Ed Bouchette: Ladies and gentlemen (you know who you are), start your questions.

m4mica: Ed, I was at the game and noticed that Troy P. was playing very deep on several plays. Did you notice that and what was the rationale. It looked like he took himself out of the play before it even began. And this wasn't just at the end of the game, but throughout.

Ed Bouchette: Mike Tomlin revealed to the breathless media today that Troy injured his calf in pregame warmups. That is also why he was not introduced Sunday.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Ed, it sure seemed like Lamaar Woodley benefitted from the two weeks off, Big Ben too. Why do you think the Steelers were able to play at such a high level with the two-week layoff and other top seeds faltered?

Ed Bouchette: I can't account for the other teams, but maybe they were coached right and had the right frame of mind. Or, maybe they're just that much better.

BeattheBirdies: Why is that the refs can call a penalty for illegal formation, something that seems so trivial, but they cannot seem to notice when Harrison is held?

Ed Bouchette: James Harrison isn't being held, he's being closed-lined. It looks like offensive tackles put the Heimlich maneuver on him on a regular basis.

SteelFaninWyo: Ed, was this the best the team looked all year? Any cause for concern for late "garbage time" TD's allowed by the defense?

Ed Bouchette: No cause for concern about that late TD, and yes it's as good as they've looked much of the year.

STOPtheHappyHorseS___: Santonio's return was one for the ages but then he wasn't back to do returns again until late in the game ... why?

Ed Bouchette: I answered that in a daily question this week -- MM goes deep because they have more faith in him that he'll catch the ball and make the right decision whether to fair catch, let it bounce or catch it and run.

James_Taipei: Do you think the Steelers running game is back or was the San Diego game a one week fluke?

Ed Bouchette: That would then make it a two-week fluke, because Parker topped 100 vs. Cleveland. I thought he ran as good as I've ever seen him run, especially around the edge.

hisboyelroy: Hello Ed from snowy Wisconsin, can you give us an update on any injuries?

Ed Bouchette: I mentioned Troy. Justin Hartwig also "tweaked" a knee in the second quarter and wore a brace in the second half. Both will go lightly early in practice this week, but are said to be fine and will play on Sunday. Everyone else is fine.

O-linekickinA: Any idea what our O-line ate for breakfast last week? I KNOW what they had for dinner. Better yet, what was with the offensive play calling? Actually running to set up the pass?

Ed Bouchette: They fed them nothing for breakfast so they'd be hungry later in the day.

OldSchoolPatriotFan: The Ravens had their bye week the second week of the season, Sunday, September 14th. Have they gotten a second wind with the momentum of the playoffs or are they feeling the effects of playing 17 weeks in a row?

Ed Bouchette: I think they're showing that they're a good team, basically.

Pick_On_Fabian: A Mike Tomlin v. Ken Whisenhunt Super Bowl would be quite an endorsement of the Steelers organization, wouldn't it?

Ed Bouchette: Shhhhhhhh! You cannot look that far ahead, don't you know? It's one game at a time and right now the biggest game on the schedule is Baltimore. Yes, that would be a lovely pairing, especially for those who have to write about it.

Jack_the_Hydroplane: Do the Ravens look like they're running on fumes?

Ed Bouchette: If so, I'd like to have some of it.

dead_birds_don_t_fly_: Key to this weeks game: Pittsburgh is healthy, Baltimore is not. This won't be a laugher, but not nearly as close as our last 2 meetings. Pittsburgh 27-16? Your take?

Ed Bouchette: I think the Steelers are in good position to win this one, but there are no guarantees as their 1-4 record in home AFC title games since 1994 would suggest.

Steelman43: I like the offensive game plan on Sunday and could not be happier for FWP. Do you think Baltimore has to respect the run and game plan for a different offense than they saw in December?

Ed Bouchette: They better pay attention to the running game, yes.

Jack_the_Hydroplane: If Ben wins this game, will it forever silence the questions about who was the better QB from the Draft of '04?

Ed Bouchette: Are you kidding? Not only has that debate gone on in Pittsburgh, it included many who wanted to bench Ben and start his backup last Sunday. They booed Bradshaw here, they ran Kordell out of town, they will attack at the smallest amount of QB blood in the water.

Steelman43: Mr. Ed-Baltimore looks like Pittsburgh did last year in the playoffs. They are good, but they are tired and beat up. I think it is going to be 27-10 all over again, what do you think?

