You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.31.24
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Gerry Dulac
11:59
I think I already some of these, but let me reiterate what I have told you all along (and Art Rooney II said it as well) -- Mike Tomlin is responsible for hiring all coaches, pending AR2's approval. It is his decision which coach he wants to hire. That being said, I'm still not sure that was the case when Todd Haley was hired.
Steve in Columbus
11:59
Hi Gerry.  Thanks for doing these chats, I always find your answers informative.  Do you think the Steelers will add a passing game coordinator to pair up with Smith?
Gerry Dulac
12:00
I doubt it. Maybe that will be Mike Sullivan's role if he is still around. Pat Meyer, the offensive line coach, is the unofficial run game coordinator.
Benson DuBois
12:00
If KP fails to develop under Smith, is it an indictment of Smith's coaching, or Kenny's talent?
Gerry Dulac
12:00
It's not an indictment of Smith.
Tom
12:00
An exhaustive search, huh?
Gerry Dulac
12:01
Oh, so interview five more guys who maybe you don't like, just to say the search was thorough, and watch one of the guy you do like go to another team in the meantime??
hidy ho neighbor
12:01
Will Picket be able to perform in a real NFL offense with a real OC like the 49ers and the Chiefs have? Can an OC change Picketts vision of open receivers, presence in the pocket, hitting open receivers and recognizing safety valves? Can a NFL OC change Picketts ability to get some yardage on foot when he scrambles out of the pocket?
Gerry Dulac
12:04
The OC can help him with all those things, for sure. But it is still up to innate talents of the QB to become what you are suggesting. No, he isn't Patrick Mahomes. And, no, he doesn't have a supporting cast of McCaffrey, Deebo, Kittles and Ayuik like Purdy does in that SF offense.
SMF
12:04
Hi Gerry:  Thanks for the Chats.  The Steelers appeared very organized.  Three OC choices interviewed and the first one with a job offer signs up.  So here is a thought—have you heard any rumor that Arthur Smith wants to bring Mike Munchak back as OL coach—past connections with the Titans when Munchak was HC?  That would be a real boon for the Steelers.
Gerry Dulac
12:05
They have an offensive line coach who they are bringing back and I believe have already re-signed -- Pat Meyer. Now, if Meyer wasn't coming back, then that name you mentioned might have been returning....
Tom Ace
12:05
Hi Gerry, Thanks for your time (and oftentimes patience) with these chats. Does the hiring of Arthur Smith open the door for a reunion with Ryan Tannehill? The lukewarm praise of Mason Rudolph from Coach Tomlin and Art Rooney gives me the sense they'd be more than OK if he moved on this offseason. Would they want someone more accomplished (albeit older) lurking over Kenny Pickett's shoulder? Seems like it would be counterproductive to what's shaping up to be another staged "competition" in Latrobe this summer if someone like Tannehill outperforms their No. 1 pick who's running out of time to show he can get the job done.
Gerry Dulac
12:07
I don't think AR2 delivered lukewarm praise of Mason Rudolph. It was quite the opposite. But, if Rudolph would sign elsewhere, then Tannehill would be the type of veteran No. 2 they would like to have.
Matthew P
12:07
Gerry any insight on steelers adding new QB coach or passing game coordinator?
Gerry Dulac
12:08
Yeah, Mike Sullivan, unless he gets OC job somewhere. It appears he could be back.
holy mackerel andy
12:08
Did any of the 4 teams in the NFL finals have gadget offensives?
Gerry Dulac
12:09
Yeah -- SF, KC, Lions. And, by gadget, do you mean creative?
Insanity
12:10
Here's what I have seen so far this offseason.  Keep the same coach that has put this team in the position they are in.  Go back to the QB that was bad because he was drafted.  Hire an OC that falls in line with the philosophy.  Have you seen any changes that are meaningful?  Have you seen anything indicates things will be different than they have been for the past 7 failed seasons?
