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Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat: 9.4.18
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Ed Bouchette
1:58
Good afternoon, let's begin
Drew
1:59
Is the fact that Bell hasn't reported yet just a matter of him wanting to skip a few more practices, or is there a deeper issue here?
Ed Bouchette
2:00
He hasn't told me, so I truly do not know. Maybe he had plans for Labor Day. By waiting, though, and by the way James Conner has been this year, I'd say it reduces Bell's chances to play in the opener
Epiballo
2:00
Hey Ed. I understand Bell's decision to not report is 'business,' but can't he give the organization the courtesy of telling them his intentions?
Ed Bouchette
2:01
He is beginning to alienate people by doing things just like that. I'm not sure where the business part comes in because he can't earn any more money this year and the Steelers aren't going to pull his franchise tag and let him sign elsewhere. By trying to avoid injury, he may be opening himself up to it by not being in what coaches like to call football shape.
SteelerGill66
2:01
Ed, when are you going to predict the season game by game?
Ed Bouchette
2:02
I do that the morning of the opener, so Sunday.
TXSTEELER
2:02
With all the restructuring they are doing to free up cap space this year there has to be something on the horizon....any idea what it could be?
Ed Bouchette
2:02
Maybe a trade? They could use, of course, another inside linebacker and they have only 3 outside linebackers on the roster.
Drew
2:03
Is there a reason the Steelers converted 8 mil of Heyward's salary to a signing bonus?  Timing seems odd.
Ed Bouchette
2:03
It does seem odd, unless they are opening things up to acquire a high-salaried player, the way they added Joe Haden last year. I'm not sure who that could be, though.
IUPDave
2:04
Hi Ed.   Thanks for the chat.  If Bell does hold out for a few weeks, will this provide cap space for the Steelers?
Ed Bouchette
2:04
They really don't need anymore after the restructuring of Cam Heyward's contract. However, yes, they would save $856,000 a week.
floridasteelers
2:04
Ed, first time on your chat but love them.  Were there no linebackers available during the cuts that would have helped the Steelers?
Ed Bouchette
2:05
Apparently not or they would have picked one up by now, the cuts mind you.
Ken Ward
2:05
Ed, can you please explain why Ola was put on IR? I understand it was done to protect him from other teams, but why pick him with so few at OLB? Thanks, Ken
Ed Bouchette
2:06
Well, they deemed he was not ready to play and maybe not ready for awhile -- unless they just want to stash him, something they don't normally do. They have Keion Adams on the practice squad and with only 3 on the roster, you have to think they will add someone else.
SteelerGill66
2:06
Do you get the feeling Bell didn't come in Monday, because several people reported that he was expected to come in on Monday and he is just being coy?
Ed Bouchette
2:07
We talked about that possibility today. I would not discount that a motivation. If that is what it is, it's silly.
Rafael
2:07
Can Bell win the fan base again or is it all lost?
Ed Bouchette
2:07
If he performs as he has in the past, they'll love him until he doesn't or he leaves.
La Chantay Sheppard
2:07
Good Afternoon. Barring something tragic, do you think there is a possibility that we resign Le’Veon in January?
Ed Bouchette
2:08
Tragic?  Let's hope not. I don't see him signing with them next season.
Goldstar
2:08
Do you think it's likely the Steelers take advantage of the 2 week waiver to not play / pay Bell?
Ed Bouchette
2:09
He has to sign first, then they can ask for the waiver. I think they will use the waiver either way, and then it's up to them to decide if they want to pay him or not if they don't activate him.
Guest
2:09
Will McDonald finally see the field for Sunday’s game?
Ed Bouchette
2:10
I think he has seen a few fields, he just hasn't played on them. MIke Tomlin sounded optimistic about him today. We'll see
Doyle37
2:10
Are the Steelers in a blind as far as getting compensation for LBell ? If the want a compensation pick, do they not have to sign him at some point, or would they get the pick if they withdraw the tag ?
Ed Bouchette
2:11
If Bell signs next year as an unrestricted free agent, they would get a comp pick in 2020. If they tag him and then pull it, they would not get a comp pick.
Taz
2:11
What are the potential ramifications of Bell not reporting until mid-week?  Can the Steelers fine him a (very large) game check?  What about if he reports mid-season re: accrued season?
Ed Bouchette
2:13
There are no fines because he does not have a contract. However, if he signs and they get a two-week roster exemption for him, they do not have to pay him his weekly $856,000 for two weeks provided they do not pull the exemption and add him to the 53-man roster. He gets an accrued season for 2018 (and thus can become a UFA next year) provided he signs and reports anytime within the first 11 weeks of the regular season.
La Chantay Sheppard
2:13
Furthermore, does JuJu alleviate some of that coverage that teams force onto AB? Or is it more double and triple coverage this year?
Ed Bouchette
2:13
Do not discount Justin Hunter and James Washington among the others who will have to be accounted for.
CK
2:14
Were you surprised about the Landry Jones cut? Thanks for the chat as always Ed!
Ed Bouchette
2:14
Yes, I was, as were most others. I did write in June that Mason Rudolph could be No. 2, but now it is Dobbs who is No. 2 and the rookie No. 3.
Daniel
2:15
Why doesn't NFL change the gameday "inactives" rule and let all 53 play? If they do this, there is less chance of starters getting injured on special teams play. What is your thought?
Ed Bouchette
2:16
I've explained this many times since they first went to this system in, I believe, 1993. All 53-man rosters are not equal because some teams have more injuries they must carry because of the strict IR rules. The NFL did not, for example, want to allow everyone 53 on gameday if one team has the full 53 and its opponent has only, say, 46 because of injuries.
I like the rule
Chris
2:16
Ed, my opinion is Lev will be out at least the first 4 weeks . Everyone was paid except him and I think he holds out a lot longer than people think . Also would shock me if we don’t see him until week 10. Thoughts ?
Ed Bouchette
2:17
I don't understand the logic that because Le'Veon "wasn't paid" he is going to cost himself $856,000 weekly to prove his point -- $8.56 million over 10 weeks. Now, that's REALLY not getting paid.
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