Surg: The defensive line is in something of a transition year, but - perhaps surprisingly - is still the 6th best rushing D in the NFL. How are Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward viewed by the coaching staff compared to each other? Is one viewed as having a higher ceiling than the other?
Ed Bouchette: I've never talked about a ceiling. I did ask Mike Tomlin today about Heyward getting so few snaps and he said that was not a reflection on the rookie but how well Ziggy Hood and Brett Keisel were playing.
JamesinNYC: % chance Woodley plays? Will we see Ben come out IF they get a big lead?
Ed Bouchette: I'd give Woodley 50-50. How big a lead and how late in the game? I'd say yes, if it's 28-0 with 10 minutes left.
Ed Bouchette: It's been my experience, though, that fans want to pull quarterbacks much more readily than do the coaches, even in what might seem to be a runaway.
kermit: Hey Ed, have you ever been approached by a player angry at something you wrote about him?
Ed Bouchette: Too many times to count.
Okiesteelerfan: What are you thought on the way NE dismantled the Chefs? Can the Steelers do the same even if it is at Arrowhead?
Ed Bouchette: The Steelers have a much better defense than New England's, although if you tally the turnovers it's closer than their rankings. So, yes, I think they can win big but typically they do not win by as large a margin as the Patriots did Monday.
TucsonKen: Do you think this is Heinz Ward's last season in the NFL?
Ed Bouchette: Well, we know that it's not Heinz Field's last season. As for Hines Ward, it's looking more and more like it since his demotion, but let's see what happens over the rest of the season. Jerome Bettis was demoted in 2003 and played through the 2005 season.
jayhwk67: Are you surprised that the NFL would schedule SF to come across the country to play a game on Thursday Night? You would think that they pick teams on the same coast to play on a short week.
Ed Bouchette: That's what you might think, but they scheduled the Steelers to play in SF Monday night and return home to play Saturday afternoon.
STEELCURTIN55: Hello Ed, is there any chance that Max Starks becomes a free agent, and if not, is there any chance that Willie Colon would play RG or would he demand a trade/release if it looked like Starks and Gilbert would be the starters heading into 2012?
Ed Bouchette: All kinds of things can happen, including Max moving elsewhere as a free agent. If that happens, I would think Marcus Gilbert would move to the left and Colon move back in on the right. Or, as you suggested, if Starks stays, Colon indeed could be a guard.
JYMESinTAIWAN: Ed: when teams travel, do players & coaches get a day or 2 to "see" the city? eat out stuff??
Ed Bouchette: They don't get much of a chance to see the city. They usually leave anywhere between 2:30 and 3:30 on Saturday. They have some time to themselves after their arrival but then have mandated snack, meeting, and then curfew.
macho poffo: Any chance Ole Miss could go ahead and hire BA affective immediately so that he could stop ruining this Top 10 ypg offense the Steelers have--and our season?
Ed Bouchette: Be careful what you wish for. I don't understand why you have animosity for someone whose offense has improved this season. And about that report from Alabama, I understand all the connections involved but I doubt BA wants to become a head coach in college at age 60 when he was talking about retirement last year.
mikeflores16: Does Sanders play this week, and if he does, his he number 3?
Ed Bouchette: I don't think he will play. When he does, he's probably 3 or 4.