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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 1.31.18
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Gerry Dulac
11:01
OK lets get our chat started kids...
Eddie G
11:01
Just read "Bradshaw's half baked" comments...  While I agree he is off base saying Haley's play calling was great... he is 100% correct that Haley's offense didn't give up 45 points to the Jags.  The defense is broken.  Why aren't Tomlin and the defensive coaches held accountable.  Haley was, and his offense scored 42 points.
Gerry Dulac
11:02
I can't argue with you or him, Eddie. That no defensive coach was held accountable, when they know fundamentals were part of the problem, is terribly surprising (and inexcusable) to me.
Kyle
11:02
Is this years defensive performance combined with the fact they only play the base 3-4 35% of the time an indicator that the game has passed the 3-4 defense by and time to change?
Gerry Dulac
11:03
No, I don't think so. Ask any of the people who run or built the 3-4 defense, it is predicated on the linebackers. And right now the Steelers LB aren't a strong unit, not without Shazier.
Skerns
11:03
Chances the Steelers bring in a free agent Nose Tackle and or draft one with a top 3 draft pick. Javon Hargrave needs pushed I think. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
11:04
None. There is nothing wrong with Hargrave.
JJ
11:04
I know that a win is a win, and 13 out of 16, on the surface, certainly seems impressive. (Every team would love that).  However, considering that 2 of those wins came against an 0 - 16 team, and only by 3 and 4 points, Lions only by 5, Colts (w/o Andrew Luck) only by 3, Packers (w/o Aaron Rogers) only by 3, and Bengals only by 3, (that's 6 of the 13), was our presumably high powered offense really an under achiever ?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
I think your first line would suffice for the answer. You can do that with EVERY team in the league. At the end, you count em up. That's ALL that matters.
vut5686
11:05
Gerry, local writers seem to give Tomlin a pass on his support of defensive coaches.  If the same management drafts players going forward and coaches them as they have in the past, how can we get better?  There does seem to be agreement the defense is the problem.
Gerry Dulac
11:07
Part of it is the players. Look, I don't agree the Steelers lack talent on defense or they have to drastically change what they do, including switch to a 4-3. They were, I'll poin t up, the fifth-best defense in the league, which means (in case you're not counting), they were 26 other defenses who were worse than the Steelers. You just don't happen to see them on a weekly basis or read about it on a daily basis.
sprouts
11:09
If I have a better roster than another coach, that doesn't necessarily make me a better coach.  I'm a Tomlin fan, and don't think coaches should be fired all the time, but there is always another Cowher or Tomlin out there... coaches nobody knew until the Steelers hired them. I'm not discounting the value he brings, but he has to improve his management of details and the focus of his players and his staff.  Just saying he went 13-3, who else would you hire, is not sufficient.
Gerry Dulac
11:10
The point you are missing in your argument is that the Steelers were the ones who "discovered" Cowher and Tomlin (coaches nobody knew, to use your verbiage). So it would follow then that those same Steelers are the ones who are qualified to evaluate whether Tomlin is a good coach or not. Agreed? So, in this instance, it apparently is sufficient to them, the ones who are imminently qualified to discover and assess. Right?
sprouts
11:11
Who are some of your favorite writers in other NFL cities?
Gerry Dulac
11:12
Grossi in Cleveland. Hobson Cincy. Kuharski Tenn. McManamon Clev. Plenty
JR-FL
11:12
Gerry, I love Marcus Allen(PSU) as a late 1st round pick for the Steelers. I have seen him rated as a late 1st round and some say 2nd round. I know ILB will be tough to pass up in Round 1, but it is considered a weak draft for ILB this year so I am not sure I would invest a RD 1 pick there. What are your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
I like Marcus Allen too, but not sure I would pull the trigger on a safety in the first round if I could find an ILB. But I wouldn't argue w the pick at all.
SteeleinSF
11:13
Do you see the Steelers having cap issues this year? Anything they can do to regarding Shazier's salary. I definitely think he should paid, but if he is going to be out a few years..8 million is a lot to against the cap.
