JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 04.13.22

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 04.13.22

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Jeff

11:18

Thanks for the chats Gerry. First warm dry day in NJ so heading out to hit some balls over lunch. Question on last season and the lack of separation from any receiver except DJ. was it the player, the scheme or a combination of both? If a combo of both then why will it be that much different this year? I get all the talk about Ben but even in past years I havent seen almost every catch being contested. Trubisky isnt that good he can overcome guys not getting open...why I see a WR very early in the draft. Appreciate your thoughts

Gerry Dulac

11:19

It's a little of both. The scheme is not very good but you don't have the type of receivers who can get open coming out of their breaks. You're right, DJ is the only one. I also realize we are spoiled after watching a receiver who was the best in the league coming out of his break and getting open -- Antonio Brown

Bob in TN

11:19

The past few years I thought that Ben underthrowing receivers was more of a reason for contested catches. It looked like Claypool and Johnson had the step but had to slow down to get the ball.

Seems I was always thinking "Just throw the same pass a little earlier." Maybe a new QB will fix that?

Gerry Dulac

11:20

I severely doubt you or anyone will watch a new QB and think, 'Oh yeah, this is better than Ben.' Check back in another year or so

J$Money

11:20

There’s been a lot of talk about next year’s quarterback draft class being stronger than this year’s. Another option might be free agency next year. Do you know who the free agent quarterbacks are expected to be next year? Thanks

Gerry Dulac

11:20

Haven't looked that far ahead

Boogie James

11:21

I would be disappointed if the Steelers drafted a QB any higher than round 3. Are there any middle round guys they could go after to have as a camp arm. Also thoughts on chances we draft Carnell Lakes son at SS in the later rounds. Thanks

Gerry Dulac

11:22

I could see round 2, possibly, depending if QBs slip in the draft, which I think they will. But I'm with ya -- round 3 at the very earliest. However, I think it will be day 3 before they do -- find a guy who can be your No. 3 or 4 QB

John

11:22

You’re clearly against taking a QB in the first round….the Steelers have given every indication they will go that direction - what do you believe they ultimately do given the actual facts of who they have been evaluating?

Gerry Dulac

11:24

Yes, clearly they have given that indication. And that's the only reason I won't discount the possibility. But, as I have said, that would be a wasted draft pick. Their problems are on both lines of scrimmage and if they don't address the lack of quality young depth on the aging defensive line they will continue to have the same problems if there are injuries.

11:26

Good Morning, Gerry. Weird questions and sorry if this isn’t the right venue. I’m curious about your prepositional choice. Most folks say "in" the first round, but you say "on" the first round. I’m far from a grammarian, so I went to the interwebs, but couldn’t find a definitive answer. Why do you use “on” instead of “in”?

Gerry Dulac

11:28

I don't have one, either.

Lester of Dallas

11:28

Just read that the QB from Nevada may be a mid-round pick by the Steelers. Another Mason Rudolph?

Gerry Dulac

11:29

They have no clue, either. All a guessing game.

SMF

11:29

Hi Gerry: Thanks for the chats. Why all the vibes that that OL is fixed? They signed one very good starter-Daniels. Cole is on his 3rd team in 4 years and only started 7/17 games for MN last year. The Steelers still have the same mediocre Tackles and Green or Dotson at G. Unless they draft one of the top OTs—still a pretty average bunch. What am I missing?

Gerry Dulac

11:29

Not a lot. They have to show they're better. Then again, they can't be much worse.

FJC

11:29

Gerry, any chance Art II could lure Bill Cowher out of the Studio, to be the GM. He always had a keen eye for talent.

Gerry Dulac

11:30

Uh...no

11:30

Good morning. Gerry, I believe the most important move the Steelers have made so far this off season is to hire Brian Flores as a defensive coach. This guy's record speaks for itself and the Miami Dolphins defense improved in each of the 3 years he was in charge there, and his teams finished their seasons stronger than where they started. I believe we will see a marked improvement in our defense this year with coaches Tomlin, Austin, & Flores putting their heads together. What say you?

Gerry Dulac

11:30

I say you're probably right.

11:30

Personally, I see the Steelers need to draft a playmaking WR in the first round, especially a very fast guy who has great hands. I like Jahan Dotson from PSU, and PSU's recent resume with WRs in the NFL is rather impressive. What do you think of Dotson, or are there any other WRs you have seen that stand out to you?

Gerry Dulac

11:32

I like Dotson a lot but I think he will slip to the second round. But I like his type of receiver -- smaller, quick, fast, good hands. I don't want them to draft a WR based on size only

John S

11:32

seeing that a high pct of Steelers passes are between -3 yards (screens) to 5 yrd past line of scimmage, is it fair to say WR can't get separation? I wouldn't expect most to get separation on those type passes. On some of deeper routes seemed like they were open but underthrown.

Gerry Dulac

11:33

There is some truth to that. That also goes to the play-calling, so let's not forget that.

Punxy Fan

11:33

Gerry, long time admirer here. Good work consistently. Regarding the draft value chart, if a team is looking to move down do they offer a “discount” for a team to move up or are the values the values? Thanks.

Gerry Dulac

11:34

It all depends how desperate a team is to move up. But I don't have a specific chart that measures value,

John S

11:34

I think they need to open up the passing game to help the running game. With the short stuff, all defenders were always around line of scrimmage....which makes more difficult to run. Any chance this will change this year? or they married to the short passing game?

Gerry Dulac

11:34

Let's hope the offense changes overall this year. Brutal to watch last year

Guest

11:34

I find it hilarious that everyone is on board passing on QB and saying next years class is 1) better than this one and 2) that we will even be in position to get one of those guys like stroud or young - analysts had rattler going number one at one point, what’s your overall take on this and if the Steelers are in love with one of these guys you go get him right?

Gerry Dulac

11:35

If they are in love with one, yes. But 1) don't think they are, and 2) if they are, they need to re-evaluate their evaluations.

11:36

I like what I have seen from U of Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce. I heard on a nationally syndicated radio program this morning that Pierce is being compared to Jordy Nelson. This comparison intrigues me and he may be a good fit with the Steelers, especially given his combine numbers. Do you see the Steelers having interest in Pierce? They hosted the QB Ridder recently, correct?

Gerry Dulac

11:38

I honestly don't know if they are, but he plays more like a tight end who will likely be more of a possession receiver in the NFL. Probably a day 3 pick

11:38

Jordan Davis from Georgia reminds me a bit of Casey Hampton, do you believe this is a fair comparison? I would love to see this guy as a future anchor for the Steelers' D and what better mentor could he get than Dr. Cameron Heyward?

Gerry Dulac

11:38

Agreed!!

11:38

What do believe the likelihood of one of Georgia's exceptional DL makes it to #20 for the Steelers to draft one of them?

Gerry Dulac

11:40

Well, I think the Ravens at 14 or even the Eagles at 15 could take Jordan Davis ahead of the Steelers. But, if he's there, then either one of the Georgia DTs makes sense

11:46

By the way, thanks for no insensitive questions about Dwayne Haskins -- not one. Not like the stuff I read and hear on Twitter.

11:47

Hi Gerry, Is Skyy Moore a 2nd rounder?

Gerry Dulac

11:47

Probably...at best

Tim

11:47

Don’t draft a QB in first round because they’re not worth it but let’s wait until later rounds for no talent at all. Makes sense Gerry. SMH

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