JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.04.22

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.04.22

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Gerry Dulac

9:27

OK kids, we're going to start the new year off with the best chat ever so get your questions ready. The ball will drop around 945 am

9:50

Ok kids, let's get started...Go!!

Jim in Az.

9:50

I advocated that PIckett should have started at the beginning of the year based off of exhibition game performances, all 3 QB's were fairly equal in their performance but if you had to rank them it would have been Mason, Kenny and then Mitch.

Gerry Dulac

9:52

Jim, Mason was never going to start, even after how he looked in training camp. Never. That's why they brought in two guys over him during the offseason -- they thought they needed some better. And their plan never included Pickett starting at the beginning of the year. Never. that's why they brought in Trubisky.

Jim in Az.

9:52

Hindsight Gerry, would you now admit Pickett should have been the starting QB all year long? If so, I believe the Steelers are in the playoffs rather than just contending for a spot in the final week.

Gerry Dulac

9:52

Mike

9:52

Go 9-8 and make playoffs, go 9-8 and miss playoffs, or go 8-9??

Gerry Dulac

9:52

Just go 9-8

Joel

9:52

Happy New Year, Gerry. Somber week across the NFL. Between Tomlin and Heyward, it seems to me the Steelers have the right leadership to handle the emotions leading up to the game on Sunday. Will the Hamlin situation have any impact between the lines this week?

Gerry Dulac

9:54

Do not take this the wrong way -- Hamlin's situation has impacted everyone across the NFL, probably most especially the players. And while it has cast a somber mood across the league, most especially in Buffalo and even here where he grew up, once the players and coaches take the field they will be thinking about only one thing -- beating the Browns.

Tom

9:54

If the Steelers didn't have the reputation of finding gems wr's in midrounds, would Dionte Johnson be viewed to be as good as he is now?

Gerry Dulac

9:55

Good question. But those numbers he posted last year suggested he is good.

Joel

9:55

Gerry, Cam Heyward has been so great this season —- just a rock on and off the field. Can we talk Hall of Fame yet? I’m concerned he won’t make it as his career has coincided with a down time for the Steelers overall, at least in comparison to their usual championship “standard.” Is he worthy and will he make it?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

I do not hold out a lot of hope that Cam will make the Hall of Fame, which is no reflection on what type of tremendous player -- and team player -- he is. One of the best

Mike

9:56

What’s your prediction?:

Gerry Dulac

9:57

For....??

obxandy

9:57

If Steelers offer Mason Rudolph a market based 3 year contract to be backup to Pickett, what are chances he would accept the deal? I'm thinking he is most likely going to be backup in future and why not do it in Pittsburgh if $$$ are fair. Thank you. Have a great 2023.

Gerry Dulac

9:57

I don't think he has any interest in staying here after the way he was demoted/treated.

Stlrdave1

9:58

Good morning Gerry. As a transplanted Steeler fan living in Nevada, I've had a good look at how an organization should be run, and one of the many in the NFL who are not. Yes we expect more always from the team. But we have been blessed with a track record for the most part. Thank you for taking my comment

Gerry Dulac

9:58

I trust you mean seeing how the Steelers do it as opposed to how the Raiders do it there in Nevada. I'm with ya

Marc from Germany

9:58

Hi G! Have we overdone it with our lust for ever bigger, faster fester and stronger players to the point that it is no longer sustainable even for those seamingly superhuman bodies? And if so: is this calamity eever going back in it's Box?

Gerry Dulac

9:59

Marc, not exactly sure what specific incident might have spawned your question, but my answer is likely the same -- probably not

Ironcadet

10:00

Hey Gerry, if the Steelers don’t make the playoffs, is there a team you’ll be rooting for or an ideal Super Bowl matchup that you want to see?

Gerry Dulac

10:01

I won't be rooting for any specific matchup, but I think the three AFC teams -- Buffalo, KC and Bengals -- would be a great matchup for SF's defense.

John in SC

10:01

Good morning Gerry. To my untrained eye, it seems that our receivers run poor routes. Seldom is someone wide open. Yet it doesn’t appear to be an issue for the opponents. Is that on the personnel or on the coaches.

