Ed Bouchette: Good afternoon, let's begin

Steve: Why did they cut Gilbert? What is inside "scoop"??

Ed Bouchette: He just was not very good and he had a roster bonus due in March that they were not going to pay. Great athlete who could not learn the defense and could not even return kickoffs -- he ran that one backward if you remember, which could have cost them a win in KC

Adam: As a Steelers fan, can I both be furious that the Pats won while also admiring the accomplishments of Tom Brady?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, of course. Accomplishments deserve to be admired unless, of course, there is cheating involved.

Guest: If Timmons is not back next year do you think they will use VW as the next man? Draft High? Free agent? or use less 2 ILB sets?

Ed Bouchette: Timmons is a free agent and I'm not sure he'll be back. His money demands may be too much for their taste. If not, I think they will go with Vince Williams as the buck and Ryan Shazier as the mack inside linebackers.

Steve: Article yesterday about real discord between Tomlin & Ben...Ben frustrated at lack of maturity of WRs etc which could lead to early retirement ...what is your take?

Ed Bouchette: Didn't see that article.

Adam: Will the Steelers attempt to grab an athletic TE early in the draft?

Ed Bouchette: I'm not sure what early is anymore. Let's say 1-3 rounds. They better get more defensive help, like an OLB and a corner before they go looking for tight ends.

Dj Cain: Ed Do you feel like Terry Bradshaw has something against the Steelers

Ed Bouchette: I spend very little time trying to analyze how Bradshaw feels about anything.

Guest: Should the Steelers fire Danny Smith?

Ed Bouchette: No, I think they should give him better players to work with.

dpreble001: Ed, Ron cook has suggested trade ng AB, which I think is crazy but is there more to the story as media outlets have picked up the story is he a disruptive player in the locker room?

Ed Bouchette: All you need to know is that Steelers President Art Rooney labeled AB's antics "little annoyances."

He is no cancer in the locker room. He just maybe clowns around too much for some.

Justin: Are the Steelers willing to take a QB before round 4 to replace Ben? Or will they continue to try and develop Landry Jones?

Ed Bouchette: They're not trying to "develop" Landry Jones to take over for Ben and, no, I don't think they will draft Ben's replacement this year. The quality isn't there and they draft 30th. No way they find his replacement in the third round unless they have the bar set for the next starter real low.

Hank: Could the plan be to allow Gilbert to enter free agency then sign him to a friendly contract if no interest from other teams? Seems like OTA's and Camp may be worth another look for such a physical talent.

Ed Bouchette: I'd say that's not a bad idea except I don't every remember them doing that with a player, cutting him when due a bonus and larger salary and then re-signing him. They could have just asked him to sign a new contract. I think they just figured he is a lost cause.

Maybe they should have moved C.J. Goodwin to CB when they had him and not allow Atlanta to do it.

Stillwagon: Any news on Cam Heyward's recovery?

Ed Bouchette: He was healing fine and around the team during the playoffs.

Renegade: In the outside chance that a new contract does not get done with AB - how much if anything is left on the contract for 2017 since much of it was advanced to 2015 and 2016?

Ed Bouchette: $4.7 million in salary with a $13.6 M cap hit

Beat Pats for 7th SB: So much talk about Brown & Bell being a risky long-term signings due to their off the field issues. Can't the Steelers just add language to their contracts that say they don't get paid if they fail a drug test or lose a bonus if they do stupid stuff on social media? Seems that would eliminate a lot of the risk and be a win/win.

Ed Bouchette: They don't get paid if they are suspended anyway, so no need to put that in a contract.

If you add "stupid stuff on social media" as a way to not pay them, a lot of NFL players would not get paid.

KJ: Have the Steelers given any indication what their plans for Mettenberger may be? Is he a viable option to replace Landry Jones as the top QB backup?

Ed Bouchette: No, I don't think he is a viable option. Not sure what their plans are, perhaps bring him to camp to compete for a job.

Adam: Whats our greatest position of need for the draft? WR, OLB, DB?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, but I would put WR third

Adam: % change Ben retires this year?

Ed Bouchette: Blutarsky. 0.0

KJ: Do you believe the Steelers would look into moving up in the draft to select a pass rusher such as Tak McKinley from UCLA?

Ed Bouchette: No.

Adam: So Brady clearly can dissect both man and zone coverage as well as shed off pressure from a great pass rush. If I'm a Belichick clone on the other side, how do I game plan against the Pats?

