You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 2.6.18
powered byJotCast
Ed Bouchette
1:59
Good afternoon, let's begin
TXSTEELER
2:00
Belichick benches Butler then stubbornly refuses to play him when it’s obvious it was a mistake not to. Can we finally put to rest the notion that there are coaches who don’t make bad mistakes? Obviously even the quality ones (yes Tomlin belongs here) do so.
Ed Bouchette
2:01
Sometimes, you just have to discipline a player. Maybe Belichick made a mistake, but you have to admire the discipline
Dave Cos
2:01
What are your thoughts on your colleague Gene Collier's idea that the Steelers should consider letting Bell go and signing Dion Lewis to replace him, thereby freeing up cap space to bolster the defense?
Ed Bouchette
2:02
It's at least an alternative. Have you seen all the stuff Bell has said lately? Maybe the draft could be an alternative too
Dave Cos
2:02
Can the on field signal caller for the defense be any position? Who would be the best candidate to fill that part of the void left by Shazier? Seems like Heyward would be best suited based on experience and leadership.
Ed Bouchette
2:02
It's usually the middle linebacker because he's in the middle of the field, standing up and everyone can hear him.
John M.
2:02
Couldn't the Steelers franchise tag/ sign to contract and then trade Bell? Don't understand why they would consider just letting him walk and get nothing in return.
Ed Bouchette
2:03
Yes they can do that, but it requires a few things first. Bell would have to agree to the trade and the compensation that goes with it or else he does not have to sign the franchise tag as he did last season. They can't wait until the Monday before the first game to trade him, I wouldn't think.
Also, they have to find the cap room for the $14.7 M franchise tag in the meantime
Pete
2:04
The Steelers seem to prefer signing free agents for the starting free safety position?  Chris Hope was the last starting free safety they drafted.  Can you explain that?
Ed Bouchette
2:04
No, just doing what's best, I suppose. It's not a franchise theory to always sign vets for the spot. They probably just had other priorities through the years.
Randall
2:04
What do you think the Steelers really think about Artie Burns and Bud Dupree?
Ed Bouchette
2:05
Probably the same thing that most of us do, that they did not progress as they thought they would in 2017
Bryan
2:05
Are HOF voters intentionally not voting for Steelers purely based on the fact that the team already has so many representatives already enshrined?
Ed Bouchette
2:06
I've said there is some of that, but for the most part I think most voters vote for the player, not the team they played for.
Tim Gleason
2:06
If not for two bonehead coaching decisions by Pete Carroll and Dan Quinn, the Patriots would have now lost five Super Bowls in  row.  How might that have changed the Patriots-Belichick-Brady legacy?
Ed Bouchette
2:07
It would have changed it a lot, but still making 8 Super Bowls in 17 years is an accomplishment. Buffalo did it 4 years in a row without winning and that team is legendary and has produced HOFers, including the head coach, Marv Levy
Carlo
2:07
Who do you think will be cut in order to gain some cap relief? I would have to think Mike Mitchell would be a prime candidate.
Ed Bouchette
2:07
He certainly is a candidate
Maverick
2:07
Long time reader, first time questioner. Thoughts on going after the Pats' Malcolm Butler if he is available?  Thanks.
Ed Bouchette
2:08
He violated curfew, according to one report, during Super Bowl week and played only on special teams because of it. Should fit right in with the Steelers, although he probably would have played in the game with them despite the violation.
Alan
2:08
If the Steelers don't tag bell again and don't come to a long term extension, do you think RB becomes a bigger priority than ILB? Also, what's your sense-is Bell a Steeler in 2018?
Ed Bouchette
2:09
I believe you could find the RB in the second round. ILB still my top priority, although you cannot reach drastically for one.
I'm still unsure whether Bell will be with them or not. Trying to get a better feel on that.
bigbam the steeler fan
2:10
Do you think it is time to go get a true nose guard for our 3-4 defense or do you think our personnel is better suited for a 4-3?
Ed Bouchette
2:10
Don't think they're better suited for a 4-3 and if they're going for a pure NT, it will come later in the draft because they don't use them that often.
phil williams
2:11
will we ever see ryan shazier on the pitch for the steelers again ..???
Ed Bouchette
2:12
I'm not going to conjecture on that one. Too much conjecture already. First, a report that he was walking, then a counter report that he really wasn't "walking," a report in which Shazier commented "correct" to. So much misinformation that everyone keeps reacting to as if it is legitimate.
Jeff M
2:12
Hi Ed,  Is the ILB situation desperate enough to consider Timmons if the Dolphins cut him?
Ed Bouchette
2:13
I'm not sure how he played last season, but I thought letting him go in the first place was wrong.
Moose
2:13
Why does Bell rub me the wrong way?  Could it be that he doesn't know when to shut up?
Ed Bouchette
2:14
I love it when he talks because I'm in that kind of business. But when he has talked lately, his words have not put him in a good light.
JerseySteel
2:14
Hi Ed - do you think the Steelers will/should keep Leveon Bell at a high cap number or let him walk/draft his replacement?
Ed Bouchette
2:15
I've said they can make the cap room to sign him, but it will stretch their cap and prohibit them from using that money elsewhere.
Rick
2:15
Hi Ed, What do you feel is the one MUST thing Pittsburgh has to do on offense and defense this off season..Weather it's a coaching move,player pick up or move,etc..
Ed Bouchette
2:16
There won't be any more coaching moves, that's been done. The player moves are obvious -- inside linebacker, safety and RB if Bell isn't back. After that, they still need pass rushers and maybe another DL/OL
Rahn
2:16
ILB, safety and OLB are bigger needs, but does WR become a third or fourth round thought with Eli Rogers's ACL tear and the fact that Martavis Bryant's eligibility can change quickly?
Ed Bouchette
2:17
Not a big need, but down the line need.
Jim66
2:17
Gerry thinks it’s better to not sign Bell given his salary demands and other needs. Do u share this thinking? Both teams in super bowl had a platoon of RB’s.
Load More Messages
Connecting…