Ed Bouchette: Ready if you are. I have to tell you though, I drew some inspiration from LB James Harrison this afternoon. With a gaggle of media around him, someone asked him what effect the weather would have on Sunday's game. "Stupid question!" he said and took no further questions. I like that attitude, and I may have to employ it here.

mwoodym112: Ed, Whats the status with Vincent Jackson for sundays game? Will he make the trip and play? Will it be up to the team or the NFL to pull him for his DUI. That was his second offense, does that up the ante?

Ed Bouchette: I would expect Stoned-wall Jackson to play.

Memphis_Steeler: Ed, thanks for the bonus chat this week! The week off helped the Steelers but sure made me restless. My question is this: What did the coaching staff do last week to prepare for this weeks game, such as begin watching film in advance for all 3 possible opponents or did they wait until they knew who the opponent was before doing anything?

Ed Bouchette: I can't tell you what film they watched, I asked Mike Tomlin if they used the extra time to prepare for the three possible opponents and he said they did not. I'll have to take his word for it.

Sparks_NV: Hey Ed, over or under 38.5 points?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think the Steelers can score that many. Oh, you mean for BOTH teams. If I told you, you might bet that way and then if you lost, you'd hold me responsible. I don't like to be responsible for anything.

Steeler_Fan_In_Cen_Ca: Ed, LT is most likely out, Gates and Jamal Williams are dinged up and Vincent Jackson can't get open or find a designated driver. The Steelers are at home, well rested and relatively healthy except for headaches from Big Ben. Why am I still worried? Please talk me off the ledge.

Ed Bouchette: Because you probably remember 1994. Different times, different coaches, different players, different outcome.

Steelahs.com: Ed, how often do you think the Steelers will line up in the I-formation Sunday?

Ed Bouchette: Not as much as the fans would like, I can tell you that from all my emails. Not as much as you might think.

Terrible_Trousers: Any idea how Ben has looked in practice this week? I heard on the radio that he complained of headaches from simply wearing his helmet the past few days ...

Ed Bouchette: You also could have read it right here.

HinesintheHall: I've been hearing that a team's weaknesses get exposed in the playoffs. What is this Steelers team's greatest weakness?

Ed Bouchette: C'mon, you're kidding right? The offensive line, no?

TrophyNumberSix: Do you agree with your colleague Ron Cook on a Ravens-Steelers AFC Title Bout?

Ed Bouchette: As much as I hate to agree with him, yes.

OldSchoolPatriotFan: Is there any chance at all that the Steelers will put in some packages with Dennis Dixon for the playoffs? IMO he is a better athlete than Kordell Stewart was and has a better arm than Antwaan Randle El (which is saying something) and could provide the Steelers with a much needed spark and really give opposing defenses a hard time.

Ed Bouchette: There's as much chance of seeing Dennis Dixon as there is Kordell, although if you tune to ESPN2, he's there. I cannot see them using him in the playoffs if they weren't going to use him at all in the regular season.

WyoBowhunter: Will the Steelers be better off after this bye or come out Sluggish? Aren't they normally slower after a bye?

Ed Bouchette: They are 5-0 in the first game after their playoff byes since the 1994 season.

sinmusic: Ed, do family members and friends always ask you questions about the Steelers like the family and friends of medical doctors who ask for advice?

Ed Bouchette: I have no friends.

steelman43: Ed, do you think there is any chance at all the Steelers come out and dismantle the Chargers? I am thinking of a performance like the one in 2001 when they beat a Ravens team 27-10.

Ed Bouchette: I think there's a better chance of that than another 11-10 squeaker.

James_Tapei: What unsuspecting player will win the game for the Steelers or Chargers? Who will be this year's Alfred Pupunu?

Ed Bouchette: I'd like to think some of the big-name Steelers will come through and win it, not an unknown.

Google_Fabled_Enemies: Let me get this straight... Ben has pain in his head while/from putting on his helmet as recent as yesterday and he's starting over Leftwich?

Ed Bouchette: You prefer it crooked?

Bob_in_CA: Ed, do you think that the Steelers will pass more than run, like they did in the last SD game?

Ed Bouchette: yes, unless they get an early lead

Number_One: Ed, what impact does having Heath Miller healthy have on the outcome of the rematch?

Ed Bouchette: I believe he can have a big impact. He did not play the last time vs. the Chargers and backup Matt Spaeth caught 6 passes.

AmericanU_SteelersFan: Ed, I recently saw NFL Network's interview with James Harrison. It lasted 7 minutes and the interviewer must have asked 70 questions and gotten one sentence answers for each question. Does 92 hate the press as much as you hate these chats?

Ed Bouchette: No, that's just his persona.

TrophyNumberSix: Hey Ed. Keep up that good work. Your info is golden, GOLDEN! What is the general mood surrounding the team as they practice this week? Would you characterize them as loose? Tight? Put on your Karl Jung hat and mine some more of that gold.

Ed Bouchette: I would say loose. But then I thought that 2004 team was loose too.

sinmusic: Ed, Is D. Sproles impressive work as RB the last two weeks a result of his talents or lack of a good run-stuffing defense?

Ed Bouchette: Hmmmmm, I'll give the nod to Sproles, he seems to be a good, quick, little elusive back.

MWarren18: Ed, do you think the Steelers ability to run the ball will be the determining factor in the game Sunday or you think they can still win this game running the way they have the entire season?

Ed Bouchette: With this defense, anything is possible, so they could be stuffed in the run and still win. It will be harder, but it can be done.

Steel_Garotee: Ed, do you think Heinz turf will slow down Sproles or cause him to lose his footing more then he's used to? Little Toto's not in Qualcomm anymore...

Ed Bouchette: It certainly will not aid his cutbacks or quickness.