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At the end, he makes another comment about Ziggy at NT.
Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript: 2.28.12 Tuesday, 28 February 2012 14:49 Written by Ed Bouchette Ed Bouchette: Good afternoon, let's begin
Dude_From_Cali: Ed: you're in charge of draft. Stay put or trade up and lose a second round pick or worse?
Ed Bouchette: I'm not big on moving, although the Steelers have made some good moves on several occasions in the first round, up and down.
SW OH STEELER FAN: I thought I read somewhere that the cap number was going to be lower than what was previously mentioned. Do you have any info?
Ed Bouchette: They haven't come up with it yet (do they have computers?) but everything I've seen is about $120 M. That's a tad lower than last year.
GjSteel: Hi Ed, did you get a chance to talk to Tomlin at the combine..and what does he believe the priority should be on offense..getting an OL or doing what they have been doing
Ed Bouchette: Gerry Dulac covered the combine and no, he did not talk to Mike Tomlin because Tomlin will not talk at the combine.
daver10: Ed, I read where you think Poe may have performed well enough at the combine to put him off the board for the Steelers at #24. Would he be worth moving up for? I questioned when they did it for Troy and boy was I wrong...
Ed Bouchette: We have two months before the draft, let's see if he moves back down in that time.
Bob: Does the weak tight end group in this years draft mean that the steelers will probably try to keep Saunders even with his 4 game suspension?
Ed Bouchette: I would think they will look for another tight end.
Okiesteelerfan: Ed with Dontari Poe bench pressing 44 times at the combine wouldn't he be a perfect #1 draft pick? Do you think we would have to trade up to get him?
Ed Bouchette: I don't think they will trade up to get him, but as I've said, let's see how this plays out. Maybe someone else will pop up that they would use their No. 1 draft pick on? I think they might have traded up had he bench pressed 45 times, though.
Dude_From_Cali: Ed: With new TV deal in 2014 -- is it possible to see some elite QB making 21 Million or higher??? -- my reaction to that number. 0_0
Ed Bouchette: Nice reaction. Wasn't Peyton due $28 million this season that he now will not get?
Clint: Colon and Gilbert seem to be the tackles for 2012, Pouncey at C.. who do you see as the starting guards?
Ed Bouchette: Right now, Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster. But as Tom Donahoe always reminded us, it's February.
nysteel: How about a CB in Round 1? The secondary did not face many elite QBs last year, just Tom Brady.
Ed Bouchette: I'm sure they would not pass on a CB in the first round if they deemed one worthy at that point.
Okiesteelerfan: What's your take on the Peyton Manning fiasco?
Ed Bouchette: I don't know that it's a fiasco. The Steelers have gone through similar fiasco's at many positions, including QB with Terry Bradshaw in 1983-84, although the money wasn't the issue.
Chooch: Are all the contract restructures just creating future cap problems?
Ed Bouchette: Maybe, but the new TV money should explode the cap in, I think, 2014, so that should help.
Clint: The ESPN blogger for the AFC North stated this week Heath Miller is on the decline.. I would argue he is underutilized.. how do you see his play
Ed Bouchette: I did not see that but I would not say he's on the decline. He too turns 30, in October, but I don't see any falloff and, yes, they don't throw to him the way others throw to their tight ends.
weegie thompson: Who will start at CB opposite Ike next year? Maybe a draft pick?
Ed Bouchette: No, I would not think a draft pick. Maybe William Gay will re-sign. If not, I would think you would see Keenan Lewis or one of the two rookies from last season there.
GjSteel: Ed, Colbert talked at the combine...does that mean the Steelers..let the coach do the talk during the season and the GM becomes the leader in the offseason?
Ed Bouchette: Kevin Colbert does not talk during the season for that very reason. I never heard that Mike Tomlin does not talk in the offseason for any reason other than he prefers not to talk and there is no requirement making him talk.
Dude Abides: You have to admit that drafting a guy named Poe and having him dominate the Ravens is almost too good to be true.
