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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.23.21
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Gerry Dulac
10:47
OK kids, we have adjusted our schedule so thanx for your fluidity. We will start in about 5 minutes.
10:56
Ok, here we go....Fire away!!
Alan from Indy
10:56
I’ve been all for Ben hanging it up but given Ben’s stats and recent performances would it make sense for him to hang around another year? Watching Rudolph and considering college QB prospects doesn’t seem encouraging. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
10:57
Despite what some people think, he has been good and efficient the past five games -- 105 passer rating, nine TDs, 0 interceptions. No other QB in the league has not thrown an interception since Week 5.
Jk
10:57
After watching Ben lately and looking at the QB's in next year's draft, do you think the Steelers should bring #7 back in 2022?
Gerry Dulac
10:58
See above for justification
Jay
10:58
Gerry, do you think this is the last year for Canada as OC?  Another, do you think the Steelers should have blitzed more against the Chargers, stack the line and eliminate the lanes for Herbert to run?
Gerry Dulac
10:59
No I don't. And easy to say now. I'm not looking to give the defense a pass, but c'mon -- they were playing without three of their top 4 players: Watt, Minkah and Haden. And that's on top of no Tuitt and Alualu.
CT Steeler
11:03
Gerry, thank you for the chats and all of your work.  You make it fun to be a Steeler fan.  Granted the defense was without key players on Sunday night but, what can realistically be done to strengthen things up the middle at this point of the season?  Bush is clearly struggling, just not sure if we have to "live with it", or if there are things that can be modified at this stage.
Gerry Dulac
11:04
I think you might have to live with it for now. But at least they will be getting the three players who missed the game back this week, tho Watt is still iffy.
Utah Jim
11:04
Is Tuitt on this team next year? A big cap hit for such an unreliable player.
Gerry Dulac
11:04
I think it's going to be tough for the reasons you say -- big cap hit and tough to keep (or get) on the field.
Utah Jim
11:04
Why sign Banner to a two-year contract if you are never going to play him even when healthy?
Gerry Dulac
11:06
You act like he's Anthony Munoz. He might be deemed healthy, but that doesn't mean he's ready. If they thought he would be better, they would play him. They don't.
Rich
11:06
Crazy game and crazy season so far, but even if all players were available wouldn’t we all expect 6-4 or in this case 5-4-1.
Gerry Dulac
11:06
Basically, yes, at this point.
Pistol
11:07
I know this is a little ways off but have your heard or have a best guess what QB's in the draft they would be interested in?   Regardless of who is the guy next year they need to develop one right ?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
You're right, it's a little ways off
Guest
11:07
Hi Gerry, I have seen it often mentioned that the Steelers build via the draft vs. free agency. Any astute fan would agree and would agree that it's hard to argue with our franchises consistent success. I do wonder though if that strategy has shifted, be it due to the modern NFL or otherwise, from being steadfast (almost exclusively) to not inserting rookies, even high picks (Cam Heyward, Troy, Ben, etc) into prominent roles immediately. So the utilization of free agents seems to have changed from signing starter quality veterans in areas of need to hold down spots for up and coming young players to signing marginal free agents as emergency fill ins for young starters. So, fundamentally one could say we still build through the draft, but the tactics are shifting and I wonder if that's for the better? Am I off track here? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
Gerry Dulac
11:10
Well, where you are a little off base is about inserting rookies. Those are the old days. Rookies play right away now, especially higher draft choices. Just look at their offense, which has four rookie starters. That's pretty much the norm around the league. But, you can also look at the LA Rams, who keep trading all their No, 1 choices to acquire proven players and build their team that way. It's hard to argue with the Steelers blueprint.
pdxJaxon
11:10
Gerry - I couldnt help notice the frustration and dumfounded shoulder shrugging from Ben during the goal line offensive fiasco that resulted in no points.....can we possibly see Canada running this offense again next year ?
