JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.18.20

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.18.20

Gerry Dulac

10:35

OK kids, I'm sure we will have record numbers today because y'all house-bound, so we will start our chat shortly. Go wash your hands....

10:45

OK, let's get started.....

Jacque Strap

10:45

Hi Gerry...do you think they would have signed Derek Watt if he wasn't related to TJ? A weird way to spend the limited amount of money they have. Could it partially be a ploy to get TJ to take a discount?

Gerry Dulac

10:45

No ploy at all. And there will be no discount

Thomas

10:45

When can we expect to see Cam Heyward contract extension?

Gerry Dulac

10:45

Soon

Harrisburger

10:45

With all the restructuring, especially Ben's, it seems the Steelers are kicking some big salary problems down the road. Any thoughts on the long-term impact?

Gerry Dulac

10:47

They do that all the time, though this year it has been more extreme. Part of the thinking I'm sure is the notion that the salary cap will jump even higher next year. All it is is housekeeping

Jeff

10:47

Ron Cooks article was spot on. I still don't understand tagging Dupree. I would rather look to fill one hole (OLB) versus now 3-4 (ILB, TE, RB, WR). Reminds me a little of the Pirates...if everything goes right...no injuries, awesome draft, better defense, better offense with Ben back to normal then we have a shot at finishing above .500. Oh and everyone else in the division has to get worse. sound familiar?

Gerry Dulac

10:47

I disagree with him and you.

Guest

10:48

Hey Gerry. Now that FA has started let the fun begin!!! Of all the QB movement yesterday which one was most surprising to you. And are you ready for an increase in JJ Watt to the Steelers talk along with the Jameis Winston talk that already started??? lol

Gerry Dulac

10:49

I was probably a little surprised that Marcus Mariota went to the Raiders. I thought he would go where it was all but guaranteed he would be the starter. I don't pay attention to that talk. I only pay attention to the truth.

Guest

10:49

With Finney and Foster both gone does this increase the likely hood that we draft an interior lineman in the draft or do you believe we have what we need in house? Or do we go the FA route???

Gerry Dulac

10:49

I think you will see them look to free agency first, for sure. In fact, they already are perusing.

Jake

10:50

Things can change and not all players signed work out but the Steeler's have lost a lot of ground to other teams in their division. Assuming Ben can pick up where he left off before injury is a big if. Salary cap hit is going to take its toll on the Steeler's. Even with Ben and elite talent last 8 years have not brought any runs in the playoffs. We are going to be better with lesser talent??

Gerry Dulac

10:53

I don't consider the loss of Foster, Barron, Chickillo, Finney and soon to be Nix a drain on their talent. Losing Hargrave will hurt, but not as if they lost Cam or Tuitt. He's only the third best lineman on the team. Plus, in case anyone missed it, his number went DOWN last year despite more snaps than ever. This is like losing Steve McLendon. Don't get me wrong, I like Hargrave and it would have good if they had been able to keep him, but it's not going to impact whetheer they can win the division or not. Plus, paying him on top of Cam and Tuitt is not the reality of the NFL. So I suggest everyone relax about Hargrave....and was their hands.

Guest

10:53

We need OL the most, at any position! Agreed? Our offense lost the games last year.

Gerry Dulac

10:55

They need playmakers on offense more than anything else. Guards are nothing more than converted tackles, unless you're DeCastro or Quentin Nelson. Get those anywhere.

Justin

10:55

I'm sure Watt is a great fullback/special team player, but with such limited cap space I thought they would target more a position of need. Your thoughts on the signing? Thanks

Gerry Dulac

10:56

I have to admit, I was surprised. But, with the loss of Matakevich (special teams) and the injury woes of Nix, I get the move for Watt, who can handle both roles. Still...

RJT

10:56

Gerry, I am not a fan of the new CBA. I’m happy for the special teamers but I worry about the quality of play. The NFL already limits the amount of contact through camp and the season, and now they are limiting it even more in camp. How can a team practice blocking and tackling if you can’t hit? The preseason is probably more important now than ever because of the limitations in practice, but now they are taking a game away. How do you feel about it?

Gerry Dulac

10:57

There is no doubt the limiting of padded practice and live drills hurts the quality of play. That's why you see such horrible tackling. I also think it contributes to more injuries. But that's the world of today's NFL.

The Ham

10:58

Morning Gerry, overthecap.com had Ben's '21 cap hit at $31M before yesterday's restructure. That restructure pushed another $20M into '21, leaving Ben's cap hit at $51M for the '21 season. How in the world are the Steelers going to manage such a large number for one player?

Gerry Dulac

10:58

No, the $20 million they shaed off the cap was for the restructure of FIVE players, not just Ben.

MTScott

10:58

Why all the rumors to add Winston & Hurts as Steelers QBs. We can use the next 2 years to determine RM’s growth before BB retires - then move accordingly!

Gerry Dulac

10:59

I suggest you not pay attention to that stuff

Claude Ballzac

10:59

i was just wondering if duck hodges is still on the team or if he has moved on to another duck pond. thanks

Gerry Dulac

10:59

He is still on the roster.

Utah Jim

10:59

With Finney gone does a G/C become a higher priority in the draft? In my opinion it’s the top need as this OL needs to get a lot younger.

Gerry Dulac

11:00

I think it becomes a higher priority in free agency more so than the draft. At least for now.

VT61

11:00

Hi Gerry, can you update us on the current salary cap situation?

Gerry Dulac

11:00

All I can tell is Art Rooney II told me yesterday they will be in compliance with the cap at 4 p.m. today. They have to be.

Steelers2020

11:01

Gerry, we all knew Javon Hargrave was going to leave. Any idea who the Steelers are targeting as his replacement?

Gerry Dulac

11:01

Keep an eye on free agency.

IowaSteel

11:01

Hey Gerry, love the chats and thanks for making them GREAT! With the COVID-19 situation going on, I worry my tickets I just received for the HOF enshrinement will not come to fruition?

Gerry Dulac

11:02

I understand. Who knows how long this will last. I asked Art Rooney II yesterday if training camp is in jeopardy and he said way too early to tell but, obviously, he hopes not.

Emilio

11:02

Aren't the Steelers always a worse team than last season in the period between free agency start and the NFL draft? What was news in that PG article?

Gerry Dulac

11:03

Not sure I follow....

Zach

11:03

With the signing of Derek Watt, does this mean we cut ties with Rosie Nix?

Gerry Dulac

11:03

Uh, I'd take that to the bank.