Steelers Insider Ed Bouchette Talks Ben Roethlisberger's Hand Injury
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Steelers Insider Ed Bouchette joined Starkey and Mueller for his weekly segment and talked about the hand injury to Ben Roethlisberger and how its effecting his recent performance, the no-huddle offense, problems with the cornerback position, and the perception of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bouchette was asked about Roethlisberger's hand injury and if it affected him in Sunday's loss against New Orleans. Bouchette says that his recent slump can't simply be blamed on his recent injury.
"There is a concern about how he's been playing, I don't think there is concern about his hand, but there is concern on how he's been playing," he said.
Bouchette went on to compare the last three games stats which were four touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 79.3 to his first nine games which were 22 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 110.6 passer rating.
Bouchette also was asked about the use of the no-huddle offense and if it would help Ben get out of his slump.
"They kind have done away with it almost, except in two minute drills and stuff like that," he said. "I don't know if they are going to crank it up in Cincinnati on Sunday, maybe but they don't seem to want to do it as much as they did it earlier in the year for whatever reason."
Bouchette was also asked about the long time struggles of the cornerback position and he brought up the fact that Rod Woodson was the Steelers' last Pro-Bowl cornerback. He pointed out letting Keenan Lewis go and giving Cortez Allen a new contract and a number of other factors that contributed to the struggles of the cornerback position.
Bouchette said that, "It's been a combination of things, but they have not had good corners here in a very long time, and it's something to say if William Gay may be their best corner right now."
Bouchette was finally asked about the lack of respect nationally for the Steelers' opponent on Sunday, their AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. He thinks the national perception is due to the Bengals less-than-stellar overall franchise history.
"The problem for the Bengals is that they have been kicked around so long, people don't know how to react," he said.
Bouchette cited their 0-2 record in Super Bowls, and their losing streak in playoff games dating back to 1990, which is the longest playoff win drought in the NFL. Bouchette also said that if the Bengals want to rid themselves of that perception they must win big games.
"I think they have to prove something in the post-season," he said. "First, they have to show they win the division again which they won it last year, then they have to do something in the post-season."
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