Gerry Dulac
11:15
There is nothing they can do about Shazier's salary. It counts against their cap, regardless if he ever plays again. And, if they sign Bell, it will really hamstring them against the cap, especially if they use the franchise tag on him.
Guest
11:15
Bell's a very good back. Maybe the best. But this offense can be tweaked in its scheme to score points without him ... possible now with Haley gone. Let Bell walk, draft a good back (the draft is reportedly rich in backs this year), and use the money saved to sign some quality free agent safeties and ilb's. If they don't do this, they have 0% chance of getting to another Super Bowl. Agree or disagree?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
I don't agree with the latter part. They not only not have a zero chance of getting to the Super Bowl, they have an excellent chance of getting there in 2018. Basically their entire group of starters return. I doubt Mike Mitchell will be back and obviously they have do something about a replacement for Shazier. As for Bell, with the players they have on offensse, I think they can find another back to come in and average more than 3.9 yards per carry and rush for 1,000 yards.
JR-FL
11:18
Gerry, What is your gut feeling on Bell? 1. We pay him long term 2. He walks and we use the money to help the defense 3. We tag him one more time
Gerry Dulac
11:19
According to Bell, sounds like they want to sign him. I'm not sure that's a good thing.
Fare Whether Fan
11:19
What can the Steelers do to fix the secondary? And do you see them signing any big name free agent? It’s been almost a decade or more since we’ve had a competent secondary who all seem to be on the same page and don’t give up big plays. Really thinking it’s coaching/development. Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
Nope. Did that last year with Joe Haden. Look, they have good young players with Burns, Davis and Cam Sutton, even Brian Allen, at corner. This isn't William Gay, Ross Cockrell and Antwon Blake.
jim
11:22
Why is it that Tomlin Colbertand Rooney are unable to admit our defense stinks? It is so frustrating to have such a great offense and to be stuck with the exact same defensive coaches heading into next year! Can you please enlighten me?
Gerry Dulac
11:22
I'm not sure I can to that point
JP
11:22
Hi Gerry, which play did the Steelers season fate change more - shazier's injuring tackle or James's catch but non-catch? Agree with Coach Tomlin that they did lose the "moments" this season.
Gerry Dulac
11:22
Shazier's injury without a doubt
ALB
11:23
Good morning, Gerry.  Are you personally rooting for either team in the Super Bowl? If so, why?
Gerry Dulac
11:23
Nope
PJW
11:23
With the mega-deal that Smith just signed, do you believe it less likely that Bell returns? While I understand that Smith is a QB, his deal shows how stupid teams are in acquiring players, making it likely that someone will pay Bell $17 mill per year, or so. Steelers indicated they will not franchise him again by my understanding.
Gerry Dulac
11:23
I've always maintained I could be an NFL GM when I see the stupidity of some teams who offer contracts such as those.
Dj Cain
11:24
Hey Gerry! You think Bell made the statement he made to diffuse a distraction while at the Pro Bowl or do you think he and the Steelers are talking as he stated?
Gerry Dulac
11:24
I'll believe when I hear it.
Josh from SoCal
11:24
With ILB most likely being their top priority going into the draft, what's their 2nd biggest area of need? I've read a lot stating that it's at FS but would you be surprised if they went after an OLB? Dupree has been thoroughly disappointing thus far and, according to Steelersdepot, had ZERO high quality sacks this last season.
Gerry Dulac
11:25
Yes, Dupree has been disappointing, but I think, in an ideal world, they will draft ILB first, S second. Doesn't matter if it's free or strong. They will probably move Sean Davis into Mike Mitchell's spot.
Coachjpat
11:25
On defense would you say there is a middle of the field problem?  That seems to be the area where teams attached the defense this year: Short, middle and deep
Gerry Dulac
11:25
Yes, and the reason is the loss of Shazier.
Putuporshutup
11:26
Hi,Gerry, I love Bell and agree he is best RB in NFL but...The 2 SB teams have good running backs but not great backs.  Point is the defense is close to needing a complete overhall and that means money that won't be there if Bell is a Steeler.  Fix the D!  Really, I am 56 years old and never thought I would see a Steeler defense that can't tackle!  Time to start over on D.
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