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Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 7.24.18
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Ed Bouchette
1:58
Good afternoon and welcome back. Let's begin
Ryan
1:59
Hi Ed, do you think this is Bell's last year with the Steelers?
Ed Bouchette
2:00
Yes, I do. They could franchise him for a third time next yer but the cost is prohibitive and Bell has made it clear through his actions that he wants to test the market
Wade
2:00
ed, do you consider anything less than a super bowl win a failure this year? Tomlin has had the pieces in place for years.
Ed Bouchette
2:02
Many teams have had the "pieces" in place and did not win a Super Bowl. Are you saying a loss in the Super Bowl would be a failure? The Buffalo Bills of the 90s had more than enough pieces and never won one. The Dallas Cowboys haven't won one since the 90s despite having the talent. The Steelers themselves would consider it a disappointment, but hardly a failure if they have a good season and come up short.
Drew
2:02
How much validity is there to the comments recently made by James Harrison?
Ed Bouchette
2:02
I would think valid. Any coach being compared to Belichick is going to come up short.
Tprod
2:03
Did Mike Mitchell’s desire for the “Big” hit permeate throughout the secondary and was a factor in the secondary’s issues with tackling, his release, and the departure of Carnell Lake?
Ed Bouchette
2:04
Mitchell was released because he could no longer cover ground, and as you can see he's still available. Lake left on his own. There's nothing wrong with trying to make a big hit. It's only wrong when you miss it.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
2:04
Barring injury is Vance McDonald a lock to be the starting TE ? Thanks
Ed Bouchette
2:05
I think so, yes, but the Steelers often deploy two at a time, so I'm not sure how much it matters.
Mtsteel
2:05
Hi Ed and thanks. Do you feel the contract offered to Bell was fair, given today's NFL contracts for a player of his caliber? Thanks
Ed Bouchette
2:05
I thought it was fair last season.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
2:06
Any chance Chickillo or someone else can unseat DuPree as the starter? Thank
Ed Bouchette
2:06
There's always that chance, but he did not do it last season when Dupree was not at his best.
Sean
2:06
Any prayer for Jarvion Franklin, or are they simply set at RB with Bell/Conner/Ridley?
Ed Bouchette
2:07
I would not include Ridley in that equation. I think Jaylen Samuels will be there.
Krugerrand
2:07
We've heard that Bell wants to "reset the market for running backs."  If running backs deserve a bigger piece of the salary cap pie, whom does Bell say should get a smaller piece of the salary cap pie?
Ed Bouchette
2:08
Players do not think like that. It's the same way when people complain about someone not making the HOF class when the class is at its max. I ask them which player they think should be removed.
Greg
2:08
Is the offense  going to have to carry the lions share of the load?
Ed Bouchette
2:09
I would think they may have to
jim
2:09
Any idea why Bell's agent says he is a generational talent when you have Gurley, McCaffrey, Elliott, etc.? Just trying to hype him up?
Ed Bouchette
2:10
There have been others at that position who ran and caught the ball as well. Bell's style of running may be unique but his ability to run and catch, while certainly valuable, is not breaking new ground
Njsteeler
2:10
Hi Ed, do you recommend attending that Friday practice in August? 8/3. I believe it's a fan fest? I've heard it's a good night..
Ed Bouchette
2:11
It is for fans, yes.
Big City
2:11
Why does Kevin Colbert continue to have a contract for life? His track record on FA and mid-round picks is poor at best.
Ed Bouchette
2:12
That's laughable. The Steelers have some of the best talent in the league, have not had a losing season since 2003, have won two Super Bowls and been to three with Colbert as the boss and went 13-3 last season. He does not have a contract for life but given his track record, maybe he should have one.
Mark
2:12
What's your level of optimism for the Defense for this year?
Ed Bouchette
2:12
I believe the secondary will improve. The concern has to be at inside and outside linebacker.
Kevin in Punxsy
2:13
Rams just signed Todd Gurley to a 4 year $60 million extension. Don't like saying this, but maybe L Bell wasn't completely crazy re: his demands.
Ed Bouchette
2:13
Or, maybe the crazy ones are the Rams
gbeave
2:13
Is the plan for the big safeties that were drafted to play close to the line to help with the run defense?
Ed Bouchette
2:13
They better.
ND Steeler Fan
2:13
Why did the Steelers not do more to address their defensive woes?  Clearly ILB and Secondary have to be major concerns?
Ed Bouchette
2:14
They more than addressed the safety position by signing a good UFA and drafting two more, one in the first round. Everyone shares your concerns about ILB.
JohnP
2:14
How long in your opinion before Edmunds is a starter?
Ed Bouchette
2:15
He'll play more in substitute defenses this year, but not start, barring injuries of course.
Tprod
2:15
Does Sutton have a realistic chance to beat out Burns?
Ed Bouchette
2:15
I would not think so
Flip
2:16
$10M in guaranteed money is fair for Bell? Other RBs received anywhere between 39% (McKinnon) and over 53% (Miller) Shady McCoy received a $15 million signing bonus three years ago, why should Bell take less?
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