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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.22.23
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Gerry Dulac
10:26
William Jackson will not be back, not with that contract. And Okorafor has the best chance of restructure because he has several years left on his deal.
The Real TP Hunter
10:26
I've read that Coach Mitchell wasn't an on-field coach for the past several seasons. What were his recent duties under Tomlin?
Gerry Dulac
10:27
He was not. He served more in a player development category, though he was always at practice and at games, serving more as an overseer and advisor.
Hi Brian
10:27
What is the trade market for Mitch?  Would someone give a 5th and take his contract as a top-tier backup, especially for a contenting team?
Gerry Dulac
10:27
I'm sure someone would, based on the QB play I saw around the league this season. Doesn't mean the Steelers would make the deal.
Sweaty Ken
10:27
Is there a true reason the Steelers never pursue top of the line free agents like other teams do? Building through the draft only gets them so far and isn’t always a lock to turn into top talent. Thank you!
Gerry Dulac
10:30
It's just their philosophy. They try to find guys coming off their first contract who they feel are on the rise, not guys who have already made their mark and might be on the decline. Also, they tend to give big contracts to players they drafted, because they believe the draft is the way to build a championship team. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a rarity: He was paid top price, though he was acquired in a trade.
The Real TP Hunter
10:31
Did Bruce Arians really say that Andrew Luck was the top quarterback he coached over Big Ben? I thought he and Ben had a good relationship when Arians was the Steelers OC.
Gerry Dulac
10:31
I'm not sure he said that -- maybe he did -- but, yes, he had a good relationship with Ben and still does.
BPOS
10:31
Sounds like the Steelers want Mitch back, likely at a pay cut, but does he even want to be here?  Steelers don't want hostages and the way he was treated, I don't know why he'd want to stay other than to collect a hefty pay check to carry a clipboard.
Gerry Dulac
10:32
A good part of what you say is true.
Tom P.
10:32
Gerry, the defense successfully utilized a lot of three safety looks down the stretch, how will that influence their decisions on FA or the draft?
Gerry Dulac
10:32
None. Unless they decide not to re-sign Terrell Edmunds.
Ben Watson
10:32
With LT and CB (possibly DL) looking like the most likely positions targeted in the draft, what do the Steelers look for in those positions at the combine?
Gerry Dulac
10:34
I'm not a scout, so I'm not going to delve deeply into how they evaluate. But I will say this -- the Steelers have always liked physical corners who can tackle and that is not the way to go anymore. Their biggest problem is having corners who can cover, shut down the other team's top guy. They should be more worried about cover skills than run-support skills.
The Real TP Hunter
10:35
I understand Dan Rooney, the son of the former Steelers president, scouted Fast Willie Parker and still is a part of the Steelers scouting team. Is there a chance that he will be part of the succession plan after Art II retires? I've read that Art's son is the heir apparent.
Gerry Dulac
10:40
The Rooney family can get confusing because of all the Arts and Dans. The one to whom you refer, just so everyone knows, is Dan Jr., son of the former team chairman and brother of Art II, the current team president. And, yes, it was Dan Jr., who discovered Willie Parker, and he is currently the team's pro personnel coordinator. But it is unlikely he will be the successor to his brother. That would be Art II's son, Dan, who is currently director of business development and strategy with the team. Young Dan has worked at all levels of the NFL, starting in the league office and serving internships with the coaching and scouting departments with the Steelers.
The Real TP Hunter
10:40
Is it too early, or are you  beginning to get a handle on what the Steelers draft board might look like?
Gerry Dulac
10:40
Little early.
Tom P.
10:40
Gerry, is the hole at ILB a FA or draft fix?
Gerry Dulac
10:40
Free agent, likely, but don't hold your breath on some expensive addition.
BPOS
10:40
Which Free Agent will they most aggressively try to keep.  Larry O, Spillane and Sutton come to mind but whose at the top of their priority list?
Gerry Dulac
10:41
Sutton and Ogunjobi.
The Real TP Hunter
10:45
Hi Gerry. Where did the 5th and 6th round draft picks go this year? Any chance the Steelers will drop back from one of their top three picks to pick up one or two more picks in the later rounds?
Gerry Dulac
10:45
I doubt it. They have a chance to get three pretty good players among the top 50, so I doubt they will trade back to get marginal players in the later rounds.
10:46
BTW, I just posted an article on post-gazette.com and Twitter that ILB coach Jerry Olsavsky will not be retained after the team hired Aaron Curry to coach the ILBs.
Tom P.
10:47
Gerry, if the top three OT are off the board along with the top ranked CBS, do you think the new regime be more amenable to trading back?
Gerry Dulac
10:48
That's hard to answer, but I think it might be more likely to use one of the second-round picks to move UP in the first round and get one of those guys you suggest
Ryan
10:48
Time to add to the trenches.  If the same grade is on a OT or DL what way do you go?
Gerry Dulac
10:48
Either.
Steve from blawnox
10:48
Hello! Does Ben’s cap hit come off the books this year? I thought I read somewhere that the Steelers should have a lot of cap space but now I’m seeing they won’t have much? Any truth to that and what do you think they will do to open up more space? Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
10:50
Yes he does. And so does JuJu and a few others, saving the Steelers about $20 million there.
Johnny U
10:51
I am amazed at how some sports writers will not address the elephant in the room and that being MT’s poor history of hiring assistant coaches. All his success came from Cowher’s staff.  To say how will 2023’s changes effect next season is off base completely. Article should have been how not making changes will hold this team back.  Thank you.
Gerry Dulac
10:54
None of the assistants he hired have gone on to promotions in the NFL. If you want to count Brian Flores, a former head coach, go ahead. And Ray Horton, who left to become DC in Arizona, was not hired by Tomlin, he was hired by Cowher.
Tom M.
10:54
There’s been a lot of discussion about taking Pickett vs. waiting until this year when the QB class is stronger. I agree the top of the class is stronger. But, do you think the Steelers picking at 17 could get anyone better than Pickett? (That assumes they would have had the same record playing Trubisky which I think is reasonable).
Gerry Dulac
10:54
Good point. Not sure.
Amy
10:54
How does Kenny stack up against this years QB class?  Would he still be a first rounder?
Gerry Dulac
10:55
That's tough to answer. My guess in maybe not. At the very least, he would go lower than No. 20.
62 Stack Monster
10:55
Hello Gerry, Was Tomlin, last year, handcuffing the Offensive play calling for Pickett's sake?  Is that not living in your fears?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
I'm sure it was. I don't have a problem with that, though. Pickett was a rookie. He was learning by fire. Still is.
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