Ed Bouchette: Yes, unless the Ravens end up drafting him instead. Then he could be the author of their next Super Bowl win.
weegie thompson: Would the steelers like to play the giants on the Thursday night opener?
Ed Bouchette: The Steelers have always embraced that game and I believe, with the connections between the two franchises, they would love to do so.
trinisteel: Any more vets to be cut??
Ed Bouchette: Well, you know the names of those who could be. I'd guess that Aaron Smith might retire and they may have to decide between Larry Foote and James Farrior, but if you read my blog yesterday, you know that they can reduce the cap easily without making any more severe cuts for salary cap purposes.
Chooch: Should you know it's time to move on to your life's work when you are doing Oscar interviews for the NFL Network?
Ed Bouchette: Sorry, I missed those interviews. But what could be wrong with that kind of work? Seems to me, I'd rather interview Cameron Diaz than a big fat guy named Poe.
Mike: Ed, I know that Max Starks has an ACL injury, but what side of the organization seems intent on getting rid of him? Is it a coaching or front office point of view?
Ed Bouchette: I've always maintained it was the coaching staff, at least some coaches who no longer are here. The front office kept signing Starks to big contracts, and the coaching staff kept demoting him. Starks is a UFA with a torn ACL, so I don't see him signing anywhere anytime soon.
frank pollard: At Tomlin's next press conference, what are the chances that he actually answers questions about Arians?
Ed Bouchette: Well, those questions will be asked. It'll be up to him if he wants to answer them or not.
rich erenburg: When would you expect them to make a decision about Hines Ward?
Ed Bouchette: Within two weeks.
JamesinNYC: Poe, Hightower or Glenn if all three are available to you in the first round. With Poe's combine that looks shaky but who will the Steelers go for? I look at them as similar talent levels at three uniquely different positions.
Ed Bouchette: Poe's combine looked shaky? I wasn't there but everything I've read is just the opposite. I'm not big on drafting ILBs on the first round, but they did it with Lawrence Timmons.
Ryan: How do roster bonuses affect the cap number? is it prorated over the life of the contract like a signing bonus would be?
Ed Bouchette: Roster bonuses count in the year they are given.
Ryan: Whats the latest on Wallace?
Ed Bouchette: He's really, really fast, and he really, really wants to stay with the Steelers -- unless the money is better elsewhere. Nothing new, really. My guess now is that no one will sign him as an RFA -- I don't believe the Steelers will put the franchise tag on him -- and he will return to the Steelers for at least one more year.
Ken: Ed, do you see the Combine becoming something more resembling a TV event in the future? I sure do--complete with "up close and personal" features and obstacle course competitions. It'll go #1 in primetime too.
Ed Bouchette: It's already a TV event and, as they did with the draft, it will evolve into something more as they try to attract more viewers. There's nothing wrong with that, I just won't be among those viewers.
Okiesteelerfan: Since we lose Cotchery does Hines move to #4 if he restructures?
Ed Bouchette: At the moment, yes, but those moments tend to change quickly. For example, no one saw a Cotchery on the horizon this time last year.
Clint: The lack of turnovers last year, do you chalk it up to just a fluke, or do you see there Ed having been a legit cause behind it.. not being able to turn around field position this year hindered the offense
Ed Bouchette: I see a few reasons that we all can speculate about, such as the losses of turnover machines LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison for big chunks, and the continued inability of their defensive backs to catch a football. Also, don't underestimate the fines, etc., on having an effect on the big hits that sometimes cause those turnovers. Other teams, though, were able obviously to produce them so there really is no good explanation for a team that plays such good defense and historically has produced them.
GjSteel: Ed...has any of the PG writers talk to Haley yet...and how was it...?
Ed Bouchette: Well, there was that press conference, and I also chatted with him before that for about 15 minutes. Nothing since. Too early to tell but he comes across as a forthright coach and I have some friends in KC who vouch highly for him.
Bill6: Forget the Patriots and Ravens. I see an NFC team like the Bears wanting to keep up with the Packers and Saints and blowing away Wallace (and the Steelers) with a major offer. Possible?
