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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 08.24.22
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Guest
11:24
Gerry- thanks for the chat. Do other teams go through prolonged periods with bad offensive line play?  I am starting to wonder if the issue is more head coach/ philosophy related than it is skill related.
Gerry Dulac
11:25
Absolutely. In fact, most teams struggle with finding backup offensive linemen, let alone starting offensive linemen. Part of the reason is because teams are having problems evaluating offensive linemen in the draft because of the style of play employed in college football.
SouthernYinzer
11:25
Gerry, thanks for taking the time for these chats. Do you think Kenny Pickett will be able to reproduce his play in the preseason against 3rd and 4th string defenses against an actual starting defense? I know he finished his college career lights out, but it took him 4 years to get there.
Gerry Dulac
11:26
That's what you, me and they are going to find out.
Guest
11:26
Will Kenny start?
Gerry Dulac
11:26
When?
Yinzer77
11:26
Hey Gerry, long time reader but first time sending in a message. Don’t you think it’s hypocritical of us steeler fans for commenting negatively about the Deshaun Watson news? I loved having Big Ben for all those years but it feels wrong for me to judge the NFL/browns after we cheered Big Ben and paid him over 200 million. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Gerry Dulac
11:28
I'm not going to sit here and ignore what happened early in his career, nor am I going to dismiss what was being accused, but I don't think you can compare the two after a judge described Watson as a serial predator and his behavior as "egregious."
BigErnHeartnerMIA
11:30
Something not discussed enough is the construction of the Steelers rosters. We have star power at skill positions, but the "glue" to the "bricks" is lacking. For every homerun draft pick of TJ Watt, there is a Kendrick Green or Artie Burns. Our offensive live is, indeed, SO bad because it a collection of failed mid-round picks. What happened to our drafting over the past six years that has led to so many misses? Is it Tomlin taking too much risk with picks and drafting for star power?
Gerry Dulac
11:32
The Steelers haven't used a draft choice higher than the third round on an offensive linemen since 2012 when they drafted Dave DeCastro No. 1 and Mike Adams No. 2. In 2011, they used a second-round choice on Marcus Gilbert. They drafted Pouncey No. 1 in 2010. Maybe they need to get back to that, eh?
RJT
11:32
I know given the struggles of the line in recent years there is reason to worry but are we maybe not giving enough credit to Jax?  Their front 7 looked pretty good against a good Cleveland offensive line as well in the first Quarter of that preseason game. They have some talent up front.
Gerry Dulac
11:34
I am certainly not going to tell you not to be concerned about the offensive line, but, like everything else, I will wait till the regular season to evaluate the unit. But there is no question it's not exactly exuding a ton of confidence right now.
Zippy
11:34
Amazingly enough, I am a fan of Rudolph. He's been team player ever since he got to the Steelers. Never gripes or complains. I hear he's been helpful to other players whenever they come to him for info. Plus he's been playing pretty well! Really too bad in a lot of ways.
Gerry Dulac
11:35
Agree 100 percent. He has handled this whole thing professionally and with class. Day in, day out, he's been their most consistent QB. And he will end up being demoted.
Bill
11:35
If Steven Sims is as good as, or better than, Olshevski, do the Steelers let Olszewski go to save money?
Gerry Dulac
11:35
Nope. They signed him for a reason.
Zippy
11:35
Any chance that Robinson is the eventual replacement for Bush?
Gerry Dulac
11:36
He should be, once he learns what he's supposed to do.
Steelmann58
11:36
Hi Mr Dulac Do you expect the Steelers to make any additions to the roster as final cuts come out or via FA or Trade
Gerry Dulac
11:37
They always seem to pick up a player after finals cut. I don't forsee a trade, at least for a player, unless something drastic such as a major injury occurs.
Bill
11:37
Why would the Steelers keep Connor Heyward over Kevin Radar as is being speculated at TE? Both can catch short passes but Connor can't block as well and is much smaller.
Gerry Dulac
11:37
Because he is a better route runner, ball-catcher and more athletic, that's why. And don't discount that he was a draft choice.
ev
11:37
Hi Gerry, Cowher cut a first round pick in Huey Richardson. Why keep Bush?
Gerry Dulac
11:38
I'm not saying it's not merited.
Sweaty Ken
11:38
Do you know the reasoning behind the Avery release? Thought he was going to be the #3 OLB. Do they have a plan to acquire someone cause Tuszka isn’t the answer. Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
11:38
I don't but I will find out
RJT
11:38
They can’t really go into the season with Bush/Spillane can they?  They’re going to make a move right?
Gerry Dulac
11:39
You'll find out by next week. I think it's more important they go find a backup OLB.
Ule
11:39
I think Mike Tomlin, being the consummate defensive mind, has routinely historically discounted the O line positions in the draft for whatever reasons, and it is finally catching up with him.  David DeCastro is the only exception I can think of, being a 1st round pick way back in 2012.   Bill Cowher better appreciated the O line positions in the draft, it seems.   Did MT have any other 1-2 round O-line picks that succeeded?
Gerry Dulac
11:39
Yeah, Maurkice Pouncey. He wasn't too bad.
574 Fan
11:40
Thanks for the chats and for the daily updates from camp, Gerry.   Not sure how close the qb comp is in the eyes of the coaches, but if Trubisky stays qb1 heading in to the season how much of that is due to the Oline performance thus far? KP, in a small sample, seems to have a little bit of that “it” factor intangible as evidenced by his success in the 2 minute offense. I was fine with redshirting him this year, but the more I see the more I want to see him on the field.
Gerry Dulac
11:40
I don't think the Steelers have any plans to "redshirt" him for a season. When he's ready, and they feel it's time, he will play.
Mark
11:41
Hi Gerry.  How do we as fans know what to take seriously and what not to take seriously out of these pre season games as far as what player or unit is playing poorly or playing great?
Gerry Dulac
11:41
Word of advice: Don't read too much into anything.
J-town Johnnie
11:41
Hi Gerry, Is the offensive lines woes due to talent, coaching or simply poor drafting & scouting?
Gerry Dulac
11:42
Maybe some of the former and lots of the latter.
John
11:42
if oline gets fixed.   Big if.    Offense will be light years better than last year.    Everyone knew Ben either couldn’t or wouldn’t throw/use middle of field.   Not hard for nfl coordinators to play D against that.   I know Ben was clutch but offense was painful to watch ? What do you think GM Gerry
Gerry Dulac
11:42
Agreed John
Outside the Box
11:42
Feels like an OLB move is coming, considering the depth chart at the position and following Avery's cutting...agree?
Anything to share?

The Steelers certainly haven't been shy about making trades and significant signings directly in advance of the season, not that they have all panned out. And OLB depth might be the most concerning shortcoming on the team, were it not for the...<gulp!>...OL!
Gerry Dulac
11:43
Couldn't agree more, but nothing to share right now.
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