Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 10.14.26
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Gerry Dulac
9:56
OK kids, we'll be starting our chat in just a few minutes....
Dale
10:01
Was JPJ nursing a grudge over not being a first round pick (despite being in the first 32 selections)? I've wondered whether this gave him a heightened sense of being owed something.
Gerry Dulac
10:01
I don't think that was an issue, but he did have a heightened sense of what he should be owed
Retire21
10:01
I know he hasn’t done much on returns, but is Weiten any possibility to help in the wide receiver room
Gerry Dulac
10:02
Probably about as much as he has on kick returns.
Bill In LA
10:05
Gerry, as a Steelers fan, I enjoy getting to know and watch the players they draft. I don't watch the Steelers to see Justin Fields hand off to Cordelle Patterson, Russell Wilson throw to Van Jeffrerson, or Aaron Rogers throw to Marques Valdez-Scandling. Its just not interesting to me. And watching their best draft picks like George Pickens and Joey Porter get traded away after 3 years makes the Steelers even less interesting. Why do you think the Steelers have lost their way for the past 5 years?
Gerry Dulac
10:11
Well, if you mean in terms of missing the postseason, which has happened just once in the past six years, I'd say they haven't lost their way at all. If you mean in terms of not winning a playoff game, which has happened seven times since 2017, I'd say they're lost like they're on the 405 headed to Southern California
Bill In LA
10:12
Gerry, if I travel to Paris for the game, will you join me at Trocadero for a photo together with the Eiffel Tower in the background? I'll sign it and send you a copy to frame, you can call it "Bill and LA and me in Paris".
Gerry Dulac
10:12
Only if you don't get lost
Retire21
10:12
For a guy who once said he didn’t wanna criticize other coaches, Mike Tomlin is doing exactly that and it’s very refreshing in that regard compared to the milquetoast political answers from the other guys. What are the odds you give that he’ll be back coaching within two years compared to following the current path?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
I was told after he left that he didn't want to coach again. We'll see. But I'll also wait and see how he reacts to traveling EVERY weekend for 18-20 weeks, unlike the 8-10 weeks he had to travel during the season as coach. Bruce Arians quit CBS after one year because of that.
Patrick B
10:14
Thanks Gerry for these chats! If the Steelers outside line backers and defensive line don’t win the one-on-one battles, the corners and inside backers get exposed, especially in zone coverage. Can this be fixed or is this going to be our biggest liability defensively this year?
Gerry Dulac
10:15
That's partly why they play zone coverage. No question, they need more pressure. Their number of blitzes, sacks and knockdowns are on a terribly poor pace.
Bill from Va
10:15
How sustainable is it to heavily use JW every week?   He looks tremendous but you start holding your breath with the number of touches. What would be a good percentage of carries? Also, how enanamered
Gerry Dulac
10:16
That will change when Rico Dowdle comes back, but not that much, at least not now while Warren is the best offensive player they have. That's why they signed Dowdle -- to have a 1-2 combo to save on the wear and tear
Ron
10:16
The last couple of years we hear where Watt, Highsmith, are going to be moved around,I don’t feel that is happening, the only edge rusher seems to move around is Herbig. Since’s against the colts the pass rush was non-existent, do you feel  that Watt & Highsmith good move around
Gerry Dulac
10:17
It's really not. Oh, occasionally, but not where it's major difference. And the pass rush has been non-existent the past three weeks, not just Sunday.
Marty
10:17
With the injuries to the RB's and WR's, is time to see if Heidenreich can be productive at either position?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
I don't know that's going to happen, at least, not on any type of consistent basis, if at all. He was inactive last week when they could have had him as a backup at each position.
CDub
10:19
It was reported that the Steelers offered to rip up JPJ's contract and give him an extra 23 million this year.  How could they do that under the cap?
Gerry Dulac
10:20
They offered him a multi-year deal that would averaged just north of $27 million. He refused. That would have been $23 million more this year than what he is scheduled to make. How could THEY do that? I think you should ask, how could HE do that??
