Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.06.26
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Fats Holmes
10:19
Thanks for the chats Gerry.  It seems to me that there is a lot of wood to chop with the offensive line - who is hurt? who is capable? which position(s) do they assign to the players? are the rookies ready? how does everyone gel together?  What do you know of the new O Line Coach, James Campen and how he may want to manage this very complicated process?
Gerry Dulac
10:20
I disagree. With all the young talent they have on the line, and adding in Iheanachor and Dunker, I think they are positioned very nicely. And I think James Campen would agree.
SMP
10:21
Do think there is chance the Steelers go into the season with AR and two young QB’s, no MR.
Gerry Dulac
10:21
There is always that chance. I don't see that happening, but you never know. It will depends what they see from one of their two young QBs in the preseason
BUCS21
10:21
Gerry, was Mason ever given a fair shot to be the starter? When drafted, did the team even have a QB coach on the staff? When readings comments about the position and options for the Steelers, it's like he doesn't even exist. Yes it seems he is a good teammate.
Gerry Dulac
10:24
He is a great teammate, a very good quarterback and a great person. A pro's pro. Was he ever given a fair shot? No, especially after the way they would talk him up in the offseason, profess to be comfortable and have confidence in him, then make moves that would suggest otherwise.
Josh
10:24
Do you think the Steelers truly have interest in moving Fautanu to left guard? He’s played so well at right tackle. And he has the ability to play left tackle since that was his natural position in college. I hate to see him kick inside. Seems more plausible to move Troy to LT and let big Max (when he’s ready) take over the right side and have Dunker, Anderson, and Hoffman fight it out for the left guard position. How do you think the offensive line will shape out?
Gerry Dulac
10:25
I think the latter of your suggestion is more plausible. I don't think they are dead-set on moving Fautanu to guard, but it is something they know they can do if necessary
BUCS21
10:25
Gerry, if the Steelers have continue their winning seasons, will they say that was MT's team, but if they finally have a losing season, it's because MT left as the HC?
Gerry Dulac
10:25
That will be up to the national media, who like to make those assumptions and create those narratives
Bill In LA
10:26
What do you sense the sentiment is among Steelers fans regarding Aaron Rogers returning this year? I say its about 90% don't want him back. To me he fits the old "let's just try to win a playoff game" philosophy.
Gerry Dulac
10:27
Bill, I don't know if it's 90 percent, but I would say the majority share that sentiment. And the reason is because of the way Rodgers has handled the situation. He brings it upon himself and is why people tend to have a bad opinion of him, even if it might be unfounded.
Colonel
10:27
My understanding is that the right of first refusal tag placed on Aaron Rodgers insures the Steelers will receive a compensatory pick if he were to sign with another team. Would they still receive compensation even if Rodgers were to sign a one day contract with Green Bay just to retire as a Packer?
Gerry Dulac
10:29
There is no right of first refusal. Another team can sign him at any time and the Steelers can do nothing to prevent it. If another team would sign him before July 22, then the Steelers would be eligible for a comp pick. After July 22, they get nothing.
BeaverFalls Kid
10:29
Hi Gerry. What is all the Steelers anxt about? Their roster is improved over last year and HCMM will bring more offensive creativity and more individual and collective discipline to practice and play. They have a bunch of character guys and fewer divas.
Gerry Dulac
10:29
I agree
BPOS
10:30
Can you speculate what Rogers is waiting for to announce he's returning?  I can't imagine he doesn't know by now and all we here is "he's not ready yet". Well what has to happen for him to be ready?
Gerry Dulac
10:30
I cannot. I wish I knew.
Bill In LA
10:30
Any idea yet when new PG decisions will be made affecting Steelers reporters - employee layoffs, format, and coverage etc?
