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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.20.21
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Gerry Dulac
9:34
Ok kids, we will start our chat in less than 30 minutes so get your questions ready...
9:59
OK, kids, here we go....
Donna
9:59
Hi Gerry.  If either running  back Harris or Etienne are available at #24, do you think the Steelers take one of them before an offensive lineman?  Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
9:59
I jump on Harris and don't even debate
HaywoodJablomy
10:00
The universal condemnation of James Conner needs to end. He was a very serviceable blocker and running back, and far exceeded his draft day expectation. The line and running game schematics this year were AWFUL. Will the Steelers consider resigning Conner at  a discount and investing in the line?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
I agree with you. He was more than serviceable; he was better than anyone anticipated. But he is not a No. 1 feature back; he is a great No. 2 back. It wouldn't surprise if they tried to re-sign Conner, but that would be up to Conner -- i.e., what is he willing to accept as a player who, like it or not, agree with it or not, was the No. 1 RB.
T
10:01
Do you think the Steelers trade up in the draft this year? if so, what position would they trade up to try to get?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
I learned never to say never because maybe one of the veterans they will need to cut for cap purposes can be packaged in a trade.
Carl in Carrick
10:02
It’s been a few days since Canada was supposedly promoted to offensive coordinator.  To date, that’s not official.  Have you heard if anyone else is being considered?  Thanks Gerry.
Gerry Dulac
10:05
That's the only thing I can assume. I'll be honest, I haven't been told of any other candidates, but I was also told he is "a candidate," leading me to believe thee could be others. I can tell you there have been former coordinators who have contacted the Steelers about the position, but that doesn't mean they are being considered. This is Mike Tomlin's hire and you would think (and hope) he tries to get it right.
RJT
10:05
Is it inevitable that the Steelers will extend Bens contract to lessen the cap hit?
Gerry Dulac
10:05
If he comes back, yes. They have to. But just because they extend it doesn't mean he will play beyond 2021.
TJ
10:05
Sure there is a chance but is there a real possibility we see bud dupree resigned?
Gerry Dulac
10:07
No. Even with his injury, some team will sign him in free agency. Even if it's a one-year "prove it" deal, it will still be more -- probably $8-10 million -- than the Steelers are able to pay.
MikeHunt412
10:07
JuJu was terribly under-utilized by Ben this year. The Steelers' offense was FAR more efficient when JuJu was most involved. Why was so much of our passing game directed at Diontae? We hear that he is an excellent route running, but his his poor hands and unwillingness to take any hits across the middle cost us several games.
Gerry Dulac
10:09
Under-utilized? The guy led the team with 97 catches,. Only eight receivers in the league had more.
EdLevicoff
10:10
What is Matt Canada's greatest qualification, in your opinion as an NFL offensive coordinator? Secondly, does the Rooney Rule not apply to assistant coaching positions? Why not?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
As for the Rooney Rule, yes, teams are required to interview at least one minority candidate for any coordinator position, so that could be part of the process right now. As for Canada, it's hard to say what his greatest qualifications are for NFL coordinator because he has only been in the NFL for one season, and that as a position coach. But his signature is a college-style offense with lot of pre-snap shifts, motion, misdirection and jet sweeps.
ErnieHARTner
10:13
Do you find it telling that NONE of Tomlin's assistants have ever been considered for head coaching positions? To me, that is a huge indictment of how they are perceived around the league.
Gerry Dulac
10:14
Who let this very perceptive question sneak into the chat?!?!
CAG
10:14
Hi Gerry! It’s hard to look at Tomlin’s tenure and not find it a bit disappointing considering the team’s late season collapses, the playoff losses to below avg quarterbacks and, most of all, the in-game decision making. I don’t think he should be fired so how does the organization hold him accountable?
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Forget the in-game decisions. He has made enough correct in-game decisions to far outweigh the bad ones. Clock management, replay challenges, FG decisions never -- and never will -- define any coach who has a record like Mike Tomlin. Now, as for the late-season collapses, that's an entirely different manner. Happen once, Ok. Happen two years in a row, an unlucky circumstance. Happen three and 4 years in a row, tat's a systemic problem that needs examined, identified and corrected...if it can be corrected.
George
10:19
When will Mike Tomlin shoulder the blame for these horrible season ending collapses and losses that plague his leadership year after year.  He almost lost the 2016 Cincinnati playoff game to a backup quarterback, his last playoff victory!
Gerry Dulac
10:20
To be fair, Mike Tomlin has always accepted the blame for every defeat and failure. He never runs from that.
The Dude
10:20
Is there no one in the Steelers organization who can sit down with Ben and tell him that if he plans to play next year he is going to be under center handing the ball off ?
Gerry Dulac
10:21
Of course there is. But just because a QB isn't under center doesn't mean a team can't run the ball.How often do you see Lamar Jackson under center? Never.
Guest
10:21
Do you think the rugby scrum with a push from behind will be incorporated into a NFL playbook?
Gerry Dulac
10:24
I'm surprised the scrum is allowed again and not rescinded because someone is going to get hurt needlessly one of these times. But, if it's allowed, then, yes, the offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs should be on full allert to do it whenever they can, especially on a QB sneak. Wait a minute.....QB sneak??? What's that.
Dan
10:24
I've always been a big Mike Tomlin supporter. That said, he did a poor coaching job in our playoff loss to the Browns. I'm more concerned with the "culture" that seems to exist with the team. I've heard MT say he treats his players as men. That's fine with the Cam Heywards on the team but not so much with the immature, attention seeking, mouthy  players whose actions are an embarrassment to the organization. This doesn't fall strictly on MT's shoulders. There must be a lack of leadership among the players and ownership for this to continue. What are your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:24
My thoughts? Pay the man!
Guest
10:24
Is it legal for QB’s to wear a non-see thru visor to keep defensive players from reading their eyes? I thought I remember Jim McMahon wearing one back in the day
Gerry Dulac
10:25
As far as I know, yes. But you can't do that for night games.
Guest
10:25
What do you think about coaching your ball handlers after they know they are down to fake a fumble to ensure a video replay and stop the clock?
Gerry Dulac
10:25
Hey...is this Bill Belichick???
VaSteelersFan
10:26
Hi Gerry, do you think it's safe to say the Steelers don't have a whole lot of confidence in Mason Rudolph? Many teams would not want Ben for another year with his cap hit and late-season performance.
Gerry Dulac
10:26
It's not only unsafe to say that, it's incorrect to say that. Quite the opposite.
marty v
10:27
Bell looked like a top RB while with the Steelers, sat out a year, was a bust in NY and is now 3rd string with the Chiefs.  What happened?
Gerry Dulac
10:27
Holdouts, taking a beating with the Jets, benefitted from the Steelers system.
Utah Jim
10:28
I don’t think they should ever take an RB in the first round, but if they don’t get one in rounds two or three should they even bother? They have had plenty of those guys with little success. In fact, I went back to 1970 and outside of Willey Parker and a few seasons from Barry Foster they never found a decent RB after the third round.
Gerry Dulac
10:29
No they shouldn't. They don't need another Benny Snell or Jaylen Samuels or Anthony McFarland? They need a No. 1 RB, and they typically are only available on the first and second round. I believe you will see the Steelers do that in April.
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