Ed Bouchette: I would copy what the Falcons did in the first half.

Art: Falcons had success with rushing 4-5 so what changed in Q4? Tired or a change?

Ed Bouchette: They looked exhausted to me.

Guest: So you win your last two SBs due to opposing team coaching gaffes and you are now the "greatest coach" ever?

Ed Bouchette: Well, that is in the eye of the beholder. I'm not sure Belichick has been anointed that by everyone just yet.

Yes, the other team messed up in Seattle and Atlanta, but the Steelers once escaped a possible Super Bowl loss when the great Tom Landry decided not to give the ball to Tony Dorsett much in the second half.

Adam: Does LeVeon Bell need groin surgery? What's his status and what is the recovery time on groin surgery?

Ed Bouchette: He was running around Houston doing many, many TV and radio interviews and mentioned to me -- and others -- that he will seek a third opinion on that. Not sure he got it yet. One doctor told him to get it, another told him to rest it.

Ryno: Is there a specific date in the future, or are those players who are to become free agents, already considered free agents for the upcoming season?

Ed Bouchette: Teams have until March 9 to sign those players whose contracts will officially expire that day. They actually can start negotiating with other team's free agents starting March 7 but cannot sign them until 4 p.m. March 9.

Their own team can sign them at any time.

Teams, by the way, have until March 1 to designate a player as their franchise or transition player -- so be aware of that with Le'Veon Bell.

Steve: Are people too hard on Bradshaw? #1 He's a TV commentator, he's been paid express honest opinions for years #2 He's never been know to "filter" his opinions..so saying Bill better than Noll & Tomlin cheerleader not that terrible..

Ed Bouchette: Not unless you are a Steelers fan who does not believe him and things that, generally, Bradshaw is a clown and inconsistent in what he says.

Jerry: Will they keep Green and Gay?

Ed Bouchette: I think Gay may be on his way out and Green's medical issues will determine his fate.

Otto: Do the Steelers need to find a better CB then Ross Cockrell?

Ed Bouchette: They need to find better cornerbacks, yes.

Paul: Hi Ed, The Steelers don't seem to be go after many Free Agents.., do you see any that they may be looking at or considering making a run at?

Ed Bouchette: They'll sign one or maybe two a year, but not the mega free agents. Ladarius Green, Mike Mitchell, Ryan Clark, those types.

Stephen P: With the Pats spotted 6 wins each year (by virtue of playing on their division) what does the rest of the league have to do to ensure they don't always get home field advantage?

Ed Bouchette: Beat them.

KJ: In the draft, when will the Steelers look to add depth to their OL? Or will they even?

Ed Bouchette: They almost always are looking for line depth.

Jake in Raleigh: Did you think Brady deserved the Superbowl MVP? I can think of a more deserving player. Did he win it because of name?

Ed Bouchette: He is the driving force behind that offense and that team. I know James White scored 3 touchdowns and had over 100 yards receiving, but if I had a vote, it would have gone to Brady.

Pc: Will Steelers go after a top pass rusher or corner in free agency??

Ed Bouchette: They should.

Renegade: Realistic chance that Golson adds anything to team being that he has not played a down 2 years?

Ed Bouchette: He has had two separate injuries that have sidelined him the past two years. They really thought he was going to help them going into last year's camp, so I don't think that has changed. He can replaced Gay as the slot corner.

Guest: AB is good, however, in the past the steelers and many teams have done well without the top wrs in the game. would they be better off using his salary on other players?

Ed Bouchette: New England is the perfect example of that. I just don't think the Steelers have that kind of system.

Guest: Do you think Jarvis Jones is better suited as a 4-3 OLB who doesnt have to rush the passer as much?

Ed Bouchette: No. He's a pass rusher. That is what everyone wanted him for the year the Steelers drafted him. He just wasn't very good at it with them.

Phil: Would it be smart to bet the Steelers draft an edge rusher in the 1st round? Seems like their most glaring hole.

Ed Bouchette: As long as the value is there at No. 30, that would be my choice.

Ryno: Do you think the Steelers will bring Harrison back for another year, paying him more or less than what his last contract gave him per year? He sure was underpaid the past two years for what was supposed to be a backup role.

Ed Bouchette: They want him back, he wants to return. I have no idea what kind of money either side is thinking.

Ed Bouchette: One more thing to remember: You don't pay for past performance. You pay for future performance.

