JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.8.17

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.8.17

Gerry Dulac

10:49

OK kids, we're going to start our chat in just a few minutes, so get those questions ready.

10:58

Ok, let's go.....

Miles McGuire

10:58

Hi Gerry, 1st time long time. Do you think Steelers front office/scouts are heavily intrigued by the idea of scouting Jacoby B? Could he be a possible option If Big Ben goes out like the Bus did after SB XL ?

Gerry Dulac

10:59

Long wait for a short answer -- no. But thanx for joining in

Miles McGuire

10:59

Can you compare and contrast Mike T and Kevin C relationship vs. Bill C and Kevin C?

Gerry Dulac

11:00

That's two in a row for you.....About the same and that's because of Colbert. He doesn't meddle needlessly, if at all. And he's very open-minded.

John

11:00

How are injuries progressing? Tuitt, Mitchell playing?

Gerry Dulac

11:00

Tuitt will play, Mitchell don't know yet. Have to see him practice and so far he hasn't.

mrbig

11:00

I understand passing at the goal line, but why shotgun/empty backfield? You try to keep the d guessing run or pass everywhere on the field EXCEPT on the goal line?

Gerry Dulac

11:02

I'm with ya. I never fully understand eliminating a possible run option. Always baffling to me, unless you have a running QB like Russell Wilson

Jacque Strap

11:02

Good points in your 'splash play' article about turnovers...strikes me that lack of turnovers is one reason we haven't scored as many points as expected. Seems like the O always has to drive the entire field to score.

Gerry Dulac

11:03

That's true. When NO put up 52 points on detroit, they did so with three defensive scoring returns in that game. Turnovers help with scoring.

Matthew

11:03

I feel like the steelers should draft a free safety and a tight end I feel like Mike has been injury prone lately and that isn't really a plus

Gerry Dulac

11:04

Don't be surprised to see a tight end be their top pick in 2018. I'm already on record with the guy -- Penn State's Mike Gisecki

OHIO412FAN

11:04

Gerry, what are the keys for the Steelers for the rest of the year? Anything they need to improve on? I do see a winnable schedule though.

Gerry Dulac

11:06

Stay out of their own way. Their biggest enemy will be themselves. They should be favored in every game the rest of the way, probably even New England if they are 11-2 at the time.

Matthew

11:06

I feel like the only way the steelers are going to be be beaten is if they beat themselves if martavis starts thinking team play and starts being productive the team is unstoppable they are their only opponent to be agreed?

Gerry Dulac

11:06

Wow, we think alike. See previous answer...

Scott in Dallas

11:07

Bell is on pace for almost 400 carries plus 70 catches. The last player to handle a load like that was Demarco Murray, who the Cowgirls let walk in free agency at the end of that season, and he was not the same the next season. I do not think you can give a back with injury concerns a long-term contract or even almost $15 million on the franchise tag. What do you think?

Gerry Dulac

11:08

There is no way a running back can endure that many touches and that many hits and not be affected long term. That's why another franchise tag might make sense.

Matthew

11:08

Do you think Ben Roethlisberger needs to be wise and stop being a gunslinger and let the game come to him I've been noticing it for a few years now any thoughts on that

Gerry Dulac

11:09

I think he has holstered his gun to some degree. I think he has become more judicious with his throws and is less the gunslinger than he was 5 years ago. But, once a gunslinger.....

latrobe guy

11:09

Hi Gerry, is it safe to say that some of Ben's rough patches have a lot to do with a running back that missed all of camp, a receiver that missed all of last season, a couple of new receivers, one who's a rookie & inconstant tight end play, one of whom wsn't on the team most of camp and has been hurt? Maybe that has something to do with him being off. I think the 2nd half of the season will be better offensively

Gerry Dulac

11:09

I would agree with you LG

Ali

11:09

Really scared of this game on Sunday. These are exactly the type of games that cost the Steelers homefield in the playoffs. Your thoughts?

Gerry Dulac

11:12

C'mon. The Colts have three wins -- against winless Browns and 49ers and Deshaun Watson-less Texans -- and have allowed more points, more passing yards, more sacks and more scoring returns than any team in the league. I actually think they are the worst team in the league, worse than the Browns and 49ers, despite their records. I'm not going to say something stupid like if they lose, I'll walk home from Indy. But, if they lose, I'll have Ed walk home from Indy.

Scott

11:12

Who will be the next Steeler inducted in the HOF?

Gerry Dulac

11:12

Alan faneca

James

11:12

I can understand why big ben doesn't run the quarterback sneak near the goal line but why not give the ball to Nix?

Gerry Dulac

11:13

The guy has zero carries in 3 years in the league. I'm not sure I want his first touch to be at the goalline.

Bob

11:13

prediction for 2nd half of season?

Gerry Dulac

11:13

7-1

Christopher

11:13

I know the defense has been much improved but have you seen any changes or improvements schematically? At the end of last season all that was talked about was improving the def to go up against powerhouse offenses in the playoffs.

Gerry Dulac

11:15

Schematically, no, not yet. But you will see them play more man coverage in the second half of the season and into the postseason. That will be the biggest change.

oldRink

11:15

if a punt returner bobbles the catch, can the opposing team snatch it out of the air? or does the ball have to hit the ground first ?

Gerry Dulac

11:17

Good question. That would have to be some bobble for it to be snatched out of the air by an opponent. In that case, it would be considered a muff because the returner didn't possess the ball, in which case it can be recovered.

Matthew

11:18

I feel like they need to open up the fullback package I like nix as a player open up the play book

Gerry Dulac

11:18

They are in trouble if they need to do that. One carry -- ONE!! -- would be opening the playbook for the fullback.

Bob

11:18

who goes if mitchell doesn't? please don't say golden. hoping for wilcox

Gerry Dulac

11:19

OK, then I won't say