleveland, you think this is a sign of things to come becuase it seemed to help the offensive line with regard to run blocking?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know what to think anymore about the FB. I know what the players and fans want but it's up to the coaches what to do. Remember, those were the Brownies.

AmericanU_SteelerFan: Ed, how "for real" is Baltimore? Their defense is good, but Pennington made Ed Reed look awfully good Sunday, and the Dolphins did move the ball on them.

Ed Bouchette: Steelers beat Ravens at home in OT, then barely beat them in Baltimore. I think they are for very real.

AmericanU_SteelerFan: Ed, all the major networks wanted to talk about this past week was Roethlisberger's concussion and how Leftwich might play. Was there ever any concern that he wouldn't play (after he was released from the hospital)?

Ed Bouchette: No, never

WyoBowhunter: Does Sproles posess a concern with his cutbacks and could he be more dangerous to the Steelers in this game than Tomlinson was earlier?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, I think he can be more dangerous. Cutback runners have had a better history against the Steelers than others.

OldSchoolPatriotFan: Is there any significant advantage for the Steelers that the Chargers had to play an overtime period in their win against the Colts?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think so, especially since that was a Saturday game. The scheduling, by the way, went against the Steelers/Chargers. They have to play Sunday night, basically, after Tenn/Baltimore play on Saturday. If Tennessee wins, not only do the Titans get an extra day's rest, but they play at home. Imagine if the Chargers win and have to fly back to SD, then to Tennessee.

erybil: What is with the alarming trend of Steelers QB's spiking the ball after getting a first and goal in 2-minute situations and a time out remaining, leaving only 2 downs to try and get the TD? Its worked out the last couple weeks with TD's on 3rd down, but brings back bad memories of Neil O'Donnel doing the same after Eric Green's catch in that AFC Champonship game against SD, then throwing 3 incompletions on the remaining 3 downs- Steelers left the field with a loss and the time out untaken.

Ed Bouchette: The real alarming trend is for questions that go on and on and on.

sinmusic: Ed, No Offensive Player of the Year has ever won the Super Bowl that same year. Harrison wins the Defensive Player of the Year. I saw that two Steelers who won it also won Super Bowls that year. Is this enough of an indicator for what will happen to the Steelers this year?

Ed Bouchette: Take to Vegas, it's a lock. Wait, don't do that because if it does not happen you'll blame me.

norcalfan: Hi Ed: If you were in charge of drafting a safety for an NFL team, would you choose Troy or Ed Reed?

Ed Bouchette: I would take Troy because I think he's more disruptive in the way he plays. But, again, Reed would be a close second.

sinmusic: QBs who returned from a concussion this year (Anderson, Bulger, Hassleback, and Edwards) have a 1-3 record upon their return. The only winner, Edwards in Buffalo, had a bye-week prior to the next game. How will Ben fare?

Ed Bouchette: Fortunately, Roethlisberger is no Anderson, Bulger, Hasselbeck or Edwards. If I knew how Ben would fare Sunday, I would be in the wrong business.

Pit5UK7: Last time Ben had a concussion (vs. ATL), he had a terrible next game vs. OAK. Short leash this week or no correlation whatsoever?

Ed Bouchette: No correlation. If he's cleared, he plays. If he plays poorly, it does not mean he played that way because he had a concussion 2 weeks ago.

Chooch79: I heard that the NFL is considering moving next year's Pro Bowl up to a week before the Superbowl. If they do, will any of the players from the 2 Superbowl teams actually show up and risk an injury?

Ed Bouchette: You might have missed it but starting next year, the Pro Bowl will be played at the Super Bowl site the Sunday before. No, the Super Bowl players will not play, and no, it does not render that game any more meaningful, despite the NFL's best efforts.

state_college_: Hi Ed. In your opinion, was James Harrison's road to the NFL unique, or do you think there are many more potential superstars out there that have slipped through the scouting cracks?

Ed Bouchette: I'm sure some have slipped through the cracks, never given the number of chances James was or never stayed at it as long as James despite the setbacks.

sinmusic: Should we expect to see some new "wrinkles" on offense and defense starting Sunday?

Ed Bouchette: Let's hope they straighten out some things on offense rather than wrinkle them.

Google_Fabled_Enemies: Averaging over 18 yards a catch for over a 1000 yards this season Vincent Jackson doesn't get mentioned alot or at all when the heads are talking about the Chargers. He had ZERO receptions last week but played and isn't listed on any injury reports. Are they hiding him or did Indy concentrate on taking him out of their game plan? Considering Rivers only averaged 6 yards a tec it seems odd that Jackson was none existant.