FloridaFan
10:20
I hate to beat this to death but I'm still stunned that JPJ made such a terrible contract decision. Over the next two years he would have made at least 54 million, but its almost inconcievable that the Steelers would have cut him prior to the end of year 3. This year he will make 4 million and god forbid he has a serious injury say a ACL in week 16, the cowboys cut him or sign him to some minimal prove it contract. Who is advising this kid?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
That is absolutely correct, and that is what the Steelers told him. Here's another: Every year they typically restructure the contract of one of their highest paid players. In another year or so, Porter would have his deal restructured and been given some of his future money up front in terms of a signing bonus. No loss of value, even more money already in the pocket. You're right, who's advising this kid??
obxandy
10:22
Is Max Hurleman healthy enough to come off IR? Thanks for your insights
Gerry Dulac
10:23
Not sure. Not sure that's in their plans
Big Daddy Steeler Fan
10:23
Any chance the Steelers kick the tires on Diontae Johnson?  Understanding the awkwardness of it but at one time he was a darned good player.  Lost himself.   But.....he would have more potential upside than JuJu, IMO.
Gerry Dulac
10:23
No.
Ex Yunzer
10:23
Gerry - thanks as always for your chats.  I enjoy your perspective and sense of humor.  Regarding the Steelers, how do they think the O line is doing?  To me, it's one of the biggest factors in whether the team is successful or not - if the O line can open holes and establish a run game, it brings the play action game into the playbook and allows Rodgers to utilize his arm talent without being under as much duress.  Also having Jaylen Warren be the primary ballcarrier adds another dimension to the run game.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:24
The offensive line gets better every game, and they were against the Colts. Part of that is the RT. Max gets better every game.
BOJoGreene
10:28
Gerry with the current WR situation would the Steelers entertain a Tyreek Hill acquisition or is he too much buyer beware for their taste and are they kicking the tires on JUJU?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
Buyer beware and maybe buyer price tag. They don't want either. Not in their plans
dpreble001
10:29
Gerry, I thought it was a good move to bring in roberts,he's a sure tackler,who do u think we bring in at er?
Gerry Dulac
10:29
It was, but keep in mind he's just on the practice squad and might not be active for a while unless there is an injury.
BOJoGreene
10:29
Gerry, how far out is Elliott to be game shape and ready to start? I feel like the defense took a noticeable step back when they lost him
Gerry Dulac
10:30
That's why they have a 21-day window to get him ready. When he's healthy, he's a definite plus.
JR in SC
10:30
Top of the morning, Gerry. I really hate zone defenses. If they are so good, then why is it that receivers are so wide open? I mean there are only so many people to cover. What ever happened to I’ll cover this guy and you cover that guy?
Gerry Dulac
10:31
That sounds good, but only when you have guys who are good cover corners. And they lost their best two cover corners -- Porter for good, Dean temporarily.
Brian
10:31
Why aren't the edge rushers getting more consistent pressure?   In the past if they focused on TJ then Highsmith or Herbig would get a better opportunity.   Against the Bengals, Orlando Brown has been a weak spot on the line and they still couldn't take advantage.
Gerry Dulac
10:33
That's right. And they're not blitzing to make up for the last of pressure. They've been trying to get to the QB -- don't have to sack him, just pressure him -- with just four. And it's not working. Patrick Graham said weeks ago, "We will blitz, I promise." It's time to do so.
BeaverFallsKid
10:34
Morning Gerry. In reviewing some game video, it appears the Steelers’ defensive pass rush has deployed virtually no “stunts” on obvious passing downs. The 2 edge guys and 2 down linemen almost always rush “straight up” against the O-lineman in front of them.  Even when there is a blitz the same is almost always true. Doesn’t that lead to predictability and comfortability among the opponent’s O-line?   Obviously you should not “stunt” on every passing down, but deploying that once is a while may sow confusion among the other team’s offense.  And the Steelers’ front four seems to have the athletes they need to stunt more — primarily speed rushers. What am I missing?  Are “stunts” out of vogue generally in the NFL?
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