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Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript
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Google_Fabled_Enemies: Ed, The Steelers own web site declared that they beat the Bungles "easily" however ... I agree with Gene Collier. My question is: At least once a game or more the Steelers seem to take the foot off the gas, so to speak, on defense. Is that Farrior's call or LeBeau calling the soft zone, prevent style D's in and then trying to turn it back on, sometimes too late to prevent the score. Yes I know they are the #1 D but Gene made some great points in his column.
Ed Bouchette: That's why they play four quarters, not 2 1/2.
Surgical_Steel: I'm curious ... was Plaxico known to have disregarded team rules and meetings when he was here as much as he has in New York? Did the Steelers even tender him an offer or did they just let him leave?
Ed Bouchette: He indeed violate rules. Skipped one minicamp. Bill Cowher never made an issue of it and he was not a big believer in fines. No, they let him go because they had to pick between him and Hines Ward and I thought they made the right choice, although I love Burress as a receiver.
PC: I have to ask about Ward's block on Rivers. Do you expect another fine even though we all agree it was a clean hit?
Ed Bouchette: No. There is no way they could justify it.
daquido_bazzini: Troy update?
Ed Bouchette: Looks like he'll play, at least Mike Tomlin said they anticipate it. He did have a concussion.
NCsteelcity95: Will Parker start this week? If so, will Moore be the #2 back and 3rd down as well?
Ed Bouchette: I believe the answer is yes to all three, unless they have not yet repaired that hole in the practice field.
JMF213: Should we be worried with Townsend starting at cornerback with his play of late?
Ed Bouchette: no, you should be concerned because he has a sore heel that won't heal.
Surgical_Steel: Why was Jeremy Parquet activated rather than Tony Hills?
Ed Bouchette: Parquet is in his fourth year; Hills in his first. They obviously believe he's more prepared to step in.
PhillyMarty: JV schedule is on hold for 4 weeks. Indy and SD are badly leaking oil. No one in this league seems to be "all that," including us. So how many of the next 4, NYG, @Wash, Indy, SD, do you think we win?
Ed Bouchette: Split, then beat Bengals at home and you are 8-3.
Tprod: Ed, Which Steeler pending FAs do the Steelers attempt to sign in the off-season. Does Max Starks become more attractive because of Marvel Smiths recurring back injury?
Ed Bouchette: Check with me much later, like January.
Big_Snack: Hey Ed...what are your thoughts on the play of Stapleton. It seems that the oline has improved tremendously since he replaced Simmons. It also begs the question as to why Stapleton was not starting for Simmons who is was the weak link of the oline the past couple of seasons
Ed Bouchette: I think Stapleton has played well the past two games, threw a big block on Moore's TD run around left end. If Chris K. does not return, he could move to LG. Otherwise, he will make a strong push for RG spot.
RichP: Easy Ed, Which AFC teams do you think pose the biggest challenge come the Postseason.
Ed Bouchette: Tennessee, San Diego.
scott: Ward's block was the best I have ever seen! Your thoughts?
Ed Bouchette: I don't know about the best, but it was devastating in many ways.
jeffs: Ed, I'm sure Hines will be hearing from Goodell. Do you feel the league will fine Benson also for unnecessary roughness?
Ed Bouchette: You mean for letting Troy Polamalu and Bryant McFadden get hurt while trying to tackle him? And don't be so sure about Ward hearing from Roger Goodell.
Indiana_Steeler_Fan: Ed, great to talk today. Any info on why Ben's throws seemed to be off for about 1/2 the game Sunday?
Ed Bouchette: Not really. Sometimes, pitchers go through a little slump too.
Gregager: Ed, 1st and goal from the three, why was Ben trying to force it to Hines?
Ed Bouchette: Better question: Why did they not run the ball at least once?
In-Muncie: Were three passes inside the 5 all that bad of a call?
Ed Bouchette: Not inside the five. At the 3. These are the Pittsburgh Steelers, not the San Francisco 49ers.
West_Side: Is Marvin Lewis the next coach to get axed?
Ed Bouchette: Not on your life. Mike Brown owes him $7 million through 2010 and won't pay him not to work, or to work for someone else as a d-coordinator.
scott: McFaddens play at corner was top notch! Do we see a drop off with Townsend back in?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, because Townsend's been hurt and I believe McFadden was playing great. that does not mean there will be a major dropoff.
ToddInSyracuse: A coming out party for Timmons -- did he get the minutes because of the nickel D or was Foote hurt?
Ed Bouchette: Nickel.
