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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 12.28.23
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Gerry Dulac
10:09
That's what happened to the Steelers earlier this season. Apparently, that is considered a continuation of the play, even the play was blown dead, according to NFL rules. I don't get it either.
The Drunken Spaniard
10:10
Gerry, thanks for the great work, and all the best to you and yours in 2024. About Rudolph: My recollection of him from the 2019 season was that he looked good up until the big hit that concussed him and knocked him unconscious in game 5 or so. After he returned from the protocol, he never looked the same to me--either gun shy, or maybe just still feeling the effects of the injury. Looking back to refresh my memory, I see that over the 3 game stretch to begin his time as a starter, he lost the first 2 and beat the final team (the Bengals, again). The scores of those losses were close--26-28 to the 49ers, and another one score game lost in the final minutes to the Seahawks. My questions: one, do you agree with my memory that Rudolph was promising before the injury. Two, would you say that the 2019 team (Brown/Bell just traded, Bush drafted) was worse talent-wise on both offense and defense than 2023? Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
10:11
I would agree. And, if you remember, he came back against the Jets late in the season and played very well until he got knocked from the game (and for the season) with a severe shoulder injury. I have always thought Mason was Neil O'Donnell -- you could win 10 games with him and get to the playoffs but you might be always looking for someone better.
29342ss
10:12
This script is nauseating. Just as we were getting somewhere with necessary negative attention on Tomlin, long overdue, the Bengals lay a dud and he's immediately off the hook. Teflon Tom(lin).
Gerry Dulac
10:13
For this week, anyway. But let me say this -- he is only "off the hook" with some fans and, I'm guessing you believe, the media. But he is not "off the hook" with the Steelers because he was never "on the hook."
Andrew in ATL
10:13
Hi Gerry, if the Steelers win this week do the Steelers stick with Rudolph or does Kenny get the start in a must win season finale?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
They will stick with Rudolph. Mike Tomlin would be stupid not to.
Guest
10:13
Who is on the HOF committee and what is their reasoning for not voting for Hines Ward?  Too many Steelers already there?
Gerry Dulac
10:15
I think it has more to do with having three WRs on the ballot who have already been multiple finalists -- Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson. Until one or two of them get in, if they do, Hines is going to have to wait. But do I think Hines deserves to be in for them? Yes I do. He has numbers better than most of them, he's a Super Bowl MVP, and he redefined the way the position can be played with his blocking.
KN Phoenix
10:15
Hello . Thank you as always for the chat . What do you think Steelers will do with Mason next year ? Do you see them really opening a competition for the starting QB job ? I would think they should because both Mason and Pickett were drafted by the team and by the same GM and Pickett has not won the starting QB job outright yet .  What would you do ? Thank you very much . Happy New Year !
Gerry Dulac
10:17
There will be no open competition next year. Kenny Pickett is their QB in 2024. But I think Rudolph has a good chance of being re-signed, if he wants to come back. But he will only come back, I would imagine, if he's the No. 2 QB. Remember, that Bengals game was on national TV, and he did a lot to show other teams he can be a pretty good backup QB.
Johnny Sins
10:17
Hello Gerry, what happens Sunday if Mason Rudolph plays well and beats Seattle. Kenny will be fully recovered for Baltimore. Who starts then?
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Asked and answered. Rudolph. Not even a debate.
TBULL in Raven Country
10:18
Gerry, lots of talk this morning about Russel Wilson and the Steelers, any chance this is possible.  I hate the idea.
Gerry Dulac
10:18
None whatsoever
Andrew in ATL
10:18
Hi Gerry, I like the ability of Najee to close games out with his running style. Is that enough for them to pick up his 5th year option?
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Not yet it isn't.
Sara Jay
10:18
Gerry, is there any way Kenny Pickett DOES NOT enter 2024 as the Steelers starting QB?
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Nope.
Beer_baron
10:18
Are major changes (plural) a given this offseason, or will all be forgotten by another ‘not a losing’ season, even if due to the Ravens resting players?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
There will be major changes on the coaching staff. and I think you will see some changes on the defensive side of the ball. But not a lot
Section Unknown
10:19
Hi Gerry, Given the play of Rudolph last week against the Bengals, do you see Omar Kahn resigning him as a free agent and cutting Trubisky? Or do you let both Rudolph and Trubisky move on, and go after a veteran QB like Russell Wilson for 2024 to battle Pickett in camp for the starting job?