Ed Bouchette: I think you are way overconfident.

football_101: Ed, Tomlin not resting his healthy starters for Cleveland and stressing fundamentals during bye week sure looks like two good moves don't they?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, that's the benefit of hindsight. Had they lost last week, it would have been the reason they lost.

football_101: Ed, although decent at blocking, Carey Davis never seems to make things happen with the ball in his hands, and his short little legs look like they're running in place. Why do they call his number?

Ed Bouchette: I have no idea. I was surprised he got the ball so often on Sunday.

lefty_leftwich: Ed, if the OL plays at the same level as they did against San Diego, do you feel the Steelers have a very good chance at winning the trifecta?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know about any horse betting, but I'll take their chances in the AFC title game Sunday.

sinmusic: Ed, what exactly has Tomlin done differently this year compared to last when the players say they have more energy? Is it simply less hitting with pads?

Ed Bouchette: He adjusted, went easier on them, starting in camp.

Noonan: Ed, how does Baltimore's D line and LB corps compare with San Diego's? Do you predict our O Line will look as good as they did last week?

Ed Bouchette: Baltimore is so much better.

6_in_Tampa: It looked like Ben was throwing the ball with the most zip on it all year. Is the shoulder as close to 100% as it has been?

Ed Bouchette: I would have to say yes. Mike Tomlin mentioned that his shoulder benefited from the bye too.

Noonan: Can you explain why ESPN has been repeating the "can't beat a team three times" misinformed view all day? Great article today!

Ed Bouchette: Thanks. I can't vouch for them.

tooleman: Ed, I've been going to Steeler games for a lot of years and I thought Sunday's crowd was one of the loudest I can remember. Do you feel the crowd can get to Flacco?

Ed Bouchette: No, but I think James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley might.

letsjustrunwithit: How much difference does a healthy Heath Miller to the Steelers game plan? One too many options for the Ravens D?

Ed Bouchette: I think a healthy Heath Miller adds a lot and I'd like to see them go to him more often -- in Baltimore, they threw a second-down pass at the goal line to Matt Spaeth at the end of the game!

Mike: Do you think that #7 had more zip on the ball on sunday than he had displayed much of the season? if so, do you think his shoulder is getting to the point where it isn't bothering him terribly?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, and yes.

Mike: Anthony Smith didn't dress for sunday's game. who hates him the most: Tomlin or LeBeau?

Ed Bouchette: Nobody hates him. They just had better options.

FoolBack: Chris Johnson was successful running against the Ravens. He's is certainly a talent, but what can be learned from his success?

Ed Bouchette: A healthy Willie Parker at home Sunday -- they did not have him in the first Baltimore game -- can do as well.

SteelersFanInMD: I heard Samari Rolle might be out for Sunday's game. Do you think Big Ben will throw Frank Walker's way a lot?

Ed Bouchette: You mean Frank -- Here's Spit In Your Eye -- Walker? Sure.

McSmooth: Will Bettis be back on the sidelines this Sunday?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know, but Rush Limbaugh was on the sideline before the game with two women, one in a very long, very expensive fur coat. He's a big Steelers fan. But then, he was a big Bush fan too and that didn't help anyone.

Gsauline: Do you think the Steelers should look to go no huddle a bit? It seems like that is when they have had some success against the Ravens this year.

Ed Bouchette: Gee, there's a question I haven't gotten much this year. Whatever works, I think they should use.

TampaDan: Hi Ed, Any chance the Ravens come out with a spread offense like SD used in the 4th quarter?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think so, it's not their style and I think they want to protect Joe Flacco, not expose him like that.

Steeler_D_in_AZ: Ed thanks for the chats, did you sabotage the server last week to end the chat early?

Ed Bouchette: I'm astonished you would even think of a thing like that!

Noonan: A peaking running game, special teams not allowing killer returns, receivers not dropping balls, an absence of turnovers... OMG, could This be The Year?

Ed Bouchette: What's that saying, Why Not US? Look, you may be surprised to hear this but not only did the Steelers win a Super Bowl 3 years ago, they have a pretty good team and are favored to win it this year.

Tprod: Ed, are teams targeting Ike Taylor or are teams going his way because he is usually in single coverage?

Ed Bouchette: I have not noticed anyone picking on him. He often covers the other team's best receiver, although he did not do that specifically against SD.

pitt76: Tennessee moved the ball up and down the field last week but lost because of turnovers. Do you think that Ravens D is as good as the hype and will the Steelers be able to run the ball?

