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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 08.06.20
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Gerry Dulac
10:22
OK, kids, we will start our chat in less than 30 minutes, so get your questions ready....
10:45
OK, let's get our chat started...
Scott
10:45
Why does the coaching staff all of a sudden have more confidence in VW than they have shown the past couple years? What has changed?
Gerry Dulac
10:48
Well, the pandemic has changed a lot of things, most especially the ability to evaluate younger players such as Ulysses Gilbert, Marcus Allen and even rookie Antoine Brooks in that role without OTAs, rookie minicamp and minicamp. Also, one of the bigger problems last year came when rookie Devin Bush was responsible for calling out the sets for the front seven and there were communication problems. Those problems were a result of Bush's inexperience. The Steelers think Vince Williams can solve a lot of that. We'll see.
Matt
10:48
Hi Gerry. Now that Chickillo is gone and the limitation of reps due to COVID impact, can Highsmith supplant Ola as 3rd OLB?
Gerry Dulac
10:49
Maybe not right away, but eventually perhaps. Highsmith has the look of a Steelers OLB. He is a guy who could eventually replace Bud Dupree when he is done getting the franchise tag, if not after this year, then after 2021.
greg in lewisville, texas
10:50
Gerry,   A shortened college football season, maybe a shortened NFL season, if any at all?  Do you have any idea at all how the 2020 NFL draft will work out?
Gerry Dulac
10:52
I have none. We are going to have to wait and see what happens. But, if there are no college or NFL seasons, there might not be a need for a draft. Then again, maybe a number of college players would opt for a draft rather than return for another college season, if they are granted to do so. That's why we have to wait.
Guest
10:52
If Ben goes down and Rudolph has to step in, does Rudolph perform better, worse, or the same as he did last season?
Gerry Dulac
10:54
There is no reason to believe he will be worse, or even the same. I'm sure he will be better. Hey, he had never appeared in an NFL game before last season and I thought he performed well, give or take a quarter or two here and there. I have no issues with Mason Rudolph as a backup. As I've said many times, he reminds me a lot of Neil O'Donnell -- not willing to force the ball but still capable of making plays
DormontyDawson
10:54
I would prefer Matt Canada as OC and Randy Fichtner as QB coach.  Am I wrong?
Gerry Dulac
10:55
There is no evidence to suggest Matt Canada can be an NFL offensive coordinator. He has never coached in the league.
Retire21
10:55
2020 PGA champ is....................?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
Here are my picks: Koepka, Rory, JT and Schauffele
Ryan
10:56
With Ben saying he has some years left in the tank do you think another contract extension is coming that would help with the salary cap?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
No, at least not immediately. Let's see how the next year or two goes.
Jeff
10:56
Thanks for the chats.  What are the disadvantages to play action?  Read somewhere that we were one of the lowest in the league with play action.  Is one disadvantage is the QB takes his eyes off the defense?  just trying to understand why we don't do it more
Gerry Dulac
10:58
I personally see no disadvantage whatsoever to play action. In fact, I think it's very effective, but only if the running game is effective. Otherwise, it's a waste of time. If you're looking for a disadvantage, I would guess that's it -- the QB has to sell the fake and, in the process, take his eyes off the defense.
Georgia Steeler
10:58
Hi Jerry, thanks for your insight. I am curious how some pundits consider the Steelers a contender for the Lombardy this season, if there is one. What is your forecast for the season. Was done in HHI last week of July and the courses were lush. Go Steelers !
Gerry Dulac
11:00
There is no reason to think the Steelers couldn't be a contender for the Lombardi. They return every starter but one on defense and all but one on offense. Their defense is one of the best in the league and Ben is back. On paper, they are a legitimate contender. But they have to go out and prove it.
Fuzzy
11:00
I walked the Olympic before the US Open in 1986 in San Francisco, and Lordy what a course! Do you have any idea how the one for this years PGA compares?
Gerry Dulac
11:00
Olympic is Olympic, one of the iconic courses. Harding Park very good, major quality, but not Olympic.
Georgia Steeler
11:00
Did I spell it Jerry if so sorry.
Gerry Dulac
11:01
No worries Jeorgia
DormontyDawson
11:07
The Steelers had an adage that coaches should avoid disrupting two positions in order to fill a void at one. Doesn't the plan to move Feiler from RT to LG violate that rule?  Is Weisnewski that bad, or is Okafor that good?
Gerry Dulac
11:11
First off, I'm glad to see you used the word "adage" properly and didn't say "old adage."  I think the move of Feiler to left guard is temporary and he will eventually be back at right tackle. But that has to do with being able to see Wisniewski in practice and how he adapts at left guard. It will come down to deciding which are the best 5 offensive linemen and I think it will be Pouncey, DeCastro, Wisniewski, Villanueva and Feiler.
11:16
Questions are slowing down kids.....
RjT
11:20
After drafting McFarland and signing Smallwood the Steelers have a crowded backfield. Who makes the team in your opinion?
Gerry Dulac
11:24
I think Smallwood is a player they are curious to evaluate, McFarland was a draft choice, and a relatively high one, so they are not cutting him. That leaves Conner, Snell, Samuels, McFarland and Derek Watt as the backfield. Smallwood and Kerrith Whyte, possibly even Trey Edmunds, would be fighting for a spot if the Steelers decided to release Samuels. That's the only possibility.
DormontyDawson
11:24
Is 58 too old to start golfing again?  I golfed a lot in my 20s and 30s, but it's been 10 years since I've been on a course.
Gerry Dulac
11:24
Never too old
RjT
11:27
We talk a lot about the Steelers making a commitment to the run game this year. I think that would be essential to win. Have the Steelers talked about this however?
Gerry Dulac
11:29
Of course they have. They talk about it every year -- not just a commitment, a commitment to do it better. Look, they are not going to be a run-first team, not with Ben R. That doesn't mean they can't have a good running game, or one they can rely on.
RjT
11:29
Will the Steelers be under center more this year?  It’s really hard to run out of the shotgun with lineman standing upwards.
Gerry Dulac
11:30
This is true. A lot of their success will depend on changing the technique of the linemen and mindset they employ.
I dont care about Your politics
11:30
Gerry, Good morning. is the media still working under curtailed reporting with regards to what you see at practices?
Gerry Dulac
11:31
We're not at practice. We're not there until Aug. 17 when they put the pads on. Are only access to the coaches and players is through zoom calls.
BigEdBarr
11:31
Hey Gerry, personally, how do you think Big Ben will perform this season if he is healthy?
Gerry Dulac
11:32
Knowing Ben, I think he will perform very well. There might be some trepidation at the start, but once he sees how his arm/elbow feels after a game he will get even more confidence.
RjT
11:32
will the Steelers implement claypool into the offense slowly as they routinely do win rookie receivers or do they think he can make an immediate impact?
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