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Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 1.23.18
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Ed Bouchette
1:58
Good afternoon, let's begin
Steve
1:58
Ed, If James Harrison wins another ring as a Patriot in two weeks, is he more of a "sure" candidate for the Hall of Fame? 3 Rings ~ 4-5 All+Pro seasons D Player of the Year etc..
Ed Bouchette
1:59
No, he's still borderline and I don't think he'll make it. Not enough number of sacks
Steve in Baltimore
1:59
Ed, can the Steelers trade Mr. Bell before the draft and recoup something for him, i.e. draft picks, players or combo? Thanks
Ed Bouchette
2:00
They cannot trade him unless he's signed and if you recall, he did not sign his franchise tag until Monday before the regular-season opener. I don't think they'll come to terms on a multiple-year deal either. So, I don't see a trade.
Bob R
2:00
Joe Haden will have a pretty substantial cap hit next season (I believe $9 mil).  Do you see anyway that he becomes a cap casualty?  He played well last year and it would seem imperative that he return.
Ed Bouchette
2:00
No. If anything, they should try to sign him to a long-term deal.
Bob R
2:01
I don't see how the Steelers can commit to Bud Dupree's 5th year option.  He has shown flashes but not enough at this point to be one of the 10 highest paid at the position.  Do the Steelers take a chance that Bud will break out in 2018 or decline the 5th year option?
Ed Bouchette
2:01
I don't see that either.
Bob R
2:01
How active do you see the Steelers being in free agency this year?  We all know their philosophy with free agency but this is a super bowl contender with major holes at ILB and S.
Ed Bouchette
2:02
They won't have a lot of cap room so it will be looking for bargains again and the draft. They desperately need a ILB
vut5686
2:02
Ed  You tend to go lite on Steeler coaches and management, holding up their 13=3 as proof of how great they are. Other PPG writers venture into the waters of what could have been and where the blame lies. Who decides who will be good cop-bad cop at the PPG?
Ed Bouchette
2:03
This ain't a precinct, it's a newspaper. I don't check with others when I write except maybe the boss.
FajitaGringo
2:03
Can a signed Franchised Taged Player be traded?
Ed Bouchette
2:03
If he's signed, yes
TXSTEELER
2:04
Is it me or does everybody seem to forget how many of the great Bill Cowher’s teams failed in the Playoffs/AFC Championship game (often when favorited) and that people were ready to run him out of here? Lot of revisionist history going on with fans right now.
Ed Bouchette
2:04
Indeed. Doesn't mean Bill was a bad coach either. But Steelers had 5 AFC title games at home with him and they lost 4 of them.
Moose
2:05
Draft needs by priority in your opinion?  Looks like another LB heavy one to me.  Week class for TE's as well.
Ed Bouchette
2:06
ILB is priority No. 1. Can use safety, OLB and, if they let Bell walk, a RB
JohnK
2:06
Hey Ed.  Has there been in time, since the Noll era began, where the Rooneys have interceded in the hiring and firing of assistants?  Or do they always stand with the coach's  decision(s) in those matters?
Ed Bouchette
2:08
They helped push out LeBeau and Arians. In 1988, Dan Rooney made Noll fire some coaches and was going to do it again after 1991 season, but Noll retired instead. Tomlin was told to keep some coaches when he came aboard,
Steeler Joe
2:10
If Bell were allowed to walk, what round would the comp pick be? Is there such a thing as a second-round comp pick? Seems like if there is, he would qualify...
Ed Bouchette
2:10
Picks begin in the third round. If Bell leaves as a free agent, Steelers most likely would get a third rounder in 2019 for him.
JerseySteel
2:10
Hi Ed - it seems like the OL had a good year in pass protection, not as good in the run game. Thoughts?
Ed Bouchette
2:11
Steelers run game was inconsistent in 2017 but I'm not ready to put the entire blame on the line. Bell has to take some of it and they never had confidence in him as a short-yardage power runner. I think they need to find one of them, or let Conner do it.
jpuhala
2:11
Ed, With the way the defense was toward the end of the season, after do you think it is time to overhaul the defensive coaching staff and release some players ?
Ed Bouchette
2:11
No.
SeanInIowa
2:11
Hi, Ed. After this season, pretty tired of the clown show. Any chance Steelers let Bell walk and get serious about team-first culture?
Ed Bouchette
2:12
I think they could let him walk, but I think it would have more to do with his demands and the price of the franchise tage at $14.57 M than other stuff
SteelerJunky
2:12
I read somewhere that the Patriots set an NFL record this season with the fewest amount of penalties. Suspicious?
Ed Bouchette
2:12
Maybe they just are a disciplined team.
Steve
2:13
Ed - do you think the Steelers would consider letting Gilbert go and signing Hubbard to a long term deal? Also, Maybe placing the non exclusive tag on Bell and see if he finds his way out of town?
Ed Bouchette
2:13
I think they will stay with Gilbert. No one is going to sign Bell and forfeit two first-round picks.
Patxi from Bilbao
2:13
Who do you think is the next Steelers player to enter the HOF?  Faneca, Ward, Polamalu...?
Ed Bouchette
2:14
Faneca a finalist for the third time but hasn't made progress in the vote yet. Probably Troy
Tim from Big T Country
2:14
Hello Ed. I read in Paul Z story about if Steelers sign Bell to a franchise tag then he leaves via Free Agency then the Steelers get two first round picks. Does that mean he plays for the Steelers in 2018 then leaves by free agency in 2109 we get the picks. That doesn't sound right. Your thoughts . Thank You
Ed Bouchette
2:15
If the Steelers would sign Bell to another franchise tag and he plays for them in 2018 and then leaves as a free agent after that season, the Steelers would get a comp pick in 2020 draft. If he leaves this year, they would get comp pick in 2018 draft.
Chuck
2:16
Do you agree w Peter King that Bell will not be in PItt in 2018 and land w the highest bidder? He likes Oak as a fit.
Ed Bouchette
2:16
I just don't see them keeping him under his long-term demands or the huge franchise tag. They don't have a lot of cap room and that would gobble up that and more.
Robert
2:16
You mentioned before Sutton a possibility at S.  That's a terrific idea.  Is that something the too far out the box for the steelers?
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