Bouchette Chat 11-22-2016: Seems to be down on Justin Gilbert signing paying off

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/11/22/Ed-Bouchette-s-Steelers-chat-11-22-16/stories/201611220130

Q: Hi Ed is there any sign of justin Gilbert getting reps on the defense? He's a 1st round talent and y waste draft picks on trades 2 yrs in a row?


Ed Bouchette: I thought he was worth rolling the dice with a sixth-round pick when they did it. Now, it doesn't look that way.


Any word on why not? Did the as-described-on-the-street gamble of "We can make him a man" just not work?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Bouchette was a little cryptic as to why why he was down on Justin Gilbert. What do you guys think, will he ever contribute in a big way?

[pittpete]

Unless he's given a chance, no way to tell.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Bouchette was a little cryptic as to why why he was down on Justin Gilbert. What do you guys think, will he ever contribute in a big way?

I don't know about why it currently isn't working out, but the year he was drafted everything I had heard told me we didn't want him. I was so happy that after some great wheeling and dealing that the Browns parlayed that into Gilbert and Manziel.

[Ernie]

Unless he's given a chance, no way to tell.

Agreed. What did we sign him to... a 2 year deal on the cheap? No reason not to ride it out and see if the light bulb comes on... as long as he's productive on special teams, showing improvement, and not a liability in the locker room.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Agreed. What did we sign him to... a 2 year deal on the cheap? No reason not to ride it out and see if the light bulb comes on... as long as he's productive on special teams, showing improvement, and not a liability in the locker room.

Since it was a trade, we just take over the remainder of his rookie deal. And since Cleveland already paid him the big top 10 pick signing bonus dollars, we are only responsible for the remaining base salary, which should be minimal.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Since it was a trade, we just take over the remainder of his rookie deal. And since Cleveland already paid him the big top 10 pick signing bonus dollars, we are only responsible for the remaining base salary, which should be minimal.

2016 - $786K Cap hit (base salary)
2017 - $2.17M Cap hit ($970K base + $1.2M roster bonus)