JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.15.23

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.15.23

Chat
Discussion Board

Gerry Dulac

9:43

Ok kids, we will probably start our chat a little early today, so get ready ....

9:50

OK, let's get started...Go!!

surly in sheraden

9:50

Is there any way they decide to move on from Pickett for next year (the 2024 season), or will her get one more year no matter what? Tomlin (alone) seems to think Canada is good, so in his mind the issue must be more about Pickett, right? Both of course have been bad, but Tomlin keeping Canada around shows where he thinks the problem lies.

Gerry Dulac

9:51

Of course, anything is possible, but I wouldn't count on it. Greater chance they talk Ben out of retirement.

ouch

9:51

The Browns are taking another one on the chin with the Watson injury! They will unleash a defensive fury. Do you think it will be enough to halt the Steelers? The Steelers need another young stud defensive lineman, asap. Has anyone ever suggested that before?

Gerry Dulac

9:52

Gee, never thought of that.

SMF

9:52

Hi Gerry: Thanks for the Chats. I just don’t get the obvious, now admitted by Tomlin, to limit KP throwing crossing routes and go routes between the hashes on the field. Was Duck Hodges or Mason Rudolph, or Josh Dobbs, or Landry Jones or Byron Leftwich told not to throw down the middle? I don’t recall hearing that when Ben was injured or suspended and missed games.

Gerry Dulac

9:53

I must've missed something. When did he admit that??

DuckPickett

9:53

Green Bay had a good returner and the Steelers got gashed on returns. Boswell has the leg to hit the EZ. Why the short kicks?

Gerry Dulac

9:54

That was by design, and I'm not sure why. They finally wised up after they took the lead and had Boz kick it through the end zone, like he has been season.

Lou

9:54

Hi Gerry. When Tomlin says he needs more out of Kenny, do you think that means that he is just flat out missing deep throws and throws in the middle and therefore it’s not all coaching calling outside pass plays all the time?

Gerry Dulac

9:55

No, that's just a pat answer from him for just about anyone on the team. What it means is, he wants to see every player continue to develop and get better, no matter how well (or poorly) they might be playing.

KN Phoenix

9:55

Hello Gerry. Thank you as always for the chat . I do not understand the level of hate coming towards Pickett from so called fans. The kid is 13-8 as a starter, has six 4th quarter comebacks and 7 game winning drives in just 22 games with a mediocre at best OL and WR1 and TE1 missing significant time. But there is always whining. "Why is he only throwing for 126 yards" ? But why do you care. "Why is he not throwing in the middle of the field" ? But why do you care. "What would happen to us in the playoffs" Why do you care ? In the words of Herm Edwards: "Hello, you play to win the game". And the kid is winning? Would you rather have Josh Allen, throw for 300 yards and few interceptions, lose the game and have 5-5 record? Thank you very much.

Gerry Dulac

9:58

I have to admit as well -- I'm surprised at the amount of people who have turned on Pickett. Now, I'm not sure if they are the closet Pickett detractors who are coming out of the woodwork or the pro-Pickett people who have suddenly decided he's no good and it's time to move on from him, even though he is 13-8 as a starter, 6-3 and a half-game from first place this year. Granted, he has not been dazzling by any means, but thinking the Steelers might want to move on from him is a little premature.

J-town Johnnie

9:59

Gerry, I think we all can agree that Pickett isn't the QB everyone thought he could be yet but could the problem be that the coaching is handcuffing him?

Gerry Dulac

10:02

That's possible, but I think that is a convenient excuse. Part of the problem is the unrealistic hype and expectation that existed before the season that he is the next Ben Roethlisberger. It was so over the top around here that everyone believed it. But, to your point about coaching, Pickett is only doing what he is told to do, and that's not just necessarily coming from Matt Canada. Mike Tomlin sets the directive and the coaches follow. Pickett is only doing what they want him doing -- play not to lose the game.

Iron Mike

10:02

Gerry, It is common knowledge that Ben and Haley had a toxic relationship which led to the latter not having his contract extended. Did Todd rub everybody the wrong way? I liked him as OC and I am wondering if they would ever consider giving him another chance.

