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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.13.21
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Gerry Dulac
9:38
OK kids, we will start or chat in approximately 20 minutes so get ready...
9:56
Ok kids, here we go...
Ham
9:56
I saw an interesting stat where the Steelers W/L record and playoff record the last 10 years is comparable to the 10 years prior to Ben's arrival in 2004. It calls into question the theory that you can't win without a franchise QB....or that Ben still is a franchise QB? Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
9:58
It doesn't call into question, it supports what the Steelers and every other NFL team knows. Ben is still a franchise quarterback, even at 38. But there are some things that have to change.
Ben
9:59
Gerry, we all love Ben but in no world can you pay him 20-25% of cap or kick more money down the road.   This team will not be a super bowl team.  Why let young free agents walk out the door to let Ben play again.  Get rid of the old high price guys and re load.  Reason for collapses = they are old!!!!!! Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
9:59
You can pay young free agents all you want, if you don't have the quarterback you're not going very far anyway.
Victoria L.
10:00
Rudolph won’t lead us to a Super Bowl next year and neither will Ben.A rebuild will have to occur at some point. So why not start the rebuild now and  part ways with Ben?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
Believe it or not, you will never hear the Steelers use the word "rebuild." That's why their success year after year, decade after decade, is better than every other team. They might have to retool a little, but they don't blow it up and start over. I would suggest you and others are just a bit spoiled. They don't get to or win the Super Bowl every year. Nobody does (OK, maybe Tom Brady).
Mike
10:03
Gerry Ar2 just doesn’t seem to have the instinct like his dad.   The culture is shot, the brand of football we play is a joke, and now we hold onto veterans too long (opposite of Dan).   What has happened to our beloved Steelers ?
Gerry Dulac
10:03
Uh, weren't they 12-4??
Emperor Chaz
10:03
Can you help educate us about what happens at the end of a season between ownership, Colbert, Tomlin?  When do they typically meet, and how much does ownership get involved?  Seems to me that someone is going to have to have a heart to heart w Tomlin about his staff, the future, and what the goals of the organization are.  These late season collapses cannot go on.
Gerry Dulac
10:06
I agree about the late-season collapses. The reasons have to be identified and, if they are, what or how can be done to help fix the problem....if the problem can be fixed. As to your first question, they will meet shortly, in another week or so and even beyond, and, yes, Art Rooney is very involved -- and is on a daily basis. He is omni-present throughout camp and the season.
Gaspipe Casso
10:07
Hi Gerry. Steelers are in salary cap hell and will lose many free agents and may have to cut a few veterans. Please give your best guess of who will be a Steeler in 2021 out of this group....Ben, Conner, Pouncey, DeCastro, Juju, Sutton, Hilton, Dupree, Haden
Gerry Dulac
10:07
Ben, Pouncey, DeCastro, Sutton, Haden
Kevin
10:07
HI Gerry,   If they move on from Fichtner and Butler are Canada and Austin candidates for the jobs ?  Is Fichtner's returning dependent on Ben returning ?  Thanks
Gerry Dulac
10:10
Canada would not be a candidate and shouldn't be, if that's the case. They need to go outside and find a new OC if they move on from Randy Fichtner. I'm not going to sit here and say Ben's return will determine if Fichtner returns, but I will tell you Ben will have no say in the matter.
Danny K
10:10
Do you believe Ben will retire? Or sort of like a push out similar to Polamalu
Gerry Dulac
10:13
I do not believe he will retire. And it in no way compares to Polamalu. The difference is, the Steelers and everyone else knew Polamalu could no longer play anymore. He lost his speed. In fact, they knew it the year before they finally released him. There is no evidence whatsoever Ben can no longer play. Did you see the second half Sunday?  He made every throw possible and was very productive against seven and eight players in coverage.
Ham
10:13
I don't know if Mason is the answer however if you compare his 9 NFL starts to Josh Allen's, his performance is actually better despite the Earl Thomas concussion and the Garret incident. It makes you wonder if he just needs more time. Allen was 20+ starts into his career before he started performing at this level.
Gerry Dulac
10:15
I have no problem with Mason Rudolph becoming the Steelers starter when the time comes. Is he Ben? No. But he is 6-3 as a starter and looked very good two weeks ago in Cleveland. You can't compare him to Allen, tho. Allen was a top No. 1 pick and did not have a good supporting cast his first two years. He does now.
