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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.13.20
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Gerry Dulac
10:30
OK, kids, we will open our chat within the half hour, so get those questions ready. You don't need to wear a mask in this room.
10:58
Ok, here we go.....fire away!!
Mo Nongahela
10:58
What's your best guess on whether the season starts on schedule?  Any preseason games?
Gerry Dulac
11:01
I have not believed, and still don't, there will be any preseason games this year. For sure, they would be played without fans if there were. I think the NFL will be like college football -- give the teams 5-6 weeks to prepare for the regular season, let them play a scrimmage or two if they wanted, or give them one preseason game. But I don't think you will see preseason games any more than you will see them at Saint Vincent College.
Artie Bridge
11:01
Gerry, What's your prediction of opening day roster at rb?  How many and who?  And - sidebar - if Kerrith Whyte isn't on the roster, where does he wind up?
Gerry Dulac
11:02
I don't know where Kerrith White will wind up but my guess is he won't be on the roster.
Gene
11:02
Hi Gerry Do you know if Eric Ebrons ankle is fully healed ?
Gerry Dulac
11:03
He said it is 100 percent healed and there are no issues. Of course, he has been unable to see the Steelers' team doctors, even before he signed with them, so they don't really know first-hand either. But Ebron said he went to an independent doctor to have his ankle examined and everything is good.
Richard
11:03
I've asked this question of your colleagues and others and I'm confused by no one seemingly wanting to answer or try to get an answer. Scientists expect the virus will be here in the fall, possibly as strong as it was these past months. What will the NFL do when players test positive? The rules for the general public would dictate everyone who had had contact should be quarantined for two weeks. I understand everyone wants football to return and is enjoying speculating on who will play what position, etc., but haven't journalists pressed the commissioner for clarity on something as obvious as this? It's very hard for me to see how the NFL will get through a 2020 season.
Gerry Dulac
11:04
They're not answering for the same reason I'm not going to answer -- because nobody knows what's going to happen, not just with sports, but in society.
Bob Wallace
11:04
Will we get to see more of Ben In the preseason than we typically do ?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
Even if there is a preseason, and I doubt there will be, the answer is no. You might see him less. I don't think you will see Ben until the season opener, whenever that is.
Fineline
11:05
How did Cleveland get to host a draft before Pittsburgh?
Gerry Dulac
11:06
Maybe more available land on the lakefront?
John Strange
11:06
When the 2020 NFL season is cancelled will the 2021 draft order be frozen from last year ....  minus trades of course. For example the Bengals would pick first again but the Steelers would get their first round pick and so on.
Gerry Dulac
11:07
I don't think anybody has thought that far ahead. Certainly I haven't. I think, one way or another, though, the regular season will be played, even if it's without fans.
Buzzard Bill
11:08
Hi Gerry, with the limits of preparation time for NFL teams, do you think scheduling, i.e. the timing of easier vs tougher games, will have a more significant effect this year?  Will good teams with tough openers and early games (good TV match ups) be at a disadvantage, and will there likely be more upsets this year?
Gerry Dulac
11:08
Well, those "tough" games, as you call them, might not be so tough if all teams have had less time to prepare. Those tough games might just become a little easier.
Mo Nongahela
11:09
Favorite Steelers player nickname?  I always liked Big Snack.
Gerry Dulac
11:09
Me too.
Lambert’steeth
11:09
Gary, it’s obviously difficult to get good information these days. I’m curious what inside scoop you may have on TE Christian Scott Williamson? He seems to be on the fringe of breaking through. In your opinion does he have a chance to make the roster and if not, what’s his waiver exemption status? I thought it was only 2 years? He’s an interesting story.
Gerry Dulac
11:10
He has another year with the team and, I will tell you, if there was ever a fantastic looking tight end, it's this guy. And he is an interesting story. But I hate to ruin your story about him being on the verge of breaking through.
Buzz
11:11
What is your gut feeling on Ben's arm!
Gerry Dulac
11:12
I don't have gut feelings, only what I know and what I'm told about the people who monitor him. And all I've heard is that he's right on schedule and nobody is concerned about where he is at this stage of his progress.
Doyle37
11:12
With the addition of the second Watt, will the Steelers run less QB sneaks  ?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
Hmmm...let's see....zero minus zero is still.....ZERO
RVErie
11:13
"The Standard is the Standard" appears to be an old, worn-out bromide as unfortunately the new standard appears to be that the Steelers will no longer be the dominant team in their division.
Gerry Dulac
11:13
The Ravens were last season, that's for sure.
CoalportKid
11:13
How many hours of meetings a week are players having this time of year? Is it limited by the CBA?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
I don't know if it is or even has to be. Only so much can be accomplished with virtual meetings. You and I, conceivably, could learn the playbook during all these meetings. Doesn't mean we can execute it.
Picksixlisberger
11:14
Gerry,          Any noise about signing any of the free agent players whose contracts weren’t renewed?
Gerry Dulac
11:16
No. Their next move will be to offer new contracts to existing players, starting with Cam Heyward. He's next at the checkout counter.
Ryan
11:16
Gerry I saw a tweet the other day that made some good points Steelers WRs without Ben:

Antonio Brown (2011-2017):7 games, 32 catches, 433 yards, 61.8 YPG, 0 touchdowns.

Juju Smith-Schuster (2017-2019):11 games, 40 catches, 533 yards, 48.4 YPG and 4 touchdowns.

If you gave Antonio a pass for bad QB play, then Juju deserves the same, IMO.
Gerry Dulac
11:16
Bingo, hold your cards!
Rob
11:17
Hearing rumors Pat McAfee is thinking about a comeback. Any chance Steelers brass look into this opportunity? Pat admitted on his YouTube show that Pittsburgh needs a punter!
Gerry Dulac
11:17
You sure it's not that the punter needs Pittsburgh.
Jessica
11:17
Gerry, based in your trained eye and being close to the team, às we speak who is the 5th WR? Cain or Switzer (Friend of Ben + maybe no Training Camp, etc.. things that might affect Cain) I like Cain quite honestly and don't dislike Switzer, he played good when WR with Ben in 2018.. who you take? And thoughts please..
Gerry Dulac
11:19
I agree. I liked what I saw of Cain last season. But sometimes it's not about who is the best player, it's about who might be the best fit for what you need, i.e., a slot receiver, possession receiver, receiver who can lose 2 yards per catch.
Ralph
11:19
Will the Steelers have Ben in a complete throwing mode before the Giant game or wait until game day to decide if he is capable of doing  the job?
Gerry Dulac
11:19
They will know long beforehand.
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