JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.28.24

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.28.24

Gerry Dulac

9:49

OK kids...good morning from Indy. We'll be starting out chat in just a few minutes so get ready.....

9:53

OK kids, here we go...fire away!!

Stairway to seventh seed

9:54

Gerry: it has been reported in the PG that the Steelers might decide to keep Ogunjobi and pay him an additional $10 million this year because they want to avoid releasing him and absorbing a $7 million "dead" cap hit. In reality, the Steelers choices are to either vastly overpay Ogunjobi (again) this year and book $17m total at some point to the cap for him or to release him and book $7m. The release should be a very easy decision. After all these years, does the team still not really understand that "dead money" for released players is no different than the charges for players still on the team for previous money paid, but not accounted for? Most sophomore level economics majors understand "the sunk cost fallacy".

Gerry Dulac

9:54

I think they understand it better than you and me.

Tom

9:56

Generally speaking , the Steelers philosophy for years was to ignore the "high profile" positions like CB and LT in draft and FA. They found solid guys for those spots and put money and picks into "less profile" positions like S and RB. Seems the new GM brought a change to that with last years draft class, picking LT, CB, then DE. I feel there was a distinct difference in their impact, even as rookies. With a deep class would you want them to go LT and CB again and domiate at impact positions? Or go back with a C in Rd 1, improving but not quite getting the impact edge?

Gerry Dulac

9:57

Personally, I like the idea of a big-time center and an off-the-ball LB

Tom

9:57

Always feel that projections/rankings are most accurate now before combine media hype begins. One or two fly up rankings every year (QB's are mind boggling but understandable). Steelers got suckered with Devin Bush. The C from Oregon is clearly the top guy, with next two a few rounds behind. Seems like the C Frazier will be the guy hyped this year and Steelers will take him in Rd 2. Do you feel this is accurate? Why do teams predictably fall for media hype EVERY year?

Gerry Dulac

9:57

I don't think the teams fall for the hype. The media and the fans fall for the hype.

SPQR

9:57

I often disagree with your opinions but respect your reporting. I thought your piece on why trading for Justin Fields is not a great idea really hit the mark. What would seem to make sense to me would be to draft a QB in the middle of the draft. Not necessarily to challenge to start this season, but perhaps in 2025 or develop as a long-term backup.

Gerry Dulac

9:58

You're not the only one who thinks that would make sense.

Tom

9:58

100% honest question...Why do teams have scouting departments, nowadays? You could get medical from combine, coaches can meet players predraft, then just Google Daniel Jeremiah's or any BigBoard the morning of the draft. It basically falls exactly how the players are ranked. Some variations to the type/size of a player a team likes. There are almost never any crazy suprises, and the few that are (think Seattle or Oakland) have been busts. Scouting departments fail with busts more than they uncover gems not in a magazine. True?

Gerry Dulac

9:58

Where do you think guys like Daniel Jeremiah get their info???

Bill in LA

9:58

Based on Cam Heyward's age and salary and poor production last year, why not just cut him? Why would nostalgia even come into play?

Gerry Dulac

9:58

Oh, ok

Bill in LA

9:59

For Mike Tomlin, wasn't Presley Harvin's release similar to Matt Canada in that Tomkin knew after two years both were below average but gave them a third year to be rhe sane anyway?

Gerry Dulac

9:59

And look who is entering his third year....

Bill in LA

9:59

Pat Freirmuth wasn't very productive last year even when not injured. If next year is similar what kind of new contract do the Steelers offer him?

Gerry Dulac

10:00

Well, I think he will be offered a new contract before next season. Plus, Arthur Smith loves to involve tight ends.

