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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.27.21
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Gerry Dulac
10:36
OK kids, we're going to start our chat in approx 15 minutes so get ready with your questions...
10:44
What the heck, let's get started. Go...!!
BB
10:44
Gerry - Assuming Ben does not retire, what changes in the offense do you think we will see with the new OC?  Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
10:45
I'm not sure you will see a lot, not as many as you would see if they were starting over again with a younger, more mobile QB. But there will be changes, especially with how they run the ball.
BB
10:45
Gerry - Since Coach T makes all of the defensive calls, what is the role that DC Butler plays?  Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
10:47
The same role -- he will help put the game plan together and will be involved in some calls. No different than a team that has an offensive coordinator but the head coach makes all the calls in-game.
Doug
10:47
Gerry I really appreciated your article the other day. It brought up things that we all see.... zero accountability from the top down...It has been going on for years and that eventually falls on owner.  Since Dan has stepped aside this franchise has not been the same.... from the soft brand of football to all the knucklheads...how do we get it back?
Gerry Dulac
10:47
That's a good question, and one that has to be answered by them, starting at the top.
Patrick
10:47
Is the pairing of Watt and Dupree on the edge something the Steelers are wiling to give up? I understand the finances issue but this pairing is worth the money.  There are other places they can cut.  I don't see Highsmith being a solution.
Gerry Dulac
10:49
Of course they don't want to give it up. But, you can't pay both guys the type on money we're talking about here for edge rushers of that quality. And the Steelers have elected to pay Watt, and understandably so. Even Bud understands it. And I disagree w you about Highsmith. What...you're going to judge a rookie on a handful of starts? Did you watch Dupree his rookie season? Or second season?? Or third?? I like Highsmith and he will be just fine.
Jeff
10:50
If Ben comes back 9-7 at best with this schedule....and we will be picking 21st next year and be on this merry go round... We are so far away from the tops of afc why not reload?  I know steelers don't do that but sometimes you have to take your medicine. This group has had its chance and fallen on face for 4 years.... It's idiotic to run this back again in 2021
Gerry Dulac
10:51
I understand, but think about it....it's really really really hard to say a team that was 12-4 is so far away from the top of the AFC. C'mon. I agree that changes have to be made, not as much about personnel but more in terms of the way things are done and handled.
Karl
10:51
Read your article the other day - it’s hard to fathom that the team’s late season collapses have been due to JuJu’s social media habits, etc. I think the problem stems from an aging quarterback who doesn’t play well in big games. Seriously, when is the last time Ben played well in a big game?
Gerry Dulac
10:52
It's not about JuJu's dance or social media habits; it's about what is allowed to be tolerated. As has been the case for years.
Philip
10:52
How can the Steelers watch Patrick Mahomes dominate the AFC and think that they have a shot at contending with Roethlisberger back under center next year? This team’s biggest need is finding the next franchise QB - and they should trade up in the draft to get one. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
10:52
Ben is under center?
Brian
10:53
Najee harris seems to be off board but if Etienne is there would you take him? And then take some lineman after....Or are you in the camp of it doesn't matter who the back is with this line?  We need a difference maker in this backfield IMO
Gerry Dulac
10:54
Agreed. A top-flight No. 1 back. If Harris is there, I grab him. And, if I understand Canada's type of offense, Etienne would be a good fit for that. But there is no question they will need a center and it doesn't have to be in the draft. What the Steelers do in free agency could help alleviate that immediate need.
Jeff
10:54
Thanks for the chats Gerry.  See you are .70 on your picks this year.  Curious what's your best percentage!
Gerry Dulac
10:56
Thanx, but you're overestimating my percentage. It's more like 64 percent after a bad finish to the season (like the Steelers). My best percentage was a couple years ago when I was right around 70 percent.
greg in lewisville, tx
10:56
Gerry,    With no fans in the stands, meaning less revenue for, not just the NFL, but all major professional sports teams, how much longer do you think these teams can pay these outrageous salary's to the players?  The TV and radio money has to dry up sometime.  The $ that the attendance brings which also means concession and parking money has to be a big concern to ownership?   Thanx.
