JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.15.23

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.15.23

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10:14

Sad to think we chose Pickett over Howell and Purdy. Another draft blunder by Colbert? He was highly overrated as a GM

Gerry Dulac

10:15

Yeah, he was terrible with all those All-Pros and future HOFers he drafted

Browns fans

10:15

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

Gerry Dulac

10:16

Probably a good idea. But they are not as sick as Jimmy Haslem, who paid Watson $230 million guaranteed and has seen him start 12 games in two years.

This is big

10:16

So does Watson being out flip the betting line and give the Steelers the advantage ?

Gerry Dulac

10:16

I'm sure it will

Tom P.

10:16

Gerry, while the run blocking with the switch to Jones has improved, the pass blocking is still generally poor. Opposing teams are generating too much interior quick pressure leading to Pickets skittishness, poor mechanics and first read only targets. Is this fixable?

Gerry Dulac

10:16

Of course it is.

Zack

10:16

Hi, has the staff thought about moving Herbig and Neal to ILB? Neal canr cover very well and hasn't been a good ss, but had played ILB. Herbig played some ilb in training camp. Can always sign vet ss and edge if we move those two. Riley would be new ss.

Gerry Dulac

10:20

I have been told Herbig is not an option. But Keanu Neal is a very good option in their sub packages. He is about the same size as some of those other players they tried to use at that position -- Mark Barron, Burnett, Devin Bush

Tom P.

10:20

Gerry, should the Steelers really simplify the pass coverages until Minkah returns? Too many blown coverages.

Gerry Dulac

10:20

I think that happens regardless

AZ Steelers Fan

10:20

Gerry, there is no doubt that injuries to Fitzpatrick, Alexander, Freiermuth, Holcomb, and Heyward have reduced the team's effectiveness this season, but have the Steelers not actually been fortunate when compared with the injuries suffered by their division rivals? For example, I see that the Browns have lost QB Watson for the season.

Gerry Dulac

10:21

Absolutely. Most of their guys, especially their stars (18, 97, 39, 88) have or are coming back from their injuries

jeff

10:21

Thanks for the chats Gerry. I like the fact they arent going outside to fill ILB. IMO, Robinson has been impressive but welcome your opinion. Also when asked why they went outside in the off season they kept saying he wasn't "ready". What exactly does that mean? Doesn't know the playbook? Lacks skills? Not like the guy is a rookie

Gerry Dulac

10:23

I like Robinson -- an explosive, downhill player who can make plays in the backfield. When his job is to get the ball, he excels. But I think they are less comfortable with some of his assignments (run fits) and when he has to drop into coverage

Retire21

10:23

MT has said young players can make their biggest jump between year one and two. If so, is it worrisome that we're now talking about Pickett/Pickens/Leal/Heyward/M. Robinson/Oladukan?

Gerry Dulac

10:23

MIKE H.

10:23

STEELERS NEED TO ATTACK-WHEN THEY DON'T THEY GET ATTACKED!

Gerry Dulac

10:23

I'll tell them

TheDon

10:23

Hi Gerry. I saw a question in yesterday’s Joe Starkey’s mailbag about Tomlin’s responses in pressers. When asking a question, does the questioner have an opportunity for an immediate follow-up question? Kinda wondering why Tomlin isn’t pressed more on some of his dismissive answers. Thanks!

Gerry Dulac

10:24

Sure they do.

steve

10:24

Gerry, has there been any explanation for the short kickoffs last week?

Gerry Dulac

10:24

No, and I apologize because I wanted to ask that very question to Tomlin yesterday and, well, I never got around to it.

StillersWest

10:25

Good morning Gerry. Considering Tomlin’s lack luster track record of drafting and developing defensive backs (setting aside Porter Jr for now), and let’s not forget he was a secondary coach and defensive coordinator, why should we have any confidence whatsoever that Tomlin and the staff he surrounds himself with are even capable of developing a young QB? He benefited greatly by inheriting Ben as a finished product.

Gerry Dulac

10:27

Well, that's what we're going to find out. It's something he didn't have to worry about for 15 years

Vegas Baby

10:27

I'm guessing Watson being out swings the betting line to make the Steelers the favorite to a lot of people who lay money on this ?

Gerry Dulac

10:27

I'm guessing

LA PG Subscriber

10:27

In Josh Dobbs first Vikings game did he have to somewhat guess where the receivers were going to be?

Gerry Dulac

10:27

You might have to ask him that. But he's a very smart guy, so my guess is, I doubt it

Guest

10:27

Good morning Gerry! Similar to last year, the Steelers are getting the ground game rolling. Are you aware if the O-line implemented a new scheme, or if they are simply playing better with the addition of Jones?

Gerry Dulac

10:28

They are executing better, though they have gone back to more man blocking with counters and traps

Anonymous

10:28

Gerry - Too much Steelers talk. I was at a wedding this past weekend. Speaking with a nice gentleman who told me if I go to Augusta in April 2024. Do a practice round. Make sure I check out Amen Corner and then walk up 18. Any thoughts or advice you would add?

Gerry Dulac

10:29

Oh yeah, and have a pimento cheese sandwich.

LA PG Subscriber

10:29

Do players ever talk about Matt Canada, or is that just not done, or are they just focused on their own execution?

Gerry Dulac

10:29

I'm fairly certain they do!!

JC Penny

10:29

It has always been said by the players Tomlin loves to win ugly and the way they are winning now is just that. Any chance he’s got some tricks up his sleeve to change the way the team is playing for a final push into the playoffs? Or do you think it will be like this all season?

Gerry Dulac

10:30

I think what you see is what you get. But keep in mind teams do progress as the season goes on so there is some hope for the passing game. Some.

Wayward

10:30

Gerry, how many true "franchise" Qb's do you see in the NFL? A lot of teams are paying stupid money to QB's that can't stay on the field or whom their star really fades halfway into their contract.

Gerry Dulac

10:32

That's exactly right, and the reason is because teams are so desperate to unearth that franchise QB that they tend to over-evaluate them. I have watched four in person this year -- three who will be, one who already is.

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