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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.14.18
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Gerry Dulac
10:52
OK, kids, we're going to start our chat in just a couple minutes, so get those questions ready...
10:56
OK, here we go.....
Stillers4Life
10:56
Been reading Dez’s injury could have played a role in Bell’s decision. You think it might have had something to do with it?
Gerry Dulac
10:59
Not only could have, I think it did, though I find it hard to believe they didn't consider the possibility of a serious injury earlier than this. When you miss all of training camp (in Bell's case, two camps), and the first 8-10 games of the regular season, and then try to go 110 percent to match the pace of the regular season, that's when knees and Achilles tendons get blown out. This isn't like the preseason when you can ease into the action. It's the same reason you see a lot of serious injuries occur within the first couple weeks of the regular season. Player are accustomed to cruising through camp and the preseason then all of a sudden try going at a faster more frenetic pace once the games start counting.
Stillers4Life
10:59
The journalist in you aside, as a fan, are you glad Bell is outta here? (I know reporters aren’t fans, but let’s just pretend here for the sake of this chat)
Gerry Dulac
11:02
I can only tell you from my professional standpoint, and I will tell you it doesn't matter to me. I never had a problem with Le'Veon Bell and never found him to be any type of problem or malcontent in the locker room. He was always professional in that room (maybe not on social media). Like the players, I will not miss the constant barrage of questions about Bell. Beyond that, it doesn't matter to me one bit.
Epiballo
11:02
Gerry, thanks for the chats! Discussing the terrible field conditions in Mexico City, Wilbon on 'Pardon the Interruption' compared the field conditions to Heinz Field, saying PIttsburgh's field is almost as bad due to overuse. Is it?
Gerry Dulac
11:04
Mike Wilbon hasn't been to Heinz Field in, I bet, in 10-15 years, if ever. That was an early knock against it - too sandy and slick. Not anymore. I'm not saying it's Augusta National-like, but I have not heard any complaints about the surface in a long long time. They re-sod that field two to three times a year to keep up the quality. He is sadly and greatly misinformed
Stillers4Life
11:04
Butler figuring it out, Tomlin still handling the D, players finally stepping up, a bit of all that, or is there another reason(s) the defense has been better?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
Little of everything
Retire 21
11:05
On T.J.'s two big plays against Carolina, he was unblocked. Shouldn't the The-Butler-Did-It do a great game plan and great individual coaching?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
It's always great coaching when they win, poor coaching when they lose.
jg
11:05
what's going to be more important this week, from the steelers perspective? a stout run D, or an explosive run O?
Gerry Dulac
11:06
Stout run D
Bake
11:06
Gerry, it seems the current franchise tag rules served neither the team's or player's best interest. Do you think because of this situation change will be made in the next CBA?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
They always look at those issues when they negotiate, so it's possible. But, let's face it, this is an extreme example because Bell went to extreme, if not incomprehensible, measures by walking away from $14.5 million. Who does that?
Tucson
11:07
The next time Bell touches the football, it will be 20 months since the last time he played.  How does this lack of playing time hurt or help him?  Could he lose any abilities not having used them for so long?
Gerry Dulac
11:08
You tell me. Of course it does. I love when people say he will have fresh legs. If that's the case, sit out another year and they'll really be fresh. There's another word for fresh legs -- rusty.
Bake
11:08
After Big Ben get extended, how much of 14.5 M will be left to pursue a defensive FA?
Gerry Dulac
11:08
I'm not the capologist
Bill2244
11:08
How much longer to you see Gilbert being out?
Gerry Dulac
11:09
At least one more game
Tucson
11:09
After the dust clears 2 years from now, who comes out the winner in all of this?  Bell or the Steelers?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
That's what we will find out. I don't see the Steelers being losers. Dont think for one minute he changes the fortunes of their team. Not when they have 7 and 84 and that offensive line. Let's see how Bell operates with another offense, behind another line? The only teams who are going to throw money at him, if any, are desperate teams, teams looking to make a splash or sell tickets. Those teams are losing teams, bad teams. Let's see how he operates then.
John
11:14
I don't buy the reason that Bell held out is because he wants to protect his body and not risk injury.  Aren't these athletes getting paid for doing what they love.  If I was a Steeler in that locker room, I don't want someone playing on my team that doesn't have his heart in it.
Gerry Dulac
11:14
Then why do you think he didn't report and walked away from $14.5 mill??
JoeB
11:14
So Marvin Lewis brought back Hue Jackson. Does Tomlin bring back Haley? ;)
Gerry Dulac
11:14
Haha
JamesinNYC
11:15
I along with a lot assumed Bell had to report to not have his franchise tag toll....who determined that the next year he would be on the QB tag?
Gerry Dulac
11:16
He will not be given the franchise tag next year, rest assured. In fact, I don't believe the Steelers will even put the transition tag on him for several reasons. I think they will let him become a free agent and take the third-round compensatory pick in 2020.
Kingribel
11:16
Has Sensabaugh 's play been better compared to last season because he is  on the right side of the defense and opposite of Haden?
Gerry Dulac
11:16
Better is a relative term. And I have not heard that reason.
John
11:16
Every single player on the field is risking injury every time they step onto the field.  They are getting paid for it.  Teams will take that into consideration when thinking about signing Bell next year
Gerry Dulac
11:17
Of course they will. I will say this again -- Bell and his agent have misread the market per his worth. He will not get anywhere near what he thinks.
Larry in KY
11:17
There was much said about JAX blowing our OL and DL off the ball twice last year.  Are you sensing that our guys are up to the challenge this time?
Gerry Dulac
11:17
They better be. They have been so far this season.
Philippe
11:18
Gerry,

It is really hard for me to understand the logic behind Le'Veon Bell decision to skip the entire 2018 season.
I understand this is a business but if you turned down 70 million over 5 years, it means that you are essentially now expecting an 85 million contract just to break even.
I cannot imagine any team, no matter how desperate, willing to pay that kind of money for a 28 year old back who hasn't played in almost 2 years when all said and done.
Do you think that Bell knows he made a mistake and that at this point, it's just about pride? Or is he really that delusional? If anything, Conner' success shows that you can do well with a great line.
Not to diminish what Conner has done - he is a special back - but from a pure raw talent perspective, Bell is probably better - yet, in my opinion, the offensive line is the key to most of their success....
What do you think?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
There is no logic. It does not apply here, not when a player walks away from $14.5 million guaranteed. Say what you want about Le'Veon Bell, dislike him if you choose, he and he alone made the decision to walk away from all that money. He could have easily shown up, exaggerated an injury or two, milked the system and taken the money. Very easily. He didn't.  Did you ever stop to think that Le'Veon Bell was being honorable through this entire affair?
GWo
11:21
How does Bell's no show affect 2018 salary cap?  2019 salary cap?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
That cap savings can be carried over into next year
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