Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript: 10.30.12

Tuesday, 30 October 2012 14:16

Written by Ed Bouchette

Ed Bouchette: Good afternoon, let's begin.

T22POST: Ed, Dwyer will be the feature back this weekend regardless of Mendenhall / Redman status correct?

Ed Bouchette: Mike Tomlin would not say but I believe that if Dwyer's healthy, he will start.

ToddinSyracuse: Seems incredulous to type, but if Decastro is healthy enough to resume play, should they start him? Foster is a phone-boother that cant pull but the cohesiveness of the line cannot be ignored. Looks like they are improving every week.

Ed Bouchette: Ramon Foster is playing very well right now. DeCastro last played in August and he's not nearly ready anyway.

War18: Ed, I know that stats say this is an elite defense and I know Harrison spouted off in the papers about how they are not old, but the fact is they played one good offense in Denver and got pushed all over the field. Do you think they are as good as the numbers indicate?

Ed Bouchette: Well, as MT might say, they are 4-3. I wrote today about the few big plays they have made and to me that's all part of playing good defense. The Giants have 16 interceptions, the Steelers 3

T22POST: Ed, was there any disciplinary action / fine taken against A. Brown for the twenty yard back pedal taunting by the Steelers front office?

Ed Bouchette: No. Tomlin said he talked to Brown and the team about it and that it "wasn't respectable'' but no fine. I think the league can still fine him though.

Tprod: Ed, will Keenan Lewis's improving play—except for the drop against the Titans-- change Coach LeBeau's tactic of playing Taylor against the other team's primary receiver and just leave the CB on their accustomed side? Is Taylor's days as the NO 1 corner coming to a close?

Ed Bouchette: You are correct about Keenan Lewis' play, it has been excellent lately. I haven't asked that question -- and probably would not get a straight answer if I did -- but the better Lewis plays the less the Steelers would have to sic Ike on the other team's best.

kjacksonpgh: Hi Ed, Is it possible that rookie defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu could be released from the team. I know he was recently arrested on Oct. 14 and being charged with 15 counts will not help, but everything that I had read seems to state that this was out of his character. Your Thoughts

Ed Bouchette: My thoughts are just what I wrote on my blog lately, that the Steelers will need to make a roster move by 4 p.m. Wednesday and Ta'amu is the one I believe will be made.

T22POST: Ed, what is Ryan Clark's status for this weekend, and is Troy a possibility this week?

Ed Bouchette: He had a concussion. Until he passes all the IMPact tests, he cannot play and must pass some tests even to practice. If he does pass, he will play.

ToddinSyracuse: Timmons was all over the field in Cin, but only 2 solos v Was? Perhaps he was used as more of a spy, but his play has been consistently inconsistent.

Ed Bouchette: They did not use a spy vs. RG3. He did not grade out well in that game.

dsf: Any idea as to why Gilbert was absent from the facilities for a stretch time?

Ed Bouchette: No, but he's now back and wearing a boot on his injured ankle.

War18: Ed, would you keep Dwyer in over an other RB with the way he is playing?

Ed Bouchette: Yes.

kjacksonpgh: Ed, I'm sure you don't like this matchup with the Giants this coming week, but do you think that with a win this could propel the Steelers to a late year run toward the Superbowl?

Ed Bouchette: I do not expect the Steelers to win and have not since the schedule came out. However, if they do it would put them in great shape.

kjacksonpgh: Ed, Does it appear to you that Troy is done for the year? It seems his body is breaking down each year and he is unable to stay healthy.

Ed Bouchette: He's done for this week, but the year has a long way to go. No, I think he'll be back at some point

T22POST: Ed, how many special teams players lost starting jobs over the past few weeks with these dumb block in the back calls?

Ed Bouchette: One, I believe. Demarcus Van Dyke

War18: Ed, Saw Ta'amu is back from suspension, any chance he will see some playing time?

Ed Bouchette: More a chance you'll see him on the practice squad.

Nate: Ed, halfway through the season and it seems Wallace has positioned himself as Ben's favorite receiver the past 2-3 weeks (even with drops). In your opinion, what is the likelihood he is back next year with a signed contract (not franchised)?

Ed Bouchette: I'm on record believing that Wallace will sign elsewhere as a free agent.

Tucson Ken: Will the hurricane affect how the Giants prepare for Sunday's game?

Ed Bouchette: They have altered their schedule slightly, pushing things back a bit, but not drastically.

Joey D: Do you think they will keep Mike Adams at RT?

Ed Bouchette: As I have written, yes, I do. He is playing well there so there is no reason to move him out.

Jim in VT: Do you expect any changes on return teams after the recent spate of penalties?

Ed Bouchette: Mike Tomlin made them last week. No, I don't expect anything other than you won't see Antonio Brown running backward again.

1934: Agree that those trhowbacks should just be thrown away? They were absolutely awful!!

Ed Bouchette: I'm not a fan. They should find another way to celebrate their 85th season five years from now.

JWANDBURGH: Ed,while Tomlin says Ryan Clark still needs to pass post concussion tests to play on Sunday. Clark seemed optimistic after last Sunday. Do you feel he will play and if not does that spell doom vs Eli w/ Mundy and Allen as safety tandem?

Ed Bouchette: One thing about concussions and those tests that Sid Crosby taught us, you never know. They can return. He will have to pass a test late in the week as well. You might remember that the entire team thought Ben was going to play in Baltimore a few years ago after a concussion,and then late in the week complained of headaches after practicing all week. They did not play him.

War18: Ed, Why does Ben never get any run when it comes to the best QB's in the league? On ESPN all you hear about is Manning, Brady, Rivers, Brees etc. No one ever gives Ben credit and this year he has the numbers. Why do you think that is?

Ed Bouchette: That's not true. I was watching ESPN Sunday night and they picked him as the player of the day, or whatever label they give it. One thing about him, he won't lead any fantasy teams because of the numbers. And that's what many go on, the numbers.

yello: Obviously, D. Hall crossed the line on Sunday with his behavior. But what is the line in the NFL to get ejected for arguing? Taking helmet off? Cussing? I'm sure guys curse at the officials all the time. Pointing fingers? Or does it depend on the official?

Ed Bouchette: I think when you combine all of that into one incident and continue not to back down, that's crossing the line.

DormontyDawson: Would you agree that Mendy is unlikely to be a Steeler next July even though the Steelers think he's a pretty good RB?

Ed Bouchette: His contract is up. If he plays poorly, they won't want him. If he plays great, they won't be able to afford him. Plus, they have other options.

Kordells Revenge: Hi Ed, great chat as always. I think I finally get why they didn't overpay for recievers in the past (ie let Burress and Washington walk, traded Holmes, etc), but what do you think happens with their current WR corp?

Ed Bouchette: Antonio Brown is signed. Emmanuel Sanders is restricted. Both will be here in 2013, but as I said I think Wallace will find a better deal elsewhere.

Ed Bouchette: Thanks for the chat. See you next Tuesday.