Ed Bouchette: Have at it then, Chicago.
Ryan: I know it's only February....but what if Mike Adams is best available at 24? Do Steelers take him? And move Colon to guard?
Ed Bouchette: If he is available, from everything I've seen, the Steelers certainly would consider him strongly. And if they did take him, and if he showed he could handle starting immediately, they probably would move Willi to guard. A lot of ifs in those sentences
Jon from Robinson: What's your take on wide receiver? Are the Steelers able to keep Wallace, Brown and Sanders?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, they can do so easily for 2012 keep all three, and if they choose to pay Wallace a big contract, they can keep them all in 2013 because Brown and Sanders will be RFA next year.
lupe sanchez: If they don't bring back Hines, aren't they short at WR depth? Who thinks he isn't even valuable as a 4th or 5th WR?
Ed Bouchette: That is among my arguments for keeping him. They have the Young Money Trio, provided someone does not sign Wallace in free agency. There is room for two more spots and they are not both likely to be filled by rookies.
JerseySteel: Ed, if Wallace ends up on another team, do you take those two 1st round draft choices to move up for a better quality player like maybe DeCastro, move down for extra picks or stand pat?
Ed Bouchette: Can't tell what the Steelers will do, but I'd stand pat, or perhaps move up with one by packaging my No. 2 or No. 3 pick.
Mike: Is it silly to believe that with Harrison, Woodley, and Timmons in place at LB the steelers could get rid of both Farrior and Foote and go with a B-list UFA or somebody already on the roster?
Ed Bouchette: Then, who is your other starter at ILB?
Jon from Robinson: In a weird kind of way I want the Steelers to get a first round pick for Wallace now. If that unfolds, any chance Cotchery sticks for number 3 receiver money?
Ed Bouchette: The problem with that is, free agency begins for both players on March 13. Usually, it takes awhile for a team to sign a RFA. Once they do, the Steelers have 7 days to decide if they want to match or not. Would Cotchery wait around that long if he has a decent offer quickly on the table?
Mike: Would the steelers entertain letting Wallace go and getting an additional first round pick and focusing on re-signing Antonio brown instead?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, I believe they would, but they won't re-sign Brown this year.
JerseySteel: Ed, Hightower = Leon Kirkland? They seem to be around the same height and weight and want to see what Hightower runs in the 40.
Ed Bouchette: Except Kirkland lasted until the second round. That's not going to happen with Hightower.
Clint: Who was the last guy the Steelers traded up for other than Troy P. in Round 1?
Ed Bouchette: Santonio Holmes
mikeflores16: Does the coaching staff not believe Sylvester has what it takes to be a full-time starter?
Ed Bouchette: It doesn't appear so, no.
charlie: pretty sure the earlier comment about Poe being "shaky" was referring to the likelihood he'd be available at 24
Ed Bouchette: Okay, if so I misunderstood.
WW: Ed, who's the fastest Steeler of all time? Wallace? Dwight Stone? Woodson?
Ed Bouchette: There was only one with the name, Fast Willie Parker. Woodson was an Olympics-quality hurdler. Stone, I believe, was the fastest.
Lambertlunatic: Ed, I know you're a big fan of the 70's uniforms with the "block" numbers, etc. Do you think Nike will pursue this style as the Steelers new throwback?
Ed Bouchette: No because they are too close to their current uniforms.
Dave: They want Ben to tweak his game, but after the Denver debacle, do they want LeBeau to tweak his defense?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, he wold like to tweak it by having Ryan Clark and a healthy LaMarr Woodley and Casey Hampton able to play.
Ryan: McClendon's listed weight is 280, so why the talk of him being the successor to Hampton as a 3-4 NT?
Ed Bouchette: I don't know if we've heard that talk here. He's the only real backup now, but if they don't get someone else, I'd say Ziggy Hood is more logical.
