JotCast | Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 10.2.18

Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 10.2.18

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Ed Bouchette

2:00

Good afternoon, let's begin

Thumper95

2:00

At what point do the coaches and front office staff stop caring about draft pedigree and how it will make them look, when an undrafted player is a better option to win? I thought the goal was Lombardi trophies not personal pride?

Ed Bouchette

2:02

And who are you talking about? If it is linebacker Matthew Thomas, Mike Tomlin today said he would be considered to replace Vince Williams if Williams' injury prevents him from playing this week. Williams isn't exactly a high-pedigree draft pick, and coaches will play the player who gives them the best chance to win because their job depends on it. They aren't worried about aesthetics

Charlotte John

2:02

Hi Ed! In reference to Ray’s article on Cam Heyward “Buy in, or don't get on the field” Do you think there are defensive players not buying into the system on purpose or because they are lacking football IQ? Maybe LeBeau had a point not playing too many young players at once.

Ed Bouchette

2:03

I'd go with the iQ reasoning. And let's get something straight about LeBeau not playing young players. They had some great defenses manned by great players for many of those years. It wasn't that he had anything against playing young players, there just wasn't much room for them.

BeeWhisperer

2:03

What's going on with Ben?

Ed Bouchette

2:05

He had a bad half against Baltimore, but I don't think there's anything wrong. He's had bad halves/games in his younger days too. Check out Oakland, 2012, as a quick example.

Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI

2:05

Hi Ed, Can you tell me how many snaps Nix has played on Offense? Seems as there is no determination to run the ball... AT ALL... Thoughts? Thanks

Ed Bouchette

2:05

He played one snap Sunday night vs. Baltimore.

ARR

2:05

Le'veon is clearly the better back but is it safe to assume Conner could find a rhythm and be productive of they actually use him?

Ed Bouchette

2:05

I don't know if it's safe to assume, but it would be interesting to see how he does. Maybe he would repeat what he did in Cleveland, sans the fumble.

Scott

2:06

Ed, in a Bell trade scenario the trading team can transition tag him during the off season and therefore have full control over whether or not they want to keep him, since they have the option to match an offer from another team. So isn't the suggestion that Bell would only be a one season rental false?

Ed Bouchette

2:07

Yes, if you want to put it that way. They also could franchise him at a much bigger number.

Mtsteel

2:07

Hi Ed and thanks for your time. So is the Steelers we have to get used to? Every week we hear the same thing; miscommunication, out of sync, clean things up etc..thanks

Ed Bouchette

2:07

You only hear those things when they lose (or tie)

Retire 21

2:07

NBC showed many plays live from behind the QBs Sunday night. Seems the Ravens LBs were dropping into coverage a lot. Was that why so many underneath passes to Switzer/AB/Conner? Those are the kind of plays Bell could break open.

Ed Bouchette

2:09

Bell averaged 7.7 yards per catch last season. His career average is 8.5 per catch. Conner is averaging 9.1 this year. Let's not get too carried away.

Steeleydan

2:10

Why didn't they use the fullback in the running game. Throw deep on third and two, throw deep on third and four. Getting first downs will help this defense.

Ed Bouchette

2:10

Shades of Bruce Arians

International steeler

2:11

Don't you think that the lack of an effective running attack negatively impacted the passing offense and all this created an added load on the defense

Ed Bouchette

2:12

Yes, I think that contributed. Either it wasn't effective, they did not have faith in it being effective or after falling behind 14-0 they just gave up on it

Rocky Bleier

2:12

Ed-your gut feeling: is Bell blowing smoke saying the right things now, or is there a realistic chance he contributes this year and is possibly in teams long term plans and everyone lives happily ever after?

Ed Bouchette

2:12

There is a chance he can contribute this year. In my opinion, there is little chance he will play for the Steelers beyond this year.

2:13

But him saying that stuff certainly sounds better to the fans.

BeeWhisperer

2:13

Seems maybe Bell has a point? Should have paid the man?

Ed Bouchette

2:13

They tried. He didn't want it.

BeeWhisperer

2:13

Obviously, James Connor isn't the answer, do we have any other options?

Ed Bouchette

2:14

Why is that so obvious? He ran for 135 in Cleveland and they haven't run him much since. He did seal the win in Tampa with two big runs at the end.

michele

2:15

Is Ben going to finally put in a full week of practice this week? I believe more practice reps would make a big difference in his passes to AB.

Ed Bouchette

2:15

I don't think that has anything to do with it.

Doug

2:15

Einstein’s definition of insanity rings pretty loudly to this defense. How much longer must the fans suffer before some serious changes are made? By serious changes I means a whole new coaching staff or a big FA signing

Ed Bouchette

2:15

You mean you did not like the additions of two new coaches and two free agent signings along with several draft picks this year on defense?

Rocky Bleier

2:16

Does this “blip” remind you more of late 90’s under Cowher or are we entering the mid 80’s where the players just aren’t good enough due to draft position?

Ed Bouchette

2:16

I don't remember anyone in the mid-1980s making the Steelers among the favorites to reach a Super Bowl in preseason odds.

iowasteelersfan

2:16

Why do so many people seem to think bringing Bell back is the answer? Can he play D also?

Ed Bouchette

2:17

A focused and in-shape Bell could help this offense. There's no quibbling about that.

Matt D

2:17

Last 3 home games, down 21-0, down 21-0, down 14-0. Why is the defense getting scorched in the 1st quarter? Not ready to play? Doesn't that accountability have to lie with Coach T?

Ed Bouchette

2:18

I do believe there was a turnover or two involved in those scores, or at least setting them up.

Pete

2:18

Which teams do you suspect might display an interest in LaVeon Bell? I'm thinking maybe Green Bay or the Eagles.

Ed Bouchette

2:18

The Steelers would probably prefer it to be a NFC team

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