JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.06.20

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.06.20

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Gerry Dulac

10:45

OK, kids, get ready because our chat will start in about 5-10 minutes....

10:58

OK, here we go....

Tprod

10:58

Gerry, the Steelers have serious depth issues at ILB and safety. Without OTAs and potentially a reduced training camp, rookies are not a viable option. Any veteran FAs who might fit the bill?

Gerry Dulac

11:01

I wouldn't call it serious at safety. After all, that's why they drafted Antoine Brooks -- that is, if he's a safety and not a hybrid linebacker, in which case that helps at that position. But that is a big leap of faith for a sixth-round draft choice. Right now, it appears they will replace Mark Barron's 750 snaps with a committee of Vince Williams, Ulysees Gilbert III, Brooks and possibly Marcus Allen.

Bob in NEPA

11:01

Thanks for keeping these going, these chats are comfort food that we need. Question on salary cap for 2021 and beyond. Will this year of probably lower revenue due to possible no-fans in seats have a significant impact on 2021 cap? Are metrics such it could actually go down?

Gerry Dulac

11:05

No. Not having fans will hurt concessions more than anything else, not ticket revenue. That's because season-ticket holders have already paid for their seat license, which is the bulk of that revenue, plus will be required to buy tickets as season-ticket holders in the event there are games with fans. If fans are not allowed, that money spent on tickets for 2020 will likely be applied to season tickets for 2021. It will have no effect on the salary cap.

Dave

11:06

With V Williams another year older and already susceptible in coverage, would it not make sense to bring Mark Barron back at a reduced rate (assuming he'll take that) to add to the speed in the middle of the defense? If not, is there someone not currently on the roster that would make sense to bring in?

Gerry Dulac

11:07

I have been told they will not bring Mark Barron back. The problem was not Barron's cap hit, per se, it was that he practiced only one day a week last year because of nagging injuries and never got comfortable in their defense because of it. I don't think they will go down that road again.

paullochrane@yahoo.com

11:07

ok genius, isn't ben's contract one of the worst if not of all time given to any steeler player of all time ? a stat for remembering, 1 touchdown pass in his 2 super bowl wins !!!!! i'm ready for your answer, but its NO, another wise answer because you , the media love the guy !!!!

Gerry Dulac

11:08

What was that you said...two Super Bowl WINS???

Brandon

11:08

Will we sign a FA ILB or Safety? Depth is pretty bad.

Gerry Dulac

11:08

I think there is a good chance you will see them sign a veteran safety as a backup, but not until they return to some form of practice.

Mrs. Sue

11:08

Gerry with your connections I want to know, was Brooks Jr the guy we were trying to get when you mentioned the team tried to trade into the fifth round or which player was it ? Now be good and stay safe yourself!

Gerry Dulac

11:09

I don't know if that is the case or not. All I know is they tried to trade into the fifth round to get a pick in that round and were unsuccessful.

Vico

11:10

Hi Gerry! I know is not going to happen, but isn't Carlos Hyde a good veteran option for the Steelers at RB?

Gerry Dulac

11:11

I don't have a problem with Hyde as a player, they are just not going to add another RB at this point, especially after McFarland was injured. Plus Hyde, Conner and Snell are basically the same mix/type of player.

Lucky

11:13

Need a decent backup to Minkah at FS. Would the Steelers look at a veteran FA like a Tavon Wilson to bring in?

Gerry Dulac

11:14

I'm not saying it would be Wilson, but I could see that type of player -- 30 years old, a decent number of NFL starts -- as a possible backup to sign.

Scott Cook via KY

11:14

Could you ever see a day when the Rooney family sells out and the city buys the team. Ala Green Bay. As the generations go by, the tree of heirs grows, potentially making any one Rooney not being able to own a controlling share.

Gerry Dulac

11:14

I do not see that happening, based on their family history.

Scott Cook via KY

11:14

I’ve always thought the Dapp Dan dinner would be a cool way to meet Pittsburgh athletes from back in the day. I’m guessing you may have gone before. Is it worth the trip and cash. I’m from Pittsburgh but live in Ky.

Gerry Dulac

11:16

Hey, Scott, I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money or promise that you will meet some former athletes, but they do attend the dinner and I think there are some opportunities to meet them. I have not attended the dinner in years so it's difficult for me to tell you yes or no.

Reynolds

11:16

How would you grade the division on paper for Fun? I would go first so you see I am Fair: Ravens A+ Browns B+ Bengals B+ Steelers B ( Minkah Not Included)..

