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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.02.20
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Gerry Dulac
9:42
OK kids, we're going to start our chat in about 5-10 minutes, so get those questions ready.
9:57
OK, let's get our chat started. Go....
Matt
9:57
What do you think the odds are we sign Leonard Fournette? I think he would it in well with our offense and thrive behind our O line.
Gerry Dulac
9:57
About as good as them signing you as a backup ILB. Ain't happening.
Linebacker Lounge
9:57
Is Ola on the outside looking in, or does his ST play put him on the final 53? Thanks
Gerry Dulac
9:58
No, but his time will likely be cut because the team will want to see what rookie Alex Highsmith can do in a game. Ola will still get some backup snaps, but if the coaches like what they see of Highsmith they will keep giving him more of those reps.
RJT
9:58
If Devin Bush goes down that could be devastating to the defense. They don’t have another experienced linebacker with his skillset. They have to make a move for a backup don’t they?
Gerry Dulac
9:59
Correct, which is why I said the other day he might be the one player on the defense they can least afford to lose, even though the defense has 3 All-Pro players.
marty v
9:59
If the Giants opt out of the game next week, should that not be a forfeit for the Steelers?
Gerry Dulac
10:00
They are not opting out of the game. The only opting out will be if the league decides to opt out of games right now. And, at this point, don't see that happening, not now.
RJT
10:00
Will Smallwood be the odd man out?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
Probably, but they can put him on the practice squad.
RJT
10:01
Has Big Ben been sitting out on Wednesday’s like he has previously?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
That's during the regular season. The practice schedule is different and changing during training camp so his day off is not necessarily a Wednesday.
Guest
10:02
Hi Gary  do think there are resting Dave Decastro.  So he ready for season.
Gerry Dulac
10:02
They are resting him to allow him time to recover from his injury, which hasn't been stated. But I have been told he will be fine and should be ready to play the opener.
Tyler
10:02
Good Morning, Gerry. Any information on DeCastro? Is his trajectory to be ready for week 1, or is it a longer term injury than that?
Gerry Dulac
10:03
See above answer
Guest
10:03
Do you feel they will go with more of a committee at RB with Conner, Snell and McFarland? Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
10:06
They weren't be any committee. James Conner, as long as he's healthy, will play the vast majority of time. And Conner can play all three downs. Now, that doesn't mean they won't sprinkle in the other guys from time to time. Snell will get a few carries, maybe 4-5 in a game, and McFarland will get a couple plays. I'm sure Samuels will get some third-down time. But Tomlin doesn't believe in a committee when he has a feature back, and they consider Conner to be that guy. I don't see that changing.
RJT
10:06
How has Marcus Allen looked?
Gerry Dulac
10:08
The coaches say he has looked pretty good. I don't know if that's entirely accurate or they're merely trying to keep his confidence up. But there's no question he brings physicality and athleticism as the dime linebacker. They do not look at him as a viable option at safety, unless there's an emergency. I think this is his last chance with the team.
RJT
10:08
Has Ben been practicing more under center than previous years?  It’s really hard to get the run game going from shotgun when lineman are standing up.
Gerry Dulac
10:09
We'll see during a game, but I haven't noticed any concentrated effort to do more during camp. I agree it gives you run game a better chance.
Linebacker Lounge
10:09
Gerry, Who are your top 3 WRs in camp? And will they all start the opener? Thanks
Gerry Dulac
10:12
Who starts depends on how they want to start a game and with what formations. But I don't think there's any question it will be 19, 13 and 18. But Chase Claypool will get into the game. Who knows, they may want to throw him in there right away, on the very first play. Don't be surprised if they do. But the Steelers don't look at the receivers as No. 1-2-3-4, beyond JuJu of course. They mix and match, depending on the play.
Linebacker Lounge
10:12
Any impression on Carlos Davis? Assuming no news, is not good news.... Thanks
Gerry Dulac
10:13
In this truncated training camp, no news is usually bad news. Players need to stand out in practice to get the coaches' attention. They can't do it in a preseason game. So....yeah.
Guest
10:13
Do you think the Steelers will have any interest in trading for Alvin Kamara?
Gerry Dulac
10:14
About as much as signing Leonard Fournette. If they haven't extended Cam Heyward because of future cap concerns, the last thing they are going to do is bring a player with a big contract.
kevin in Punxsy
10:14
Morning Gerry.  I found out by reading the PG last week (as always) that Lefty moved to the Seniors group and won his first tournament.  Good for him.  Guess I will be watching the Seniors tournaments much more.
Gerry Dulac
10:16
That was one-stop shopping for Lefty. He only played in that event because he missed the cut at Boston and he was eliminated from the playoffs. So, to keep his competitive game shatp, he went and play on the Champions Tour, ashot 61 in first round and won by four. But he is not planning to play that tour. He will still compete solely on the regular your.
kevin in Punxsy
10:16
Gerry, do think that the Steelers "stole" one when that got Dotson in the 3rd rd?  He was an all american and got passed over and over.  Nice p/u for the Stillers.
Gerry Dulac
10:17
I think he could be the steal of the draft, yes. Now, we (and they) have to see what happens in a game, but Dotson looks like he could be a future starter...and not too long into the future.
billstarch
10:17
What is your prediction for the season? I think 11-5 maybe 12-4
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Very reasonable. No worse than 10-6. But they still have to go out and do it.
JB
10:18
O-line better or worse than last year? Pass protection and run game.
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Everything will look better with Ben back as the season progresses.
574Fan
10:18
A year ago I thought that extending JuJu would be almost a sure thing.  Now, with Heyward's deal not done, Watt's extension looming, cap uncertainty due to covid, and now 3 other young receivers, I'm thinking it's just not going to happen at all.  What say you?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
Well, you will have to wait and see. The Steelers are the best in the league at navigating the salary cap. They will find a way to keep their top players. Remember, every team is in the same boat.
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