Gerry Dulac
11:10
That decision will be made at the end of the year, if this keeps up. But I wouldn't be in such a hurry to dump him
The GM
11:11
Good morning Gerry. I know the Steelers currently have issues with their Defense due to injuries. But in your opinion, could this also be related to poor drafting in the first round since 2013? OLB Jarvis Jones, CB Artie Burns, S Terrell Edmunds and ILB Devin Bush, that is four first round players that clearly didn't or hasn't paid dividends. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:12
I wouldn't put Edmunds or Bush in the same category as Jarvis Jones and Artie Burns. At least these guys have been starters for multiple years and made some type of contribution.
Gene
11:12
How can the Steelers stop a running QB’s the rest of the season?  Example Jackson, Maholms.
Gerry Dulac
11:13
I think it will help when they have Watt, Minkah and Haden back. And they actually have been pretty good defending Jackson
Nick in Long Beach
11:13
You seemed impressed with SoFi Stadium. What about the incessant call for NOISE by the PA announcer and the nonstop LOUDNESS? What ever happened to attending a sporting event and simply watching the game? Sure, it’s OK to cheer for your team but is it really necessary to fill every waking moment with artificial noise just to please an overhyped PA announcer? I know because I was there trying to enjoy my hometown Steelers but couldn’t even hear my thoughts.
Gerry Dulac
11:15
Agree 100 percent. Ridiculous indoor soccer crap. That's what happens when you have a team that no one supports -- trying to drum interest with that nonsense. Worst I've seen anywhere.
GhostOfHaley
11:15
Gerry - thx so much for the chats. Out of town fan. The Canada system is less problematic than the complete lack of situational awareness. Given the defense, they got a gift and had one chance to win with 3:40 left - pick up two first downs with the clock moving and kick a FG. Worst case is run or screen twice, try for a 3rd down conversion, and kick a FG at 2 mins or less. Even a TD is not as valuable as FD and moving clock there. They were given a miracle and squandered it. Same with DET 3-yd rollout pass to Muth that may have ended the game (and barely improved the FG) even if he didn't fumble. Or the 4th dn completions short of sticks, or backwards.

Have you noted any prior OCs with such inexplicable situational plays? Is this inexperience or lack of HC oversight?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
You questions about situational plays are making my head spin. The problem I had with three passes with 3:43 remaining is that series ran just 19 seconds off the clock. Two were incomplete and James Washington ran out of bounds for some reason after a 7-yard gain. They didn't get the first down anyway and still had to kick a field goal. How about at least two runs to take another 50-60 seconds off the clock? Or all three runs for another 25-30 seconds? Of course, maybe that wouldn;t have matter either because the Chargers needed only 75 seconds to score the winning touchdown.
Steelers7
11:18
When is the organization going to make a change and replace Bush? He hasn't made a big play this year yet and is always behind on the play and/or getting beat.
Gerry Dulac
11:18
I'll ask them
jim
11:18
That play Cam Heyward made chasing down Herbert thirty yards downfield was a great play by him but a horrible look from our secondary! The lack of effort by our secondary was inexcusable! Will anything be said or done to address this and should there be? Steelers have always been known for their defense. That play should embarrass the other 10 who were out there!
Gerry Dulac
11:18
Yeah, they'll get Haden and Minkah back.
Jerry
11:18
Hey Gerry! I’m not gonna be hard on Bush. The guy is coming off ACL surgery which usually takes a year. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:19
Agreed
HitmanErnie412->305
11:19
The year by year criticism of the offensive coordinator gets old, but this year it seems very justified. Matt Canada simply doesn't belong calling plays in the NFL. It seems the players (Ben and Najee) are just frustrated as the fans. Do the Steelers have anyone else on their staff that can call plays? Would Tomlin ever consider taking off play calling duties?
Gerry Dulac
11:19
Let's hope not. He's already calling the defensive signals.
Jeff
11:19
Thanks for the chats Gerry.  I am not sure what people expected when we had 3 very good if not great starters out.  Very few teams (if any) can be without those caliber of players and expect the defense to be dominate.  Anyways this team is what you said they would be and the only good news is the AFC North is just as inconsistent as we are!  We aren't getting a 1 or 2 seed.  Hope for playoff berth, get people healthy, get some consistency and who knows!!  Have a good Thanksgiving
Gerry Dulac
11:19
Pay the man!
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