Ed Bouchette: yes, I think they are good and yes, I think they can run on them -- no guarantee and you don't need 146 yards by Parker to be effective against Baltimore.

Scott_Shields: Why fake a punt on 4th and 1 from the 50?

Ed Bouchette: Mike wanted to send his team a message that he would be aggressive. I say print it out and tape it to their lockers, and then either punt in that situation or line up with your offense and show THEM you want to be aggressive. To me, tricky does not necessarily mean aggressive.

CB-Stiller: It's been pretty obvious that Nate Washington has become the Steelers primary deep threat. He just couldn't bring any of those long ones in this week. Are they holding Holmes back from going deep?

Ed Bouchette: No, I think the coverage dictates it and also who might be open. They have gone deep to Holmes this year.

jawsteeler: Fake punt? Pooch punt by Ben? Reverse by Holmes? Did Mularkey take over for Arians for a day??

Ed Bouchette: Wicky Wacky, perhaps, but I don't think it was Arians as much as it was his boss, Mike Tomlin.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: How did you feel about the fake punt?

Ed Bouchette: Hated it. Ask me next time after it works -- if there is a next time and if it does work.

MoeLarry_Cheese: On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst how bad is Troy's calf injury?

Ed Bouchette: I wish I could tell you; all I have to go by is Mike Tomlin, and he says he'll be ine.

sinmusic: Ed, will James Harrison's contract be extended before next season begins?

Ed Bouchette: That's going to be a good one. We'll talk after the season.

DC_Diva: So, the Balto Sun video shows Derrick Mason holding up new Ravens shirts saying "What's Our Name?" Have they just given themselves the Bungles "Who Dey?" curse?

Ed Bouchette: They do like to talk and bring attention to themselves.

Steeler_D_in_AZ: Hey Ed, do you think Flacco is really unflappable or just hasn't been harassed a whole lot?

Ed Bouchette: I've been impressed with his coolness since his first game at Heinz Field this season.

CB-Stiller: Berger's performance sure has been a lot better lately. Has he made changes in his punting or is he just settling in and feeling more comfortable?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe his hamstrings had a chance to get better.

Q-Dog: Are the Rooney's attending next week's inauguration ceremony?

Ed Bouchette: You mean to crown the next Super Bowl champ?

OldSchoolPatriotFan: How big a deal was Sweed's drop? I say if he catches it he plays a LOT more but now a lot less.

Ed Bouchette: Meant nothing, but it did continue in a vein Limas Sweed has followed all season in games and practices.

jawsteeler: Any chance we see a repeat of the 5 TD game by Ben against the Ravens?

Ed Bouchette: You never know what to expect in the NFL, I just would not bet on it.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Ed, is it Coach Tomlin's responsibility to talk with the officials about certain calls? I'm tired of seeing James Harrison getting mugged! They have no problem calling holding on Heath Miller!

Ed Bouchette: Yes, they can speak to the NFL officials head about calls, send in video of them, etc.

jawsteeler: Keisel had a monster game Sunday. Is he the most underrated guy on the D?

Ed Bouchette: Him and Larry Foote, yes.

Steeler_D_in_AZ: Ed, I always see old faithful Charlie Batch on the sidelines. What is his actual job this season?

Ed Bouchette: He's stuck around to help out in any way he can, whether it's to talk to Ben about what he's seeing, etc. He's also the player rep. And he just likes being around as well.

McSmooth: Has a rookie head coach ever coached a team in the Pro Bowl?

Ed Bouchette: I think you're better off with Google on that one.

jawsteeler: I hate the extra week between the conference championship and Super Bowl, no matter who plays. Your take?

Ed Bouchette: I absolutely love it. Otherwise, I'd have to fly right from the AFC title game to the Super Bowl Monday morning. I like preparing and what's wrong with extending all the excitement one more week. I think the merchandisers, bars and restaurants and anyone else selling stuff in Pittsburgh would strongly disagree with you.

MoeLarry_Cheese: Do you give Arizona a slugger's chance vs Philly?

Ed Bouchette: Heck, yes, more than I gave them in Carolina last week.

Ed Bouchette: I have to run, expecting a phone call too. Remember, I'll be here Thursday at 2 and we have a special chatter this week on Friday, I understand. Please, go easy on Mr. Dulac.