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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 06.16.21
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Gerry Dulac
11:16
OK kids, had to delay our start because of minicamp, but we'll begin our chat in about 5 min so get your questions ready.
11:20
Ok, let's get started...Go!!
Matty D
11:20
Do you think we will see a lot more two tight end sets this year? Or will it be more so Ebron in on pass plays and Pat in on run plays. But obviously without giving away what they are doing.
Gerry Dulac
11:21
There will be a lot of two tight end sets this year because that's the way the Steelers like to play...and will even with Matt Canada. They didn't draft Freiermuth on the second round to lead the band at halftime (sorry, a former Tom Donahoe expression).
Retire21
11:21
BC and MT have remarkably similar records with Coach T entering his 15th and Bill retiring at that number. BC-149-90-1 .623, MT-145-78-1 .650. BC has a 12-9 playoff record and 2-4 in AFC Championship games, MT is 8-8 and 2-1 in those games. Both have won and lost a SB. Would you rate one over the other?
Gerry Dulac
11:23
You forgot that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. Cowher had a couple. But Cowher came in and changed the success immediately after a bunch of sub-par reasons, so for that (and Tomlin's .500 playoff record) I put him a notch ahead right now.
Dave in Wexford
11:23
Gerry, most likely to happen: In 2022, T Edmunds re-signs with Steelers or JuJu does?
Gerry Dulac
11:23
It won't be JuJu
Kordell
11:23
Cam Sutton and Alex Highsmith will enter this season as starters. Which one will have a tougher time adjusting to their new expectations?
Gerry Dulac
11:25
Both will be scrutinized, but Highsmith is stepping in for Bud Dupree, who had a bigger impact on the defense than Mike Hilton. But I will tell you right now that Highsmith is ahead of where Dupree was heading into his second season. Also, Cam Sutton will be better in coverage than Hilton, though maybe not as good along the line of scrimmage.
Jason
11:26
Hi Gerry. If Canada is just going along with what Ben wants to do what was the point in even changing OC? The last OC would just implement more running plays with our new RB. Besides new terminology and move pre snap movement I just don’t see much difference. What am I missing?
Gerry Dulac
11:29
As a veteran QB who has had the success he's had, Ben always has the choice to do what he wants. The difference is he has a different offense from which to choose, one that should and will run the ball better than the past two seasons. Ben is no dummy. If the Steelers are running the ball successfully, he's not going to abandon the run. This isn't going to be a case where Ben routinely throws the ball 38-45 times a game like last year, which he did even when they're winning. He did that because he knew they couldn't run the ball.
Scott
11:29
Matt Canada essentially said they will do what Ben wants to do on offense. How is this different from Fichtner's approach? I get wanting to run the plays that your veteran QB is most comfortable with but does that mean things will look too similar to last year?
Gerry Dulac
11:32
Same question, same answer. Ben is going to call the plays he likes, but they will be Canada's plays, not Fichtner. Ben is no dummy. If they can have success running the ball, he will rely on the run a whole lot more. But there's a reason they've been to three Super Bowls with him and paid him all that money. He's their best player and they will rely on him and his choices, just as they always do.
kevin in Punxsy
11:32
Mornin' Gerry.  Why is everyone going nutz about the abilities, or lack thereof, of Alex Highsmith?  Bud Dupree stunk for his first 3 years!  Your thoughts on this, please.
Gerry Dulac
11:32
Stunk is a strong word. But that's why I said Highsmith is ahead of where Bud was after his rookie season. Bud really came on the past two seasons.
Steelersfanslc
11:33
Hi Gerry, I'm sure fans and even some media are gonna take Canadas "this is bens offense" quote to mean more of the same.  Personally I still believe we are going to see more running and different fromations and such. But Ben being the vet will have input and ability to audible if need be. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:33
Hey, who let this intelligent guy in the chat??
Flasteel
11:34
The national media and talking heads are burying the Steelers in the basement of the AFC North. In my opinion (and others) however, there are a lot of reasons for optimism. Has anything stood out in your observations of OTAs and minicamp that has left you feeling more optimistic?
Gerry Dulac
11:35
No, and I say that because there is no reason to be optimistic or pessimistic about anything that happens in OTAs and minicamp. It's minicamp. I'll at least wait until I see something in pads, preferably a game
Jacque Strap
11:36
Hi Gerry...we are all going to miss Tunch's analysis, especially on gamedays. Any news on what they are going to do -- bring Wolf upstairs, bring in someone new? Any logical candidates in your opinion? Would you want the job?
Gerry Dulac
11:38
Nothing new yet, but if I had to guess I would say they will use Wolf in the booth as Tunch's replacement. He will do a good job. The other logical candidate is Charlie Batch, who would also be an outstanding choice. But, to your last question, I believe that booth analyst job should be a former player, someone who knows what they looking at soon as it happens.
JesseG
11:38
Good morning , Will be visiting Pittsburgh for the first time to watch Steelers Vs Raiders . What’s something you recommend I do when in Pittsburgh?
Gerry Dulac
11:39
Go to a Steelers-Raiders game! Ride the incline. Have dinner on Mount Washington. And, if you want to be a real-live tourist, so to Primanti's for lunch or a late-night sandwich.
Ryan
11:39
Sounds like Ben is already turning into a big Najee Harris fan judging hy the way he talks about him. Safe to say their will be few if any miscommunications between them this season?
Gerry Dulac
11:39
You would be too if you saw this guy, even in shorts
Dobre Shunka
11:40
How do the rookies look so far...especially the linemen? Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
11:40
It's minicamp. But, I will say, it's tough for Najee Harris to look bad, even when he's just standing there.
LivinTheDream
11:40
Gerry, three cheers for the Steelers FO for holding off on making serious changes until they know what serious changes need to be made.
Gerry Dulac
11:41
That has always been their approach. It's why they're successful year in and year out for decades.
B Dudley
11:41
Do you think Kendrick Green be the week 1 starting center or is that assuming too much for a 3rd round pick with limited experience at the position?
Gerry Dulac
11:42
That is their intention, and I don't see much changing that.
Guest
11:42
will ben play for 4 more years to get use to canada's offense?
Gerry Dulac
11:42
Relax
Big Red
11:42
Was Decastro’s play affected by injuries last season? We need a bounce back year.
Gerry Dulac
11:42
I do think his knee injury affected him more than he will ever let on.
Jake
11:42
Hi Gary, with all the potential opportunities to add a veteran FA to fill some fairly obvious concerns, doesn't a OT seem like the most pressing of our needs? If the O Line can't produce running lanes or pass pro, we will really struggle to stay on the field. Jake
Gerry Dulac
11:44
Jack, no it's not. Barring injuries, the only area where I think they might need some veteran depth is in the secondary. You can't lose players such as Steve Nelson and Mike Hilton and not replace them with a capable body from the outside.
Mark
11:44
Do you have any feeling for what percentage of the new offensive playbook has been "installed" with the players?  Guess I'm asking if Camp will be heavy on new content for the players, or heavy on working on the details of what they've already been exposed to.  Thx.
Gerry Dulac
11:51
OTAs and minicamp are the time for classroom sessions and walk throughs so when they get to training camp they can execute the new stuff on the field
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