Disheartened
10:16
Good morning Gerry.  When do you think we will hear of coaching changes, if there are any?  Also, why does Tomlin seem to never have any up and coming coaches on his staff?   He seems to prefer his old friends instead of wanting new people and fresh ideas.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
Well, I think you will hear before the end of the month, maybe even into early February. There is no real timetable. And I can't answer your other queston, except to say age doesn't have a lot to do with being a good coach. Maybe he likes proven, seasoned coaches.
Karl Hungus
10:19
Good Morning Gerry, if Fichtner's contract is not renewed, do you see this affecting Ben's decision to continue to play and while we are talking offensive coaches, does Shaun Sarrett receive his walking papers?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
I don't think Ben's decision will be contingent on Fichtner returning, but I also don't think he will want to learn a whole new system at 39. And maybe the reverse is true in Fichtner's case. But I think above all else they will want to know if Ben is returning in 2021 before they start making decisions. And he has given every indication he wants to play in 2021.
Ralph
10:22
Do you think we will really consider a quarterback or running back in the first round.
Gerry Dulac
10:23
It depends which player might be available. I'd say it's more likely a RB, though, than a QB
Ralph
10:23
Do you believe Ben will honestly retire this year.
Gerry Dulac
10:23
No.
TominPunta Gorda
10:23
Hi Gerry, how about a 1yr contract for Feller at right tackle,move on from Al and Pouncy. Draft O line 1 and 3, rb round 2 and lib round 4. Depending on what is available at the time.
Gerry Dulac
10:24
There is nothing wrong with Feiler, other than that he belongs at RT. And I think you will see an O-linemen in rounds 1 or 2. And, depending on the tightness of the cap, don't be shocked if one of the two -- Pouncey or DeCastro -- doesn't return.
Matthew
10:25
Gerry, Thanks for the Steelers coverage as always. IMO, I think change is needed after that Browns game. OC Fichtner for sure has to be replaced. I would also make some changes in position coaches on defense. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
I don't think any defensive coaches will be or need to be changed. They were third in the league in total defense and scoring defense, second in takeaways and led the league in sacks for the fourth year in a row. And they did that without Devin Bush for most of the season and without Bud Dupree for the last 6 games. But there will be at least one change on offense. And, to the person who asked this question earlier and I forgot to address, I think you will see them hire a new O-line coach and not renew Shaun Sarrett.
Derek
10:28
Why has it taken so long to announce any coaching change?   Good coaches are being interviewed as we speak.
Gerry Dulac
10:30
Relax. The season just ended three days ago. Unlike fans, they don't make knee-jerk decisions. That's why they have the success they have year after year, decade after decade. I think I said that earlier and, I'm guessing, will probably say it again before our chat is over.
Joe
10:30
Sorry, but how does Tomlin still have a job after a decade of playoff failures and three years in a row of end of season collapses? Ownership is a bad meme joke at this point
Gerry Dulac
10:30
I'll wait for the meme.
Colin
10:31
if you had to put a number on it, what would you say the Steelers chances of letting Fichtner and Butler walk? Offense was too predictable and My eyes hurt from seeing LBs try to cover WR’s year in and year out. Change needs to be made
Gerry Dulac
10:32
Depends on your number scale, but if it's 1-to-10, I'd say Fichtner is 2 and Butler is 1, and only because Butler is 65 and might decide he's had enough. .
Where's My Clark Bar
10:32
Gerry Thanks for chatting with this angry mob! The press pointed out all year the holes in this roster which I chose to not see. Steelers did not have the speed on offense (especially RBs they used) and age was an issue (injuries and strength). However, is Big Ben's lack of mobility in today's NFL a major concern to a point of him not being back next year?
Gerry Dulac
10:37
Believe it or not, they didn't have many holes, especially on defense. But they had a big one when Bush went down and it only got worse when Dupree went out. Otherwise, that's a damn good defense. But I will say this -- there is some issue with several players playing undisciplined, and you might be surprised to know who they are. Offensively, no question the running back crew is average at best. But their problems on offense are more scheme and technique-related, and that has to change. Ben's lack of mobility is a trade-off with some of the young QBs in the league. They move better and faster, but they don't read and adjust and make throws like he's capable of making. And they don't have two Super Bowl titles.
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