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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 5.9.18
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Ernie
10:18
Hi Gary, on draft day we traded up to move ahead of Cincinnati to draft Rudolph. What is your knowledge or opinion of the way it went down? All of the bengal fans here in Ohio are adement they were not going to select him. I’m not buying what they r selling.
Gerry Dulac
10:19
First off, how would the fans know. Second, it would be easy for the Bengals or any team to not acknowledge a draft pick that got away
Maddison Homjak
10:19
How do you see the depth chart looking with the QB position behind Ben? Also, how about the HB depth chart if Le'Veon ultimately sits out due to contract talks?
Gerry Dulac
10:20
Right now it will be Ben-Jones-Rudolph. At RB, it will be Conner-Ridley- Samuels
Sluggo
10:21
How do you develop a  QB with no QB coach and no coach with NFL QB experience?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
They have a QB coach -- Randy Fichtner. He has dual role now with OC duties
Chris B.
10:22
Gerry, can you see the defensive scheme altering due to the guys we now have?  If so, how?   Do you think they'll use Watt less in drop-back situations to help the pass rush?  And what about switching in Burnett/Edmonds in for Bostic/Williams in passing situations, which would helt to cover Tight Ends downfield?
Gerry Dulac
10:25
Well, that is part of the plan, to use Burnett and Edmunds in that role. But you stll have to wait and see how that goes.
Lambert Lunatic
10:25
Gerry, the Steelers still seem desperately thin at ILB, even OLB.   Do you believe they're being patient and waiting too see how training camp cuts shake out?  Otherwise, what's the harm in taking a flyer on Timmons or Bowman, a 3-time All-Pro?
Gerry Dulac
10:26
Patient is a euphemism for quietly anxious.
Chris B.
10:26
Who ends up as our punt returner this season?
Gerry Dulac
10:26
We'll see. Maybe James Washington. Maybe Cam Sutton
Sean D
10:26
Now that the dust has settled from the draft, and guessing how much money will be alotted for each picks contracts, how are we sitting cap-wise just in case someone becomes available to us?
Gerry Dulac
10:27
Not sure right now
Brian D.
10:27
Thanks for the chats Gerry. Run defense more concerning than the pass defense? Secondary the deepest group on defense?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
I think so. Thats one of the first things Kevin Colbert talked about during the offseason -- improving the run defense and how to do that playing so much sub-package football.
Lambert Lunatic
10:30
Hi Gerry, so often, you and your colleagues report that a player has agreed to convert his salary to a signing bonus to create cap space.  Since the cap is based on player's salaries, how can Shazier's conversion not free up at least millions?
Gerry Dulac
10:32
Because Shazier does not have any years remaining on his contract after 2018. They can't pro-rate the signing bonus over the next couple years because he doesn't have any more years to do so
Mark in RI
10:32
Gerry, i know the Steelers do well in the draft but they have had some defensive misses in Jarvis Jones and Senquez Golson.  I'm concerned that Dupree, Sean Davis and Artie Burns could be busts as well. Do you see these three taking major steps forward this year and being good players in the future?
Gerry Dulac
10:34
You can't blame the Steelers for Senquez Golson, just as you can't blame Golson for getting injured. Of the three, I think Dupree and Burns have to take the biggest steps.
Zack B
10:34
Be honest...do we bring in outside help at ILB, or even OLB?
Gerry Dulac
10:35
It has nothing to do with honesty. OLB, no. ILB, maybe. I don't think they made any appreciable upgrades at that position, the biggest weakness on the team
ryanh
10:35
Isnt wr depth a concern after the bryant trade were 1 injury away from DHB having to contribute
Gerry Dulac
10:36
Maybe a little. But not that bad. I think Justin Hunter can be the fourth receiver if he has to be. And they can always bring back Eli Rogers after he rehabs from ACL surgery
Dustin in WV
10:37
Gerry, last season Coach Butler had our OLB's dropping into coverage a lot more than we used to see in the Harrison, Woodley, etc. days. This has had an obvious effect on Dupree's pass rush numbers. When we got into passing downs we rush three and go coverage. Do you see us pinning back our ears more this season with the development of our OLB's or sticking to our dink and dunk strategy?
Gerry Dulac
10:37
I would like to see them rush their OLBs more. They need to find players to create some havoc on the outside and they haven't had that in a number of years.
Colin
10:38
If they want to get ILB help cheap Gerald Hodges or Timmons could be brought in.  Bowman may cost more, but he can start.  Kendricks is more of a long term starter, but we would have to trade for him.  What do you think would be the FO's logical plan if these are the choices?
Gerry Dulac
10:38
You are asking for logic based on a premise that has no foundation or certainty.
NIck
10:38
Hi Gerry, It feels like we have a good amount of talent in our secondary, how do you see the depth chart shaping up? And who will the biggest contributers be?
Gerry Dulac
10:40
Hey, I like the young talent they have assembled in the secondary. Keep on eye on Cam Sutton. And don't give up in Brian Allen just yet. Now you got two more young guys and a newcomer at safety.
OK, kids, we out of time. Thanx for the questions. See you next week
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