You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.20.20
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Gerry Dulac
10:42
Ok, kids, we will start our chat in about 10 minutes so get those questions ready...
10:53
Ok, here we go....
Jacque Strap
10:54
Hi Gerry. If the media covering a game are theoretically going to be spread out around the stadium, where would your preferred spot be? Higher up/better angle, or closer to the field/chance of hearing what is being said on the sidelines?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
First off, nobody has said how the media will be assembled. But they will have to be spread out, but not around the stadium like spectators in different sections. I'm perfectly fine where I watch the game. The last thing I would want is to be close to the field.
Mo Nongahela
10:56
Hello Gerry, Do you think teams with a lot of veterans vs young players will have an advantage if the league holds games with no fans?  Or do you think it won't make any difference to the players?
Gerry Dulac
10:57
I'm not sure anyone will have an advantage and I'm not sure who will be affected less -- the younger guys or older guys. But there's no question it will have an effect, especially on the guys who like to play to the crowd.
The Eman
10:57
how much does coaching really matter in the NFL? Assume all 32 teams had the same personnel, same injuries, same game weather conditions, etc. The average coach will finish 8 and 8. How many games will a really good coach - Belichek, Tomlin, Reid - win? How many does a bad coach - Lewis - lose?
Gerry Dulac
10:59
More than any other league, the NFL is a coach's league. Every team has players who are big, strong, fast, can run, can jump. The draft and free agency see to that. It's a matter of which coach uses his players best and puts them in the best position to win.
Mo Nongahela
10:59
I really thought Marcus Allen had potential coming out of PSU; big hitter.  Why do you think he has not panned out yet?
Gerry Dulac
11:01
When he entered his final season at PSU, Marcus Allen was considered one of the top defensive backs in the country. But his stock went down that final season, maybe because of a lack of interceptions. He has a lot of ability but I think the Steelers want to see him take his job a little more seriously. He has a chance this season to play a little more, possibly as a dime linebacker because, yes, he's a big hitter.
greg in lewisville, texas
11:01
IF...............the 2020 NFL season does start in September, with all the restrictions and stadium capacity rules, the owners with the loss of tickets sold revenue [which also means concessions and parking] they will be taking a huge hit per game with revenue income.  Will the players be asked to be paid a pro-rated amount of money per game during this time period?   It seems only fair that if the owners are not getting their money, the players should not be getting full game check money even though the players contract states a certain amount that was previously negotiated..
Gerry Dulac
11:04
Well, I don't think you can say it's only fair that the players should not get their money just because the owners aren't getting all of theirs. They are paid to perform in 16 games, plus preseason and possibly postseason, and if they do they will get their money. Where you will see an effect is next year, possibly in the salary cap, because overall revenue this season will be down.
Gene
11:04
With Ben back do you see Diontae Johnson having a huge year ?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
He had a big year last year for a rookie -- led all rookie receivers in the league in receptions. So it only stands to reason he can be and should be even more productive with BR back.
DavieJ
11:05
Hi Gerry......Big Ben 1st ballot HOF. Yay or Nay?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
Yes. Unless knuckleheads such as Deion Sanders and Sterling Sharpe are voting, which they are not.
DavieJ
11:05
We’re bored! FULL NFL playoff prediction now! Thx Gerry!!
Gerry Dulac
11:06
I'm not that bored
MikeMc
11:06
When you look at the numbers and physical tools Claypool has, it is kind of surprising he was a 2nd rounder right?  Are there some big concerns I am not seeing in his game or is it more chalked up to the great depth of the whole WR class?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
I'm with you Mike. His measurables and speed are through the roof and he had big-time production at Notre Dame. I can tell you this -- Kevin Colbert didn't think he was a second-round talent. He was going to take Claypool over a number of receivers who were drafted ahead of him.
Dennis
11:07
If there is no NFL season, will any player become a free agent in 2021
Gerry Dulac
11:08
I don't think you will have to worry about that scenario.
Utah Jim
11:08
The Steelers have historically paid big money to only one WR at a time.  Of the current players, who do you see getting a big second contract?
Gerry Dulac
11:09
JuJu.
