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pg_dangigler Welcome to our first Steeler chat of the season -- Ed is logged on, so we'll get rolling here in just a second ...
mike <Q>Hello Ed, Do you think Hines will be effective at all in the 1st game considering he hasn't practiced until the last couple of days?
pg_edbouchette <A>Yes. I don't think he needed to play in the preseason to be effective in the opener. Speed is not his main weapon, either, although the hamstring injury to start out training camp is never a good thing. That's why they did not force the issue in camp.
JPeezy <Q>Do you expect Ben to be back for the Jacksonville game?
pg_edbouchette <A>No, but I would not rule it out. Hines Ward thinks he'll be ready, and ward had the same surgery 4 years ago. It depends on how he heals and whether he can practice. And if Batch plays well in the opener, it could cause them to start him in jax and perhaps have Ben on the sideline as an emergency.
traffic <Q>Do you think Ben's accident had anything to do with his appendicitis?
pg_edbouchette <A>Surely you are joking. First off, I don't think a surgeon could answer that. Perhaps he ate something that caused it (and I AM joking there)
Stiller <Q>Ed. What's the feeling around the South Side on Patrick Cobbs role with the Steelers?
pg_edbouchette <A>Don't know yet. I would think he won't dress for the opener because he doesn't know the playbook yet. They'll see how he does in practice, and it also depends on Duce Staley. Cobbs can play special teams, though, and Duce does not.
mike <Q>Who do you see stepping up in a big way this season on either side of the ball? My pick is McFadden or Keisel.
pg_edbouchette <A>either would be a good choice. But you'd hope the ones you expect to step up do, like Joey Porter, Troy Polamalu, Casey Hampton, etc. And Ike Taylor needs to hang onto some of those interceptions.
mike <Q>Who' do you see as the most unapproachable steeler when it comes to interviews/questions?
pg_edbouchette <A>They're all pretty good. Duce can put you off more than anyone, but he's not unapproachable.
drmatta <Q>It was mentioned in an article today about St. Pierre that Tommy Maddox had screamed at Coach Bill Cowher. Could you give the context and the broader implications as the article implied that was part of the reason he was let go? thanks! tom (can't get enought Steelers) matta from Erie, PA
pg_edbouchette <A>I did not write that when it happened, because I did not know it. People in the organization feel more free to talk once a player is gone. He burned his bridges with the coach and the team, but the bottom line is they don't think he can play anymore. They also believe that injury he had in Tennessee a few years ago made him gun-shy.
JPeezy <Q>Do you expect Baltimore to seriously challenge the Steelers this season?
pg_edbouchette <A>Yes, as long as Steve McNair stays healthy. He's one of the better QBs in the league and that's something the Ravens haven't had in a long while. They have a good running game, another good defense and decent receivers. And remember, they beat the Steelers in Baltimore last year (I know, Maddox was at QB) and lost by just a point in Heinz Field.
mnsteel <Q>Steeler fan lost in Minnesota here --- What is the latest on Big Ben?
pg_edbouchette <A>He's out of the hospital and recuperating.
Beltin_Delton <Q>Is the number of Steelers draft picks cut over the last few years a disturbing trend, or is it a wash when undrafted free agents become starters or role players?
pg_edbouchette <A>I don't think they like the fact that two fourth-round draft picks were busts, but the top of their draft has gone well. Let's remember this is a Super Bowl team, also, and there are not a lot of jobs available.
JPeezy <Q>Do you think Clark might struggle some in the early part of the season?
pg_edbouchette <A>Clark Haggans? I don't see why he should. I thought he played well last year.
ropinron <Q>Will St. Pierre only be on the roster until Ben is heathy enough to play. If not, will he likely be assigned to the practice squad.
pg_edbouchette <A>I believe he will be put on the roster tomorrow. However, they will evaluate him over the next two weeks and then must decide if he's better to keep than Omar Jacobs on the practice squad.
JPeezy <Q>No, Ryan Clark.
pg_edbouchette <A>Sorry. I don't know how he'll be. If he does not play well, they will go with Tyrone Carter or Anthony Smith.
slr <Q>Who's your pick for Thursday's game?
pg_edbouchette <A>I think the home opener gives the nod to the Steelers, but this is a good Miami team.
mnsteel <Q>Having seen Daunte up close for years here in MN, are the Steelers focusing on his tendency to fumble - a lot - when hit or under pressure?
pg_edbouchette <A>The Steelers bring the heat more often than any NFL team and I'm sure they will do so again Thursday.
Beltin_Delton <Q>Ed, are you surprised the Steelers didn't cut Duce? He looks washed up.
pg_edbouchette <A>You must have someone better in order to cut him, and they did not. I heard from a lot of fans that they should have kept John Kuhn. You saw what they thought when they cut him from the practice squad.
JoJo <Q>Hi Ed - why did they not cut Duce - they could have went after Dayne, Suggs, Davenport - all who in my opinion have looked better than Duce in the preseason and would be cheaper
pg_edbouchette <A>They think Duce improved as the summer went on and that he will be at least the kind of runner they saw in Green Bay last year when he jumped off the bench and helped save them a victory.
JPeezy <Q>Do you know why the Steelers have had early byes for the past few years?
pg_edbouchette <A>No, and I don't think they know, either. Luck of the draw?
Beltin_Delton <Q>Size aside, who wins a battle royale between Smith, James Harrison, Joey Porter and Polamalu? And does any other team have four guys this crazy on the same roster?
pg_edbouchette <A>I haven't evaluated other rosters for their craziness, but I'd go with James Harrison, even though Sports Illustrated picked Joey.