Ed Bouchette: Thanks for the questions. I believe we're moving the chat next Tuesday to 3:30 p.m. because I have another assignment. Check my blog and the PG for the precise time.
Dude_From_Cali: Ed: you're in charge of draft. Stay put or trade up and lose a second round pick or worse?
Ed Bouchette: I'm not big on moving, although the Steelers have made some good moves on several occasions in the first round, up and down.
SW OH STEELER FAN: I thought I read somewhere that the cap number was going to be lower than what was previously mentioned. Do you have any info?
Ed Bouchette: They haven't come up with it yet (do they have computers?) but everything I've seen is about $120 M. That's a tad lower than last year.
GjSteel: Hi Ed, did you get a chance to talk to Tomlin at the combine..and what does he believe the priority should be on offense..getting an OL or doing what they have been doing
Ed Bouchette: Gerry Dulac covered the combine and no, he did not talk to Mike Tomlin because Tomlin will not talk at the combine.
daver10: Ed, I read where you think Poe may have performed well enough at the combine to put him off the board for the Steelers at #24. Would he be worth moving up for? I questioned when they did it for Troy and boy was I wrong...
Ed Bouchette: We have two months before the draft, let's see if he moves back down in that time.
Bob: Does the weak tight end group in this years draft mean that the steelers will probably try to keep Saunders even with his 4 game suspension?
Ed Bouchette: I would think they will look for another tight end.
Okiesteelerfan: Ed with Dontari Poe bench pressing 44 times at the combine wouldn't he be a perfect #1 draft pick? Do you think we would have to trade up to get him?
Ed Bouchette: I don't think they will trade up to get him, but as I've said, let's see how this plays out. Maybe someone else will pop up that they would use their No. 1 draft pick on? I think they might have traded up had he bench pressed 45 times, though.
Dude_From_Cali: Ed: With new TV deal in 2014 -- is it possible to see some elite QB making 21 Million or higher??? -- my reaction to that number. 0_0
Ed Bouchette: Nice reaction. Wasn't Peyton due $28 million this season that he now will not get?
Clint: Colon and Gilbert seem to be the tackles for 2012, Pouncey at C.. who do you see as the starting guards?
Ed Bouchette: Right now, Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster. But as Tom Donahoe always reminded us, it's February.
nysteel: How about a CB in Round 1? The secondary did not face many elite QBs last year, just Tom Brady.
Ed Bouchette: I'm sure they would not pass on a CB in the first round if they deemed one worthy at that point.
Okiesteelerfan: What's your take on the Peyton Manning fiasco?
Ed Bouchette: I don't know that it's a fiasco. The Steelers have gone through similar fiasco's at many positions, including QB with Terry Bradshaw in 1983-84, although the money wasn't the issue.
Chooch: Are all the contract restructures just creating future cap problems?
Ed Bouchette: Maybe, but the new TV money should explode the cap in, I think, 2014, so that should help.
Clint: The ESPN blogger for the AFC North stated this week Heath Miller is on the decline.. I would argue he is underutilized.. how do you see his play
Ed Bouchette: I did not see that but I would not say he's on the decline. He too turns 30, in October, but I don't see any falloff and, yes, they don't throw to him the way others throw to their tight ends.
weegie thompson: Who will start at CB opposite Ike next year? Maybe a draft pick?
Ed Bouchette: No, I would not think a draft pick. Maybe William Gay will re-sign. If not, I would think you would see Keenan Lewis or one of the two rookies from last season there.
GjSteel: Ed, Colbert talked at the combine...does that mean the Steelers..let the coach do the talk during the season and the GM becomes the leader in the offseason?
Ed Bouchette: Kevin Colbert does not talk during the season for that very reason. I never heard that Mike Tomlin does not talk in the offseason for any reason other than he prefers not to talk and there is no requirement making him talk.
Dude Abides: You have to admit that drafting a guy named Poe and having him dominate the Ravens is almost too good to be true.
Ed Bouchette: Yes, unless the Ravens end up drafting him instead. Then he could be the author of their next Super Bowl win.
weegie thompson: Would the steelers like to play the giants on the Thursday night opener?
