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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.03.21
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Gerry Dulac
12:16
OK, kids, we will start our chat in about 30 minutes so get your questions ready...
12:53
Let's get started....go!!
LeeInSC
12:53
I watched a rebroadcast of the Steelers/Cowboys game and saw that Ben hurt his knee and left the field before halftime for treatment.  After that game the Steelers finished 4-4.  I don't recall anyone mentioning anything about his knee during that stretch.  Players always play hurt and we know Ben has. Is it possible his injury affected his throwing the last part of the season? Not looking for excuses but he seemed off down that stretch and wondered if it could have been part of the problem?
Gerry Dulac
12:54
It could have been, no question, but not to the point he was unable to plant, push or play. He has played with worse than that.
Buzzard Bill
12:54
Hi Gerry, it appears that the dollars needed to sign Watt are getting kind of scary.  I realize that pass rushers like him are at a premium, but can the Steelers, or any team, break the bank to sign just one defensive player given the cap situation?
Gerry Dulac
12:55
Some teams, like Arizona, are so far under the cap they can afford to do that. And you will see that more in free agency -- the teams w a lot of cap room will be the ones spending the most money for the top players..
Yinzer in Boston
12:55
Hi Gerry. Will the Steelers sit down with Claypool and try to get him to lessen some of the social media distractions? I see a very talented player being distracted by some of JuJu nonsense. He needs to focus.
Gerry Dulac
12:55
I sure hope so.
21-58-66
12:55
Gerry - Do you think the Steelers look hard in FA for a ready starting center as opposed to using draft capital for one?  It looks like there are several available in the age and dollar range they like to look for?
Gerry Dulac
12:56
I agree. I think that's the best route for them to fill that hole, thereby eliminating that need in the draft. Before Pouncey, their previous three starting centers were all signed in free agency.
Mike M
12:56
Hi Gerry, let’s assume (big assumption) Fields, Harris and Slater are all available when the Steelers pick. Who do they take?
Gerry Dulac
12:56
Harris
daniel11
12:56
Hi Gerry, Big Ben himself said money is not an issue for him to play next season so when can a new deal be done? Do you think BB will take a pay cut the Steelers want from him? Am I dreaming to hope BB will give a first and final hometown discount from him?
Gerry Dulac
12:58
He will be given a new contract in which his salary and roster bonus will be converted into a signing bonus, and it could be at a reduced rate. Ben has said, and his agent has said, money will not be a factor in 2021.
Mark
12:58
While some fans will argue against this, Tomlin's record demonstrates he's a very good coach.  So how would you summarize his shortcomings that are preventing his teams from accomplishing more since their last SB appearance?  Is he overlooking things, too loyal to coaches/players, too optimistic (ie. that players will develop), too set in his ways, poor at choosing coordinators / asst. coaches, etc.?  Is there any pattern or systemic problems, in your opinion, that he hasn't addressed? (not to skew your response to be too specific, but for example: why didn't he see  / do more about problems with the run game and O-line going back to the '18-19 offseason?)
Gerry Dulac
1:00
There is no question he is a very good coach -- his record supports that. But there is some internal issue that causes them to fall apart at the end of the season, which has happened each of the past three seasons and four if you count the embarrassing playoff loss to the Jaguars in 2017. One, they have to be able to identify it. Two, they have to correct it. It could be a number of the factors you suggested, but there is definitely a pattern.
Retire21
1:01
Current player ready to take biggest step. I'm hoping McFarland because Canada must've had some input since he coached him at Maryland. How about your candidate?
Gerry Dulac
1:02
McFarland is a possibility, though his youth showed last year. Hasn't learned how to run in the NFL yet. Mine? Dotson
Frank
1:02
What players do you believe will be cut by the Steelers? Vince, Haden, etc..?
Gerry Dulac
1:04
There is going to have to be some adjustment with their contracts. Problem with Haden is, he's in the final year of his deal and he can't restructure, so they would have to sign him to a new contract or release him. Wouldn't be surprised if they told Vince Williams he has to take a pay cut or be released, much like they did with James Harrison a number of years ago. Harrison refused a pay cut to $2 million and they released him.
Luis
1:04
Gerry, TY 4 chat. R we making bigger issue out of steelers cap then what it is? we retsructure 7, 91 cut 23 and 98 and we have $23M in cap space.
Gerry Dulac
1:07
And they already saved $7 million by restructuring Cam Heyward's contract and another couple million w Pouncey and McDonald retirement.
Retire21
1:07
Theory: Ben's salary slash will tie into Steelers tagging Juju with the hopes of a long deal?
Gerry Dulac
1:07
Wrong. They will not tag JuJu. Either re-sign him or he will leave in free agency.
Steelers fan
1:07
Any chance the Steelers draft defense rather early? Perhaps an ILB ? Maybe try and get a stud CB?
Gerry Dulac
1:08
I think you see a defensive player for sure on day 2 -- maybe ILB or OLB, or a DT. Let's hope no CBs. Their draft history w CBs is abysmal.
Steelers fan
1:08
Have you heard anything on when Ben’s contract will be restructured? Any chance he takes an actual pay cut?
Gerry Dulac
1:10
He is due a roster bonus of $15 million on March 19, so his new deal will be done before that. And there will be some form of reduction, though don't expect some bargain-basement price. It doesn't work that way.
Fan man
1:10
Hi Gerry, I know the Steelers are one of the most successful organizations. But do you think their way of thinking is outdated? Example Haden and Vince are still productive, why not try and get some late rounds picks for them while you can, Surely you can get a 4th for Haden and a 6 or 7 for Vince. What you say?
Gerry Dulac
1:11
They just might. And I doubt you would get anything more than a 5th for Haden because teams know he might end up a cap casualty.
Frank
1:11
I know the Steelers are in a really tough spot. Though, will the Steelers bring Juju back? Can they? What players do you see brought back?
Gerry Dulac
1:13
They would like to bring JuJu back and he keeps saying he wants to come back, but it will depend on what price he thinks he's worth. I don't see many FAs brought back -- Alualu, Feiler, Banner, Cam Sutton and a few minor ones.
redsteeler69
1:13
Hello Gerry, #7, a half decent running game and pretty much the same defense and we have as  decent chance as most anyone in the playoffs. Agree or not.
Gerry Dulac
1:13
Yes.
Paul
1:13
Do the Steelers practice outside as the weather gets colder? If they don't, could some of the late season slump be related to adjusting to colder weather?
Gerry Dulac
1:14
I think every team goes through some adjustment when the weather changes. But, as long as the field is dry and it's not pouring rain, the Steelers will practice outside in December and January -- unless they are preparing to play a warm-weather team on the road
...
1:15
The Steelers never bring in big FAs. Though, with this maybe being the last year of the window, do you see any ‘bigger’ move than usual?
Gerry Dulac
1:15
No. I think it will be the same as always. I think they will invest in one outside UFA, probably a center, and that's about it.
Scooter
1:16
Gerry, Ownership and Tomlin have been saying for the last 3+ years that "we need to get back to a more balanced offense", "we need to run the ball more efficiently", "If we can't get 1yd, we don't deserve to score".......why are we supposed to think this year is going to be any different?
Gerry Dulac
1:17
Well, we'll have to wait and see if it happens, but I think the fact that they changed coordinators and offensive line coaches is a good indication they are serious about. And you will have to wait on what personnel moves are made, including in the draft, and that will be further validation.
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