JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.06.20

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.06.20

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Scott Cook via KY

11:29

Gerry, ever remember a great Steeler who just had trouble learning the playbook? I ask because it seems like every year, we talk about how difficult it is for anyone coming in to the team and learning everything. I wonder if the playbook has ruined anybody’s career?

Gerry Dulac

11:31

I don't know if it ever ruined someone's career, but I think the playbook has definitely slowed or stalled someone's development. There are more of those than players who never had a problem learning the playbook.

jake

11:36

I know they have certain personal for the play they have in mind but for chat purposes, answer this for me. When we are in 2TE, ! RB, 2 WR sets, who are the WR's who will get the most playing time when we are in that personal ? And when we are in 3 WR sets, which 3 WR's will get the most playing time when we are in that personal?

Gerry Dulac

11:36

Jake...for chat purposes?? What do I look like, the offensive coordinator??? OK, here ya go....In "21," that two TEs and one RB, it will be McDonald, Ebron and Conner, and the WRs will be JuJu and Washington or Johnson. In 3 WRs (or Kings), it will be JuJu and some twosome of Johnson/Washington/Claypool. But they mix and match personnel so frequently that is never etched in stone. In some two TE, two wide sets, they might use a blocking WR if they want to run the ball.

Mary Lynn

11:36

Hey Gerry...with all the talk about finding a backup to Big Ben, I’m concerned about the third string quarterback. Does Duck have the job or will Barrett or others be given a chance to win it?

Gerry Dulac

11:37

Duck does not have the job. As of right now, I think Paxton Lynch will be the third guy. I don't think Barrett has a chance at all.

BPOS

11:37

Hi Gerry, was wondering what percentage of time you think we'll see Claypool on the field in the first part of the season. I suspect we'll see a lot of him in redzone opportunities.

Gerry Dulac

11:38

I agree, but you will see him. They don't draft guys with their top pick and have them sit around. They will work him in some specific packages.

JerseySteel

11:38

Hi Gerry - would you say now that WR is a team strength with JuJu, Diontae, Washington, and Claypool?

Gerry Dulac

11:38

I would say it's a position with a lot of good young talent.

Alan F

11:38

Read an article this week regarding Bill Cowher tried to court Dan Marino 20 years ago to come out of retirement to play for Pittsburgh. Was that true?

Gerry Dulac

11:38

Who wrote that?

fredward

11:38

Who is most likely to start and finish the year at left guard for the Steelers?

Gerry Dulac

11:39

Good question. It might not be the same player.

Ryan

11:39

Are we set with the starters for the upcoming season and just need some depth players or is there still a position of need in terms of a starter.

Gerry Dulac

11:44

Really, the only starting position in question is ILB -- who will play the majority of time next to Devin Bush? Right now, Vince Williams will be the starter. But you saw last year how little they used him (just 36.5 percent of the time) because of coverage concerns. So I don't think he will all of a sudden play 750 snaps such as Barron did last year. And I think it will be curious to see how and with whom they replace Hargrave. Not so much when they are in their base package -- Chris Wormley can rotate in as one of the two D-linemen -- but in the few times they play their base 3-4. Right now, the NT will be Tyson Alualu. Other than the two studs -- Heyward and Tuitt -- I would not consider the D-line to be a strength at all.

JerseySteel

11:45

Hi Gerry - I am assuming the picks in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round will make the team. What is the likelihood that Antoine Brooks or Carlos Davis makes the team?

Gerry Dulac

11:45

I'd say pretty good. Unless the guys are bust, they like to give their draft choices a chance. There is definitely a spot for Brooks. Davis might be a practice squad, unless they part ways with Dan McCullers.

Jacque Strap

11:46

If the Steelers were ever selected for Hard Knocks, even though he would never admit it, do you think Tomlin would secretly enjoy it? He's great in front of the camera, great with a quote. Side note -- would you embrace it, or would it make it harder to do your job?

Gerry Dulac

11:47

You're right, he would never admit it. And, you might be right, he might secretly enjoy it. Me? Hate to tell you, I've NEVER watched the show, so it holds no appeal for me.

Ralph LA

11:47

Have you ever interviewed an athlete (like Boswell) that’s overcome the yips? That could be inspirational or instructional to some of your weekend warrior readership.

Gerry Dulac

11:49

Boswell's turnaround is one of the best if not remarkable I've ever see. Went from missing more kicks than anyone in the league in 2018 to missing fewer kicks than anyone in the league in 2019. That was his track record before 2018. The 2018 season was an uncharacteristic anomaly.

ralph

11:49

Gerry, i am amazed at how quickly our fans give up on JuJu! They also dont think he is fast enough. He has undoubtedly 3 of the longest plays in Steeler history along with a 76 yarder last year. Let us give him some credit. I think he will be back in a big way. btw no one ever catches him from behind....that is fast.

Gerry Dulac

11:52

JuJu is competitive football fast. You're right, he has never been caught from behind. JuJu's detractors are those who are annoyed by his social-media antics, most of which are self-serving to appeal to his YouTube audience. I get that. There are those in the organziation who don't like it, either. But JuJu is a good player and they know it. The idea they will not re-sign him, unless he becomes a total washout in 2020, is unfounded.

dave

11:52

where is all the talk coming from about getting rid of juju

Gerry Dulac

11:52

See above answer

Ralph LA

11:52

What’s the plan for nose tackle?

Gerry Dulac

11:53

Good question. See earlier answer for clarity. But, remember, they use a NT in their 3-4 defense about 25 percent of the time.

Colby

11:53

JJ Watt becomes a FA after the 2021 season and will be 33 years old in 2022. Derek Watt will be entering the final season of his 3-year deal and assuming TJ Watt signs long-term next offseason, will also be under contract... the stars seem to be aligning.

Gerry Dulac

11:53

Yes....I see Derek Watt joining J.J. in Houston!! Is that what you meant...????

Steeler in Virginia

11:54

Is this crazy to say: Assuming everyone is healthy, the Steelers are one of the most complete teams in the NFL right now.

Gerry Dulac

11:57

Not crazy at all. They have eight studs on defense and at least five on offense, assuming all are healthy. The weakest area is the depth on the defensive line, but the two DEs are studs -- Heyward and Tuitt.

Jonah

11:57

Hello Gerry. If /when the NFL season starts without the players being vaccinated, what recourse if any does a player have if he does not want to play for fear of getting the virus? Thank you.

Gerry Dulac

11:59

I do not know what protection the players association has relative to the virus concerns, but I guess the player can always claim he has an injury and is unable to play.

J Daven

11:59

When does the NFL rearrange the divisions? Do you think it is time to do so again, and why?

Gerry Dulac

11:59

No. And why? Why should they? What don't you like??

11:59

Hi Gerry, hope you're staying safe. Who needs to have the bigger year 19, 30, 48 or 34?

Gerry Dulac

12:03

Based on your question, which is implying these players have to step up their game from last season -- what more do you want to expect from Dupree after the season he had last year? JuJu will be/should be improved just by having No. 7 back. Conner needs to have a 2018 year again to get an extension. But Edmunds needs to show why he was a No. 1 draft choice. He didn't make the big jump expected of him last season.

12:03

Gerry, Do the Steelers look at drafting a QB in next years draft? You like any of the QB's coming out next year?

Gerry Dulac

12:04

That makes more sense than taking one this year. Those people who thought they would draft one this year with the second pick had no clue what the Steelers were targeting. None. And if they thought they did, they were being duped and didn't know it.

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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