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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 08.17.23
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Gerry Dulac
10:18
You don't have to be uncomfortable asking that. It might be uncomfortable for some to answer. I don't view talking to Mike Tomlin as being tired of him. I might get tired at times of the whole process over the course of the season, but it doesn't matter if it's Mike Tomlin or any other NFL coach. All part of the job.
fredward
10:18
Hi Gerry, it seems like the Steelers have a much deeper room of DBs this year. Do any of the new guys like Robinson stand a chance of making the team, or is practice squad more likely?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
If you mean Kenny Robinson, yes, I think he has a good chance of making the final 53
Guest
10:19
Good morning.  Both Kenny and Mason looked good Friday.  Mitch was just ok.  Mason has been solid for years and is a very good #2.  Do you think Mason should be given the role of the backup and we could float Mitch out there to see if any other teams bite?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
No.
Guest
10:19
For years many players that don't deserve a roster spot and/or playing time have gotten both since they were drafted by the team (Burns, Jones, Bush, Harvin, K Green, etc.).  Is this because benching or cutting them is admitting a mistake?  Is this the year Tomlin goes against his massive ego, does what is best for the team and cuts the likes of Harvin and Green?
Gerry Dulac
10:21
I wouldn't hold your breath on that last part. But, I will say this -- coaches/GMs tend to protect their draft choices only because they spent more time evaluating them and are willing to give them a little extra time to show what it is they saw in them. They tend to get the benefit of the doubt more so than an undrafted player.
Carlo
10:21
Good morning, thank you for taking my question. What, if any impact will the absence of Brian Flores have on the Steelers defensive coaching staff this year  ?
Gerry Dulac
10:21
None
Paul CLT
10:21
Thanks for the chats!  Where are you optimistic and pessimistic about the season?  I am taking a cautiously optimistic approach.
Gerry Dulac
10:21
That's not a bad approach Paul
the real guest
10:21
steelers regular season doesn't it make more sense for the "dress rehearsal" to ge game 3 rather than game 2?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
Probably. Especially with 2 1/2 weeks until the start of the regular season
Bob in Canada
10:22
What role/impact will Anthony MacFarland truly have on this team?
Gerry Dulac
10:23
His role will be as the No. 3 RB. His impact could be minimal, though I will say what we have seen so far is the best we've seen of McFarland
Nick
10:23
Hi Gerry, I am excited about steelers season and Picket to Pickens combo. Can they win the division?
Gerry Dulac
10:23
No. Not unless Joe Burrow stays injured.
Tom
10:23
The Steelers knew Calvin Austin was fast and could go deep. Why did they put it on tape for other teams to see?
Gerry Dulac
10:24
Because they needed to see it too. I do believe you recall he never played a game last year???
Tom
10:24
I've always heard that continuity is paramount for peak offensive line performance. Why is there talk then that OT Jones may just be inserted sometime in the middle of the season like a random position player?
Gerry Dulac
10:26
Yes, which is what we saw last season when the same five started every game and four of them never missed a snap. It is hard to imagine that happening again in 2023. But, to your question, that's what's going to be tricky for the Steelers. They didn't move up two spots in the draft to have Broderick Jones lead the band at halftime. And it's not as though Dan Moore is a swinging gate at LT.
Bob in Canada
10:27
What is the buzz if any around Mark Robinson in camp?  What growth have you seen or know that's been discussed?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
Mark Robinson is an aggressive, see-the-ball, go-get-the-ball player. But he is still learning the defensive/coverage assignments. They signed Elandon Roberts for one year thinking Robinson might be the guy in 2024.
Tom
10:28
I'd be okay with not seeing the starters play another down in the preseason. Stay healthy. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
10:29
Well, you can't sit every starter because some guys need to reps/action. But, if you're talking about the stars, well, I'd understand that too.
Bob in Canada
10:29
KP looked very sharp in his only drive vs the Bucs.  The Bucs broadcast noted that several starters were missing. Despite some of those second stringers he was playing against, I found it really encouraging!
Gerry Dulac
10:29
Yes, they were, but he did what he had to do against the players on the field, which is the most important thing.
Jason
10:29
Morning Gerry! After reading about Hamlin this am I’m curious why the NFL and the Players Union haven’t done anything with the chest pad players wear. If the blow to his chest stopped his heart what hasn’t the chest plate been investigated and improved? What’s to stop this happening again? They talk player safety all the time but nothing about this. Why?
Gerry Dulac
10:30
I don't know that answer Jason, sorry
Jim in Az.
10:30
I loved the addition of Allan Robinson this year but is his presence going to interfere with Calvin Austin being on the field more?  After seeing the speed that Austin brings last week do they still plan to play Robinson as the #3 receiver or has that not been decided?
Gerry Dulac
10:32
There is no definitive plan right now to list Robinson as the third receiver. Nor Austin. They both will play a similar amount, depending on the package/scheme, unless one clearly outshines the other. But it is hard to ignore Austin's speed and play-making ability
Easley
10:32
Did I miss an official diagnosis on Corey Trice's injury? Did he have surgery?
Gerry Dulac
10:32
ACL. Yes
Bill
10:32
Why do you think Will Levis fell to the second round? He had so many teams interested and seemed like a sure top 5 pick!
Gerry Dulac
10:33
In my opinion, he never was a top 5. He's Taysom Hill, nothing more.
Tom
10:33
Are the Bengals really a lock to win the division? Their regular season record has barely been better than even the Steelers the past few years.
Gerry Dulac
10:33
Nothing is a lock, but they are a very very good bet
Bill
10:33
None of the 2023 quarterback draft choices looked very good this past weekend. Richardson was slinging the ball inaccurately from his sidearm angle and looked like a linebacker playing QB. Which quarterbacks among Young/Stroud/Richardson do you think will have a very successful year? And is Kenny Picket better than all of them?
Gerry Dulac
10:35
I think Bryce Young has all the necessary ingredients/intangibles to be the best. And I'll let all you guys decide how good Kenny Pickett is. I'm going to let him develop first.
Bill
10:35
Mason Rudolph once again showed off his arm and mobility in the Tampa Bay game with a long run. Trubisky rarely uses his mobility and doesn’t not have a better arm. Can you explain why the Steelers considered Trubisky to be a better quarterback than Rudolph and worth all the extra money?
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