Gerry Dulac

10:02

Not all the receivers. DJ is a good route runner, despite his drops and suspect footwork along the boundary. He gets open cause he comes out of his breaks better than the others. It's something George Pickens needs to improve, but he's a rookie and I'm sure he will.

Tom

10:02

I'm surprised at the talk about keeping Canada. The offense still barely scores a touchdown a game, right?

Gerry Dulac

10:03

That is what is very very apparent!! That's why I always say the Steelers can't be fooled by this late-season run when evaluating where they are as a franchise going forward. They have to view the season, even last season, in its totality

Tim

10:04

It is now crystal clear to me that Devin Bush is the biggest bust in my lengthy memory following the Steelers. Not starting in favor of an undrafted free agent in his same draft class and a seventh rounder this year who was a rb not long ago speaks volumes. Burns, Jones, Worley pick 7, Richardson and Stephens did not combine both draft position and draft capital given up as much as Bush. Drafting not always an exact science, but what a big miss!

Gerry Dulac

10:04

Pay the man!

MTScott

10:04

Should the O-Line be awarded as Steelers MVP this year?

Gerry Dulac

10:04

They would get my vote as the MVU (unit)!

Tim Jetty

10:04

Hi Gerry, When QB's ( especially a rookie) consistently bring a team back late to win games ALL the "draft stat" negatives go out the window. The guy IS a winner. Pickett has this. You agree?

Gerry Dulac

10:09

There is no doubt he has shown that in those fourth-quarter situations of late, though he didn't earlier in those losses to the Jets and Miami. That's all part of his growth. In his three 4th quarter comeback wins, he has completed 17 of 21 passes for 176 yards, 2 TDs, no picks and a 132-plus passer rating. For the other 10 or more quarters in those three games, he has been mostly average, with a 70.1 passer rating. He has responded in the biggest moments lately, which would suggest he is a winner. But, good or bad, I'm not going to evaluate him on one season. It's always a little tougher for QBs the second time around the NFL.

Uncle Floyd

10:09

Hi Jerry, enjoy all of your work. I feel the Steelers did a fairly good job slowing down the Ravens running game, but I don’t think the same strategy will work for the Browns. In my opinion, they will need to pay more attention to the Browns passing game and also try to harness the running game.

Gerry Dulac

10:11

Don't worry, their strategy/game plan will change. It has each of the past three games how they've handled the run. Give them credit for all the different looks/personnel packages/schemes they have used against Carolina, Raiders and Ravens, three of the better running teams in the league. It has been marvelous coaching!!

WarrenBankston

10:11

Can you remember the last time a Steeler receiver caught a ball in stride while running toward the goal line?

Gerry Dulac

10:11

Nope. Not when the longest offensive TD this season is only 24 yards. Think about that for a second...

Guest

10:11

Now that the OL and DL seem to have maybe kinda/sorta gelled, would or should the Steelers go back to drafting "best available" player, except QB and RB?

Gerry Dulac

10:13

Nope. They need to address their lines of scrimmage, especially defense. They need to find some young studs like Pouncey, DeCastro, Heyward, Tuitt. Not 3rd and 4th round picks. First-rounders. They've put it off long enough.

Connecting…

Marc from Germany

1:33

Hi G!

Guest

1:38

Hey Gerry,

Donald Ulysses Football

2:20

Would the Steelers be better off with Tyler Linderbaum or Kenny Pickett?

epiballo

2:46

Thanks for the chats, Gerry. On a play during the Steelers' game, Pickett is rolling to his right being chased by a defender. He throws the ball which the defender had to see. The defender takes a step and pushes Pickett from behind to the turf. No flag! Are the referees selective, blind, or just stupid?

Earl

2:49

I have an idea. Canada should call the plays he calls in the last two mins of games for the first 58 mins of the game. What do you think?

SteelerBot

2:49

Gerry, do you think that Trubisky still gives the Steelers the best chance to win? And would you agree that the coaches are more qualified than media members to make that selection ?

Retire21

2:50

Is Sims "just a guy" or will they need to add a FA or DP at the position. I was squarely in the "guy" mode until last week.

