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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.18.19
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Gerry Dulac
11:11
OK kids, sorry for the delay....locker room was open later than usual. Let's get started...go!!
Jeff M
11:13
Why did the Steelers choose now to do in all in type trade like the Fitzpatrick deal? Never seemed to consider them when Ben was healthy and you could almost guarantee the pick would be at least in the 20s.
Gerry Dulac
11:13
I'm not sure, but the big reason is the GM and the coach really liked Fitzpatrick. They also knew they probably weren't going to re-sign Sean Davis after the season and they would be drafting a safety in the first or second round anyway. That being said, while I really like the player, I don't ever like trading away a future No. 1. I can tell you this, Dan Rooney never believed in it and would never do it.
AugustWest
11:13
Minkah Fitzpatrick will play safety for the Steelers, but he reportedly prefers slot corner. Do you think there's a chance he moves to corner when/if Davis returns from injury, or do the Steelers have their safeties for the next decade?
Gerry Dulac
11:14
He will play safety, and with the injury to Sean Davis, I imagine he will stay there when they play their nickel and dime defenses as well. If he moves to the slot, which they might prefer instead of Mike Hilton, that means Kam Kelly has to come in at safety. And they don't prefer that
AugustWest
11:16
If Keith Butler can't carve a legitimate top-5 or 10 defense with this many first-round picks at his disposal (most of them young), should he still be the coordinator in 2020?
Gerry Dulac
11:16
Good question, but you should direct the question in terms of Mike Tomlin running the defense.
Kol Diamond
11:16
I don’t understand why the Steelers didn’t sign a veteran QB as a backup.
Gerry Dulac
11:18
They did, but they put him on the practice squad. But I think you will see Paxton Lynch move up to No. 2 fairly soon
Jason
11:18
Morning Gerry! Do you foresee any schematic changes with the addition of Minka? Anything we should watch for in the coming weeks?
Gerry Dulac
11:19
Not anything right away because Mike Tomlin said they are going to keep him anchored at free safety for now until he learns them and they learn him.
seawolf
11:19
The Seattle QB is known for both his running ability and for "holding" the ball late in a game. Why wasn't a Steeler defensive player assigned to cover or "spy" on him, especially after his first run late in the game?
Gerry Dulac
11:19
I wondered the same darn thing. And why wasn't that Devin Bush, who is faster then Russell Wilson??
elcid97
11:20
Tomlin had LeBeau imposed on him and then Haley. Since last year, he's had his friends from his college coaching days as his coordinators. It seems like the more the Steelers are Tomlin's team, the less well-coached they look on the side of he's taken control of. It's now both sides. And it looks awful. Coincidence?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
It just might be!!
Maryann
11:21
The Ravens are finally playing someone this week.  KC at KC.  I’m not thinking they are running away with the division and I’m not thinking we are done.  I’m liking our chances and actually excited to see Mason Rudolph’s takeover.  What do you think Mr. Dulac?  (Kept Cleveland out of conversation because not all that impressed with the hype)
Gerry Dulac
11:22
I'm curious to see how Mason Rudolph performs. Based on what I see and how he handles himself, I think he will do well.
AugustWest
11:22
The addition of Devin Bush was supposed to stop the plague of slot receivers and tight ends exploiting the soft middle of the Steelers secondary. So far the same problem hasn't been fixed. Why not?
Gerry Dulac
11:23
Well, I think that's part of the learning process of a rookie. You're going to live with his mistakes while he develops. And there were several against the TE versus Seattle. Give him time, more than 2 games.
Mike
11:25
Not a basher of Tomlin, but in trying to understand the issue with the defense, is it the evaluation of talent or coaching?  Prior to Fitzpatrick, there are 7 first rounders, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds (Hargrave and Nelson) (Hilton undrafted).  Seems it leans to coaching because of the consistent  "mis-communication" refrain over the past 2-3 years.
Gerry Dulac
11:25
I turn a deaf ear when I hear the "miscommunication" excuse. That's another word for saying the player didn't understand the call or his role in it. And, yes, that's a lot of first-rounders.
11:27
Note to some people who wonder why I don't use their questions: Don't use unflattering adjectives to describe a player. Got it?
kevin in Punxsy
11:27
Good morning Gerry.  What is your estimation re: Mason Rudolph's abilities to do enough at QB to keep the Steelers afloat? (Along with an improved(?) defense.)
Gerry Dulac
11:27
I think MR is going to surprise some people. Good teams respond to adverse situations. Don't be surprised if the Steelers do. I've seen it before.
Steve in OH
11:28
The Seahawks mentioned the D Line wearing down in the game.  I would agree that it seems like they are far less disruptive in the second half of games and that could be why we give up so many leads.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:29
I'm not saying that was the case, but I will say that's one of the reasons D-line coach Karl Dunbar implemented a rotation system with the line last season. I think it's easy for the Seahawks to make that comment after winning the game. They wouldn't have said that if they lost
Tbone
11:29
Do the Steelers see Minkah as their FS of the future or more as a slot guy?
Gerry Dulac
11:30
They see him as a free safety who is a big-time playmaker capable of playing several ppositions. We will see if that happens
tcalantc
11:30
Hi Gerry, love your chats!  Is it true that Moncrief has a dislocated finger? That would explain the troubles he's having closing on the ball, wouldn't it?  Seems everyone is down on him, but not sure he can help it if he's hurt, right?  Sammie Coates all over again. Thx
Gerry Dulac
11:31
He has had a dislocated finger since training camp. But, if it's that bothersome, he shouldn't be playing, which I think you will see with decreasing regularity in SF
KN
11:31
Hello. Thank you for the chat.  I am not a Tomlin hater but why is Tomlin not getting more heat for the defensive woes of the Steelers ? From everything I have heard, he has more and more fingerprints over the defense. We have communication issues every year . We do not have a spy on Wilson , as per Dupree admission.  Are clichés enough to be head coach? Thank you very much.
Gerry Dulac
11:32
I don't think people realize how much of the defensive calls (and game plan) Tomlin makes.
STEEL72
11:32
Hi, Gerry. Ben is coming back next year-- at least that's the plan-- and Mason looked solid. Do you feel that giving up a 1st rounder for a 1st round talent was too much? Fitz is added defensive firepower for a defense that is going to be asked to carry a big load. I, for one, think that Colbert and Tomlin are doing the right thing.  Looking at the QBs coming out next year, it doesn't feel like there is an unquestionable star-in-the-making anyway.
Gerry Dulac
11:33
Like I said earlier, I like the player, I don't like giving up a future No. 1. But I get the logic behind the deal and am not professionally offended by the move.
'Double Divot Dewey
11:33
Hi Gerry - I awoke in the middle of the night with the thought that Mason Rudolph is going to 'Shock the World' come Sunday in San Francisco, and further lead the Steelers into the playoffs.  Am I still sleeping or could this really be coming?
Gerry Dulac
11:34
Zzzzzzzzz
Gene
11:34
Do you have any information on what type of surgery Ben is having on his elbow?
Gerry Dulac
11:35
None. Have not heard, nor have we been told. There is confidentially, you know (HIPAA laws), with doctors and patients.
AugustWest
11:35
How does the loss of the franchise quarterback affect Tomlin's hot seat (if there is a hot seat)? How many games would the Rudolph-led Steelers have to lose before the front office considers changes in coaches and/or upper management?
Gerry Dulac
11:37
First of all, the only hot seat on which he sits is the one the public has created for him. But, if anything, he will get a pass on this season because of the loss of Ben. If anything, he will get more cerdit than ever for steering the Steelers through this if they finish, say, 10-6. Even 9-7 maybe
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