Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 10.14.26
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Gerry Dulac
10:35
You are missing anything. They need to be more creative on defense, and they are not. They have plenty of veteran players who are able to do so, but they are more bland than soy milk
Mike
10:35
Is Kaden Wetjen that bad at reciever that he can’t get on the field with all the injuries?
Gerry Dulac
10:35
Must tell you something, eh. If it doesn't happen this week, it's not going to happen at all
SteelCityExPat
10:36
Hi Gerry:  for what it’s worth, been here in Paris for 10 days and haven’t had any problems with riots.   Saw some minor incidents that were actually amusing and stayed away from the big gatherings.   Paris with riots is probably safer than the area where the Steelers will be playing = St Denis, a notorious/higher crime area outside of the city.   Btw, you’ve been nailing your weekly picks, congrats!
Gerry Dulac
10:36
Thanks for the update, mon ami
TVC15
10:36
Hi Gerry, Did the Steelers find some diamonds in the rough in Rubio and Jobity?
Gerry Dulac
10:37
I wouldn't go that far. Rubio was solid the other day and Jobity hasn't played in the regular season. But they were two good finds. Still, let's hold off on the proclamations for now
elcid97
10:37
Good morning! The offense looks great at home and not so much on the road. Would that be because the line is younger? Not able to hear the calls as well in the noise? Cascades into Rodgers not feeling comfortable in the pocket?
Gerry Dulac
10:38
Probably a little of that. New England and Cleveland were loud. Might not be as bad in Tampa. Whatever it is, MM needs to show he can win on the road.
Swannie88
10:38
Hi Gerry - Nearly one-third of the way through the season, what has surprised you the most with the team so far?  Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
10:40
How non-aggressive they are on defense, in terms of pressuring the pocket. It started off good, then nothing. Only one sack against heavily-sacked QBs Joe Burrow and Daniel Jones.
brian
10:40
hi Gerry, Do you ever see them getting rid or somehow adjusting the use of the K ball?  Do you think the NFL foresaw kicks going in from 65 yards out? and do they like this?
Gerry Dulac
10:41
I don't think they have a problem with it. If the league decides they are tired of seeing FGs instead of touchdowns in general, they can always narrow the goalposts to discourage attempts.
Pittfan
10:41
Hi Gerry. Wetjen really isn't providing anything to the team right now. I'm not bashing the kid but he's not. Is it time to give Eli a shot? Eli can't be any worse returning kicks, he can provide much needed support on covering kicks and he may be a better offensive weapon. He was I believe Navy's all time leader in receptions.
Gerry Dulac
10:44
The Steelers used a fourth-round pick on Wetjen. That's a high pick for a return specialist, so the player better be worthy of it. So far, that hasn't been the case. His bigegst problem is on kick returns, which he treats like a punt return. You can't stop and change directions on kick returns. It's straight line speed until you hit the hole or hit the wall. Until he starts doing that, the same thing will continue to happen. Any team that kicks the ball into the end zone against the Steelers isn't very smart ...or prepared.
HotnBothered in the Desert
10:44
Seems the fix-it priorities now… 1) OLB impact, and zone scheme. Without production from the OLB’s the zones are getting picked apart. 2)Receiver depth and ability to get open…why not go more 2 or even 3 tight end sets to help open it up? Special teams, especially kick off coverage.  Letting your opponent consistently start at the 35+ yrd isn’t a recipe for success. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:46
You got some of them, especially the first part. You can't blame receiver depth when 2 of your top 3 and 3 of your top 5 are injured. As far as special teams, what you mention is not nearly as bad as their own production (or lack thereof) with their kick returns
Wilson
10:46
Hi Gerry, do you know if we will see any new receivers to the team for the TB game via free agency or a promotion from the practice squad or lean more heavily on their tight ends?
Gerry Dulac
10:47
Perhaps, but I don't think so. More TE packages getting Bobby Tonyan involved.
