JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 06.15.23

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 06.15.23

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Sausage King of Latribe

10:06

I realize all these types of questions will play out in Latrobe, but if you had to guess sitting here today, does Hakeem Butler make this team?

Gerry Dulac

10:06

Maybe, probably as practice squad.

Stlrdave1

10:08

Good morning Gerry. From what i can determine if KP can improve on his red zone td output, that would be a huge step. But isn't that based on a constant threat of running the ball when you want to. Thank you for taking my comment

Gerry Dulac

10:10

Of course it is. But they had a pretty good threat of running the ball the last 9 games last year and it still didn't make a big difference. All that red-zone talk is fine, but their biggest issue is lack of explosive plays. Longest TD was 31 yards?? 21 of their 29 touchdowns were 8 yards or less?? Really

John in SC

10:10

I continue to enjoy your chats, Gerry. I’m also an old school football fan and believe that the best defense is a good offense. Keeping the opponents O off the field is likely the best way to secure a win. Of course, our O has to put points on the board. Is Canada capable of creating an offense that can do that? Guess we’ll see.

Gerry Dulac

10:13

I hate to point this up, but the Steelers led the league in average number of plays per offensive drive, which means they are possessing the ball. And they ranked high in the league in number of 10-play drives. But coaches believe the longer a drive goes, the greater the chance for a turnover. There needs to be a nice balance, which is a way of saying -- where have we heard this before? -- they need to be able to score quickly sometimes with more explosive plays.

redsteeler69

10:13

Hi Gerry. Why can't fans relax and give the players and coaches a chance at training camp and preseason. Maybe the coaches know a little bit more than we do. They will keep the best players they feel will win games.

Gerry Dulac

10:13

Wait a minute...fans relax?? C'mon

talldrinkofwater

10:14

The Steelers are one of the most stable, successful organizations in the history of sports with a worldwide following. They have entertained and brought people together for generations. While it's fun to analyze the off-season, don't fans need to give them the benefit of the doubt and wait until seeing the on-field product to voice their harsh criticisms?

Gerry Dulac

10:14

Now these questions are making way too much sense.

fredward

10:14

Hi Gerry, do you anticipate the Steelers trying to run the ball more this year with jumbo-style packages, or do believe they'll be spreading things out with four- or five-wide receiver looks?

Gerry Dulac

10:15

Their plan is to run the ball more. All you have to do is look at the players they brought in via free agency and the draft and you should have your answer.

RAM

10:15

Still shocked by the PGA selling out to LIV, I have to wonder how far behind the NFL is from doing the same? I mean everybody (institutions) has a price, right?

Gerry Dulac

10:16

Despite what Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man, always said, the NFL won't have a price in this instance.

Fish

10:16

I know the offensive coordinator is an easy punching bag. However, in the second half of the season, the Steelers were very successful. (As Bill Parcell's said you are what you record says you are ).What did you see that was different in the second half of the season, besides the obvious fact that there was a different quarterback? Personally, I thought I saw a different style of running from Harris

Gerry Dulac

10:18

Yes, OC's are human punching bags, mainly because all the fantasy football players out there think they know more. But what you saw different was their ability to run the ball the last 9 games (averaged 146 yards rushing in those games). And that's what they want to do this year and build their offense around that. But, it's the NFL, and you still better be able to throw the ball or you're toast.

The Eman

10:18

Gerry, how you gonna play that 80 yard hole this week if the pin placement is in the front - lay up or attack the hole (on the philosophy I didn’t come all this way to lay up)?

Gerry Dulac

10:18

Haha...some might

Ralph

10:18

Anticipation is a killer. I remember the db Golson Was the answer to our problems at db . For three years this second round pick injured and didn’t play. I this regard what is the physical status of our speedster young wr.

Gerry Dulac

10:19

So far, so good. Let's hope he's not Senquez Golson

Guest

10:19

Hi Gerry, My habit is too ignore all offseason hype from "Who won Free Agency/Draft to "Who looks good in football in shorts. I also tend to ignore the early "Camp Phenom" hype.

Gerry Dulac

10:19

Good habit

Steelbeav

10:20

Hi Gerry, Dan Rooney once said that the organization regretted not extending Rod Woodson contract, thinking he was nearing the end of his elite career. Can you think of other Steelers released or not resigned that steeler ownership/ management have regrets not resigning, when taking salary cap into account

Gerry Dulac

10:20

Yeah, Franco Harris. Dan Rooney once told me it was his greatest regret not re-signing him and letting him go to Seattle.

Tin Cup

10:21

Gerry, Over the past couple years many have complained about the abundance of sideways passing, avoiding the middle of the field, and throwing short of the sticks on 3rd down. Didn't that really start under Fichtner? Is it more of a Tomlin directive than a Canada strategy? The Canada passing game does not look much different than the final season or two of Fichtner.

Gerry Dulac

10:22

Hate to tell you, it started all around the NFL. That's the way most teams try to attack. Stay away from the deep middle of the field where turnovers are more likely to occur.

10:22

Do you think fans’ expectations for Austin are way too high?

Gerry Dulac

10:22

Well, I think their only expectations should be to hope he stays healthy so he gets a chance

Bill Carson

10:22

Gerry, do you think Mason Rudolph will see the field at all this season? He should have taken his talents elsewhere. Cmon man.

Gerry Dulac

10:23

Nope. Not unless there is an injury. Trust me, he wanted to go elsewhere. It just didn't work out. So here he is.

Ed in Carrick

10:23

How does a kicker competition (or even practice during the season) work? I mean they obviously cannot kick 100 times a day so do they just kick 10- 20 times then stand around until the team works on special teams play?

Gerry Dulac

10:23

Well, pretty much. The competition basically occurs during games, not practices

10:24

I know people want to see the Steelers trade for or sign another ILB, but that’s easier said than done. Since good off ball LBs are so rare, is it likely that the Steelers roll with the players they have?

Gerry Dulac

10:24

It is more than just likely, it is very likely.

Rahn

10:24

You're at the turn for 18 holes. What's your snack/bite/drink of choice?

Gerry Dulac

10:24

Gatorade

Rahn

10:24

Matt Canada's bravado (false?) in the face of the widely-held wisdom and concern for his capabilities only plays into fans' distaste for him and could explain why he's bounced around so much before getting to the Steelers and mixed reviews from the players who have played for him. Valid?

Gerry Dulac

10:24

Can't say it's valid. But can say it's understandable.

Mike in B-lo

10:25

So Canada says he "doesn't feel any pressure" and "has a great job?" How concerning is his apparent lack of concern??

Gerry Dulac

10:25

Don't take his comments as a lack of concern. He may have a lot of deficiencies in everyone's eyes, but lack of concern is not one of them.

Connecting…