Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript: 9.18.12

Tuesday, 18 September 2012 14:11

Written by Ed Bouchette

Ed Bouchette: Good afternoon, let's begin

kjacksonpgh: Hi Ed, It's good to know the sky is not falling over Steeler Nation as the Steelers had a convincing win. With our corner backs able to play press coverage why do you believe the Steelers have been so reluctant to do so? It worked against Tom Brady last year.

Ed Bouchette: I believe Dick LeBeau has always preferred his corners to play off, play cover 2 deep and not give up the big play. One game does not mean he'll change, it just might have been a change in strategy for one opponent.

Tito: Ed, I'm fairly young and don't remember the Steelers playing in Japan. Can you share a little about your trip to the Land of the Rising Sun with the team?

Ed Bouchette: It was a long flight, hot once we got there and I could not sleep a wink. 1996 preseason game. That's enough sharing.

kjacksonpgh: Ed, Since Tomlin made an assessment of not pulling a trailer with a Ferrari why do you believe we have not seen Rainey in more pass play scenarios to create a mismatch against the opposing linebackers.

Ed Bouchette: He's a rookie, fifth-round pick, a little dude. They have others they want to play instead. I think you will see more of him as the season progresses.

The Wizard: First off, thanks for calling a scab, a scab. I know unions don't hold the weight they used to, but I would think in Pittsburgh people would be bothered by scabs. My question is where is the NFLPA is all of this, and why aren't they more vocal in support of the refs?

Ed Bouchette: The NFLPA has supported the real refs, but it's not their fight. They also are under the unusual circumstances that if they support the real refs vocally and say anything about the lack of quality officiating going on, Goodell can fine them.

kjacksonpgh: Ed, why wouldn't the Steelers explore using an extra DE to rush on passing downs while Harrison is healing. That seems to be the one position that we have depth.

Ed Bouchette: They tried that a little bit on Sunday with their Big Nickel, using four down linemen and pulling out the linebackers.

Ryan: Any word on Decastro recovery?

Ed Bouchette: He's here most every day rehabbing it. He cannot play until at least the ninth week of the season, but that looks to be way too soon also.

RVD: Ed, anything you're looking forward to doing/seeing while in Oakland? I hear it is lovely.

Ed Bouchette: We don't stay in Oakland. We stay in San Francisco.

pollard: Could they put Harrison on the 8 week IR if they wanted to, or can they only have one player on it at a time?

Ed Bouchette: Only one per year period.

ED: What is the word on Ta'amu? I know he hasn't dressed for the first 2 games, but do you happen to know if he is showing good things in practice?

Ed Bouchette: He didn't exactly show much in the preseason. Some thought he might get cut.

Dude_From_Cali: I think only when Ryan Clark retires, we'd truly miss his great plays. Mundy's gotten us 2 loses whenever he subbed for Clark. Do Steelers draft a high pick FS next year?

Are the...: Are the Steelers rotating more guys in and out on defense than usual? I noticed B. Johnson on the field some and am also wondering if Al Woods has played much.

Ed Bouchette: Brandon Johnson was on the field a little more because Larry Foote came out with what turned out to be a minor, temporary thing. No, Woods did not play as much.

TucsonKen: With what happened to our ambassador last week, I was wondering about Mr. Rooney. When is he going to be coming back? And, is he okay?

Ed Bouchette: He's fine and it must be driving him a little nuts not to be here for the start of the season. I was told before the first game that he probably would not be back for a month. Must be some important things going on in Ireland.

Kordells Revenge: Hi Ed, great chat as always. Would love your opinion on why Antonio Brown hasn't exactly lit it up in the first 2 games. Think the front office has any buyer's remorse?

Ed Bouchette: Don't know what lighting it up means but he has led them in receiving in each of the first two games. You may have noticed, they're spreading the wealth around -- 10 receivers caught a pass on Sunday.