Mar

10:00

Who do you think Steelers take with 20 th pick? Also do you see the team signing Russell Wilson we can’t go into season thinking Kenny Pickett is the answer we need a reliable back up just in case he struggles in camp people and the Steelers organization has to realizes the guy is about to be 26 years old 13 TD and 13 interceptions in 2 years is bad. Also he only had 2 TD in one game in 2 seasons that’s not good also everyone wants to say he’s clutch I can make a argument our defense kept us in all them games to give us a chance to win it wasn’t qb play if u look at the whole game the guy struggle the entire game the Steelers just have a good roster and shouldn’t waste it on him for another year and Ryan tannehill u can just kiss the season goodbye if u go in with Pickett and tannehill not good options thought Mason Rudolph was good

Gerry Dulac

10:01

I don't see Russell Wilson signing with the Steelers because I don't think he wants to go somewhere to be a backup

Mike

10:01

I read your article on why a Justin Fields trade doesn’t make sense and I agree completely. Not sure why everyone thinks this is going to happen. I don’t feel like Justin Fields ceiling is much higher than what they already have nor do I think he will make them a SB contender. It feels like a move that will keep them in similar territory as they currently are. If they are going to make a trade I would rather see them move up in the draft if they like one of the QBs coming out of college. They need a franchise QB to take them to the next level. At the end of the day, I think they are going to roll with Pickett and sign a vet such as Tannelhill.

Gerry Dulac

10:02

I think you're right, but the only way they are signing a vet QB to be No. 2 is if Rudolph signs elsewhere

Charmy

10:02

Who do you think is the most overrated prospect as of now?

Gerry Dulac

10:02

Can't answer that one, sorry.

Pistol33

10:03

Thanks for the chats Gerry!! Dorin says the Steelers love Nix. Not in the first but after that. What have you heard??

Gerry Dulac

10:03

I haven't, but someone like Nix would make sense in day 3 if he's still there.

Infinite

10:03

If the Steelers were to double dip on one position in the draft, which would it be?

Gerry Dulac

10:04

Good question....Maybe ILB.

Alan in Alabama

10:04

Morning! Looking to the future, is Danny Rooney a full-time employee of the Steelers and is he present day-to-day w the organization? Is he at the games, including road games? I’m just curious how involved he is at this point. Does he interact w players at all? Thanks!

Gerry Dulac

10:05

Yes he is. But he doesn't interact with the players other than to say hello if he sees them

Tiki Harp

10:05

Hi Gerry. Don't get all the "get rid of Pickett" talk. The guy had a horrible OC and Scheme with a poor OL and almost no receivers. Not to entail a questionable development record for the HC. Still managed to have a decent record and some great comebacks And not even 2 years of games in. These people would have dumped Bradshaw who took like what until year 4 to get good? Pickett showed he has the tools. He just needs to settle in AND get some good player help around him. What say you?

Gerry Dulac

10:06

Well, I kinda agree with you about all the "get rid of Pickett" talk. But not about the poor OL and no receivers part. And I'm still not sure he has shown he has all the tools

Guest

10:07

Hey Gerry. One position we have really struggled at finding is ILB. The last 10 starters for Tomlin are Roberts, Holcomb, Bush, Jack, Schoebert, Spillane, Williams, Barron, Bostic, and Shazier. The last 5 starters for Cowher were Farrior, Foote, Bell, Holmes, and Kirkland. The difference is huge. Is this a weak spot for Tomlin? Is it just the scheme? Or was LeBeau the difference maker and just that much better of a defensive coordinator than Tomlin? This needs to be improved and get back to the way it was in the Cowher days.

Gerry Dulac

10:07

Yes it does!!

Guest

10:07

Enough of this crazy quarterback talk. Sign Mason (ask him nicely MT) and pick up a promising arm later in the draft. Then give Pickett every opportunity to improve under a competent NFL level offensive coordinator (and have Tomlin let him do his job). Actually have a fair competition for the starting position in camp- Mason is owed that. Then move on to other matters. We don't need Wilson or Fields. If Picket turns out not to be the "anointed one" look for a franchise guy in next year's draft.

Gerry Dulac

10:07

Who let this smart guy in the chat??

10:07

Gerry, Thanks for the chats. Any word on Holcomb and Alexander?

Gerry Dulac

10:08

None, other than they are rehabbing

Jeff M

10:10

DL is a big need for the Steelers. Do you think Byron Murphy would be an option at #20?

Gerry Dulac