Big John

2:50

Good morning Gerry. Do you see less Devin Bush this Sunday & more Robinson for run-heavy Cleveland?

Marvin Lewis

2:50

Hey Gerry. During the last 10 years, Coach Tomlin has had a resume similar to mine. Why was I considered an average coach and he is considered a future Hall of Famer and all time great?

The Jordanian

2:51

Gerry, do you enjoy watching us PGA types in Maui, when you are stuck in the terminally grey 'burgh? Would your steady but unspectacular game translate to the windy conditions on the island?

Andrew from Johnstown

2:51

Good morning Gerry! Many people believe that KP should have started from the beginning and start that development early. Do you believe the Steelers would be in a better situation right now if KP started the season as QB1? Thanks!

Retire21

2:52

The last two drafts and if you count Minkah as the top pick in '20 and whoever we get for Claypoole are adding up to some of the best in a row. How would you compare this cycle to others recently?

Kenny Cool

2:52

Thanks, for the chats. What's your assessment of Pickett now, Gerry? There's plenty of room for improvement, but the kid seems to have ice in his veins. Still think drafting him was a mistake?

DanW

2:52

Any chance we see Jackson this week?

Sammy Baugh

2:53

Gerry, does it matter that most of KP's passes are quite unattractive in the air, or does only the final destination count? Spirals, or something approaching a spiral, are indeed aesthetically pleasing, no?

DanW

2:54

Do you think Hines has a realistic chance to make the HOF this year?

Stash

2:55

Gerry, how long before your chat goes elite, and available only to those who can afford thousands in PG subscription fees?

Salvatore

2:56

Happy new year Gerry! Seems like the best staff acquisition is the OL coach. Are you expecting a ew WRs coach for next year? Also Do you foresee the steelers changing OC this offseason

Dean

2:58

Gerry, with the emergence of Robinson, does that mean the end of Bush's time in Pittsburgh?

Prima Donna

2:59

Gerry, I'm aging rapidly, but it seems to me that that the current Steeler's WR's would much rather have a great stats game, then win the damn game? Lynn and John seemed to actually root for each other back in the day, and actually thought that winning was the most important. Your fellow old-timer thoughts?

epiballo

3:02

Much blame and calls for Tomlin's head when the Steelers started 2-6, but I hear hardly any credit going his way for their current 6-2 run. I love that he is the Steelers HC. Does he simply ignore all of the noise, or could he really not care less about it?

clarence

3:03

Are the Browns going to be tough to beat, different QB this time?

Virgil

3:05

Gerry, in the last two weeks it would seem Pickett is capable of running a more aggressive series of plays during the last series of the game. Would it not be reasonable to assume he could do so during the first series...if allowed?

Boz

3:05

Gerry, am I sort of a head case that feels guilty about my overly generous compensation for kicking a ball through a couple of yellow poles? Thus, my post contract years are quite poor (though thankfully still lucrative).

Cali Set-Man

3:06

Hi Gerry, Appreciate the forum! Do you think the Steelers current coaching system is predicated on having an excellent OC/ DC (for all teams also) as Tomlin doesn’t have as much Offensive input? Maybe this is too simple and obvious- I feel like we haven’t had those stud coordinators since LeBeau left.

Cam

3:07

Gerry, Minkah full well knows that I would have kicked his scrawny DB arse, correct?

epiballo

3:07

What's up with Boswell? His field goal attempts are becoming adventures. Any chance the Steelers invite Wright (the guy who filled in) next year for serious camp competition?

epiballo

3:10

Just a note of appreciation. I really enjoy your articles and chats, and especially the quarter-by-quarter analysis during the games. Hope that continues next season! Thanks!

Phil

3:13

Gerry, will you be attending any LIV golf parties this year? The fun and games, no-stress atmosphere is SOOO much better than that whole worrying about the cut line thing? Also, some say my beard makes me look 83 years young. Ever think of going with some facial hair yourself?