Where’s My Clark Bar
11:09
Hi Gerry, should we consider firing Tomlin and then rehire him Under the Rooney Rule to gain a few draft picks. Seems a win-win for Steelers And Tomlin if this proposal passes.
Gerry Dulac
11:09
So go flout and undermine the very same rule you helped create???
Guest
11:10
Gerry, do you think there will be players who do not want to participate without a vaccine?  If so, how  does the team and league deal with this?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
I definitely think there will be some players who are hesitant to play, though I don't think there will be any vaccine by the time the season is played. Under the circumstances, I think the players union and owners will have to come to some agreement where a player, who fears for his health, can elect not to play. Then they would have to decide if that affects his salary. Failing that, I guess players could always feign an injury, claiming their knee hurts or their hamstring is tight.
FrankJ
11:13
I miss Aaron Smith and Heath Miller. Stood out for being under appreciated, super dependable, rocks, humble, etc. What are your overall memories of those two? Where do we find more players like them?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
They are two of my all-time favorites -- great players, great teammates, great people. They should all be like those two.
Tom
11:14
Gerry, I enjoy and appreciate all your Steelers coverage. I know this is a frequent question among fans but why doesn’t Tomlin understand the impact an above average punter would have on any team?  Field position means so much. He talks a good game about special teams yet has consistently kept a barely average punter. Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
11:21
I can promise you Tomlin doesn't underestimate the impact a punter can have on the game. He's not naive. But finding them isn't that easy. The Steelers always bring at least one punter to camp to challenge Berry, who I would classify as inconsistent not barely average. I will also remind you that the Steelers won a Super Bowl in 2008 when Mitch Berger averaged 41.3 yards per punt. Berry averaged 45.5 yards last season.
FrankJ
11:21
What have you heard about how the league will deal with if a player becomes covid positive in season?
Gerry Dulac
11:23
The league has not said but I'm sure players will be tested every morning when they arrive at a facility to hopefully help prevent that scenario from occurring. Doesn't mean it will but at least they will try to stay ahead of the problem before it might get worse.
LBGone
11:23
In his second season with the team, what new things do you think we’ll see from Minkah?
Gerry Dulac
11:25
I don't think you want to see anything new; you want to see the same old thing he did last season when he was an All-Pro. I'm guessing what you mean is how might the Steelers use him in different roles? Will they give him freedom like Troy Polamalu? They are always trying to find ways to be less predictable and more innovative, so there might be a new wrinkle or two. But, you know what they saw if the wheel ain't broke.....
ZO
11:25
Gerry, Thanks for the great work you do here with the "chats."  Being a big PSU Fan, I found the info shared about Marcus Allen interesting.  With that in mind, do you thing the defense's starting 11 are currently  on the team, and if so, who fills the "Mark Barron Role" for the season? What are the odds that this could be a great fit for Marcus?
Gerry Dulac
11:29
I do think their starting 11 are on the team, but it's that 11th one at ILB that will be interesting to see. Vince Williams will be the starter opposite Devin Bush, but that doesn't mean he will play all the snaps. I think you will see Ulysees Gilbert, rookie Antoine Brooks and, yes, Marcus Allen be tried there in their sub-package defenses. At this point, I don't see them signing a veteran in free agency to fill that role, especially after their lack of success the past couple years with players such as Jon Bostic, Morgan Burnett and even Mark Barron, none of whom lasted more than one season.
Theon
11:29
Hi Gerry, I think Tomlin's a great coach, but with 14 years of tenure he has no coaching tree. Most coaches with his tenure have at least a couple of assistants that have gone on to success, what do you make of that?
Gerry Dulac
11:34
You bring up an interesting point. In 15 years, Bill Cowher assembled an impressive coaching tree, hiring eight guys who would go on to become head coaches in the league -- Dom Capers, Marvin Lewis and Dick LeBeau from his original staff; Jim Haslett, Chan Gailey, Mike Mularkey, Ken Whisenhunt and Bruce Arians after that. Tomlin did hire two former head coaches -- Todd Haley and Mike Munchak. Again, good point.
Connecting…