Gerry Dulac
12:10
Ask me in December
Jeff
12:10
Thanks for the chats Gerry.  Though I agree with you saying KP will be the starter, I hate the phrase they invested a first round pick so we are going to try and give him a chance.  Didnt work with Bush.  Didnt work with Artie Burns.   Both got chances both were a waste in final year here.   In fact I can't think of a first round pick that wasn't good first 2 years then all the sudden picked it up.  It should be a fair competition (unlike last year) and if MR is better then MR should start regardless of where someone was picked.  Not like first rounders can hold out for big bucks anymore so yes we invested more in him than other rounds but that statement gets old especially when it hasn't worked
Gerry Dulac
12:13
It's a little different with a QB because they good ones are so difficult to find. Hey, you act like Pickett has been a bust. He is 14-10 as a starter and at one point went 12-5 from the end of 2022 into the start of 2023. As you know (or maybe you don't), I have never proclaimed Pickett to be an elite franchise QB. And anyone who does is only living in their wishful dreams. But he will get another year to prove he is their guy. If he doesn't, they will move on.
Matthew P
12:13
Gerry, when Mr Rooney "we have had enough of this, we need some wins" is that cloaked threat to Tomlin or just more comments he thinks steelers fans want to hear?
Gerry Dulac
12:14
Probably a little of both. As owner, he needed to say that to the fans, let them know he isn't happy, either. And if people want to take it as a veiled threat, so be it.
Bill
12:15
So a coveted 1 only 32 jobs in the world and the best we could find were 1. A guy who was the worst in the league at this job. 2. A young guy who never had a job. And 3. A guy who won't throw the ball in "a passing league."  Is this even possible?
Gerry Dulac
12:16
From that, I have no idea who you are talking about??
Culture Shock
12:16
I heard that one of the reasons that Smith chose the Steelers over other teams that were interested him is the culture.  Doesn't that tell you all you need to know about this hire?  Our culture is bad.  Has been since all of of Cowher's leaders left.  Can't Smith recognize that?  Or is he just going to fall in line and reiterate the company line that we have been hearing for far too long?
Gerry Dulac
12:16
And where did you hear that??
Chris
12:16
Good Morning Gerry. With Smith being added as the new OC does he have the ability to bring in his own offensive assistants? If so based on his past relationship with Munchak do you think there's a good chance he would come back to Steelers to coach OL? If that were to happen this would be a home run hire. What say you??
Gerry Dulac
12:18
No. But he does have the ability to make recommendations...if there is an opening on the staff. But, like I said earlier, there are no openings, as of right now, on the offensive staff. Not as of right now....
Mar
12:18
Do you think Russ sign if Rudolph leave he will be a upgrade
Gerry Dulac
12:18
No
Guest
12:18
Should the Steelers be embarrassed by what they said was going to be a real search and opportunity to learn? They interviewed the minimum number of candidates required and hired the 1st failed HC with an offensive background.
Gerry Dulac
12:19
How do you know they were just meeting some of the league-required guidelines and had their guy in mind all along???
Fin
12:20
As a long time Steelers fan, I am done going to games until Tomlin is gone.  I don't see how things change enough to be relevant when he has his hands on every part of the organization.  Can the guy that led to creating the problem actually fix the problem?  I don't see how.
Gerry Dulac
12:20
I'll them know Fin.
Artie
12:21
Gerry, thank you for your time and the chat. It seems most fans (even some media) are underwhelmed/not in favor of hiring Arthur Smith. I don't get all the negativity. Hiring Taylor Swift as OC would have been an improvement from MC. Smith seems to fit the exact identity ARII and MT have said they want this offense to have. Their is no franchise QB, and we won't be getting one. ARII and MT understand it. Their best (and most consistent & mature) weapons are at RB. They're building the O-line. This seems like a great hire for what the Owner wants the team to be. I expect them to get back to Steelers football. It may not be the new trend but it will be successful if they get the talent they need on the O-line. I expect 2 of the 1st 3 picks to be OT & OC. There seem to be a lot of good ones this year. Why is everyone so pessimistic? At least let the guy get hired before you claim the sky is falling and we're doomed. What am I missing?
Gerry Dulac
12:21
Pay the man!
Guest
12:21
Any chance they add a position like pass game coordinator?
Gerry Dulac
12:21
Sure.
Guest
12:21
What should carry more weight? Smith’s 2 years as an OC with a great OL and Hall of Fame RB or 3 years of terrible offense in Atlanta where he failed to develop 3 high 1st round draft picks?
Connecting…