Hines_in_the_Hall: The excellent 2007 draft class improved the defense in 2008-- opposing offenses had to adjust to an unfamiliar new D with Woodley and Timmons playing a lot (and playing well). Does a lack of similar production from the 2008 draft class mean that opponents can game plan against the familiar 2008 Steelers in 2009?

Ed Bouchette: That's a stretch. The Steelers draft class of 2008 has done little to help them, but they did nothing to help them last season either.

bestofthebatch: Ed, is it possible that Reed still has some lingering effects from when he was brutally attacked by that paper towel dispenser at Sheetz this offseason?

Ed Bouchette: He missed a 52-yard field goal try. It's not like it was from 32

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: When Tomlin went for it on 4th down near the end of the first half, did you question his decision? I know I did!

Ed Bouchette: Not really but Gerry Dulac did and he turned out to be correct.

Steel73: Ed, do you think now that the team is starting to show effects from the lax training camp that Tomlin had this summer? DLs and LBs cant get no pressure on the QB and are not winning their 1/1 matchups. CBs can't cover anything so they sit back in zones. For once you can't blame the offense. If the defense steps up and gets off the field, you stand at 3-0.

Ed Bouchette: I think if they had scored 4 more points in each of the last two games, that would not be an issue. It's a lax training camp if they do not win, a perfect blend if they win a Super Bowl.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: What's wrong with Limas Sweed? I don't remember him dropping this many key passes at Texas. He always seems to be wide open. I know you've said in the past that Nate Washington dropped a few too but now this is getting ridiculous. This dropped pass COST the Steelers a WIN. Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: You won't see many more dropped passes from Limas Sweed because it looks as if he just dropped himself -- right to the No. 5 receiver behind veteran Sean McDonald.

Artie-NYC: Was Sweed's drop that bad or is it a tough catch to make? It seems like the ground caused him to lose the ball.

Ed Bouchette: No, Limas Sweed caused him to lose the ball. What's he doing falling down when he was not tackled? The pass was right there.

Katmandu: Ed, is Troy doing anything in practice? Can we still expect him to return for the Detroit game?

Ed Bouchette: Troy is running but not practicing. Mike Tomlin issued another positive report on him and Troy told me he's looking at Detroit as his return game.

Katmandu: How is David Johnson's leg, and what is the injury? Is he expected back this week?

Ed Bouchette: He has a high ankle sprain and I would not look for him to play Sunday.

Hobo_Bill: What's your prediction for Sunday's game? You're 2 for 2 during these last 2 games,

Ed Bouchette: I am 3-for-3 predicting win, lose, lose. You can see the rest of my predictions for the rest of the season at PG Plus.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: In your opinion, have teams finally figured out how to defend against the 3-4 defense? The lack of consistent pressure to the QB was evident on that last drive especially.

Ed Bouchette: I think it's a little too early in the season to say that. They've played a 3-4 since 1982, so if they haven't figured it out by now, I don't think it's going to happen.

FL_Steeler_Fan: What was up with the laterals on the kickoff at the end of the game? We could of at least got 2 plays off I think.

Ed Bouchette: I don't think it really mattered.

steelcitystud: Hey Ed, Any chance Mendenhall & Sweed are inactive and Shaun McDonald & Isaac Redman activated?

Ed Bouchette: Sean Mcdonald, yes. he will play ahead of Sweed. they need Mendenhall, especially since FWP has turf toe.

ssmerock: Why are Woodley and Harrison playing like they are forty five years old this year. Has money changed Harrisons drive?

Ed Bouchette: No, I don't believe so. he's been active and he's been held a lot, but that's no different than last season. I think Polamalu being out has hurt them, but they do need to get to the Qb.

FL_Steeler_Fan: Good afternoon Ed. As always, thank you for the best Steeler coverage around. First off, have we seen enough of Sweed? I was a pretty big fan of Wallace in pre season and Sweed basically let an opportunity slip away.

Ed Bouchette: I think you will not see Limas anytime soon.

PhillyMarty: Tomlin talks about respecting the game. Did Tomlin disrespect the Bungals in not punting at the end of the first half?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think that had anything to do with lack of respect for the Bengals, which also is completely different from respecting the game.

Steeler_Fan_In_Cen_CA: ED, will Shaun McDonald dress and Limas Sweed sit out this weekend?

Ed Bouchette: yes

Ed Bouchette: This just in: Steelers signed Carey Davis. They will have to release someone to make room for him. Frank Summers has back injury and David Johnson has high ankle sprain, necessitating the signing of Davis, who was their starting FB last season.

tatanka: Ed, your thoughts about the kick return in the final seconds. Wasn?t it better to at least try a deep pass in the middle, we had all of our time outs.

