Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript: 6.5.12

Tuesday, 05 June 2012 15:07

Written by Ed Bouchette

Jim in VT: How much of a disaster would replacement officials be in your view?

Ed Bouchette: The last time this happened -- what, 2001? -- they used replacements in the preseason and I thought they did OK.

bleedblackngold: any insight on how the Todd Haley offense is shaping up or is it still too early to tell?

Ed Bouchette: What I've been told is the biggest thing they must learn is the terminology. They call a play and try to relate sometimes to what that play was called under the previous offense. Other than that, it's difficult to really determine how it's going to look./

Jim in VT: most years the logjam in signing first round picks seems to break right around the opening of camp. Will that be the same this year?

Ed Bouchette: I think he'll be signed long before then.

curious_steel: Ed, has the NFL ever given a reason as to why officials aren't full time paid positions? Please don't say it's the cost....

Ed Bouchette: They don't feel it's necessary because they play only once a week. They already get paid as if they are fulltime. Also, they thought that they might lose some officials who have fulltime jobs they would not leave.

Eric in Philly Burbs: Is Redman pencilled in as the RB "starter" or is it open? Also, any updates on Baron Batch?

Ed Bouchette: Redman runs with the first team and will start, barring unforeseen circumstances. Batch is practicing, but he wears a blue jersey just to remind his teammates not to bump him, etc.

JamesinNYC: Which Stanford # pick gets signed first Steelers or Pirates?

Ed Bouchette: I was going to Tweet that today. I give the nod to the Steelers.

Ed Bouchette: Slowest chat of 2012. Good time to bring these things to an end until camp it looks like.

JamesinNYC: Going someplace nice for vacation?

Ed Bouchette: Not really, some short jaunts here and there. New vacation terminology and approach.

SteelWall: Do you think Wallace will sign and report to Mini Camp

Ed Bouchette: Heavens no. I'm beginning to think he might not show to start training camp.

SteelWall: When does Training camp start this year

Ed Bouchette: I believe it's July 25, as early as it's been in years.

curious_steel: I know it's a Steeler's chat, but if it's slow, perhaps a broader NFL question. Ed, any thoughts on Vilma's legal action against the commish? Frivolous or justified?

Ed Bouchette: If he believes it's justified, then by all means he should go for it. He might get a stay and be able to play if that happens.

columbusjack: Hi Ed - will Dulac be covering mini-camp?

Ed Bouchette: I believe he will, yes.

Dude_From_Cali: brand new playbook: expect lots of -- false starts -- out of sync-- first few games at least?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe, but the Steelers aren't the first team to have to learn a new offense, just their first in awhile.

JamesinNYC: Any recent surprises from OTAs? Of the three young CBs who do you think starts? Has it changed at all?

Ed Bouchette: It's way too early for that. I think it's a 3-headed race. Maybe not a surprise but Chris Rainey has everyone's attention.

Go Steelers: Barring injuries do you see TE Saunders getting cut?

Ed Bouchette: If they keep only two, yes. If they keep three (not counting the fullback) he has a shot.

kjacksonpgh: I know Ben is a bit uncomfortable learning a new offense but do you think that either the other media outlets are constantly asking him about the offense to make something out of nothing. Looking for a sound bite to start conflict. Honestly are you tired of hearing about this?

Ed Bouchette: No, I'm intrigued that Ben keeps answering the questions the way he does. He could put a stop to all that speculation quickly if he wanted to.

Guest: Does it look like they are serious about running a power offense with a fullback? Can they fill that role without a true Kreider style back?

Ed Bouchette: They are running an offense with a fullback. Whether it's going to be a "power" offense or not remains to be seen.

rob from thomaston,ct: how does Ta'amu look so far to you in camp with his play ?

Ed Bouchette: He won't be here until next week's minicamp because, like DeCastro and Adams, he was barred from attending until his classwork was finished.

thomaston,ct: who would be behind redman to start ?

Ed Bouchette: They are working on that, and we may not know until the regular season starts. It's wide open.

copes cabana: over the past few years we have seen Plex, Holmes, Sweed in the early rounds, and washington, wallace, brown and sanders in the later rounds. have they just been lucky with the late round picks, or do the steelers have a great WR scout (excluding sweed)

Ed Bouchette: They don't have a wide receiver scout, per se. And they certainly didn't get lucky with Limas Sweed in the second round, nor Willie Reid in the third in 2006.

Ed Bouchette: Yes and he probably has insurance.

kjacksonpgh: I see the Haley offense as a more diverse style that still allows the Steelers to use their strengths but to also run the ball more effectively. Why does Ben seem to think that we want to go back to run, run, pass style which was the old Cowher offense. Haley will run the ball with more commitment but not entirely abandon the pass right?

Ed Bouchette: There will be no abandoning the pass, not with the talent they have and not in a passing league.

Go Steelers: Will DeCastro attend minicamp with no contract? Isn't that a big risk if he gets hurt?

Ed Bouchette: Sorry, I had answered that without printing the question. Yes, and he probably has insurance.

copes cabana: In regards to Kordell, the steelers don't often seem to let players return to retire. has it happened before, and why the exception for Kordell?

Ed Bouchette: First off, he did not sign a one-day contract as I saw reported somewhere. They merely gave him the podium. They did the same with Mike Tomczak and John Jackson.

Ed Bouchette: Thanks for another fine, if slow, chat. Save up your questions because I'll see you in August.