Gerry Dulac

11:18

I'm sure your criteria for your grades, but whatever it is it's suspect and totally baseless .... unless you're having fun. Ravens, yes, an A. But the Browns and Bengals deserve nothing above a D, based on their performance. Just for fun

TicketNICK

11:18

Do the Steelers plan on hosting sellout crowds for home games this year? Or, will there be some form of social distancing? If not, what are their intentions for season ticket holders? Have the Steelers discussed the availability for season ticket holders to defer their tickets?

Gerry Dulac

11:20

That will be up to the individual, not the team, if fans are allowed to attend the game. But, if fans are allowed, I'm sure the league will have guidelines for all teams to follow to ensure safe distancing. As to your latter point about deferring, I don't know that and, to be honest, is the first time I've heard about that.

Scott Cook via KY

11:20

In baseball, it’s common for all teams to use high level Math/Statistics to build and manage their teams. No way football teams aren’t doing this. At least I’d think they would. I’ve never read much about how they crunch the numbers to predict or develops a successful team. Is their a story there?

Gerry Dulac

11:24

Like a lot of teams, the Steelers use metrics to help test and monitor a player's health, speed, breathing, etc. But they do not use it to help build a team or an organization, if you are suggesting they adopt the Moneyball philosophy. Whatever it is they do, they should keep doing it. They are the league's most successful organization since the 1970s. It's like the line from "When Harry Met Sally" -- I'll have what she's having.

Barbie

11:24

Mr Gerry how do you see the division playing out if there is a season? I really think the Browns finally have a Team now and are going to give headaches to the Ravens and also to us, the Ravens look unstoppable and I think we have a great defense and a really championship offense with all the weapons we have and Big Ben back, it all depends on our OL in my view.. your Thoughts Please!

Gerry Dulac

11:27

Oh, the Browns will be a headache all right -- to their fans. Until they go out and prove it, history suggests they will not be a serious factor and to think otherwise is naive. The Ravens are good, they proved that, but the Steelers getting BR back with their defense changes the entire complexion of the division.

The Eman

11:27

No question - just wanted to tell you I loved the line from last week’s chat about Cain being more than able!

Gerry Dulac

11:27

Pay the man!!

Scott Cook via KY

11:27

Did you ever interview Don Shula? Any thoughts about the man? He seemed like the real deal!!

Gerry Dulac

11:27

Yes. Nice man.

Scott Cook via KY

11:27

What is Art Rooney II ‘s son doing in the organization now? I expect he will be the owner in 10 years or so.

Gerry Dulac

11:27

He is obtaining his masters.

CoalportKid

11:28

Will Pouncey and Ben both be gone after 2021? Dawson played until he was 35, Harting until he was 34. Pouncey will only be 32. Will he really leave that much money on the table to ride into the sunset with Ben?

Gerry Dulac

11:28

That's still to be determined because that's two more seasons from now.

Rory

11:28

Gerry...are there any Steelers who are on your level as a golfer?

Gerry Dulac

11:29

It depends what level you consider my game.

Connecting…

Scott Cook via KY

2:47

No question here, just thanks for the hard work. I enjoy your writing!

Scott Cook via KY

2:58

Do you ever work with schools, either as a guest speaker, or teaching college courses? I’m worried professionals like you are being replaced by unqualified folks with a good web traffic. We need your generation to pass the torch!!

Jake

3:15

Gerry, Who are the 3 QB's on opening day this year? Thanks.

Guest

3:30

Hi! Does the rationale of the Steelers do not looking for a veteran QB seems rational? After a elbow surgery a year of inactivity, at 38 years old. It’s more possible that Big Ben get injured again. On the other hand, both Rudolph and Devlin lack of experience and they show no progression as last season advanced.

Tomas

3:39

Hi! Do the rationale of steelers not going after a veteran QB seems rational. It’s more that possible that Big Ben get injured and both Rudolph and Devlin lack of experience and show no progress as last season advenced.

JerseySteel

3:45

Hi Gerry - any chance that the UDFA punter unseats Jordan Berry? Every year he has his ups and downs but always seems to somehow hold off the competitiion

Dennis

3:55

If there is no fans allowed in NFL stadiums is it illegal to pump louder than loud noises into the stadium when visiting team has the ball. Word on the street , N,E has installed over 100 new loudspeakers in Gillette stadium!

J Daven

3:56

To Steeler in VA, all the other 31 teams think the same at this time of year!

Zack

4:00

Tavon Wilson can play and fs. Couldn't you sign him and let Edmund's come down to play ILB in passing situations?

Bigedbarr71

4:06

I will double check on that quote from Ed later on Gerry.

Punxydave

4:07

So you like Cain because you think he’s able. Were you waiting for the right time to use that line or was it one of those flashes of inspiration?

This Guy

4:08

Any word on how Ryan Shazier is doing? Is he still talking about coming back or has he given up on that?

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