Otto: Will the Steelers "double dip" and draft two OLB's this draft as they did with Tomlin's 1st draft (Timmons & Woodley) ?

Ed Bouchette: I don't see that, no.

Tibs: Steelers fan in Budapest, thanks for these chats Ed. Is Tomlin comfortable with Butler and the direction of our defense heading into next year? Would he consider bringing in somone from the outside with a fresh perspective?

Ed Bouchette: I think he and they are comfortable with Butler, especially how much that defense improved as the season progressed, despite the injuries.

KJ: Do you believe AB when he says he wants to be "a Steeler for life"? Do the Steelers feel the same way?

Ed Bouchette: I do believe him. I believe Art Rooney expressed his desire to have him for quite some time.

Talk is cheap until the money starts getting negotiated.

Beat the Cheatriots!!: If March 1st is deadline for tagging players, then is that pretty much a done deal for Bell? Can't see them locking him up to a long term deal in next few weeks, when no mention of them even talking yet.

Ed Bouchette: I would agree with you. But even if they tag him, they can continue to negotiate a multi-year deal. They in fact did that with both LaMarr Woodley and Max Starks.

KJ: Ed, you and others have reported that no one works harder than AB on the Steelers roster. Was Ben merely frustrated by the loss in the AFC Championship game when he made his comments?

Ed Bouchette: I think, yes, he was frustrated when he mentioned the possibility of retirement. I don't remember hearing or seeing him say anything negative about Antonio Brown, though.

Adam: If the Steelers Balk and refuse to give Brown a deal this year, will he play out his contract or try and hold out or something?

Ed Bouchette: I would not envision a holdout.

Guest: Did Rooney say that wanted to sign mike Wallace too?

Ed Bouchette: You mean before he became a UFA? Can't remember if he said that, I'd have to look it up, but their intentions were to sign him and when he turned down their contract, that's when they made AB a contract offer and he jumped at it.

Jake in Raleigh: Bright side to this coming season. Likely don't lose anyone important. Get Bryant and Golson back. Our 3 top picks from last draft looked better than expected. AND we get whatever it is we draft this year. Am I wrong for being this optimistic?

Ed Bouchette: No, you are not. They have talent returning and, as you said, won't lose much.

Plus, they get Cam Heyward back.

Baltimore -Bob: Why did Matt Ryan repeatedly snap the ball with 10-15 seconds on the game clock? He supposed to be the league MVP- he certainly is smart enough since he went to BC

Ed Bouchette: They did not play a very smart ballgame in that second half.

Watsa Katch: Isn 't Green being paid for past performances

Ed Bouchette: If you mean Ladarius Green, no. The Steelers paid him based on what they thought he could do for them. As you can see, they missed the mark by not doing their due diligence on his medical issues for whatever reasons.

Joey Simms: Who has likely seen his last days in black & yellow, Gay, Moats or DHB? Or all the

Ed Bouchette: Moats should be back.

Ryan: When will steelers coaches start attacking other teams weakness rather than just "do what we do" BS that they have done?

Ed Bouchette: I know their fans would not be happy unless they went 16-0 in the regular season and won the Super Bowl. But the Steelers did go 11-5, capture the AFC North Division title and reach the AFC championship game to the ultimate Super Bowl winner.

So, I think they probably did a few good things along the way.

Paul: Hi Ed, Love your chats.. How did you think Burns did this year for a rookie?

Ed Bouchette: Made steady improvement after early setback in camp to injury.

Stairway to 7: So let's say best case scenario happens and Bryant gets reinstated and is truly a changed man...do we still need to sign another WR or is he the answer?

Ed Bouchette: I think they need another wide receiver. AB, Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates and Bryant aren't bad if they are playing up to their potential, but I'm not sure you want to count on the latter two.

Joey Simms: Will the Steelers draft 3 defensive players in the 1st three rounds again?

Ed Bouchette: It's possible, but I think you'll see a WR or RB somewhere there.

AZ: Major difference I see between our SB years and the team lately is pressure and pass rush. I remember in the TMaddox days we were close but missed the constant pressure that JH and LWoodley would eventually bring. We are close and I think Dupree is one of the two..

Ed Bouchette: The Steelers were never close in the Tommy Maddox days.

Ed Bouchette: Thanks for another great chat. See you next Tuesday

First Published: February 7, 2017, 2:11 p.m.
Updated: February 7, 2017, 7:59 p.m.