Nick F

3:13

I believe the Steeler fan and local print and on air media are spoiled. They believe the team should be in the playoffs, Super Bowl, every yr and can’t accept a rebuild or transition yrs. This is why I believe the national narratives on Tomlin and Cowher are and were different then local. If you live in NY and Florida like I have you learn to appreciate being relevant. Compared to the local fan base who has no clue how it is to be a Jets or jaguars fan.

Cali Set-Man

3:16

Those passes to Sims and Pickens on the last drive were pretty amazing, but could easily have been picks also. Shows the confidence the kid has. What do the Steelers need to do so he doesn’t have the sophomore slump? Get him better protection on the O Line?

Uncle Ju

3:16

Gerry, does M Robinson really have the makings of a varsity athlete?

TDtoledo

3:18

Not that it matters, but that winning TD pass to N.Harris was actually intended for S.Sims -- I'd bet all 3 dollars in my wallet. Did Pickett in the post-game ever admit to it, and do you remember if BigBen ever admitted to such a thing? It takes mucho confidence to do so.

epiballo

3:20

How many questions does your staff, on average, go through when selecting the ones to answer? Would love to know, 'Gerry dear!' Still my favorite question asked of you!

Charlie

3:20

Gerry, did you happen to catch any of me milking that so-called ankle injury at the PNC Father & Son Major, Major Championship? Quite pathetic, but I am 13 after all. I mean Starkey has faked way less severe injuries to blame a horrific round (or so I hear), and he's well past 13....

Bill

3:20

Hi Gerry. Shouldn't they be looking to address the cornerback position? They've done a terrible job drafting there. Is there any potential help in the FA market?

Jim Bow Dean

3:24

Is Canada under contract next season? When was the last time the Steelers fired a coach still under contract?

Ryan

3:26

Gerry what do you think about the play of Robert Spillane and Mark Robinson Vs Baltimore both looked good was nice to see Robinson get some playing time

Jon

3:27

Who are two players (one from the offense and one from the defense) that start right now that most likely won't be on the team next season?

Hogan

3:27

Gerry, Trump has apparently taken Turnberry from one the great historic layouts to a truly pathetic, long forgotten, money losing cow pasture? Your thoughts?

Fort Wayne Nate

3:28

are you surprised with how little Claypool has been used with Chicago?

Les

3:29

Hello, to follow up my first question about Saturday's game. I do agree to have a competitive meaningful game (like the Titans vs Jaguars), but the NFL shouldn't be scheduling games that would affect the playoff seeding for teams fighting to make the playoffs. The Patriots would have gotten a huge advantage with that Chiefs game being played Saturday. Ratings shouldn't matter when it comes to being fair and equal.

Don

3:30

Good morning Gerry. What I thought was once impossible at least seems plausible now. Chances Matt Canada stays next year? I'd say 50/50. What's your guess?

Guest

3:31

Bob 39*s play on the tight end at the end of the game gave Baltimore about 10 extra seconds because it stopped the clock

GjSteel

3:34

Ben R. Wr's as a Rookie..Ward, Burres, Randel EL...Picketts..Johnson, Pickens as a rookie and Steve Sims. Which group is better..Won't do Offensive Line. Too wide a gap.

Jeff in NC

3:34

Mornin'! Given the Browns running game, does Robinson get a hat this week, or does Watson in at QB result in a more cerebral LB choice?

Guest

3:35

While watching the Bengals/Bills game last night, it wasn't lost on me how everyone CHOSE compassion, empathy, and understanding during a very difficult time.

Not one person was upset that the game was suspended, canceled, or that they might be inconvenienced in any way,shape or form.

We were ALL just concerned for the well being of that talented young man and his family.

We CHOSE those, because it's right, and it was BEAUTIFUL to watch EVERYONE praying for someone they didn't even know just seconds before.

Now imagine if we chose those mindsets on a daily basis.

Hopefully, we've all learned that, and hopefully it will recalibrate our collective mindsets.

epiballo

3:37

How do you think the '70s Steeler D would fare against the modern era offenses of today? How big of an impact would all the rule changes make?

JoeBobQB

3:38

Hi Gerry, thanks for the chats. Drafting for the position instead of the best available athlete is what got them in trouble with Bush, is it not?

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