Surgical_Steel: Vic Ketchman suggests that the run on fines we're seeing - legitimate or not - is tied to the NFL's desire to go to an 18-game format. That is, to reduce the physical abuse on players' bodies so that they can play the extra two games. Do you subscribe to this belief or are the NFL's intentions far more saintly?
Ed Bouchette: Let's not put NFL and "saintly" in the same sentence. That was an intuitive piece of writing by my good friend, Vic, and you should see his answer to a question in his Ask Vic column on Jaguars.com, about the Ward hit on Rivers. In fact, I highly recommend it. Go there as soon as this chat is over.
johnnydrummah: Is the Polamalu injury a cause for concern? Having that many concussions is career threatening, no?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, they can be, but the doctors will judge how ready he is and they've already given him and the Steelers a good report.
NCsteelcity95: Ed, are Hampton and Davis going to be back this week?
Ed Bouchette: They're supposed to return, as long as they can avoid the hole in the practice field.
lamberts_two_teeth: With McFadden out, will Ike shadow Plaxico in the Giants game?
Ed Bouchette: I just made that suggestion on PG-TV. That's what I would do, that and finally unleash those exotic blitzes they've been saving.
DCP: Do you think there is anyone on the roster who could return kickoffs better than Najeh? I think he is too slow to be back there.
Ed Bouchette: He is not your classic kickoff return man, that's for sure. But he has a way of gaining at least some yardage, usually beyond the 20, and if they don't have anyone who can break one, sometimes that's the best way to go.
praveen: Ty Law is still available. Do you think he still has enough to be worth a look?
Ed Bouchette: If he did, teams would have done more than look already.
jpamichigan: Eli seems to go from a pro bowl QB to a rookie if you can apply pressure and get early sacks. Do you think that will be the Steelers gameplan on defense?
Ed Bouchette: Yes I do, and you can apply that theory to many quarterbacks -- remember what Ben looked like in Philly.
DCP: Was starting Gay at corner ever a possibility?
Ed Bouchette: I'm sure it will be if Townsend has troubles with his heel.
jpr: I saw the press conference today and have to ask if you media folks (yourself excluded of course) have a contest to ask the silliest question?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, we do, and the same guys always win. One of the reasons you don't see an abundance of real good questions asked is that some of us don't want everyone in the room and those watching TV and those listening on the radio to know the answer.
West_Side: I know you're not an M.D., but seven concussions? Is that a high number?
Ed Bouchette: It certainly would be if it were my brain.
JMF213: How do they determine when a player has had too many concussions?
Ed Bouchette: They have tests. Dr. Maroon was one who began a system that tests players when they come into the league, a baseline if you will, and can test them after they've had their bell rung.
jeffs: Perish the thought but is there any chance Anthony Smith plays this weekend with McFadden out and Troy somewhat questionable?
Ed Bouchette: McFadden really has little to do with whether Smith plays or not and it appears Troy P. will play. So, perish the thought.
STEELMACE: Hey Ed, can you think of the last time two MAC QBs on the same team threw a TD pass in the same game?
Ed Bouchette: I'm thinking ... I'll have to do my homework and get back to you on that one. I was trying to recall if it ever happened to two Pennsylvania Conference quarterbacks.
Emilio: Regarding the 3 consecutives pass plays on first and goal on the 3, was it due more to a lack of trust on the offensive line, the running backs, or where they just the best calls at that point in the game?
Ed Bouchette: Boy, that's a good one. I really have no clue.
Googled_Fabled_Enemies: Ed, Jacobs presents a problem with his size... any changes in how the D might use technique to bring him down?
Ed Bouchette: They better use a different technique than Troy Polamalu used on Cedric Benson.
STEELERSRULE: Is Moore signed for next year?
Ed Bouchette: 3 years, $4.95 million, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
ToddInSyracuse: Woodley is getting a lot of press, and rightfully so, but James is absolutely playing at a high level. The RB blocking on his first sack wasnt even a speed bump.
Ed Bouchette: Ok.
Googled_Fabled_Enemies: Will Roy Lewis be put on the active roster with McFadden out?
Ed Bouchette: I don't think so. Mike Tomlin said they're more concerned about practice than having enough for the game and since Lewis is on the practice squad, he can practice.
Numbers_Guy: Does Limus Sweed Get the Joe Greene Award for that catch since no other rookie (including him) will dress for the rest of the year?
Ed Bouchette: Let's not count out Ryan Mundy, who still has not signed with another team but is eligible to be re-signed by the Steelers next month.