Gerry Dulac
10:58
Tickets and concession revenue are nice, but they are just the icing on a very big financial cake that is made with TV and radio money. And that is not going to dry up anytime soon. There is absolutely no evidence or fear of that happening.
Ryan
10:59
I know Mark Kaboly in addition to TJ himself has already shut down Mark Maddens story about TJ skipping exit interviews i was wondering if you have also confirmed he did go to the exit interviews?
Gerry Dulac
11:01
I don't get into debates with what other journalists say or choose to write or think they know. That is their decision and they have to live with the professional consequences.
SteelersfanSLC
11:01
I know OL, RB, TE are the main needs but if a QB they have a high grade on either falls to 24 or falls within an acceptable trade up range and they truly believe he could be the future they have to take him right?
Gerry Dulac
11:03
I wouldn't put tight end as a need, but OL and RB are. And, no, they don't have to. Not if they don't have a higher grade on him than they did Mason Rudolph. Look, if Ben doesn't come back, the Steelers are comfortable going to Mason Rudolph. For now.
Orangeflamebulbs
11:03
How many OL would you expect the Steelers to draft in the first three rounds?  I would think at least two, preferable OT and C.
Gerry Dulac
11:03
One
John Q
11:03
Do you believe Mark Madden has a legit source on the Watt story? I don't. What do your sources say?
Gerry Dulac
11:04
See earlier answer
redsteeler69
11:04
Gerry thanks for the honest and up to date information you put out. Do you think MT is on any kind of a hot seat after the latest playoff mess ?
Gerry Dulac
11:04
Absolutely he is. His contract is up after this season and I don't suspect there will be another one offered until there is some viable proof these late-season collapses are a thing of the past.
Mike54
11:05
Does Center now become the 1st round priority or can they still afford to take a dynamic back if one is sitting there at their pick?
Gerry Dulac
11:06
Depends what they do in free agency. They could address center in free agency to free themselves to take a top-tier RB. Or they could go 1-2 in the draft with some combination of RB/OL. But I don't think they will paint themselves into that corner. I think you will see them address the OL/C long before the draft.
Yankton Ern
11:07
Good Morning Gerry,    Opening game 2021-22 season, Steeler offense takes the field.  Who is at center, who is lined up behind center and who opens at receivers?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
Can't answer that yet. Check with me in April
AtlantaDan
11:07
Is the quality of the assistant coaching staff (since 2007 no apparent interest in a Mike Tomlin assistant for a head coaching position other than Bruce Arians, who had to “retire” from Tomlin’s staff first) being adversely impacted by the repeated practice of internal promotions rather than hiring younger assistant coaches from other teams to bring in an outsider’s perspective?
Gerry Dulac
11:12
I will remind you that Bruce Arians was brought here by Bill Cowher, not Mike Tomlin. BTW, there is nothing wrong with internal promotions. And, for the most part, they have bode well for the Steelers. The key is bringing in young assistants as position coaches who can be groomed to be coordinators. And, usually, coaches who have been around long enough like Tomlin aren't going to continually disrupt their coordinators and disrupt their systems, especially when they have been successful. And the reason Tomlin has been around this long is because he has been successful, no matter what you may think. That being said, when there is a repeated failure at the end of each of the past four seasons, changes have to be made in what you are doing.
MD Steeler Fan
11:12
Gerry, since we don't know for certain what Mason Rudolph can do as a starter, and we don't know for certain if Ben will be back, but we do know both contracts expire after this next season. Would it make sense to sign Rudolph to an extension this off season, so you would have him as a potential starter, or at lease a backup for the future.
Gerry Dulac
11:14
They do know what Rudolph can do as a starter -- he was 5-3 last season and was very good in the season finale this season playing without eight starters. But they are not going to give him an extension now, nor should they.
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