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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.04.20
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Gerry Dulac
10:34
Ok kids, we're closing in on our tee time so get your questions ready (if you haven't already)....
10:49
OK, let's get our chat started...go!!
Quinn
10:49
Good morning, Mr. Dulac, and thanks as always for taking the time.  Anyone from the combine stand out as one the Steelers might have a strong interest in at #49 ?
Gerry Dulac
10:50
Let me preface your question by saying the Steelers do not use the combine to find workout warriors or change their opinions they already have formed about certain players. But I will say I was impressed w how fast Jonathan Taylor ran for a big guy.
DJPAULHOWARD
10:52
Hi Gerry! Now that the football in undies show has ended, has your opinion of who the Steelers should select at 49 changed at all??? I would love Taylor but after his showing, I don't think he will be there when it's time to turn in the draft card...
Gerry Dulac
10:55
No, my opinion is the same....they need a skill player and they should have plenty to choose from. As for Taylor, yes, his speed (4.39) for a big man was very impressive, which makes him more attractive, but the concern with him is the size of the workload he had in college. He averaged over 300 carries a season for three years at Wisconsin. That's a lot of pounding before he even gets pounded some more in the NFL.
Mike J.
10:55
Do the Steelers plan on keeping Mike Hilton? He is a good young player for that defense. Would be a shame if he was let go due to lack of cap space
Gerry Dulac
10:56
Every year they face that question and every year Hilton makes it difficult to release him. The problem is they think he is a liability in pass coverage because of his size. But, for a smaller guy, he sure is tough along the line of scrimmage.
Shon
10:56
Are the steelers seriously considering  a rb  early?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
It's not off their radar, if that's what you're asking.
Big IF
10:56
If we're active in FA do you see us being active in the draft.  Trading out of a spot or two to get more picks?
Gerry Dulac
10:58
They really don't have a lot of leverage to trade out of a spot, let alone two. The only way they are going to pick up a low round pick (6th or 7th) is by trading someone they are willing to discard, and who would that be? Burns? Chickillo? Foster perhaps?
Steeltowntim@aol.com
10:58
I think the Steelers will wait until cuts in August/Sept. to fill many back up / depth positions. Would it only take a second or third round pick in next years draft to jump back into first round or do you think more.
Gerry Dulac
10:59
Trust me, that will not be enough. The only way they are getting a No. 1 is by trading away a future No. 1, and once in the past 50-some years is enough. Or by trading Ben, JuJu, Heyward, Watt, Bush, Minkah....
Kool Aid Man
10:59
Ohhhhh Yeahhh! Gerry, you’re great at feeding yinzers delusional thoughts. Besides Austin Hooper, who else will the Steelers sign? Derrick Henry? Amari Cooper? The Steelers are “the best” at working the cap. Surely they can easily sign whoever they want.  Let's kick these rumors up a notch!
Gerry Dulac
10:59
Here's a better delusional thought....try again and see what happens.
DJPAULHOWARD
11:00
Cam Akers, Jalen Reagor, Chase Claypool, Adam Trautman are all available at 49. What name are you putting on the draft card???
Gerry Dulac
11:00
Good choices....Reagor. Easy one.
Nicholas ONeal from Avon NC
11:01
With the Steelers having cap issues do you think they will restructure Big Ben's contract and also release Mark Barron Anthony C. and Ramon Foster to make cap room? Also I think our biggest need is offensive guard or left tackle because Big Al got beat so bad last year so many times. Thank you Gerry for your time. Have a great day
Gerry Dulac
11:05
Do not fret, they will find ways to handle the cap, they always do. Guys like Chickillo and maybe Foster will be let go. Don't hold your breath on Barron. He plays nearly twice as many snaps as Vince Williams. And it's not like they have a backup who is ready to step in and replace him.
Mike in BP
11:06
Did you ever get the chance to go to Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational or has draft and free agent coverage always gotten in the way?
Gerry Dulac
11:06
Years ago I did. But I have played Bay Hill recently, which is even better.
Dave
11:07
. If the Steelers use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Dupree they would receive two first round picks if a team made Dupree an offer that the Steelers didn’t match.  Ihow much that tag would cost the Steelers as opposed to the exclusive tag.  Gerry, thank you for answering my question.
Gerry Dulac
11:11
Here's what I can tell you and you do the math: An exclusive tag requires a team to pay the average salary of the top 5 players at his position from the current league, or 120 percent of his previous year's salary, whichever is greater. The non-exclusive tag requires the team to pay the average of the top 5 salary-cap hits at his positon from the previous five years, or 120 percent of his previous year's salary, which is greater.
GM
11:11
Ok, would it be crazy to think that team doesn't tag or resign Bud and go after Clowney instead?  He has the experience and track record - is a better 1 year option (see Seattle) and may be the same price.  That way we could still have the money for Watt's mega contract, and Clowney with his experience, could help bring up/teach Ola or Skipper.
Gerry Dulac
11:12
Yes that would be crazy. And let's go easy on the Ola and Skipper thing. That ain't happening, certainly not right now.
Ralph
11:12
Do you think all this optimism displayed by Cobert will get it done this year?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
It his nature to be optimistic, as it is withn most GMs in all sports. Kinda of like spring training in baseball....everyone looks good and is filled w great hopes. Not saying he's wrong, just saying it's human nature.
Utah Jim
11:13
Have the players started voting on the CBA yet?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
It's possible. But I think the process is going to take a couple weeks at least
Ted Knight
11:13
Do you see any chance the Steelers take TWO receivers in this draft?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
Not with only 5 picks (or even six).
Joe
11:14
If the team has no plans of signing Dupree long term why would they use the franchise tag and not the transition tag?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
Because they want to make sure they keep him and not allow for any outside suitors
DJPAULHOWARD
11:14
Do you hold the same optimism the FO has for McDonald and Conner??? I have major concerns about their durability to last a full season and I am not confident in their back ups especially at TE.
Gerry Dulac
11:15
I do not because their history suggests otherwise. It's going to be a big decision for the Steelers because Conner is up after this season.
SteelersFanInGA
11:16
I felt optimistic about Diontae Johnson and James Washington at the end of last season, especially given the uneven QB play.  Is drafting a WR early waving the white flag on one of them too soon?
Gerry Dulac
11:17
Not at all. The Steelers need playmakers who can score TDs. That became apparent last season. You can't expect to lose two of the league's best players -- 84 and 26 -- and think you're going to replace their production just like that. I will remind you: The Steelers were the only team in the league to not score 30 points at least once in 2019. Now that is futility.
Barbarian
11:18
Gerry if any of these are available we have to take it at @49 regardless of position: RB Taylor, WR Claypool and Yes Safety Winfield Jr (stud) and maybe even G/C Ruiz.. must go BPA if someone as talented falls no matter if it’s defense.. Right?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
That's your opinion, so....no.
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