Biff
10:47
Help me understand why I keep hoping Steelers defense will score fantasy points
Gerry Dulac
10:47
I can't help you there
LarryG from Punxy
10:47
More than a quarter through the season, what is your assessment of the team so far?  About where you think they should be?  Lagging behind?  Further ahead?  Your input is analysis is always appreciated.  Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
10:48
I thought they blew one in Cleveland, and they did. But they can't do that in their next two, or even when the Browns come here after Paris. If they're 6-2 at the point, I'd say that's about what I expected.
Shenandoah
10:49
Do you think there's a chance Omar trades for  a starting CB in the near future?
Gerry Dulac
10:49
No, not as long as Dean returns
Josh
10:49
Good morning Gerry. Are the Steelers happy so far with their heavy investment in DK Metcalf? He has had some decent games and moments but he’s also disappeared in a lot of games as well.
Gerry Dulac
10:51
It was a lot of money, I agree, maybe too much. But it's not my money. He has disappeared because, with Pittman out, teams can focus on giving Metcalf extra attention. After all, that's why they traded for Pittman -- to take away some of that attention. I don't think Metcalf is Chase, Jefferson, JSN or any of those guys. I think he is somewhere between a 1 and a 2.
Tim
10:51
How do you feel about our rookies so far and their contributions early in the season?  Is the coaching staff now validated for keeping all draft picks from the draft in April?
Gerry Dulac
10:53
It's too early to be validating anything, but I liked the draft class and see nothing to change my mind. We're not going to know anything on Dunker for a while, if at all, and Wetjen has not been worthy of a fourth-round pick. But I Bernard and Everett are exactly what they thought, maybe more so, and I think RSJ has been a good find, as has Rubio. But I'll  still wait.
Josh
10:53
What’s the disconnect with the special teams unit? I’m referencing more to the kickoff and punt coverages that are blown almost weekly. I think the Steelers are 32nd in the league now on average kick return yards allowed.
Gerry Dulac
10:53
Disconnect? I'm not sure. Because they are connected in this regard -- neither has been very good
Adam in ATL
10:54
Mornin Gerry. 4 out of the next 5 games are away from Acrisure. Given the Jeckyl & Hyde nature of our season thus far, where do you see the Steelers within the North at the end of November?
Gerry Dulac
10:55
They have a decent chance to be 6-2 after the Browns and possibly 7-2 if they continue their dominance in Cincinnati. The toughest two games come after that -- at the Eagles and home to the Broncos. You will know by then how good (or not so good) they are
Turk in MD
10:56
Hi Gerry!  WR room is a little thin this week.  Who do you think will get a PS call up?  Maybe they just run a lot of 13 personnel?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
That's more than likely. Brandon Smith will be a call-up for sure, but more Bobby Tonyan this week
Steeltown
10:56
Gerry, Do we go get to help out our wide receiver situation? Do you think they will make a move or just integrate the tight ends more? Also, not sure why we would keep Roberts on the practice squad when it is obvious that the run defense needs better middle linebacker support. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:57
Well, that ILB run support you mention was pretty darn good against Jonathan Taylor. And, if they were going to make a move of significance at WR, they would have done it by now.
Sal
10:57
Happy Wednesday Gerry ! Do you think the Steelers are going to do a trade before the trade deadline ??
Gerry Dulac
10:58
Anything is possible, but only if there is a significant injury.
SoCalFan
10:58
Good morning Gerry - there are still plenty of fans who would prefer Mason Rudolph to Aaron or starting one of the young QB’s to begin developing for the future. Yes, Aaron is odd and prickly and doesn’t like vaccines, but are you kidding me?? His arm talent, poise, and ability to pick apart defenses make him by far the best option and by far the best QB the Steelers have had since pre-injury Ben. This is why Mr. Rooney patiently waited for him to make his decision whether to play again…we should all be grateful that he did!
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