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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.02.22
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Gerry Dulac
12:02
OK kids, we're going to start our chat in just a few minutes so get the questions ready...
12:03
OK, here we go.....
DCSteelers
12:03
I understand the potential benefits of hiring from within, but  why is Tomlin so seemingly reluctant to go outside the organization to hire?  Especially when he benefited himself from the Steelers going outside and taking a chance on him?  He’s no doubt a good coach, but I think part of being a great coach is recognizing the time and need to bring in fresh ideas from outside.
Gerry Dulac
12:06
There is no question that is part of being a good coach/administrator -- hiring good people around you and understanding they can help make you better. It was one of Bill Cowher's greatest underrated strengths. He does go outside to hire assistant coaches, but not coordinators. The only coordinator who was brought in from the outside during his tenure was Todd Haley, and he was hired by the Rooneys.
Jim
12:06
Could they draft a quarterback in the second round
Gerry Dulac
12:07
Sure they could. But, if they're going to draft a QB, I believe they would do it in the first round. Not saying they will because I don't think they will. But if they do, it will be in the first round. I doubt a QB on the second round of a meek QB draft will be better than what they already have.
Tommy Boy
12:08
If you were Steelers GM, who is your top free agent target?   CB, DL, OL, WR?  Any chance Munchak or Flores are on the steelers staff next year?
Gerry Dulac
12:08
Experienced proven center. And no to both.
Alex
12:08
Thanks for continuing the chat during offseason. Do you think the Steelers can re-tool/upgrade this offseason and be competitive next season? Or is it gonna be a project that will require 2~3 years?
Gerry Dulac
12:11
Well, let's not forget that, no matter what you or others think, they were a playoff team this year. Which means more than half the NFL did much worse than they did. I think the Bengals, who won 2 games in 2019 and 4 games in 2020, have shown how quickly it can turn around. Of course, I understand they did with a top-tier quarterback, two very good receivers and a quality RB -- a combination that was constructed, to your point, over a couple years.
ErneeHARTner412-305
12:11
It is rumored that the Denver Broncos will be valued in excess of $5 billion dollars in their forthcoming sale. Are the Steelers the most valuable private business in Pittsburgh? Are their annuals profits disclosed? There is so much talk in Pittsburgh about the Pirates' spending habits, but why no criticism of the Steelers, who pay bottom basement prices for assistant coaches and scouting personnel?
Gerry Dulac
12:13
One difference -- the Steelers win, the Pirates lose. Here's one more for you -- the Steelers retain their best players and pay them big money; the Pirates refuse to pay their best players and let them go. Please, no more Steelers-Pirates comparisons. It's professionally embarrassing to even address the question.
Steeltree
12:13
Gerry thanks for the chats and great insight you give.   If Pinkett  is there at 20 it should be a no brainer  for the Steelers to take him.  Who amongst the other QBs, if any, would you also look at as a no brainer at 20.
Gerry Dulac
12:15
He won't be there at 20, not the way the NFL over-values QBs. And, if another QB is a no-brainer, he won't be there at 20, either. The only way the Steelers are going to draft a QB they like is if they trade up to get him. And I'm not sure that QB is in this draft. We shall see
Gene
12:15
of all your years covering the Steelers who is your favorite interview and your least favorite, Thanks
Gerry Dulac
12:16
Too many to list. Lot of favorite interviews, more so than least favorite. If I didn't value their interview, I wouldn't bother with them.
ErneeHARTner412-305
12:16
Is there a salary cap for coaches? If not, why have we not seen more of an effort by owners to poach the league's best coaches? Why wouldn't Miami, for example, offer Bellicheck $12mm/ year to lead their team?
Gerry Dulac
12:17
No. None. Teams can pay whatever they want. But coaches are under contract and teams have had to give up draft picks to lure some coaches, though those instances are few and far between.
Yancey
12:17
Has the "Steeler Way" become an out-dated, rigid relic that holds the organization back when it comes to winning meaningful things in the modern day NFL? I don't understand their resistance to ideas that don't emanate from inside their walls.