Gerry Dulac

10:02

I think Todd had his chance. But, yes, he was an effective coordinator

Silly in Philly

10:03

Hi G. A win is a win. But I’m concerned w the manner in which it’s accomplished. Pitt squeaks out one score victories(coin flip type of games) w a QB that had a weak arm, can’t see the field, lacks accuracy and has minimal arm talent. Watching the bears undrafted rookie Pagent play- he’s further along than KP and the eye ball test seems to indicate higher ceiling than our 1st round QB. Thoughts?

Gerry Dulac

10:05

I would say that's not true, at least in terms of your assessment of Pickett's abilities. But let me ask you this -- in nine games so far this season, which of the QBs on the field has looked better? Correct answers only

Guest

10:05

Morning Gerry, does the recent rash of injuries at ILB combined with the years of free agency futility move that position to #1-2 in next year’s draft?

Gerry Dulac

10:06

I don't know about No. 1, but a good case could be made for No. 2

Tampa Too

10:06

Gerry In your opinion do you think the coaching staff should take the leash off of Picket and let him throw to the middle of the field? I see other teams use crossing routes and post patterns with success, but the Steelers don’t seem to utilize these sorts of plays. Is this the fault of the coaches such as Tomlin or Canada or is it Kenny Pickett not seeing open receivers?

Gerry Dulac

10:07

No they don't, but if you look around the league many of the offenses resemble what the Steelers do. I don't think Mike Tomlin wants to take the leash off Pickett, not when he tends to stare down receivers

Henry

10:08

Starsky thinks Howell is better than Pickett and I have to agree. What's your opinion?

Gerry Dulac

10:08

He could be right

Guest

10:08

Do you think Tomlin will allow Pickett to expand his throwing tree as the season progresses? You can’t beat the good teams in the playoffs hoping for a soccer score

Gerry Dulac

10:09

I think it's only natural to see things expand as the season progresses. But if playing that style gets them to the playoffs, I don't imagine they will veer away too much from what got them there

Jovie

10:09

Kenny is inaccurate and has a weak arm. Do you agree it was a mistake taking him in the first round?

Gerry Dulac

10:10

I said at the time they did not need to draft a QB in the first round, no matter if it was Pickett or that guy who can't even get in the game in Tennessee.

Cal Bill

10:10

Is our defense good enough to take us to the playoffs

Gerry Dulac

10:11

It better be. But these injuries don't help.

Gene

10:11

Why don’t they throw more to Washington ?

Gerry Dulac

10:11

I'm surprised they haven't thrown to him more. Probably because they really like his blocking. A lot.

KN Phoenix

10:11

Hello Gerry. Do you see the Steelers get rid of Trubisky after the season ? Why pay a guy 8 million a year to throw some interceptions and lose the game anyway. Rudolph can be the back up for half the price , throw fewer interceptions and throw some killer deep balls. Thank you very much.

Gerry Dulac

10:13

No I don't. They brought Trubisky in for a reason last year and that's because they thought he was a better option than Rudolph. They didn't give Trubisky a new three-year contract this year to be a backup because they want to get rid of him.

10:13

The Steelers got lucky on the lateral review, it was a lateral. However, the whistle blew and Warren stopped going for the ball as a result. Why was that even reviewable?

Gerry Dulac

10:14

Cause it was too close to waste a review

KN Phoenix

10:14

Hello . Thank you as always for the chat. Do you see Darius Rush get more involved in the game. I do not understand why he was inactive last week ? He did not play that bad in the game before. Wallace is not looking good out there after all. Thank you very much.

Gerry Dulac

10:14

He just might. But I don't expect it to be anything dramatic, unless there is an injury.

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Connecting…

Laughing

3:00

Should we check on our friends who are Browns fans today ? I'm guessing they are not ok

JC Penny

3:04

Gerry

Guest

3:13

tom mcnally

Paul from Beaver Falls

3:31

Can Ben come out of retirement for a playoff run? Kenny can’t do it.