Rivers_Jaw: Any known interest from Cowher to go save the big D?
Ed Bouchette: I have heard that Jerry Jones might secretly be checking out Bill Cowher to see if he has any interest in becoming the coach of the Dallas Cowboys. I don't know if Bill's interested, but it would be a perfect spot for him and just what the Cowboys need.
Tex_Goldstein: Ed, are recent banking failures and the subsequent bailout package somehow tied to the play calling of Bruce Arians?
Ed Bouchette: Is that a blonde joke? Or a BOND joke?
jeffs: Ed, do you think we'll see some of the more exotic blitz packages from LeBeau now that we start playing the big boys?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, I do believe we will.
praveen: I am no doctor. I just play one in this chat. Polamalu should be in the game only as a backup and fill in if absolutely needed. Not prudent to risk his long term health.
Ed Bouchette: Thank you, Doctor No.
The_Most_Violent_Team: Why the Ty Law questions, just like Shaun Alexander....he isn't good anymore AND he doesn't fit our system!
Ed Bouchette: Big names always remain intriguing. So, what is Mel Blount doing these days?
ToddInSyracuse: What to do with the tackle position in 2009? Is Starks moving on a foregone conclusion?
Ed Bouchette: I'm already past that, working on the guard spot for 2010.
daquido_bazzini: Would you say we'll see McFadden in 5 or 6 weeks...or could this linger longer?
Ed Bouchette: I'd say we could see him in 5-6 weeks or it could linger. Roy Williams of Dallas just broke his arm for the second time after he hurt it in, the second game of the season I believe.
The_Most_Violent_Team: With regards to Woodley, I think you have to look at not only the effect he's had in the number of sacks he brings, but also the fact Harrison is getting a ton more because of the attention to Woodley. Agree?
Ed Bouchette: Yes.
PhillyMarty: Next week, first down at the three, what type of plays are likely to be called?
Ed Bouchette: The false start won't be called, but it's a play they've come up with much too often this season. I think it depends on the situation in the game, who's available, what defense the other guy is using, etc., etc.
Tex_Goldstein: How much longer until the national media pick up on what LaWood and Silverback are doing?
Ed Bouchette: I am trying to contact them as we speak.
RichP: I agree Ed. Najeh at least gets you to the 25-30. How fast is that KR we signed to the practice squad?
Ed Bouchette: Fast.
Mark_in_Balt: Is this group of 5 LBs the best we've seen since Steelers went to 3-4?
Ed Bouchette: Hmmm, that's a good one. I thought Greene, Lloyd, chad brown and Kirkland were the best 4.
Googled_Fabled_Enemies: Kevin Harlan dubbed Nate Washington Nate "The Great" Washington Sunday... pre-mature or sign-worthy?
Ed Bouchette: Gee, first time I've ever heard anyone with the first name of Nate called The Great.
JMF213: Will Batch be back as the backup?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, I believe he will and I think Byron Leftwich will go to compete for a No. 1 job somewhere.
finesward: Is Hines' new nickname going to be "Fines Ward"? I think it's pretty catchy.
Ed Bouchette: That's not bad, but I'm sure neither he nor the team would agree.
mightyhines: Score this week Ed?
Ed Bouchette: I always score.
wrozell: Do you think Cowher could handle working for Jones?
Ed Bouchette: Yes. If Bill Parcells could do it, Bill Cowher can. I don't know that Jerry Jones is that difficult to work for. He's certainly no Al Davis.
NCsteelcity95: Can we confuse Manning just like the Browns did a couple weeks ago?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, it's all so very confusing. It's Peyton, right?
daquido_bazzini: Marvel Smith for the Giant game?
Ed Bouchette: I believe he will start, yes, but backs can be tricky.
BONESAW: Fast Eddie, any updates on the sale of the team? I hope Dan Rooney can put the funds together.
Ed Bouchette: I think it's status quo for awhile, unless one of the brothers decides to take Dan's offer, which would give him 30 percent. Then the NFL would have to deal with the other brothers' casino interests.
Brownsstink: When can we expect to see Casey Hampton back on the field?
Ed Bouchette: Wednesday, at practice, and Sunday in the game. Unless that gopher digs another hole in the practice field.
Ed Bouchette: Thanks to all. Good, spirited questions. I only wish I had more time to spend here. Don't forget to check out our videos -- me today, me and G. Dulac Thursday and Gerry's picks on Thursday. Plus, we report off the game with a video Sunday night. ed
First Published October 21, 2008 2:37 pm