Ed Bouchette: The Steelers have always embraced that game and I believe, with the connections between the two franchises, they would love to do so.
trinisteel: Any more vets to be cut??
Ed Bouchette: Well, you know the names of those who could be. I'd guess that Aaron Smith might retire and they may have to decide between Larry Foote and James Farrior, but if you read my blog yesterday, you know that they can reduce the cap easily without making any more severe cuts for salary cap purposes.
Chooch: Should you know it's time to move on to your life's work when you are doing Oscar interviews for the NFL Network?
Ed Bouchette: Sorry, I missed those interviews. But what could be wrong with that kind of work? Seems to me, I'd rather interview Cameron Diaz than a big fat guy named Poe.
Mike: Ed, I know that Max Starks has an ACL injury, but what side of the organization seems intent on getting rid of him? Is it a coaching or front office point of view?
Ed Bouchette: I've always maintained it was the coaching staff, at least some coaches who no longer are here. The front office kept signing Starks to big contracts, and the coaching staff kept demoting him. Starks is a UFA with a torn ACL, so I don't see him signing anywhere anytime soon.
frank pollard: At Tomlin's next press conference, what are the chances that he actually answers questions about Arians?
Ed Bouchette: Well, those questions will be asked. It'll be up to him if he wants to answer them or not.
rich erenburg: When would you expect them to make a decision about Hines Ward?
Ed Bouchette: Within two weeks.
JamesinNYC: Poe, Hightower or Glenn if all three are available to you in the first round. With Poe's combine that looks shaky but who will the Steelers go for? I look at them as similar talent levels at three uniquely different positions.
Ed Bouchette: Poe's combine looked shaky? I wasn't there but everything I've read is just the opposite. I'm not big on drafting ILBs on the first round, but they did it with Lawrence Timmons.
Ryan: How do roster bonuses affect the cap number? is it prorated over the life of the contract like a signing bonus would be?
Ed Bouchette: Roster bonuses count in the year they are given.
Ryan: Whats the latest on Wallace?
Ed Bouchette: He's really, really fast, and he really, really wants to stay with the Steelers -- unless the money is better elsewhere. Nothing new, really. My guess now is that no one will sign him as an RFA -- I don't believe the Steelers will put the franchise tag on him -- and he will return to the Steelers for at least one more year.
Ken: Ed, do you see the Combine becoming something more resembling a TV event in the future? I sure do--complete with "up close and personal" features and obstacle course competitions. It'll go #1 in primetime too.
Ed Bouchette: It's already a TV event and, as they did with the draft, it will evolve into something more as they try to attract more viewers. There's nothing wrong with that, I just won't be among those viewers.
Okiesteelerfan: Since we lose Cotchery does Hines move to #4 if he restructures?
Ed Bouchette: At the moment, yes, but those moments tend to change quickly. For example, no one saw a Cotchery on the horizon this time last year.
Clint: The lack of turnovers last year, do you chalk it up to just a fluke, or do you see there Ed having been a legit cause behind it.. not being able to turn around field position this year hindered the offense
Ed Bouchette: I see a few reasons that we all can speculate about, such as the losses of turnover machines LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison for big chunks, and the continued inability of their defensive backs to catch a football. Also, don't underestimate the fines, etc., on having an effect on the big hits that sometimes cause those turnovers. Other teams, though, were able obviously to produce them so there really is no good explanation for a team that plays such good defense and historically has produced them.
GjSteel: Ed...has any of the PG writers talk to Haley yet...and how was it...?
Ed Bouchette: Well, there was that press conference, and I also chatted with him before that for about 15 minutes. Nothing since. Too early to tell but he comes across as a forthright coach and I have some friends in KC who vouch highly for him.
Bill6: Forget the Patriots and Ravens. I see an NFC team like the Bears wanting to keep up with the Packers and Saints and blowing away Wallace (and the Steelers) with a major offer. Possible?
