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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.06.23
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Gerry Dulac
9:48
OK kids, we're almost ready to go, so get set....
Bill
9:49
What are the downsides to having such a large practice squad at 16 members? Doesn’t it make practice and the locker room crowded at 69 players?
Gerry Dulac
9:49
None. And the locker room seems empty now that the roster has been reduced from 90 players.
Bill
9:49
Two practice squad questions: Do practice squad members travel with the team to games out of town? Are they on the sidelines for home games in street clothes?
Gerry Dulac
9:50
They do not travel to away games. And, yes, most if not all are on the sideline from home games
Mr. Rooney
9:50
Hey Gerry, thanks for the chats.  Off the new season topic for a moment.  Big Al Villanueva, one of my all-time favorite Steeler success stories, did he officially retire a Steeler?  Has there been any interaction with him and the Steelers since he hang 'em up?  Wish him all the best after a storybook career...just hope he remains a Steeler at heart and that we still see him from time to time with the team.  Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Gerry Dulac
9:52
Al came around last season when the Steelers played in Miami and he looked great. Trimmed down, hair long and blonde. He's a good dude.
Chris
9:52
Gerry, I’m a little disappointed with how people (fans and media) are bailing on Najee Harris already.  As we all know, his O-line was not good most of his first two years, not to mention he was attempting to play with a Lisfranc injury, which not too long ago was a season-ender…as a RB!  When he got healthy and the line started to gel, he showed himself to be a real force.  I like Warren as much as any Steeler fan right now, but if this team is going to really challenge the best of the NFL, they will need a healthy, productive Najee.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
9:53
Agreed. But I disagree with your assessment the line was "not good" for most  of his first two years. The line was more than pretty good for most of last season.
Indiana Fan
9:53
Do you wish BB would keep some of his comments / opinions to himself OR does it make for a good story?
Gerry Dulac
9:53
Who is BB?
Yates
9:53
Hi Gerry-  Should be an exciting home opener.  With all the new pieces on the D-side of the roster which position group will end up being the most impactful in scratching out more wins-  ILBs or CBs?   Changeover in coaches seems to be a net positive or is that more due to a level up in talent?
Gerry Dulac
9:55
I'm going to say ILB because I think the position, with the players they have, appear capable of making the type of big plays we haven't seen from the ILBs the past couple years.
Mr. Rooney
9:55
This Steelers D sure looks on paper like it could be a good one.  Outside of W's, what are the key stats we should be keying on to know what kind of a D we truly have here?  Points allowed per game is an obvious one but I'm also thinking run yards/game, sacks and turnovers will be important KPI's to the success of the unit as a whole.  What say you?
Gerry Dulac
9:56
Well, I think you touched on just about all of 'em. But here's one more -- limiting the big plays
Tin Cup
9:56
Gerry, based on what you witnessed during training camp, does it seem like Canada updated and improved the passing concepts?
Gerry Dulac
9:57
I won't know that until the regular season begins, which, I'm told, is Sunday. For the most part, I don't put a whole lot of stock in what I see in the preseason, good or bad.
Indiana Fan
9:57
We get so wrapped up with Offense & Defense that we forget about Special Teams & all the new players - hopefully we’ve got a good group of guys ready for this facet of the game!
Gerry Dulac
9:57
I'll tell you one good one -- Calvin Austin III
Mr. Rooney
9:58
How much do those practice squad guys command in salary?  Is it a liveable wage or do most of these guys have side gigs?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
I don't think they need a side gig. A player with fewer than 2 years of experience makes $11,500 per week, which is $207,000 a year. A player with two or more years makes $15,400 per week or $277,000 for 18 weeks. I'd say that's very livable.
Joe
10:01
Are you expecting to see Peterson lining up at outside corner along with Wallace on Sunday? If so, I’m a little worried based on what we’ve seen in the preseason. He looked like his playing speed has slowed down. Would the team be better off starting JPJ despite his inexperience, given that SF has a lot of speedy WRs?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
Yes, I am expecting him to be the starter, not JPJ, and that's what we're going to find out. Has his speed slowed down? Probably. He's 33.
jeff
10:02
Thanks for the chats Gerry.  My dad always told me everyone in replaceable in the workforce so try and distance yourself from the person that wants your job through hard work and just being better.  You agree RB's should heed his advice?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
Everyone who cares about their job should heed his advice.
Mr Rooney
10:02
Who has more pressure Sunday...Austin or Canada?
Gerry Dulac
10:03
Do I really have to answer that?
Mr Rooney
10:03
agreed Big Al is a VERY good dude!  Helluva ball player too!
Gerry Dulac
10:03
Indeed!!
Yates
10:03
Gerry- prediction-  which off season edition on each side of ball will contribute most this year?   I say Isaac and Kwon
Gerry Dulac
10:04
I agree with Seumalo. I think Holcomb, Roberts, maybe even Peterson will be bigger additions on defense.
AK
10:04
Were you really surprised that the Steelers were able to trade Green?
Gerry Dulac
10:04
I was surprised they got a sixth-round pick in return. Proves that every team can be desperate at times
Big Sid
10:05
Is there a reason Gentry chose not to sign with the Steelers’ practice squad and instead chose Cincinnati?  (Blocked by Pat and Darnell?)
Gerry Dulac
10:06
Well, at least he chose a two-time division champ.
Serra Eagles
10:06
Thanks for the chats. Has Pickens made progress in route running, particularly short and intermediate routes?
Gerry Dulac
10:06
Yes he has. I think that has been apparent.
Ryan
10:06
How many Touchdowns Does Diontae get this season go Steelers
Gerry Dulac
10:06
I think he has a very good chance to have more than he did last season.
AK
10:07
Lots of fans seem to think that Rudolph is a better QB than Trubisky.  It seems to me that the rest of the NFL, along with the Steelers don’t see it that way.  Am I correct?
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