JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 07.22.21

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 07.22.21

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Carl in Carrick

1:15

Hi Gerry. Did Vince Williams give a reason for his sudden retirement? If not, do you have an idea what it might be? Thanks.

Gerry Dulac

1:15

Asked and answered earlier

Donna

1:15

Hi Gerry, I heard yesterday that a national sports figure is predicting 4th round draft pick OL Dan Moore will not make the Steelers this year. I can’t someone would make that prediction so early. Your thoughts? Thanks Gerry!

Gerry Dulac

1:16

That's right -- anyone who would predict that has no clue and is just guessing

SpJack

1:16

With Vince retiring now a hole at inside linebacker. Just can’t get a break on the defense. So now a questionable Devin Bush, unproven Robert Spillane then who? Shaking my head Gerry.!

Gerry Dulac

1:17

I get why you call Bush "questionable," though I don't think that's the right adjective. And you can't call Spillane unproven after how much he played last season. The who is rookie Buddy Johnson, who now has a big chance to make a big jump.

Jesse G

1:17

Hello Gerry, greetings from EL Paso, Tx. What are the chances Steelers sign Malik Hooker or another free agent for some added depth?

Gerry Dulac

1:18

Always a possibility. It would help with the depth needs in the back end

Skinny Pete

1:19

If there is no such thing as systemic racism, why does the NFL need the Rooney Rule?

Gerry Dulac

1:19

Where did you base your premise?

Sunner in Orlando

1:19

How does the o line look so far? I would think they are younger and more athletic than last year but the experience factor will probably be the main reason they do not succeed. Hoping that Klemm will provide the needed motivational spark similar to what Munchak did a few years back.

Gerry Dulac

1:20

I will wait till they put the pads on and actually play a game before I decide (and they decide) what the line looks like. We know this much -- it will look different.

Scuba Steve

1:20

Is there more to the Vince Williams retirement story? It just seems a bit odd that he decides to hang up his career the day training camp begins. Why not just retire the day the Steelers let him go in March?

Gerry Dulac

1:20

Agreed Steve, and maybe there is more. But, right now, don't know what that is.

Bon Air Michael

1:20

Lots of people are betting against Ben. What do you think of him proving everyone wrong, playing 17 games, and winning the division again?

Gerry Dulac

1:21

Wouldn't shock me at all. People wondered the same thing last year coming off major elbow surgery.

Darnell

1:21

Hello Gerry. Thanks for the chats. Have you heard who is being considered to be in the Steelers’ broadcast booth with Bill Hillgrove?

Gerry Dulac

1:21

Yes, and I don't think it's going to change much

Justin in cbus

1:21

How long have steelers known about Vinces retirement plan?

Gerry Dulac

1:21

Not sure

Constantino

1:22

Rewatching games from last year, I was stuck at the massive impact Hilton and Vinny had in the running game. Who will the Steelers use to replace these premier run stoppers?

Gerry Dulac

1:22

That's a good question and something we are going to find out. Both those players were very good at the line of scrimmage, good tacklers

Freddie

1:22

Gerry…barring injury, do you think Snell is the odd man out of the Steelers backfield? Thank you.

Gerry Dulac

1:22

No, not at all. He will be the top backup

Jim

1:22

Anyone else think its weird VW retires right before camp? Is there a back story?

Gerry Dulac

1:23

Based on the number of questions I have received and answered, I would say a lot of people do

Avoid Lloyd

1:23

Hello Gerry, Do you see the Steelers bringing in a veteran ILB such as Avery Williamson now that Vince retired? or do you see them waiting to see how the current group looks in camp?

Gerry Dulac

1:24

I think they will wait and see how the preseason unfolds before they make that move.

Jim

1:24

I'm not so sure why the national media is so concerned with the OL, it's not they aren't familiar with everyone they have except Turner. If the Colbert and Tomlin were very concerned we would see more new signings, am I right? I trust those in charge of the Steelers more than the NM.

Gerry Dulac

1:24

Pay the man!

Tim

1:24

If they did Watt's big contract wouldn't there be a way to push a bunch of this year's money into bonuses or other magic like that so that it may leave us with more cap space, or is the contract going to be too big for even that?

Gerry Dulac

1:25

They do that all the time. Wait till next year when he counts even more against the cap

Jim

1:25

I am thinking Ben will be back next year, with the development of this years rookie class, plus a new class next year coupled with a large amount of cap space we could make a serious push at the SB. Am I dreaming?

Gerry Dulac

1:26

I think what happens with the 2021 season will confirm whether you're dreaming or not.

TexStill

1:26

Assuming Spillane is the Bush backup, who in camp besides rookie Johnson is suited for the now vacated Williams spot? Gilbert? Any UDFAs catch you eye? From a pretty solid spot to an open competition in the blink of an eye!

Gerry Dulac

1:26

He is not Bush's backup, he is now Bush's partner as a starter

Jim

1:27

Why are people so down on Bush, I remember when he went out last year people thought the sky was falling because he was playing so good. Now he is a bum all of the sudden because of social media?

Gerry Dulac

1:27

Those people don't know what they're talking about

TP Hunter

1:27

Blessing in disguise that the Steelers have an extra preseason game?

Gerry Dulac

1:28

Tomlin thinks so.

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