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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.05.21
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Gerry Dulac
10:44
Ok kids, it's Cinco de Mayo, which means absolutely nothing for our chat that will begin in about 10 minutes...unless you have some salsa and chips.
10:56
Alright, here we go kids....
CoalportKid
10:56
Just read your roster projection Gerry. It's hard to disagree, but it has all nine draft picks making the team out of training camp. I don't recall that ever happening. Is it realistic this year?
Gerry Dulac
11:02
Usually, it doesn't happen, but several factors are in place. These days, any player drafted in the fourth round or higher makes the team, unless they're a complete bust. And the fifth-round pick was acquired by trading a fourth-round pick in 2022, so there's no way they would cut him either after giving up a future draft pick. That would be admitting you goofed. And the sixth-round pick -- again, unless he's a bust -- was picked for a position that really has no quality backup. So the only question is the first of the two seventh-round picks -- cornerback/safety Tre Norwood -- and there is so little depth at each position he probably will make it. At worst, eight of the nine should make the team.
Luigi
11:02
The Steeler's draft seems to be you either love it or hate it.  Najee Harris would not have been there in round 2 and to also get the #2 TE (we need a nickname), what's not to love?  IF Green wins the starting center job, this will go down as Tomlin's best draft ever (IMO).  What grade did you give this draft?
Gerry Dulac
11:03
I don't know anyone who hates it. If they do, they must hate everything in life, in which listening to anything that person says is pointless. And I gave it an A.
Doug
11:04
Gerry......what you think of chuks dotson green decastro and banner?   You think thats an upgrade from last year?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
We'll see but we're talking about two new starters and another at a new position. It's only an upgrade if they change their blocking schemes and fix the run game. It's hard to say anyone after Pouncey is an upgrade.
Jeff
11:06
Gerry any word on ben and how that arm is from the season?  Is it reasonable to think he could be stronger than last year?  If he can get accurate w the Deep ball...this offense could be very good
Gerry Dulac
11:06
His arm is perfectly fine
Scott M
11:06
Gerry, thanks for the chats as always. Your thoughts about if the Steelers get to the playoffs in 2021, Ben  will want to come back and play on 1-year deals going forward? - or is this pretty much it?
Gerry Dulac
11:06
I think it depends how far they might go in the playoffs...if they get in the playoffs
The Dude
11:06
Does Haskins get a real shot at replacing Rudolph as Ben’s back-up? What does he have to do in camp and scrimmages to move to the number two spot, or is that impossible barring an injury ?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
Not at all. His only really shot is to hope he makes the team
ScandallRino
11:07
Am I crazy to think that Big Ben could have 3 more years in him??I fear the 1980’s Steelers repeat.
Gerry Dulac
11:08
Maybe a little. That's to be determined, but I'm not going to say you're certifiably looney
ScandallRino
11:08
Are the Steelers high enough on DMoore to start at OT this year?  Are you thinking the Steelers are going to head into the season without getting a FA CB? One more, has the ship sailed on Avery Williamson?
Gerry Dulac
11:09
I don't think they are envisioning him as a starter in 2021. And I think there is always the possibility of adding a veteran corner, even a safety, for depth. And the ship is out to sea.
The Dude
11:09
I agree with almost all of your 53 man roster. It appears they will go with 5 wide receivers, since Enron will essentially become the 6th once Freiermuth shows he is game ready. The big concern seems to be OLB, doesn’t it?
Gerry Dulac
11:10
To a degree, yes. They better hope a sixth-round choice plays more like a third-round choice. And Freiermuth will be game-ready.
Jay Dav
11:10
Gerry, any information on Dwayne Haskins' status about his passion for the game, maturity, and pre-camp preparations?
Gerry Dulac
11:11
None. I wouldn't sit there and think there is going to be some sort of drastic transformation.
Justin in cbus
11:11
Everyone knocks the Freiermuth pick, but considering he was the number 2 TE in the draft, our TE/OL situation was weak, and the fact we are likely to lose Juju next year, doesnt it make sense to draft our possible TE for the next several years?
Gerry Dulac
11:12
The people who knock it have no concept about the way the Steelers think and what they want. They also do not pay enough attention to Eric Ebron.
Guest
11:13
One of my take aways from the draft is that the Steelers really aren't that concerned with their defense. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
I think what you need to take away from the draft is that the Steelers did what they have been determined to do since the end of the season -- fix their blocking and run game.
Michael D
11:14
Hi Gerry...  Sign Jesse James for around vet minimum, cut Ebron, save 5Million...  thoughts ?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
Preposterous.
Utah Jim
11:14
Who is the backup at deep safety? Is that a position Norwood can play?
Gerry Dulac
11:16
Good question. Right now, I don't see one. Norwood will start out at cornerback. If that doesn't work, they will move him to safety. But I don't think you should be counting on a seventh-round pick to be the answer. I'm not sure they are. That's what they will discover in training camp
Guest 6Rings
11:16
I don't understand taking players who would be available later. I get that the FO has them ranked higher than where we're drafting - but if other teams don't, wait another round or trade back. Freiermuth, Loudermilk in particular. This applies in retrospect also - Artie Burns, Terrell Edmunds, Mason Rudolph, etc. What happened to trading back, adding picks, AND getting a good player (E.g. Casey Hampton). I just feel like we don't understand draft value as much anymore and it hurts us. /rant but curious for your thoughts.
Gerry Dulac
11:19
Here's what I know -- there aren't many better at draft time than Kevin Colbert. Those are my thoughts. Every team has misses. You wants idiots? How about the 49ers giving up three No. 1s to move up to No. 3 in the draft and select Trey Lance? Aaron Rodgers commands three No. 1s. Trey Lance??? The Steelers draft record speaks for itself.
John
11:19
Do you see the run game drastically improving over last years?
Gerry Dulac
11:19
It can't possibly be any worse
Wayward
11:20
Gerry, which of the after 3rd round picks due you like the best and why?
Gerry Dulac
11:20
Buddy Johnson. Good player. Has a chance to be starter, maybe not right away but certainly by 2022.
Billy D
11:20
No doubt the running back position was the key in the number one strategy but I’m still not sure if the defense will be there when we need them
Gerry Dulac
11:21
That's what we are going to find out. But at least two of the players who we thought were gone are back -- Tyson Alualu and Vince Williams. That helps
Steelers fan
11:21
Are the Steelers done in free agency? Or may they add somewhere? Say CB or OLB?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
No, I think you will see them add a CB or safety for depth before training camp.
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