Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 11.20.12

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 13:05

Written by Ed Bouchette

Ed Bouchette: Good afternoon. The Steelers have signed Plaxico Burress and QB Brian Hoyer to one-year contracts. They must release two from their 53-man roster.

Dude_From_Cali: What's Cotchery's injury?

Ed Bouchette: Like all the others, ribs

Jim in VT: After their respective performances Sunday night, has Heyward passed Hood at DE?

Ed Bouchette: Don't know about that but Hood has a back injury that is not considered serious but may allow Cam Heyward to start Sunday.

Joey D: Will Ben throw this week?

Ed Bouchette: I would be surprised if he did.

dave: What did you think of the decision to throw the fade pass to Wallace in the end zone?

Ed Bouchette: It's hard to second guess that, although I know others have. He got one foot in, so it was that close to working.

Tucson Ken: It was nice to see Dan Rooney at the game. Is he back for good now?

Ed Bouchette: No, he will be in Dublin at least through the end of December (although probably home for Christmas)

James: According to your expert eye, is Tomlin's refusal to play Charlie Batch justified?

Ed Bouchette: MT explained today that he thought Leftwich was still making the throws and the QB told him he was OK. He's the one who prepared all week.

Keegan: How much of an impact will Plax have in regards to playing time? Also, is his signing mean that there is still hope for Ben to play sooner than later?

Ed Bouchette: Plax's signing has no bearing on when Ben returns. I would think he'll be used the way Cotchery was.

afrazier9: So what does that mean when cotchery is healthy

Ed Bouchette: Gilreath probably goes back to the practice squad.

Jason: Does Plax move ahead of Gilreath on depth chart?

Ed Bouchette: He'd almost have to. You're not signing him to be your No. 4 WR, at least in my view.

dave: Given the injuries, do you think they might put DeCastro on season-ending IR?

Ed Bouchette: They do not have to make that choice as long as he does not start practicing. once he does, they have 3 weeks to decide.

Joey D: Tomlin said Brown worked out this week, does he play on Sunday or do they sit him again to rest another week?

Ed Bouchette: He called him questionable but I'll bet they wait another week.

Wild Bill: Might Gilbert be ready to return this week, and any others who've been injured?

Ed Bouchette: Gilbert getting better but again, I would guess he's at least another week away.

Jason: Are the Steelers upset or don't care about Ravens using terrible towels as props?

Ed Bouchette: It sounds as though LaMarr Woodley wasn't happy about it by his Tweets.

Spanky: Is that thankfully the last time we will have to see those God awful throw back jerseys this year?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, so they now have 1 ugly loss to go with their one ugly win wearing them.

Bill: Your thoughts on the Steelers asking for more taxpayer money to upgrade their stadium?

Ed Bouchette: Didn't see that story. I was too busy trying to find out which ribs Byron Leftwich broke.

JAMESH: Will TE Jamie McCoy give up his number 80 for Plax?

Ed Bouchette: Jamie's probably looking for a new number as we speak. Plax wore 17 in NY but that ain't happening here.

trinisteel: Can we make playoffs and hope for a healthy return of the key players??

Ed Bouchette: Sure, you can hope.

Guest: There was a pass from Byron L., I believe in the 4th quarter, that was short to Mike Wallace. It looked like Wallace could have at least attempted to make a play for it, but instead watched it come up short. Did you notice this? Is there an effort issue?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe he just knew he didn't have a shot at it. I have seen no lack of effort from Mike Wallace this season.

leon: I see that you reported on the Foote-Woodley "IdiotGate" today. I didn't hear it on the radio. Was the tone venomous or joking?

Ed Bouchette: Pretty much matter of fact.

Dale Klima: I think Hines Ward could get a chance to return. Why shouldn't he?

Ed Bouchette: That ship has sailed and neither he nor they would want to re-visit at this point, especially as a temporary fill-in sub.

shawn: does plax need a lot of time to study the playbook or do they give him basic routes and endzone plays?

Ed Bouchette: They'll cut the number of plays he can run.

ribs: Ben's kid get born yet?

Ed Bouchette: Not that I've heard -- and we WILL hear -- but there are plenty of people having a baby over the Steelers QB situation.

Dale Klima: There is a rumor that Ben is faking it because he wants time off for the birth of the baby. Any truth to that?

Ed Bouchette: You are being funny, I hope. I have seen that. Of course, he was going to take the time off anyway, and the team was OK with that.

Jon: Mendy, Redman and Dwyer are healthy, who do you start?

Ed Bouchette: I kind of like that shuffling in and out, one halfback per play. Keeps them all in shape that way. Makes sure no one can get in a rhythm.

Dale Klima: Who is in charge of deciding whether or not a player should go back into a game when an injury happens? Looks like a Dr. Jeckyl, Mr. Hyde thing.

Ed Bouchette: That's up to the head coach, unless the medical staff issues an order.

Guest: Thoughts on Butler's punting so far this year?

Ed Bouchette: He gets it off a little slow, which must be tempting for some teams to try to block. He also seems to kick it directly down the middle every time, and I don't know if that's because they want him to do it or if he's not good at directional punting.

Frank: Was Dennis Dixon available to be signed or is he still with Baltimore?

Ed Bouchette: He's on Baltimore's practice squad and there was a report that he declined to come here to work out for the Steelers.

Polish Falcon: Alameda Ta"amu and who else?

Ed Bouchette: No, he's on the practice squad. They need 2 from the 53-man. I'm not going to speculate because that's all it would be but they have choices, such as a tight end who is little used and a young DB who was benched for committing too many penalties on kicks.

Pitt Man: Although apparently Leftwich told Tomlimn he was fine, (supposedly) - isn't this an issue for their medical staff?? An indictment on them to say the least.....

Ed Bouchette: I compare it to a baseball manager walking to the mound and asking his pitcher how he feels. The pitcher will never say he feels terrible, he will always say he feels fine.

steeltexan: will redman play this week?

Ed Bouchette: MT said everything is pointing upward, so he's passing his early concussion tests.

Wild Bill: What do you think of Hoyer? Does he have a chance to last beyond this year as a backup?

Ed Bouchette: I know little about him other than he was New England's No. 3 for a bit and he played at Michigan State.

steveo: On what side are Leftwich's ribs broken?

Ed Bouchette: I believe the right

Polish Falcon: McCoy will most likely get cut, with Alameda

Ed Bouchette: Both are on the practice squad. They need someone from the 53.

BoomBoom: Do you expect Plex to get boos or cheers upon his return to Heinz field?

Ed Bouchette: Assuming he will still be here when they return to Heinz Field Dec. 9, I would expect he'll be received warmly

War18: Ed, Why do you think it is problem that behind the franchise QB is Byron Leftwich who in my opinion has never been good and a 37 yr old Charlie Batch?

Ed Bouchette: i think you might want to look at who the backups are on other teams. Few as strong as those two.

Ed Bouchette: Thanks all for another wonderful chat. See you next week. I have off the rest of this week, so no slogs until Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving.