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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.23.22
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Gerry Dulac
10:36
OK kids, we will be starting our chat in about 15-20 minutes so those questions ready. Are you aware that today's date, 2-23-22, is the same backward as it is forward? And tomorrow and the next and the next....?
10:53
Ok kids, here we go....fire away!!
Ben
10:54
It feels as tho we’re getting different vibes from Steelers brass when it comes to quarterback. From my view, Mike Tomlin likes Malik Willis and Kevin Colbert is more interested in Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell. Where are you at when it comes to who the Steelers are likely to take come April?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
That is just your observation that is not rooted in any viable merit. They have not, and will not, express any public sentiment about the quarterback -- or any player, for that matter -- they prefer. Now, if you're basing it on the fact Tomlin has said "mobile quarterbacks are valued" and Colbert talked about a quarterback being able to do more than just be mobile, OK.
ErneeHARTner412-305
10:56
Gerry, I missed you/us. To what extent does management take into consideration the opinions on players on the team? For example, if players believe they have NO SHOT of winning with Mason Rudolph as their quarterback, how can that be ignored?
Gerry Dulac
10:57
They really don't care what the players think, unless there is a mutiny, nor should they. Also, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest the players believe that.
ErneeHARTner412-305
10:57
Was the hiring of Brian Flores a football decision or a racialistic move?
Gerry Dulac
10:59
It was a football move, for sure -- hiring a person who was a head coach with back-to-back winning seasons. Terrific move. But people would be naive to think it was only that. It was also a matter of the Rooneys doing what they think is right and, in my opinion, righting a wrong, despite the lawsuit against the league.
Stlrdave1
11:00
Even though it is truly Tomlin's team, I like the new additions on the staff. Conventional wisdom tells me to have competition at the QB spot. Wait until next year to draft one. Too many needs elsewhere. Your thoughts Gerry
Gerry Dulac
11:00
Won't argue at all.
Kaiser Sosay
11:00
You can’t really do a realistic mock draft before free agency can you? I would think you have to get your guys under contract as well as sign the free agents you’re interested in before you can be serious about draft priorities.
Gerry Dulac
11:00
Now who let this intelligent question sneak into the chat???
KN Phoenix
11:00
Hello . Thank you as always for the chat . Do you think that Steelers interviewing 10 outside candidates for GM is a reflection of the fact that they are not happy with the in-house options of Hunt or Khan ? I would hate to have some Big talker like Louis Riddick get the job who thinks he is a know all and take this franchise back to Donahue period where our good players left the team on consistent basis because of the price . Thank you
Gerry Dulac
11:03
Hey Phoenix -- a couple things: Louis Riddick is not getting the job so you can relax. Also, they are interviewing a flurry of candidates because they don't want to be short-sighted about the process. It's no reflection on Brandon Hunt. Both he and Omar Khan will likely be retained in the current roles anyway, even if they go outside to replace Colbert.  And, they are not going to stop at 10. More are on the list to be interviewed.
John Y
11:03
Hi Gerry I was wondering do you look for the the Steelers to Re-sign Minkah Fitzpatrick before training camp or days before the season opener like with TJ Watt…..Also do you think the Steelers will be able to trade with Denver to swap draft picks and draft Kenny Pickett
Gerry Dulac
11:04
Yes, I see them re-signing Minkah before the season, but I can't predict the date. That will probably be up to Minkah. And, no, I don't see them trading with Denver to draft Pickett. To me, with so many other needs on the lines of scrimmage, that doesn't make any sense to me.
D from Chi-Town
11:05
Thanks for the chats Gerry!  A lot of the narrative around Mason Rudolph is that he is not a great quarterback. What areas of his play are lacking?  Arm strength, delivery quickness, accuracy, reading defenses, buying time moving around the pocket?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
No, he is not a great quarterback, but 80-90 percent of the league does not have "great" quarterbacks. Plus, I wonder how many backup quarterbacks have a 5-4-1 record?? Go check his numbers. They are not bad at all. Give him a chance. I've said it many times before, he's Neil O'Donnell.