62 Stack Monster

3:34

Fans shouldn't dismiss KP so quickly. The offensive scheme, being what it is, I believe Tom Brady would struggle with it..

Tom in Dallas

3:34

If the season ended today, we would be in the playoffs at either Miami or Jax, and the three losses we have are all to playoff teams. We all thought the loss to the Texans was bad at the time, but now it doesn't look so bad. In spite of how we got here, we are here. Who would have thought the Bills would be out and the Texans in? I know there is a lot of football left, but what other surprises are possible this season?

Brian in VA

3:35

how many offensive coordinators call the game from the booth verses on the field?

Yates

3:36

PSU and Bills fire offensive coordinators in season. Desperation moves or do you endorse taking action when action is needed to spur a change in direction as a general matter?

Tom in Dallas

3:36

If the Steelers make the playoffs, and especially if they find a way to win the division, is Tomlin a Coach of the Year candidate?

Offensive Guru

3:37

Canada sucks. Why wouldn’t we try to swing one of those 6th for a 7th and Edmunds deals and put him at ILB?

Jon

3:38

Hi Gerry, Any injury update on coach Danny Smith? He really went down hard on Sunday.

the real guest

3:38

Gerry, Watson is why the Browns beat the Ravens last Sunday but he is also the reason the Ravens picked up 17 points after turn overs. Makes me wonder if Watson being out is a good thing or a bad thing. What say you?

Offensive Guru

3:38

Giant TEs, middle of the field on 2nd down - why not? Who would stop them?

Tom in Dallas

3:38

Way to early to declare a big success, but if JPJ, Jones and the DL guy continue to contribute, is this going to be one of the better draft classes?

Jim_Bow_Dean

3:38

Is Moore a better run blocker than Chuks and is that why he’s still starting?

Paul from Beaver Falls

3:39

was Kenny a AR2 draft pick?

Jim_Bow_Dean

3:39

Is “bends, a lot, doesn’t break, mostly, and has the occasional splash play” a good way to describe this defense?

3:39

Amazing how you defend Colbert. D. Bush and Loudermilk two more examples of a terrible picks. Traded up for both these bums.

Sergio from Mexico

3:40

Hello Gerry! Thanks for the chats. Love them!!! Do you think Deshawn Watson being out and PJ Walker playing is now a “trap game” for the Steelers? Vamos Pittsburgh!!!! Here we go!

Ryan

3:40

Isn’t Tomlin living in his fears if he is not fully utilizing the middle of the field?? I understand that’s where most interceptions happen but you are certainly giving the Defense a advantage if they don’t have to defend between the hashes. I understand some of the offensive deficiency certainly hast to rest with the the QB, but schematically he is already at a disadvantage. Do you think this is more a Tomlin or Canada decision?

3:40

What do our defensive players who go against KP in practice say about him

Mark

3:40

You mentioned above they like Washington blocking, a lot. Is he a significant factor in the improved running game? Hadn't read that about him.

3:42

how was Bradshaws frist two years

Brian in VA

3:42

Is JW the offensive mvp to date?

BernardBuckeye

3:42

Your thoughts on Diontae Johnson's recent performance? Not a huge Pickett fan but if DJ holds onto a few more balls, Pickett's stats look a bit better.

Scott

3:42

Gerry, do you think we're getting too excited over the running game in the last couple of weeks. GB is not great and were missing key pieces as many defenses are this time of year. Nice to see but I fear them being shut down this week.

Pbwbk

3:43

Do you have any working theory why scoring is down so much? I’m not mad at it but just not sure why it happened. Did defenses catch up to the schemes that were resulting in 30/40 point shootouts??

Dr. Evil

3:43

If our offense is better with MC on the sideline wouldn’t it be even better if he was on someone else’s sideline?

Steeler Fan from Bayou Country

3:44

GD... Good morning. How much should we read into Warren as the RB1?? Another way of Mike T. finding ways to motivate his guys?

Brian in VA

3:44

How about putting Tomlin in the Booth?

Brian in VA

3:45

Vito-duck was the real deal and is dating Lainey Wilson now as proof