Gerry Dulac
12:19
I wouldn't call 15 consecutive non-losing seasons an out-dated relic. That doesn't mean they need to make sure they hire the right coordinators
ErneeHARTner412-305
12:19
Gerry, because Tomlin has more influence on player personnel than most other coaches, is he paid more? How does his pay compare to other NFL coaches? Can NFL coaches be offered equity or ownership in a team, as a recruiting tool? TYVM.
Gerry Dulac
12:20
He is among the top-paid coaches in the league, and rightfully so.
Chuck from Michigan
12:20
Hi Jerry, I like these players with the Steelers first three picks in 2022 NFL draft: 1) Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia 2) Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati 3) Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota.  Addresses team needs at key positions with solid college players.  Appreciate your thoughts. Always enjoy your chats, thanks.
Gerry Dulac
12:25
Not bad, especially the Davis pick. Wouldn't mind that at all. Don't know enough about Faalele yet, but will learn more at the combine. Same with Ridder. Too early to gauge their interest
Jps717
12:26
In a league where 70% of the players are black and only 3% of head coaches are black, how does the NFL justify its statement that B Flores suit is without merit?  Teams routinely pay big money for terrible white HC’s.  Do you think this Flores situation finally brings positive change for minority HC candidates?
Gerry Dulac
12:30
Hey, teams pay big money to horrible coaches, white and black. But I'm not sure how the situation can be fixed or addressed even more so. The league continues to update the Rooney rule, requiring more interviews be granted to minority candidates. There is no question teams grant interviews to minority candidates merely because they have to under the Rooney Rule. But I will also note that sometimes those opportunities give minority coaches a chance to make a big impression. That's what happened when Mike Tomlin was hired in 2007. He blew away the interview and greatly impressed the Rooneys. Maybe the league should copy and implement what approach Bruce Arians takes wherever he goes.
Doyle37
12:30
Would any team possibly give up a 6th or 7th round pick for Tuitt ?
Gerry Dulac
12:31
No. It would take much more than that. But don't go thinking the Steelers are going to trade him.
Yankton Ern
12:31
Good Afternoon Sir,                         With a new quarterback taking the helm next season, wouldn’t a good blueprint to follow be the one used during Roethlisberger’s rookie year?  Infuse talent to offensive line, invest in defense and run the ball and have the quarterback as a game manager.  This would take the pressure off the defense, not having 30 second 3 and out drives that wear the defense down.  The quarterback would not have the burden of carrying the offense.  This is Harris was drafted. Thank you.
Gerry Dulac
12:32
Yes, sounds easy but not something that just happens overnight. Eventually, though, you will only be as good as your QB.
Doyle37
12:32
If TB 12 and Big Ben go into HOF together, would Steelers nation boo Brady at the induction ceremony ?
Gerry Dulac
12:32
Probably. But they shouldn't. That would be embarrassing, not to mention a lack of class.
Buffy
12:32
With the Roethlisberger and Colbert retirements dominating AR II's news conference, did he respond to the report about declining attendance and ratings at all?
Gerry Dulac
12:35
Yes he did. He talked about the pandemic's impact on attendance, understanding it declined, but he wasn't overly worried because he said there is still strong demand for a Steelers ticket. He believes it will get back to normal. TV was not discussed.
Fort Wayne Nate
12:35
How do you feel about Washington's new Football name?
I personally liked Red Hawks or Red Hogs or even Warriors better than Commanders.
Gerry Dulac
12:35
Don't like it either
Yankton Ern
12:35
Gerry,                            Was Dotson hurt, fell out of favor or a combination of both
Gerry Dulac
12:36
Mainly injured, but he did not play to the level they were hoping to see from year 1 to year 2.
Tim 'Sweetchuck" Kazurinsky
12:36
Happy Groundhog Day, Gerry! Is the odds-on pick for the Steelers at 20 , an O-Lineman? In your opinion, Would the Center from Iowa be the team's ideal choice or would it perhaps be K.Green - who can play either Guard or Tackle?
Gerry Dulac
12:36
To me, as of right now. I think free agency will be an O-lineman and the first round of the draft will bring a D-lineman.
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