Gerry Dulac
10:20
That's very possible, considering what Trubisky is scheduled to make the next two years. They would be saving "real" money -- $11.25 million over two years -- if they release him.
The Drunken Spaniard
10:21
Neither Pickett nor Rudolph are franchise QBs, but up to this point Kenny looks mostly like a game manager, where Rudolph looks like's capable of doing a little bit more. During Rudolph's worst performances the team has turned the ball over multiple times (not just INTs, but fumbles by Rudolph and others). To your eye, would you say that Rudolph is just naturally more aggressive/risk taking than KP, do you think it's an experience question, or is KP just being kept on such a short leash that he's unable to take more shots? Live by the sword/die by the sword, but this team doesn't seem to be able to win with a QB that won't occasionally take a risk on a low percentage throw, or a deep ball.
Gerry Dulac
10:24
The Steelers made a decision last year to bring in two QBs over Rudolph, so they apparently did so for what they felt was good reason. And, for that reason, they never gave Rudolph a chance in training camp and preseason games to work with the first-team offense, even though they said there was an open QB competition. Pickett is not as experienced as Rudolph, so he is not going to see the checkdowns or go through his progressions as well as Rudolph. Pickett protects the ball better than the other two, but part of that is because of their reins they put on him as a young QB. But he has done a good job with that. Lot of variables to consider
Yates
10:24
Hi Gerry-   Which safeties have best chance to return to line/up this week?   What do you know about nature of 39’s injury?  How about Neal’s injury?
Gerry Dulac
10:24
Neal is not scheduled to return this season. Minkah might be iffy for Seattle.
Mike from NC
10:24
Hello Gerry, How many of the QBs in this year’s room will be back in 2024? Happy Holidays!
Gerry Dulac
10:24
2
Soggy
10:25
Wish you all the best in the New Year Gerry.  Do the steelers kick the tires on Russell Wilson in the off season?  What kind of salary do you think he commands at this point??
Gerry Dulac
10:25
No I don't. They have their starting QB. That being said, I thought he would have been a great free-agent add before the 2022 season.
Willy
10:25
Is this a NFL starter?
24 games
Only 13 TD passes- 13 interceptions
3.0 yard average for rushing attempts
Fumbled 6 times
Pickett needs to turn his hat forward and start acting like a man instead of looking for the beer bong. Starters take charge, Pickett runs scared  in the pocket.
Gerry Dulac
10:26
Let's start with the hat!
Maryann
10:26
Hi Gerry, this is off topic but how does San Fran manage their cap?  They signed McCaffrey, gave Nick Bosa a huge contract along with Deebo and picked up Chase Young.  It’s baffling why we never get a big splash in free agency that could really help us.  Not older players or patchwork.  We pick up players and I don’t even know who the heck they are!
Gerry Dulac
10:27
The Steelers manage the cap as well as anyone. But I think you have to consider that SF is a Super Bowl-caliber team that will be looking for those big pieces of the puzzle to get them over the top. The Steelers are not a Super Bowl-caliber team.
Harry Callas
10:27
Hello Mr Dulac! National media has already started to connect the Steelers to Russell Wilson because he’s from Virginia. Just like Tomlin. And we know Mike likes guys from his area. See Vick, Mike. Will they pursue him in offseason?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
No. I don't think Wilson has any designs on being a backup
Andrew in ATL
10:28
In the beginning of Ben's career, I remember there being some sort of unwritten rule to keep his number of throws under 25 per game. Then eventually he was given more opportunity to open it up and we all saw what he became. Kenny seems to be in a similar situation to start his career where he is being coached to be ultra safe. Isn't that likely to stunt his development rather than letting him go out there and play aggressively and learn from his mistakes?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
He had Jerome Bettis and a great defense. No comparison
Much Maligned Post Malone
10:29
Isn't the Mason Rudolph game proof that Tomlin has been guilty of malpractice with the most important position on the field for long enough? Cowher was the same but he got lucky and got overruled on the Roethlisberger pick. Tomlin has this FO wrapped around his finger so no chance of that.
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