Gerry Dulac
10:34
They are made my friend. Sadly, a number of employees from the "old" PG were not retained in the new PG. And while it is not my place to disclose who is sticking around and how they will be utilized, I will say the new ownership group has done journalism in general and the city in particular a tremendous favor. Also, know that your favorite chat person is still here.
itsallmoot
10:34
I know the philosophy is to build from the trenches but spending six picks in the first four rounds, including three #1's, in the last four years for O-line vs two picks (a #1 & a 2) for the D-Line feels like it is going to bite them big time soon.  I think Max I will be a good player but really they needed more help elsewhere.  Forget not getting Lemon for a second, how much do you think this years pick was they were taking the best available player on their board vs they really felt they needed O-Line help.  I get it wasn't a good draft for D-Line but an athlete like Thieneman might have looked good in our secondary.
Gerry Dulac
10:37
I'm not going to disagree. But let me say this, when they lost Lemon -- the player they were willing to trade up to get and didn't -- they went for the next player with the highest first-round grade on their board. And that was Iheanachor. But they also made that move because they saw that big run on OTs in the first round -- five in the 11 picks right before them. And they thought they better take one now.
FC
10:37
Hi Gerry, and thanks for the chats. Looking further into this draft, I think they did quite well.  If you can get 2 to possibly three starters out of the draft, you're doing well.  I think Max, Germie, and Gennigs all have the opportunity to start day one. Since the dust has settled, what are your thoughts on how they did?
Gerry Dulac
10:39
I don't know that any will be Day 1 starters, though Germie should be the No. 3 receiver behind Metcalf and Pittman. But I believe Max will be very shortly and Dunker has a good opportunity to move in there eventually. Of course, if Allar somehow becomes their starter, then all of a sudden looks really good
SP
10:39
Under the new coaching staff what do you think will be the most noticeable difference on offense and defense?
Gerry Dulac
10:40
I don't know that yet because we haven't been able to see them on the field so far.  Off hand, I might say the use of a FB will be noticeable.
Dave Moody
10:40
Glad to see you guys are still here after the May 3rd deadline, and I'm happy to pay for the content. I'm indifferent as to weather I care if AR comes back. Yes, he's the better option for winning, and I truly enjoyed having him last season, but part of me just wants to move on, take our lumps, see what we have, and then adjust accordingly. I'm truly comfortable with either decision, but I'm starting to lean more towards letting the rookies(WH for all intents and purposes is stiill a rookie,) battle it out for the starting job. What's your thoughts on it?
Gerry Dulac
10:41
Thanx Dave, and you are not alone with your sentiment. I get it. At some point, the Steelers have to move on. They can't -- and they know they can't -- continue this revolving-door cycle of  QBs
Jim Bow Dean
10:41
They draft was heavy on Offense, but didn’t the Defense need an infusion of youth more? Maybe, it was a nod to MM.
Gerry Dulac
10:42
No, they need more help on offense. They needed more playmakers. And, yes, in part, it was because of MM
FC
10:42
Hey Gerry, also forgot to mention I liked the Allar pick.  take a shot, why not? He's big and has a cannon. Maybe McCarthy can make him into a starting QB? Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:43
That's right. What's the harm. There are those who believe a QB should be drafted every year until you find the right one. After all, it is the most important position on the team
Rich, Berwick, PA
10:43
Gerry, Can't wait to see forward passing, vertical routes, & Pat F being used like he should be. Sideways, crowded offense was hard to watch for the last 4+ years...MM will bring an offensive joy to everyone. I think the players on offense are going to be ecstatic. We may even see more well-executed screen passes! The new o-line coaches are a big, underrated part of this change, too. Agree?
Gerry Dulac
10:43
Rich, I can't agree until I see it.
TVC15
10:43
Hi Gerry, Is Bernard immediately slotted ahead of Wilson on the depth chart?
Gerry Dulac
10:44
Maybe not officially, but I'm sure unofficially
Andrew in ATL
10:44
Hi Gerry, what will coaches try to fix with Drew Allar to overcome his issue of being at his worst in the biggest games?
Gerry Dulac
10:44
I'm not sure that's something that can be taught.
Andrew in ATL
10:45
Any hints on where the Steelers next international game will be?
Gerry Dulac
10:45
I was hoping London. Hint: Check the PG website a little later today
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