Jacque Strap
11:07
Good Morning Gerry...were you surprised at some of the comments where players are not endorsing Rudolph as 'The Guy'? I'm not saying he should be, but what harm does it do anyone to support one of your teammates? At a minimum he seems to be a good locker room guy and works hard.
Gerry Dulac
11:07
Maybe I'm missing something -- what guys??
huh??
11:07
Bens first 3 years
2004
66% passing 2600 yards  TD 17 INT 11
2005
63% passing  2400 yards  TD 17 INT 9
2006
58% passing 3500 yards  TD  18 INT 23

Give Mason a chance. Just Saying..
Gerry Dulac
11:07
And there ya go...!!!
Chuck
11:08
Do you think JuJu will re-sign or leave in FA? If they lose him, WR early in the draft should be on the table, no?
Gerry Dulac
11:09
They should re-sign him. They need his toughness, attitude and leadership. Do you want to turn the WR room over to 18 and 11 (Washington will be gone)?? But, if he is gone, yes, WR becomes a option in the first 2-4 rounds of the draft.
Skeptik
11:09
We’ve guessed at who might be at quarterback to start the season. Let’s try the same thing at center to start the season- free agent, draft pick, or Geeen?
Gerry Dulac
11:10
It won't be a draft pick, trust me. Maybe a FA signing, but not a rookie.
Chuck from Michigan
11:10
Brian Flores has two options to fix the linebacker corps.  Draft new pieces, or try to fix what they have.  Fixing current players involves 1) Spending one year to see if Devin Bush will pan out 2) Spillane and Schobert to split snaps/situations 3) Spend time/snaps getting Buddy Johnson to contribute.  Too many other needs on the team to spend draft capital on ILB's.  Appreciate your thoughts and the chats.  Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
11:13
Their issues aren't at inside LB as much as they are on the defensive line. The position has been neglected for seven years with high draft choices and it is time to restock and provide better quality. Cam will be 33 and Alualu will be 35 in May. Time to replenish for now and the future.
DJ
11:13
If Mike Tomlin walks away and the Steelers hire Brian Flores or Teryl Austin to replace him, do the Steelers still get 2 3rd round compensatory picks?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
As Bill Cowher used to say, I don't play the what-if game.
Coach
11:14
I have been thinking about the reason(s) officiating in the NFL is so bad. Possibilities- part time guys without enough training, rules too complex, not enough officials on the field to see all the action, or maybe they are too worried about replay to concentrate on making the call. I don’t happen to agree with that last one. What do you think?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
Actually, the one you don't agree with might be the biggest reason of all.
Pat
11:14
Hi Gerry I think the addition of coach Flores is a great hire. But with the addition of 1 coach does that really change the ability of the defensive grouping? They can still use an upgrade in team  speed, sure tackling and ability to cover the TE/ over the middle. Thanks Gerry
Gerry Dulac
11:16
A former coach once told me, you can't be a good painter without good paint. Coaches can only be as good as your players. But a good coach can also help make a player better. And his insight and plans might also help improve a weak area.
Guest
11:16
Colbert said that DT was not a strength in the draft.  Does that make it more likely the Steelers take Davis from Georgia in Round 1?  Personally, I hope so.  I think that would solve a major problem especially considering we have running teams in our division.
Gerry Dulac
11:17
I would have absolutely no problem with that. In fact, it might be the best pick they can possibly make.
Nostrodumass
11:17
The Steelers were probably the worst team to make the playoffs last season, as things fell just right to sneak in. That would make them #14, according to you are what your record says you are. What is the Steelers rank next year at this time?
Gerry Dulac
11:17
You tell me then, oh great soothsayer
Utah Jim
11:17
According to their website the Steelers have three linebacker coaches. Why so many?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
Outside, inside and assistant. But let's see what happens. Flores' new title doesn't specify "outside," just "linebackers."
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