Ed Bouchette: I doubt they were hiding him.

Luis: Hey Ed, what are the odds of seeing 13-2 penalty difference again?

Ed Bouchette: 13-2.

JohnMiller: What is the probability that the punter's play a big factor in the game this week?

Ed Bouchette: Entirely probable, having seen both punters punt.

norcalfan: Hi Ed: Given the advantage that LT gets from wearing the dark visor (i.e., tacklers can't see what direction he is looking) why don't more running backs seek an excuse for an exemption to use such a visor?

Ed Bouchette: I always felt those dark visors should be banned. They did put some restrictions on them when everyone started wearing them, but I would not allow them, just as Pennsylvania does not allow heavily tinted glass on your auto -- you have to see what's inside.

MAdesso: Ed, is Deshea starting at corner this week?

Ed Bouchette: No, I believe that would be Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden, with Deshea entering in the nickel.

BPiccolo: Ed, With Harrison wining DPOY award, do you think there is a chance of some holding calls going inour favor for once?

Ed Bouchette: no

Steelersfan-N-Austin: Is this as healthy as the Steelers can get (assuming Ben really has the cobwebs cleared out)?

Ed Bouchette: yes

sinmusic: Ed, who is our reserve long-snapper? Is it still James Harrison?

Ed Bouchette: I believe it is and, no, he does not practice it much.

C_burg_Stiller: What do the majority of the players do on an off day like today during a playoff week? Are many in the facility today?

Ed Bouchette: Many come in on their days off anyway. But, yes, I would say more are here today.

herewego: Happy New One Ed. What do you make of Arians' comments that the I formation we saw v. Cleveland has been used all year. I'm no O-Coordinator, but I've watched every game and came out of my seat when I saw the Steelers I come out.

Ed Bouchette: It has been used all year, just not much, certainly not as much as the Cleveland game.

praveen: Do you think the Steelers need to concentrate on rushing the SD punter. It's not like Steelers need anyone to block for a fair catch which is what will be most likely.

Ed Bouchette: Since I've covered the Steelers, I can't remember too many times they called for a punt block under other than dire circumstances.

Chooch79: Were you surprised that Harrison won Defensive MVP by such a wide margin over DeMarcus Ware?

Ed Bouchette: I was not, but I'm sure there are some people in Dallas who are. Did the Cowboys make the playoffs, by the way?

Chooch79: Can we assume that there will not be any discussions of a Super Bowl video prior to this years playoff game against the Chargers?

Ed Bouchette: We've already mentioned it here. You can safety assume there will be no talk of such a thing -- they've also become passe, and the only good one was done by the '85 Bears.

rbird: Ed, don't the Chargers remind you a little of the '05 Steelers and last year's Giants? They have definately gotten hot at the right time and they are finding ways to win games.

Ed Bouchette: Yes, but the beach boys have a loooong way to go before they pull off what those two teams did.

hinestheman: Ed, if Ben has a horrible first quarter, does Mike Tomlin stay with him or does he make a QB change?

Ed Bouchette: Stay

hinestheman: Ed, after talking to him, do you believe Ben that he is 100% and that he will not play scared (to be hit)?

Ed Bouchette: I leafed through my nuerology textbook, then my psychiatry test book and while I talked to Ben I held up three fingers and asked him, "How many?'' He said three, so I think he's fine. Seriously, I do think he's fine.

rbird: Ed, Lamaar Woodley has kind of disappeared the past few weeks. Has he hit the wall or is he just dropping back into coverage more?

Ed Bouchette: I think his first full season as a starter has caught up to him a little bit, hit the wall if that's how you want to put it. In that sense, the bye may have done him wonders, too.

sinmusic: Will Tomlin and his assistants preach to Big Ben the importance of protecting the ball during January and Feb. 1? The teams who lost this weekened were QBs were made costly mistakes.

Ed Bouchette: I think in five years of playing in the NFL, Ben does not need to have that message preached to him any more. If he did, he probably would not still be a starter. QBs, believe it or not, are not perfect all the time. Just ask Peyton Manning, the three-time MVP who goes one-and-out more often than a Pirates pinch-hitter with men on base.

Ed Bouchette: OK, that's the end to Chat I. Have to save some of my material for Chat 2, to make sure you keep coming back. Remember, 2 p.m. on Thursday.