Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript: 12.26.12

Wednesday, 26 December 2012 14:46

Written by Ed Bouchette

DormontyDawson: Ed, Roger Goodell is rightly concerned about DBs hitting receivers in the head. But you raised a good point today about DBs going low, for the receiver's legs. And it's not just the receiver's knees that are at risk. A great way for a DB to injure his own head and neck is to drive himself head first at a 250 pound galloping TE's legs, which is like sticking your head in the Gateway Clipper's paddle-wheel. I guess there are no easy answers. Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: You are right, but lowering your helmet into a guy's chest is not safe either.

George: Who's making the pro bowl for the Steelers? I think Clark, Miller, Roethlisberger, and Timmons should make it.

Ed Bouchette: They are worthy candidates, as is Maurkice Pouncey. and Brett Keisel. Don't look for a bunch of them in there though.

Dude_From_Cali: Ed: this team along with new players, new attitude also needs an EXCORCIST, plus a FUNG SHUI evil-chaser to clean out the "dark matter"...don't you think?

Ed Bouchette: No, I think they need to get healthy.

Dude_From_Cali: Geno Atkins must've dominate with his swiftness and speed over Ramon and Decastro... he's 25-40 lbs lighter.

Ed Bouchette: He got DeCastro twice. That's 3 sacks in his two games after giving up one his entire college career.

Yonco: If Arians gets a head coaching job, as seems likely, and is willing to trade more than market value to reunite with Ben, shouldn't the Steelers at least listen? I like the idea of a bunch of top draft picks, as I don't think this team, as currently constituted, is championship material, even with a healthy Ben.

Ed Bouchette: No.

Dale Klima: What do you think about what happened to Joey Porter? surprise?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe the casinos should only take credit cards and not checks.

Jim: It's nice to see a cornerback who can catch. With Allen's play and the salary cap problems the steelers have will that make Taylor a possible cap casualty?

Ed Bouchette: He's still playing at a high level, so, no, I believe he will be back.

DormontyDawson: Ed, People complain about our RBs, but I can't recall more than a handful of plays against Cincy where our RB got the ball and didn't have one or two Bengals right in his face. Given the chance, Dwyer and Redman have run hard this year. (Brooding intellectual R. Mendenhall, Ph.D., will no doubt sign with a public policy think tank next year so I'll leave him out of the discussion.) I say keep Dwyer and Redman and draft one in late rounds, but not earlier. I believe you feel Steelers should clear the decks of all of them. Still your sentiments?

Ed Bouchette: They must get a running back somewhere, preferably a lead back.

Tim: Which current Steeler player besides Mendenhall and Wallace do you think is definitely gone next year?

Ed Bouchette: Well, they'll have to pay Keenan Lewis or someone else will. Probably one of the two backup QBs. Max Starks if they don't pay him because he'll be a UFA and he's the only player who has played all of the snaps on offense. Larry Foote may not be. Casey Hampton may not be.

Dale Klima: Any rumors on the new offensive line and special team coaches for next year?

Ed Bouchette: Not a peep, other than me suggesting Tunch Ilkin would make them a good line coach.

John B.: Do you think James Harrison will be back next year at a lower price or do you think he's done (with the steelers)?

Ed Bouchette: I think he'll have to come back at a lower price.

Dale Klima: Why did we lose so many close games this year?

Ed Bouchette: They were 3-5 in 3-pointers, some to bad teams. They a) underperformed and b) succumbed to too many injuries.

Dude_From_Cali: to follow prior tradition, you will post Steelers predicted 1st pick the night before the draft, no, uncle Eddie?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, nephew

Guest: I don't know what game you watched, but the DBs were going after 83s knees all game long until he left.

Ed Bouchette: The play on which Heath Miller was hurt was in a pileup.

Fred: This is the third straight year Colon has ended his season on IR. May he be a cap casulty next year?

Ed Bouchette: They like how he plays guard.

Dude_From_Cali: Why is it nearly every time, a NFL guy signs a big contract, his level DROPS OFF? Shouldn't there be guidelines to stop such thievery? (stealing?)

Ed Bouchette: I did not see that with many players, certainly not with Ben Roethlisberger or James Harrison or Ike Taylor. Antonio Brown did not have nearly as good a season as he did last year, but I wouldn't blame that on his new contract.

Yonco: A lot of Steelers have high profile charity projects in the Pittsburgh community, such as Ryan Clark, Charlie Batch, Max Starks, Heath Miller, Brett Keisel, Lamarr Woodley, and many others. Other than his dogs for cops thing, does Ben take a leadership role in any sort of charitable endeavors in Pittsburgh?

Ed Bouchette: I'm not sure, I don't pay that close attention to that. I believe he has a foundation.

Bill: Is Lebeau back for next year?

Ed Bouchette: I have heard nothing to think he won't, but that is probably up to him.

Ed Bouchette: Thank you for another chat. We'll do it again next Wednesday at 1:30. Happy New Year all!