JPeezy <Q>Do you think LeBeau has added any more exotic blitzes to his package this season?
pg_edbouchette <A>#### LeBeau is always adding exotic blitzes.
fwc <Q>Hi Ed. What is your read on who will be the rookie to make an impact earliest in the new season?
pg_edbouchette <A>Probably Santonio Holmes. He's on the kickoff team and with Quincy Morgan gone, he'll play when they use four wide receivers.
JPeezy <Q>Do you know how much Willie Parker benches?
pg_edbouchette <A>No, I don't.
mike <Q>What bonus/salary do you see Troy Polamalu getting from the Steelers when the time comes?
pg_edbouchette <A>I would say somewhere around 8-9 million.
Bill_S <Q>Ed. How do you think Ben's absence will affect the game plan on Thursday?
pg_edbouchette <A>Not at all. They did not change their gameplan. Batch can run the no-huddle, too, if that's what you mean. He can make all the throws. He might not scramble out of the pocket and pick up much yardage running.
mike <Q>Are there any skill position players, besides Duce that you would consider out of shape? No that they are fat, but just not built?
pg_edbouchette <A>I don't consider Duce out of shape. He did not come to camp in as good a shape as they'd hoped. Others? To play professional football, you have to be built. Maybe Chris Gardocki?
JPeezy <Q>How many wins this year?
pg_edbouchette <A>I'll say 11.
JoJo <Q>Do you think Crazy Legs Willie Parker really will get goal line carries this year? I hope he does for my fantasy team but I'm just not sure. Who would take them from him if he does not get them?
pg_edbouchette <A>He's the man and he's not bad at the goalline. I think perhaps Heath Miller might be a nice target down there. If Willie can't do it, you'll have to look for Duce or Haynes at the goalline.
phillymarty <Q>Any reason to think the team is not metally prepared for the new season?
pg_edbouchette <A>I don't think that's a problem. If they lose, it won't be for lack of being prepared.
traffic <Q>What did you think of Omar Jacob's preseason? Do you think that warrants his getting the backup nod over St. Pierre, or would you give it to St. Pierre based on experience?
pg_edbouchette <A>They're evaluating St. Pierre in these final days. I haven't seen him since camp in '05 and he hardly played in the preseason. I think they will go with him, but nothing would surprise me.
pghbanker <Q>Ed, Will Duce be active for the game or will we see Patrick Cobbs for the first time?
pg_edbouchette <A>I think you'll see Duce.
fwc <Q>Monday night on ESPN: an improvement? Have you seen the new team in action yet?
pg_edbouchette <A>No. I try to stay away from watching preseason games other than the Steelers if I can help it. I like Tony K, though. Always have. I think once he gets in a groove he will do fine.
fwc <Q>Monday night on ESPN: an improvement? Have you seen the new team in action yet?
pg_edbouchette <A>I don't know if my answer made that, so I'll repeat. I don't watch preseason games if I can avoid them. I think Tony K will be fine. I've always liked him and once he hits his groove, he'll become more colorful.
phillymarty <Q>Is the ability to hold for placekicks that tough to learn to justify keeping Gardocki? He was not very good last year.
pg_edbouchette <A>Gardocki's stats weren't good, but he's reliable and he can put the ball where the coaches want it. He did not just make the team because of his holding, but the hold by Barr in the third preseason game that cost a field goal certainly did not help him.
Jeff_Yukevich <Q>Ed- Your prediction on when Anthony Smith starts his first game as a Steeler?
pg_edbouchette <A>That's hard to tell. It depends on how Clark and/or Carter do in front of him. It's hard to ask a rookie to play free safety and make all the calls. Darren Perry did it after 2 injuries in front of him.
phillymarty <Q>Last year, it was said the team might loss more often but win fewer games. Partly due to Ben's injuries, that was the case. 11 only matches last year. Why not better?
pg_edbouchette <A>Tough division with Cincy and Baltimore. And have you seen the rest of their schedule? They're not opening with Tennessee and Houston.
phillymarty <Q>Was there anyone who you thought should not have been cut but was or vice versa?
pg_edbouchette <A>Not really. Quincy Morgan would have made the team had Jerame Tuman not been hurt, forcing them to add a third tight end.
phillymarty <Q>Might the absence of Ben be a blessing in disguise as to their mental outlook?
pg_edbouchette <A>That's too deep for me. You don't gain an advantage by losing your best players.
phillymarty <Q>You think Balt's line is good enough to keep McNair on the field all season?
pg_edbouchette <A>They're not as good as they once were, particularly Ogden. We'll see.
fwc <Q>I'm out of town: Was Ben's current drama covered in even more over the top fashion by local media?
pg_edbouchette <A>It wasn't just the local media. National media played it up big time. The mayor of Pittsburgh died, and I believe that tempered it some.
JPeezy <Q>If no one picks him up, do you think Quincy Morgan might be re-signed later in the season?
pg_edbouchette <A>I think that is possible. The Steelers tried to trade him, and then when they cut him no one signed him. One reason, perhaps -- you have to pay the man an entire salary if he's on the roster the opening game. Maybe some teams just want to get a better read. I expect he will be somewhere else soon, though. I'm a little surprised the Eagles haven't gone after him.
fwc <Q>Thanks for spending some time with us Ed!
pg_edbouchette <A>Thanks for the questions. I'll see you here next Tuesday, same time. ed
Dekker looked awful the times I saw him, so I'm a little baffled there. He is from Penn State, though. 
:IBTL: 
Maybe Ike would be a good option qb.