Ed Bouchette: Have at it then, Chicago.
Ryan: I know it's only February....but what if Mike Adams is best available at 24? Do Steelers take him? And move Colon to guard?
Ed Bouchette: If he is available, from everything I've seen, the Steelers certainly would consider him strongly. And if they did take him, and if he showed he could handle starting immediately, they probably would move Willi to guard. A lot of ifs in those sentences
Jon from Robinson: What's your take on wide receiver? Are the Steelers able to keep Wallace, Brown and Sanders?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, they can do so easily for 2012 keep all three, and if they choose to pay Wallace a big contract, they can keep them all in 2013 because Brown and Sanders will be RFA next year.
lupe sanchez: If they don't bring back Hines, aren't they short at WR depth? Who thinks he isn't even valuable as a 4th or 5th WR?
Ed Bouchette: That is among my arguments for keeping him. They have the Young Money Trio, provided someone does not sign Wallace in free agency. There is room for two more spots and they are not both likely to be filled by rookies.
JerseySteel: Ed, if Wallace ends up on another team, do you take those two 1st round draft choices to move up for a better quality player like maybe DeCastro, move down for extra picks or stand pat?
Ed Bouchette: Can't tell what the Steelers will do, but I'd stand pat, or perhaps move up with one by packaging my No. 2 or No. 3 pick.
Mike: Is it silly to believe that with Harrison, Woodley, and Timmons in place at LB the steelers could get rid of both Farrior and Foote and go with a B-list UFA or somebody already on the roster?
Ed Bouchette: Then, who is your other starter at ILB?
Jon from Robinson: In a weird kind of way I want the Steelers to get a first round pick for Wallace now. If that unfolds, any chance Cotchery sticks for number 3 receiver money?
Ed Bouchette: The problem with that is, free agency begins for both players on March 13. Usually, it takes awhile for a team to sign a RFA. Once they do, the Steelers have 7 days to decide if they want to match or not. Would Cotchery wait around that long if he has a decent offer quickly on the table?
Mike: Would the steelers entertain letting Wallace go and getting an additional first round pick and focusing on re-signing Antonio brown instead?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, I believe they would, but they won't re-sign Brown this year.
JerseySteel: Ed, Hightower = Leon Kirkland? They seem to be around the same height and weight and want to see what Hightower runs in the 40.
Ed Bouchette: Except Kirkland lasted until the second round. That's not going to happen with Hightower.
Clint: Who was the last guy the Steelers traded up for other than Troy P. in Round 1?
Ed Bouchette: Santonio Holmes
mikeflores16: Does the coaching staff not believe Sylvester has what it takes to be a full-time starter?
Ed Bouchette: It doesn't appear so, no.
charlie: pretty sure the earlier comment about Poe being "shaky" was referring to the likelihood he'd be available at 24
Ed Bouchette: Okay, if so I misunderstood.
WW: Ed, who's the fastest Steeler of all time? Wallace? Dwight Stone? Woodson?
Ed Bouchette: There was only one with the name, Fast Willie Parker. Woodson was an Olympics-quality hurdler. Stone, I believe, was the fastest.
Lambertlunatic: Ed, I know you're a big fan of the 70's uniforms with the "block" numbers, etc. Do you think Nike will pursue this style as the Steelers new throwback?
Ed Bouchette: No because they are too close to their current uniforms.
Dave: They want Ben to tweak his game, but after the Denver debacle, do they want LeBeau to tweak his defense?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, he wold like to tweak it by having Ryan Clark and a healthy LaMarr Woodley and Casey Hampton able to play.
Ryan: McClendon's listed weight is 280, so why the talk of him being the successor to Hampton as a 3-4 NT?
Ed Bouchette: I don't know if we've heard that talk here. He's the only real backup now, but if they don't get someone else, I'd say Ziggy Hood is more logical.
Ed Bouchette: Thanks for the questions. I believe we're moving the chat next Tuesday to 3:30 p.m. because I have another assignment. Check my blog and the PG for the precise time.
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