JotCast | Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 11.13.18

Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 11.13.18

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Ed Bouchette

2:14

Good afternoon, sorry a little late, caught up in the Le'Veon Bell stuff. Let's begin

Doughman92

2:15

Ed, thanks for the chats…What would happen if the Steelers rescind the tag at 3:59PM…Could Bell sign with another team and play this year? If so, would the Black and Gold get any compensation in the 2019 draft for losing a quality player for this season (instead of waiting until the 2020 draft if he doesn’t play)? BONUS QUESTION: If he would hit the market this afternoon, which teams could you see signing him in the next few days?

Ed Bouchette

2:15

If they rescinded the tag before 4, he would become an unrestricted free agent able to sign anywhere. That, of course, won't happen. Instead, it appears he will sit out the season. I'm sure he would have picked a team that had a good line and a chance to win it all, one that needed a good RB

Goldstar

2:16

I can understand Bell focusing solely on the business side – but I don’t get what he accomplished with all the mystery surrounding when/if he would report. Do you think he was trying to accomplish something with it or more likely he get changing his mind / couldn’t decide?

Ed Bouchette

2:16

I think his plan, if he even had one, kept changing.

T. Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop

2:17

Is "so be it" the new "obviously?"

Ed Bouchette

2:17

If so, then so be it

Goldstar

2:17

I believe there was reporting until recently that the Steelers could tag Bell again at the $14.5 next year if he didn’t report – now it appears that a tag would be the QB tag at a much higher number. Was that a recent discovery and is there around doubt about which tag it would be?

Ed Bouchette

2:17

Even some at the Steelers weren't sure, but it really didn't matter because they weren't going to go through this whole thing again for another season.

Mark

2:17

How close, or not, is Villanueva to being a Pro Bowl consideration?

Ed Bouchette

2:18

He made the Pro Bowl last year.

Bob

2:18

Ed, I know it is a combination of things but what is the biggest reason for the defensive turnaround?

Ed Bouchette

2:19

It took time for all the moving parts -- flip-flopping linebackers, moving Davis to FS from SS, inserting rookie Edmunds and UFA Burnett and Bostic, benching Burns for Sensabaugh. Communication was a big thing as well as players knowing their positions along with their teammates'

Le'Veon Who

2:19

Thanks for the chats, Ed. I know this is out of the ordinary, but would the Steelers consider a discretionary bonus for James Conner based on his performance since they'll have around $14 million to play with at the end of the season? I'd support it!

Ed Bouchette

2:20

No, that would set way too much of a precedence. He will receive a bonus from the NFL, as do other players like him who exceed their lower salaries -- a performance based bonus that does not count against the Steelers cap

Abercrombie & Pollard

2:20

Is it possible that Bell has been in contact with the Steelers’ brass the last couple of months, isn’t happy with how we plan on using him, and that’s why he’s keeping away? Or is this against the NFL rules?

Ed Bouchette

2:21

It wouldn't be against NFL rules and if that were the case, they're all lying because they said they had not been in touch with him

Tim

2:21

Since Artie Burns reportedly has good man coverage skills & has decent size, would you consider using him as a spy? Specifically, against a guy like Gronk. Shame not to be able to get value out of a first round pick in his second season.

Ed Bouchette

2:21

Until Burns shows he knows what he's doing and can play with better technique, that won't happen.

T. Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop

2:21

Ed, who's the buggest surprise through nine games? Feiler? Sensabaugh?

Ed Bouchette

2:22

Probably Sensabaugh but they've both come through in big ways so far

floridasteelers

2:22

Ed this is honestly the last time I will mention Leveon Bell but what is your gut feeling about what happens today?

Ed Bouchette

2:22

He's not going to report, if that's what you mean.

Atlanta Steeler Fan

2:23

Ed, would it not be possible for either Le'Veon or the Steelers to purchase a insurance policy to protect Le'Veon from lost of value due to an injury?

Ed Bouchette

2:23

Bell could have done that, but my understanding is it was way too costly if he wanted to base it on $14.5 M

Ssmith

2:23

Do you feel this is Coach T's best coaching performance so far.

Ed Bouchette

2:23

He's had some good ones, including the 2010 season when Ben was suspended for the first 4 games.

Dj cain

2:23

Ed quick question? Did Tomlin sound like a Coach mad or one who is hurt because he hasn’t heard from Bell with the #SoBeIt phrase

Ed Bouchette

2:24

Neither. He sounded rather evenly tempered to me.

Latrobe Dave

2:24

Hi Ed, Thoroughly enjoy your insight. You never have enough running backs. If Bell doesn't sign today - can the steelers use the non-exclusive franchise tag on him next year?

Ed Bouchette

2:24

They should have done that this year. Why do it next year and commit that kind of money when you have James Conner? Just go get another proven back or draft one high to add behind him.

Steeltowntim@aol.com

2:25

Ed, If we spend Bell's money on free agents, wont that possibly loose 3rd round comp pick so why not transition tag him?

Ed Bouchette

2:26

If they sign more than they lose, possibly. They can put the transition tag on then match it and trade him once he signs an offer with another team.

Pete

2:26

With the salary that the Steelers are saving from the Bell holdout, is that extra salary cap cash usable only for this year or also for next year?

Ed Bouchette

2:26

It carries into next year

Ryno

2:26

What exactly happened that Connor cleared the concussion testing in the last game and returned to it, only to be pulled out again later? Is it normal to show symptoms of a concussion some time after the initial tests?

Ed Bouchette

2:27

I'm not sure and Mike Tomlin said today he wasn't sure either.

Wayne Anderson

2:27

ed...when did nfl rule that the ball just had to break the plane for a score? Years ago I recall runners actually had to be in end zone.

Ed Bouchette

2:27

I remember it always as breaking the plane.

Nips

2:27

Last week Samuels (and Ridley) were getting touches even before Conner was hurt. Can we expect this to be the norm moving forward?