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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.04.24
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Gerry Dulac
9:45
Don't you just love the smell of regular-season football in the morning? Well, get some coffee and get ready because our chat will start in about 5 min.
9:53
OK kids, let's get started. Locker room opens at 10:45 so I have to be gone by then. Fire away....
Bill in LA
9:53
Does the fact that Rusell Wilson was jettisoned by two teams in recent years give you any concerns about his abilities at this point in his career, and what concerns do you have if any about him?
Gerry Dulac
9:56
This is just so shocking .... Bill in LA the first one in the store -- and with a QB question to boot. Well, Bill, that's what we're going to find out. Apparently, that's what a lot of national "experts" think. Is he the QB who threw 26 TDs and only eight interceptions and beat four consecutive playoff teams last year? Or is he the guy who's going to be 36 in November and on the back nine of his career?
Bill in LA
9:56
Do you think Zac Wilson could succeed as a QB1 if he got another chance? He seems to move well and have a great arm.
Gerry Dulac
9:56
Well, I agree with you there. Obviously, something is amiss and I'm not sure what it is.
Bill in LA
9:56
I think the Steelers should trade Justin Fields to the Eagles for Kenny Pickett and make him QB2. Then if Russell Wilson falters, they should let me start again to prove I never should have been traded! Agree?
Gerry Dulac
9:57
Now there's the Bill in LA we all know and, well, you know....
Dr. Sardonicus
9:57
I am hoping for a great game from our defense on Sunday.  Is that just another dream?
Gerry Dulac
9:58
No, not at all. After all, Heyward, Watt and Highsmith will all be playing for the first time.
RAM
9:58
Hey Gerry, it’s perfect golf weather and yet here you are answering questions from a bunch of schmucks like us! Given that, do you believe either of our QB’s are the answer going forward? What do you think the long term plan at QB is? Thanks, and I hope you have a Tee -Time later today!
Gerry Dulac
10:00
It is perfect for that, for sure. I really can't say definitively they are the answer before getting to see them in this offense. I think Wilson is a short-term answer, obviously, at his age. I don't see more than 2 years out of him. And Fields is an enigma. His talent is obvious. But so, too, are the measly 10 wins he managed in three years in Chicago. There's a reason for that...and don't tell me it's because the Bears stink. They said the same thing about the Texans heading into 2023
SteelDan
10:00
Hi Gerry thanks for the chats. Do you fully expect the Steelers to extend Freiermuth before the game Sunday? If not will it be because of his injury history? Would they see how he plays this season and if he does well and avoids injury try to sign him after the season?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
I do expect them to extend him. They are getting closer to an agreement. But until it's done.....As for the injury concerns, I think that is playing a small part.
SMF
10:02
Hi Gerry:  Thanks for the chats.  I think the Brandon Aiyuk saga ended well for the Steelers.  Would you trade the equivalent of a #2 (Zach Frazier) and #3 (Roman Wilson) plus sign Aiyuk for $30million a year x 4 (Equal to TJ Watt)?  I wouldn’t.    It would also have turned Pickens into “Young Money” x10.
Gerry Dulac
10:03
You raise some salient points. Still, he would look good in Arthur Smith's offense
Steelers2005
10:03
The Steelers saved 9 million against the cap this season with Heyward's new deal, of which they are already under.  Wouldn't it be better to move the dollars into this season so they have more money next year when they'll have to pay a quarterback and some other players on offense?
Gerry Dulac
10:04
I think they know what they are doing. They prove it year after year with the way they manipulate the cap.
Commissioner
10:04
With the additional cap space gained from Heyward’s contract, do you expect the Steelers to still add a wr and/or a cb? Thank you
Gerry Dulac
10:05
If they do, it won't be because of Heyward's deal. I'm a bit surprised they haven't add a CB yet. Doesn't mean they won't.
TxSteeler
10:05
While it was later corrected, when you did your initial 53 man roster last week you originally left the WR Wilson off. Was this with intent or a mistake? If intent what changed?
