JotCast | Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 3.6.18

Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 3.6.18

Ed Bouchette

1:58

Good afternoon, let's begin

BPETT

1:58

If the Browns are expected to pick Barkley #1, how nuts is it to think a Bell for #1 swap could work. Pending Bell working out a contract with the Browns.

Ed Bouchette

1:58

As nutty as you can imagine. Why would the Browns want to pay Bell what he wants when they can get Barkley, who may be a better back and certainly is younger?

Moose

1:58

Good day Ed. There are 2 tags, the exclusive and non exclusive tags. Why wouldn't we use the non exclusive tag on Bell when we would have the right to match any offer, and we would be compensated 2 first rounders? Am I wrong, or missing something?

Ed Bouchette

1:59

They both cost the same amount. I'm with you, see if anyone out there might be tempted. I would be shocked, though, to see anyone give up two No. 1 picks and then have to pay all that money. This is not a franchise QB we're talking about.

Moose

1:59

Do you think Vander Esch performed too well at the combine for him to fall to us in the draft? Sounds like the Eagles and Packers are both liking him a lot.

Ed Bouchette

2:00

I saw a mock (I really hate to admit I looked at one this early) where he went in the top 15.

Moose

2:00

Why would Bell risk losing multi million dollars by not accepting a long term contract with probably only a 2 mil per year difference? If he sustains a bad injury this year, I doubt if he will ever cash in on a big deal again.

Ed Bouchette

2:00

Sounds like ego to me.

Qmash

2:01

How about drafting Shaquem Griffin this year? He is everything Shazier was (minus a hand), a leader, smart, and fast. Thoughts?

Ed Bouchette

2:01

Maybe they will

Liam

2:01

Has there ever been a player traded after being tagged? I bet a team would give up a 1st rd pick (If not more) if Pittsburgh would grant permission to a them to work a deal out for Bell. I just don't see him playing in a Steeler's uniform in 2019.

Ed Bouchette

2:02

They won't get a first-round draft pick for him. I believe Matt Cassel was franchised by Patriots and then traded to Chiefs

2:02

I read that Bell said that he basically wants a deal that is the equivalent of a franchise tag each year. That tells me that at most the Steelers should franchise him for one year then let him walk or let him walk now. What is your opinion?

Ed Bouchette

2:03

I am fascinated how the fan base seems to be split as to whether he is worth keeping or whether they should let him walk. I am equally fascinated by the Steelers apparent desire to overpay him by as much as $6 million above any other back in the league. It's not how they've done business in the past.

Pete

2:04

I have seen some mocks where the Steelers take a RB in the first round, in anticipation of him leaving. Since the RB class in this draft is supposed to be a strong one, wouldn't the Steelers be better served addressing their ILB and S needs in the first couple of rounds, then possibly RB? I know it depends on availabilty.

Ed Bouchette

2:04

If you are not going to sign Bell, you also may sign a FA back or LB, making your draft decisions different

2:04

What probability would you put on the Steelers drafting a QB in this draft? I don't see them taking one at all, but definitely not in the first three rounds? How do you see it?

Ed Bouchette

2:05

0.00. Blutarsky's grade point average

Ryno

2:05

It seems Bell is asking for a deal the Steelers inevitably will be unable to financially pull off. What are the odds the team tags him and realizes this is his last season in black and gold?

Ed Bouchette

2:05

I believe if he plays under the tag in 2018, he won't play for them in 2019

Fred

2:05

I read something about the Steelers possibly cutting Mitchell but keeping Wilcox. I don't understand that at all, since Wilcox was a healthy scratch at the end of the season. Do you think Wilcox OR Mitchell will be back? Do you think it's likely that both Mitchell and Wilcox are cut?

Ed Bouchette

2:06

I think both could be gone, but would not state that for sure.

Andy

2:06

Do you think the Steelers should pick up Dupree's fifth year option?

Ed Bouchette

2:11

No. Doesn’t mean they will lose him but based on what he has done I would not commit that kind of money

Smith Smithfield Jr.

2:12

Hypothetically, if Leveon does hit FA and the steelers have more $, will that equate to a big FA signing at ILB or S or will we still be looking for low tier FA’s?

Ed Bouchette

2:12

Yes, it would mean they have the money to go elsewhere, maybe two that would include a vet FA back

Jorge from México

2:13

I think its a must to sign LB other wise not only the draft plan would change but the playbook too, your thoughts

Ed Bouchette

2:14

Emember that even with a healthy Shazier last year they tried to sign Dont’a Hightower to a big UFA deal. Now Shazier won’t play so it’s vital they get a vet in there

DMV

2:15

Any chance Bell is traded for draft picks?

Ed Bouchette

2:15

Very little, in my opinion

2:16

Do you think Porter is a good coach? I thought he might have been one of the coaching changes after the season ended.

Ed Bouchette

2:17

I do have trouble assessing assistant coaches. What would be the reasons for him not to be? The failure of Jarvis Jones or the lack of progress by Bud Dupree? I don't think Jones was his fault and if you blame him for Dupree, shouldn't Joey get credit for the good rookie season by T.J. Walton?

Marty

2:17

I don't think the Steelers are going to budge on Levion's demands. Do you think any other team will sign him at the price he is demanding when he gets to free agency?

Ed Bouchette

2:18

If they tag him, they can't. But if he were free, some team might because there are teams out there with as much as $100 million in cap space and they need to spend some of that monopoly money.

KS steel

2:18

Any chance if someone falls to us in the draft that we pull back the tag for bell. I know it would create another hole to fill with one maybe 2 mlb to fill and a glaring need at safety.

Ed Bouchette

2:18

That is always a possibility.

lefty

2:19

Ed, do you attend any of the summer training camp?

Ed Bouchette

2:19

Only the one in Latrobe

Leon Carson

2:19

If Chuck Noll would have drafted Dan Marino, would he still be coaching this team?