Ed Bouchette: The Bengals scored with 14 seconds left. I don't care if you had 13 time outs, you were probably getting just one play off after the kickoff.

Steeler_Dan: Ed, I am not sure that the Steelers are having a SB hangover but it seems quite obvious that Santonio Holmes is. His lack of concentration and overall terrible play have aided greatly in the two losses. Is it possible for Tomlin to sit him and try to motivate him into playing like a number one receiver? I get the feeling that he is another of those Diva receivers.

Ed Bouchette: Mike Tomlin defended Holmes during his press conference today. he said he blocked well against the Bengals.

polamalu43: Ed, will Polamalu be back for Detroit game?

Ed Bouchette: That's the goal, yes.

ATL_stiller: What insight do you have concerning the "detail" work Rashard missed last week? When he was injured last year, he didn't seem to interested in hanging with the team, is this a continuation of that?

Ed Bouchette: I answered that question yesterday on PG Plus.

The_Hangover_Pt._2: Ed, is there any dissension among the ranks? It appears that the team isn't as close as it was last year.

Ed Bouchette: Would they be any closer if they were 2-1? I see nothing to suggest they are not "closer."

The_Hangover_Pt._2: Ed, was this last TD drop the straw that broke Sweed's back amongst the coaching staff?

Ed Bouchette: It appears so, yes, and I do not know how he gets back into the rotation barring an injury.

Barrett_Brooks: Ed, why do the Steelers always seem to give up on fullbacks so quickly? First Dan Kreider, then Carey Davis, and now they're scrambling to find someone. Do they really think it's just not that important of a position?

Ed Bouchette: Kreider was here for a long time. Bruce Arians preferred Carey Davis because he thought he could do more than just block. Then they gave up on Davis because he did not block as well as David Johnson. Now they have Davis back.

Troyanator: Afternoon Ed, All this talk of our need to finish games stronger, and blaming the defense for giving up plays late or bad play calling by the offense ... to me it still comes down to establishing a ground game that will eat up the clock later in games when we have the lead. Agree or disagree?

Ed Bouchette: I agree, and they have not done that. The other team cannot score if you have the ball -- unless Santonio Holmes runs the wrong way, of course.

Troyanator: Ed, I hear Big Ben is going to be on the WWE's wrestling show this coming Monday. Doesn't this sort of instant celebrity status that comes with winning championships need to be taken into account when trying to avoid championship hangovers?

Ed Bouchette: I was told that what they do on their day off is fine -- unless Ben enters the ring, then they would have a problem.

Taz: Hey Ed. Thanks for chatting. So when are the Steelers going to sign Matt Spaeth up for blocking classes?

Ed Bouchette: He's not built to block. He's a 6-foot-7 tight end who should mostly be a receiver. You cannot turn him into something he is not.

polamalu43: Ed, Hines was called for 2 offensive holding calls, he does blocks the same way every game, do you believe of what happened in last years game with Hines knocking out Rivers played into those calls???

Ed Bouchette: Hines was called for two pass interference calls, a big difference. On one, he picked. On the other, it was a bang-bang play where the officials ruled he blocked before the catch was made. Yes, I do think they were watching him more closely Sunday.

Steelers_Fan_Stuck_In_Ohio: Just saw your latest post where you mention that McDonald may dress in place of Sweed. Does it appear that Sweed is falling further out of favor with the coaching staff?

Ed Bouchette: It does not just appear that way, it is that way. He's dug himself a hole that will be tough to climb out of.

The_Hangover_Pt._2: Ed, regarding the OLB's: complacency or have the opposing teams figured out how to beat our blitzes?

Ed Bouchette: I have a hard time saying it's complacency.

PhillyMarty: Should we be more concerned with the play of the offense or the defense?

Ed Bouchette: Offense, particularly the running game.

SWEED_IS_A_BUST: Ed, If Mendenhall had such a bad practice, why even dress him?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe they wanted him to play on special teams. Also, you only have three real backs and what if one is hurt?

KreiderPower_: Is Frank Summers headed to the DL?

Ed Bouchette: I would think that's possible, pending the medical report on this mysterious back injury.

Eric_Slick_from_Turtle_Creek: Long time reader, first time chatter. Wallace has clearly established himself as the number three WR with his performance last week (and Sweed's lack thereof). With the way Wallace has been catching balls, would you start him (3 WR) over a TE?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think it matters whether he starts over a TE or not. They're going to use their personnel the way they see fit as the game goes along anyway.

justme: Ed, my question is about hall of fame voting. Please let me know where i am wrong. Isn't Dermonti Dawson considered one of the best centers in NFL history? If so, why can't he get elected. Troy Aikman made it in, in his first year and I do not believe many would argue that he is the best at his position. I think Troy A deserves to be in there, but I also think that DD should already be in the HOF. Maybe you can speak to what has happened to date concerning DD? Thanks

Ed Bouchette: Quickly, I will. Troy Aikman is a QB with 3 Super Bowl rings. Dawson is a center with none. Yes, I believe Dirt should be in the HOF and I'm trying to convince my HOF voting colleagues he does. Dawson also is fighting the avalanche of Steelers who have gone into the hall over the past two decades.