Gerry Dulac
10:05
Mistake. And it was corrected, yes
James Ryan
10:05
Thanks for the chats, Gerry. Do you believe Omar had a backup plan for WR once the Aiyuk deal fell through? Or was it too late? Without that trade, our WR room may be one of the worst in the NFL.
Gerry Dulac
10:06
JR, there was and is no backup plan in place. As long as you have George Pickens, the WR room is not one of the worst in the NFL
Gettysburg Don
10:06
Hello Sir; At one time the Steeler D-Line job was to keep linemen busy in order for the LBs to make plays and tackles. Statistics such as sacks etc. were not as important. Recently, when discussing the D-Line these stats seem to matter more. Does this signify a difference in scheme. It seems I also remember that the Steeler 3-4 defense was structured to stop the run more so than the pass, while other 3-4 teams used the scheme as more of a pass defense. Can you discuss this.  Thank you       Also #23 Mike Wagner should be a strong candidate for the Canton HOF.
Gerry Dulac
10:09
You are correct. Their 3-4 defense was designed for the linemen to keep blockers off the LBs to allow them to make plays. But, with the Steelers using sub-package defenses (with just two DL) the majority of time in today's NFL, that concept does not work as well. Also, with the advent of the quick passing game, DL can't sit back and read and play two-gap as they did in the old 3-4, they have to play one-gap and get into the backfield as quick as possible. That has all hurt the run defense.
SMF
10:09
Hi Gerry:  Thanks again for the chats.  Fields would seem to be the perfect QB for 2-point conversions.  As I recall Tomlin was all in on 2-point conversions a few years ago.  Did the Steelers emphasize that at Latrobe training camp?
Gerry Dulac
10:10
He would appear to be the perfect guy for that, but I will point up Wilson has always been very good at that in his career. Plus, Fields could be inexperienced at that. The Bears never scored a lot of touchdowns with him. Ba-dum
Steve
10:10
Sir, considering the calf injury to Wilson and the many injuries incurred by the players,  has Tomlin been asked about the new strength and conditioning staff? It seems these injuries are somewhat avoidable and excessive.
Gerry Dulac
10:10
Touche
wiscoken
10:11
Perhaps not isolated to just Tomlin, one criticism is that he tends to hold on to drafted players who don't pan out a season or two too long before cutting bait.  Numerous examples where failed draft picks have been given a season 3, sometimes 4... Loudermilk could be the latest example.
Gerry Dulac
10:12
I get the Loudermilk example, but the bigger picture is the Steelers haven't done enough to bring in quality defensive linemen to force him out
wiscoken
10:12
Hi Gerry, so much concern about wide receiver, but if the Arthur Smith scheme elevates the use of Pat Freiermuth and the RB's (which he has in the past), we could be just fine.  We have plenty of weapons, it's the o-line gelling that could be our biggest obstacle in the first half of season.
Gerry Dulac
10:12
I don't know about plenty, but I get your reasoning
B1
10:12
Good morning Gerry, am I the only one who thinks that Russell Wilson is a big improvement over Kenny Pickett? What I’m concerned about is the young and un tested offensive line. Can you give us the starting lineup and your thoughts? Thank you!
Gerry Dulac
10:14
You are not alone. The O-line may be a work in progress in the short term because of their youth, but they will be fine eventually
JR
10:14
Gerry: betting you are relieved that Niners have signed the wideout and as a result you will no will be asked to comment on this issue!
Gerry Dulac
10:15
I am though I'm not sure all the questions relative to BA are over
the real guest
10:15
Gerry, I like the Falcons/Steelers match up right out of the gate. The Falcons aren't elite but they will probably make the playoffs (sixth or seventh seed in the NFC). How the Steelers perform against the 12th or 13th best team in the NFL may tell us a lot about the Steelers. I am not optimistic about that outcome. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
10:15
I say I'll wait and see what happens, and not just based on one game.
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