JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.07.22

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.07.22

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Gerry Dulac

10:34

OK kids, because of the locker room availability today, we won't start our chat until 1130 am, but get your questions ready...

11:29

OK kids, here we go....Fire away

Jethro in NEO

11:29

Why not kick the tires on Blake Martinez to pair up with Miles Jack. Would he be an affordable upgrade at ILB?

Gerry Dulac

11:30

Barring injuries, I think they are done adding players.

Troy

11:30

Hi Gerry! Do you read much into the current 'Cut and Paste Gate' or was it just an error corrected too late. ?

Gerry Dulac

11:33

It was just an oversight by the head coach, nothing more than that. The plan for a while now was that Kenny Pickett would be the No. 2 quarterback, despite what the old depth chart said. When he failed to change the depth chart for whatever reason (oversight?) and Mason Rudolph was still listed No. 2, it was pointed up to him and he corrected the mistake. Nothing more.

Gene Takovic

11:33

If you were the HC what would you do with Devin Bush? He just seems to be taking up space out there.

Gerry Dulac

11:34

I guess I better call Saul on this one, Gene. At this point, there aren't many options. They are going to sink or swim with him, depending how he plays.

Jethro in NEO

11:34

Thanks Gerry! Love your chats. Is our offense missing a guy like Mewelde Moore? Is Jaylen Warren a type of player like he was - a third down back - or is Najee going to carry the load on all three downs like last year? Thank you!

Gerry Dulac

11:35

Make no mistake, Najee is going to carry the load. I don't think Warren has established himself as a reliable third-down back yet, but he will get a couple snaps and carries here and there. I like the guy, but don't think for a minute he's going to be Kareem Hunt to Nick Chubb.

Logan

11:35

What do you think the TJ Watt contract restructuring means? That’s a good amount of cap to have during the season. Could we see a move soon? Specifically to improve the OL?

Gerry Dulac

11:37

They are always looking for ways to restructure and create cap space. And the reason for the big cap savings in this instance is because Watt has a big contract. I don't think it was done with a specific move in mind, but it helps give them additional space if they think they need to do something. You never know.

Logan

11:37

Would you bet on the Steelers moving Rudolph soon? Hard to imagine them paying him 3-4 mil to be a healthy scratch when they can exchange him for a draft pick and give him a new opportunity elsewhere.

Gerry Dulac

11:42

If it's me, I trade him, but more out of respect for him as a professional. I know the NFL is a tough, dirty business, but it is professionally demeaning for a player who has spent four years as the No. 2 quarterback to a future Hall of Famer to suddenly be demoted to No. 3 behind a rookie and a free-agent pickup. None of that is to demean Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky, not at all. But what did Mason Rudolph do wrong? The answer is simple -- nothing. He played better than he ever did and anyone who watched him day in and day out through the spring and training camp will tell you he was the most consistent of the trio. I get protecting yourself against a repeat of what happened in 2019, but the Steelers need to be as fair with Rudolph as he has been with them -- handling this entire situation with professionalism and class. Holy bleep, where's the Tylenol?!

Tyson

11:42

Good morning, Mr. Dulac and thanks for taking the time. With the preseason over, did we learn enough about Matt Canada's offense to have legit faith/hope it will actually be productive this year?

Gerry Dulac

11:43

I think so. I definitely think it will be better than last year -- more diverse -- which might not be saying a lot. But I understand one very significant piece will be missing, and I'm not talking about Ray-Ray McCloud

Guest

11:43

Do you see the Steelers bringing in a tackle in case Moore stumbles? Daryl Williams, Bryan Bulaga and Eric Fisher are all still available

Gerry Dulac

11:45

It might be a good idea, but I'm not sure that's going to happen right now.

Just a fan

11:45

Would it not have been more relevant and meaningful to have retired #12 and #32 together on the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception? Both players were hugely impactful on the Steelers success throughout their careers.

Gerry Dulac

11:46

I have no problem with retiring 32 all by himself. Everything changed once Franco arrived. Plus, there is no Bradshaw escaping pressure in the airport for a reason

Sunner in Orlando

11:46

Good morning Gerry! How can the Steelers go into a season with so much uncertainty at left tackle, the most important position on the line? Moore will get Mitch sacked and hurt with his swinging gate performances so far. Were outside options not available and feasible or are they willing to risk it and go with Moore no matter the outcome which I fear will be bad?

Gerry Dulac

11:48

I think they are willing to go with Dan Moore and believe he can do the job. After all, he did last year as a rookie. But they have to be careful about his confidence if he keeps giving up pressures, much the way a young cornerback can lose confidence if he keeps getting beat.

Timbo

11:48

Gerry, How many O-Lineman do you predict the steelers take in the first 3 rounds of the 2023 draft without drastic improvement over this upcoming season? Thanks

Gerry Dulac

11:48

I don't know, but they haven't taken one higher than the third round since 2012, so it might time to revisit that for sure.

thh

11:48

Best guess on which franchise brings the city a title next? Are we headed for an 80's style era of sports in this town?

Gerry Dulac

11:49

I know which one won't

Sunner in Orlando

11:49

Any medical news on Johnson's shoulder and whether he will play on Sunday? If not, will it be Pickens on the outside and Claypool in the slot? Will Boykins and Sims get some snaps?

Gerry Dulac

11:50

They will all get some snaps. Not sure about DJ's shoulder, but based on what I've seen I wouldn't hold my breath on him playing in Cincy. That could change of course. It's only Wednesday

Lou

11:50

Hey Gerry! Seems like a lot of negative views on the quality of the 2022 Steelers...especially the OL. That said, how much stock can we put in what people are saying, vs the real world of new guys learning to play together in a new system? I'm thinking we all need 3-4 games to see how the OL can come together.

Gerry Dulac

11:52

Absolutely. I'm not going to immediately judge based on a couple preseason games, though I admit what I have seen is not exactly encouraging. I'm willing to give a veteran such as James Daniels a little leeway because he's smart enough to know it was the preseason, not the regular season. But we'll see

The GM

11:52

Good Morning Jerry, any inside information about D. Johnson's shoulder injury? If he's out, who replaces him?

Gerry Dulac

11:53

Nothing concrete as of yet. It will just mean more snaps for Pickens, Claypool, Sims and Boykin. Even Gunner.

John

11:53

Hi Mr Dulac. Did you put away your golf clubs yet?

Gerry Dulac

11:53

They are never away

Tom M.

11:53

There’s been a lot of discussion/concern about the OL. Why didn’t the Steelers keep Trai Turner? Was it age? Money? He seemed better than what they have now.

Gerry Dulac

11:53

Actually, he wasn't.

Tom in Dallas

11:53

How has your accessed to players changed so far this year? Sounds like you are able to get back into the locker room?

Gerry Dulac

11:54

We are back in the locker room, which gives us the option to talk to any player we choose -- if they choose to cooperate. Just like the old days

Tom in Dallas

11:54

Now that 32 is being retired. Which number should be next?