JMF213: Ed, seeing how Steeler Nation has been turned upside down, can you lengthen your chats to an hour? They are very calming.

Ed Bouchette: I'd like to shorten them, to tell you the truth.

Tenacious_D: Ed: You predicted a loss against the Bears and Bengals. What did you see that ran counter to most of the other experts?

Ed Bouchette: Lucky me, unlucky Steelers, I guess. I also have them going 4-2 in the preseason predictions I made on PG Plus.

SanDiegoBurghman: Any way the Steelers lose Sunday night? Being in San Diego, I may have to board myself up in my house if the Steelers go to 1-3 and lose to the 3-1 Chargers.

Ed Bouchette: Of course there's a way they can lose. They trailed 10-8 last season and won only on a late Jeff Reed FG. Of course, Reed misses all of his field goals now (at least that's what fans seem to think). I believe they will win, and so do the oddsmakers wh have installed them as 5-point favorites.

Steel_Curtain_Rising: Hey Ed. What number should I pick for the lottery? Which stocks should I buy? Seriously, Kudos to you for predicting the 1-2 start. Do you still see them beating a strong San Diego team?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, and San Diego is not without it's own injuries. Sunday night game in Pittsburgh after losing the past two? I think it's a near lock.

DanKrieder: Do you think the steelers should keep 43 out until the Denver game as a precautionary measure?

Ed Bouchette: I think I'd play him when he's ready and if that's Detroit, so be it.

SteelerFanInCincy: Thanks for the time Ed. Any thoughts on why this Steeler team doesn't seem to put teams away when they have them down?

Ed Bouchette: I think that's the NFl these days. They did not do a lot of that last season either.

artie-NYC: Ed, after Troy comes back how long do you think it takes him to get back to top form?

Ed Bouchette: I think it will take a game or two.

stillersrule: Hi Ed: Love these chats, and so far so good on the PG+, I appreciate the added insight. Now what's really going on with our D? Something's missing, is it leadership, or have other teams caught up with us ... or would you also subscribe to the SB "hangover" mentality? Thanks, much.

Ed Bouchette: I haven't seen enough of it yet to say there's really anything wrong with the defense. They have not made big plays, for one. Five sacks, two turnovers, that's not up to par for them. Plus, I don't know that the offense is helping them out a lot.

DanKrieder: Do you have any insight into Mendenhall's transgressions that put him in the proverbial dog house? Were you surprised given that Mendenhall seems bright and a hard worker (at least as evidenced by his work in the weight room)?

Ed Bouchette: No, I'm not surprised, based on last season when he did not come around much while on IR. Every week, these guys have to know the offense and I hear he did not know it well enough and Mike Tomlin decided to send a message.

Philaburgh: Im trying to understand why the returners weren't instructed to go down at first contact on that final kick off. They had 15 seconds and a time out, instead the clock was run off trying to make something of nothing.

Ed Bouchette: Doesn't matter, they weren't going to score anyway.

Mile_Hi_Stiller: Why is Tomlin so impatient with Mendenhall and he will allow Limas Sweed to routinely drop passes that could change the game?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know that he routinely allows Sweed to drop passes. He's demoted him another notch this week. Plus, Rashard's error was a lack of preparation and Sweed's was a physical error. The former is more grievous.

Tenacious_D: Ed: You were right on your predictions for the outcome of the first three games. What about week four?

Ed Bouchette: As I've said, I predicted a win vs. Chargers.

MD-CHUCK: Any inside word on whether LaMarr Woodley is hurt or not?

Ed Bouchette: I believe he is healthy.

MissingTroy: Hi Ed, I wasn't able to find you picks online. I know you said we would be 1-2 at this point. Are you still sticking with 12 wins. Who were the other two they will lose to? Balt. ans Minn.? Has any one ask Limas why he felt the need to fall down in the end zone? It looked like he could of ran right under the ball?

Ed Bouchette: My picks were made before the season on PG Plus, the day of the opener vs. Tennessee. I'm sticking with 12 wins until/if my winning streak is broken.

Mwarren18: Ed, Ron Cook today called the 2008 draft class a bust, do you agree?

Ed Bouchette: It's not shaping up like that 1974 draft class.

Ed Bouchette: OK, sorry for the late start because of my computer problems. At least, unlike the Steelers, we finished strong. See you next week and remember to check out PG Plus, at 3 bucks a month, more bang for your Starbucks.