Boba Fett: Ed, you've been suspiciously quiet about BountyGate ... thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: If the Steelers were involved, I might have more to write about it. It's not something that interests me with the Saints, other than to watch the whole thing unfold and the fiasco that it has become.

War18: Ed, is that one of the best game you have seen Ben play ever?

Ed Bouchette: He played well but no, not nearly.

mario: Why did the defense play so much better after the first two Jets drives?

Ed Bouchette: I think the hit by Timmons on Sanchez had something to do with how the Jets QB played.

Luke S.: Ed, I remember in a previuos chat you saying you have never seen a Star Wars film. Is that still the case or have you wised up since then?

Ed Bouchette: that interests me as much as bountygate

War18: Ed, Any word on Mendenhall?

Ed Bouchette: Nope. I would bet he doesn't play until after the bye.

toddinsyracuse: What is it with this team and the run game post-Bettis? Is it OL personnel or simply the way teams defend?

Ed Bouchette: It's not all been down since The Bus left. Willie Parker had some good years and Rashard Mendenhall had a good one in 2010 -- right up to that fumble in the Super Bowl.

rob from thomaston,ct: NFL network said Steve Sabol is dead at 69 ...

Ed Bouchette: Yeah, we knew that was inevitable. Sad. Steve was a great guy, down to earth, funny, good interview and always accessible to guys like me.

Eleven: Atlanta's defense sure flummoxed Peyton last night. Anything the Steelers should take away from that performance?

Ed Bouchette: Only if they meet him in the playoffs.

Frequent Flyer: When will the team fly out west for the game?

Ed Bouchette: Saturday afternoon.

SoCalFan: Any thoughts on the lack of playing time for Steve McLendon? Seemed like everyone was signing his praises in the preseason but I have barely seen him in the first two games.

Ed Bouchette: He's played a bunch through the first two games.

Kordells Revenge: So once they let Mike Wallace walk after this year, then they start 2 WR's who don't catch touchdown passes. Doesn't sound like a smart plan to me Ed, whaddaya think?

Ed Bouchette: you probably complained when they traded Santonio Holmes too. Who is to say they will let him go, and who is to say they won't find someone to replace him if they do? Wallace replaced Holmes, who replaced Plaxico Burress.

Rick in LA: Hey Ed, I think Dwyer should be the no. 1, I like Redman but Dwyer is stout. Thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: It really doesn't matter much who starts because right now they are 1 and 1A. Each had 12 carries Sunday.

Team: When ex-players show up in the lockerroom after games, like Bettis and Farrior, is it awkward or cool?

Ed Bouchette: Not awkward, not guys like those two.

Jack Splat: Is Timmons getting fined for the Sanchez hit?

Ed Bouchette: The NFL will let us know Friday. Timmons may know by Wednesday or Thursday.

Pablo: Do you expect Harrison to play this week or will they wait until after the bye? Any insight into why this has taken so long to heal?

Ed Bouchette: I'm betting after the bye.

toddinsyracuse: Any thoughts on the Giants/TB finish? "Bush league" to attack a kneeling QB?

Ed Bouchette: Yes. Wait until the Bucs want to do it.

Timmah: What did the Falcons do against Manning that the Steelers didn't do?

Ed Bouchette: They intercepted three of his passes in the first quarter.

Yo: Ed, have you ever met a US President? I'm wondering if you might have for work for some reason.

Ed Bouchette: Never. Went to the White House for both Steelers celebrations and was within 15 feet of Obama, but he did not even give me a shoutout.

Katy_Perry_Da_Bomb: Ed: Fisherman's Wharf... chowda~!

Ed Bouchette: chowda is in New England. They don't speak Bostonian out there in San Francisco

Yo: Are you surprised Greene came back in the game, he looked pretty messed up?

Ed Bouchette: Not as bad as Chris Rainey looked in that preseason game.

Loose Lips: Is there a benefit of an early bye over a later one?

Ed Bouchette: Still warm enough to go to a nearby beach. Other than that, no. However, in this case with Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall and the 4-week suspension of Weslye Saunders, it should help the Steelers.