You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Paul Zeise's Steelers chat: 11.07.19
powered byJotCast
Paul Zeise
12:02
OK we should be up and running now so let’s get it going!
Craig
12:02
Thanks for the chats, Paul.  I the Patriots go on to win the Superbowl, would AB get a ring?
Paul Zeise
12:04
I think each team decides that but in general a lot of teams give a ring to everyone who was on the roster throughout the season so that would be an interesting development.  Again don’t quote me but I think it is up to each team
Adam
12:04
Perhaps you already addressed this elsewhere but why wouldn't the Steelers have placed a waiver claim for Josh Gordon?  He could have been claimed for almost zero risk and we were just about to release Moncrief.  Gordon surely would be an upgrade from him.
Paul Zeise
12:06
I think they probably just didn’t want to deal with a guy who might bring a circus with him. They have worked hard to get rid of all that nonsense and to bring a guy like him back seems counter productive. I also wonder how much Gordon actually has left to give
Rudolphlooksliketaylorlaughtner
12:06
Has Martavis “smoky” Bryant been reinstated by the Nfl yet?
Paul Zeise
12:07
Not that I know of. What a waste of a whole lot of talent
Uniontown Steeler
12:07
Hello Paul: Any updates as to how Ben is progressing or when he should be able to use his arm?  Thanks.
Paul Zeise
12:08
We have not heard much or anything about Ben or from Ben. It seems like he is on the normal path to getting back to healthy.
DJPAULHOWARD
12:09
Seeing how Bud is playing and how much people talk about Hargrave.... who is a bigger priority to sign this off-season? My choice is Bud. He and Watt have become a great LB tandem. What say you???
Paul Zeise
12:11
I would agree with that but can they afford Bud? I mean he could be looking at a big, big number especially if he continues to get sacks. That position is one of priority anyway and it is always going to be as long as it is a passing league. Hargrove is important but I think he is replaceable. They will try and sign both but I just don’t know if they can fit Dupree in under their cap
Adam
12:12
Is Juju just not getting open?  I don't understand why we don't find more creative ways to get him the ball.
Paul Zeise
12:15
I think it is a combination of things. I think there is some of him not getting open and beating one-on-one coverage at times. I think Mason Rudolph is bailing out of plays early and dumping it off too much. I said the Steelers would be better off using Diontae Johnson in the old AB role and have JuJu remain in a role he was excellent at the last few years in the slot. I think they have made themselves weaker at two spots by moving JuJu
B&G
12:19
Mason threw some wobblers last week. Was there a problem or just a slippery little thang?
Paul Zeise
12:21
I think he throws some wobblers every week. He doesn’t have a canon like some other QBs but he has a strong enough arm to make every throw. His biggest issue is he doesn’t have a lot of experience and hasn’t played in enough games to make quick, fast decisions.
DJPAULHOWARD
12:21
I believe Mason is still learning the ins and outs of QB in the NFL. Thus the inconsistencies in the passing game and missed reads and such.  Have you seen enough from this small sample size to think he is the long term answer at QB for the Steelers???
Paul Zeise
12:27
I haven’t seen enough to make an opinion one way or another. I just haven’t. I see some really good things that make me think he can do it. But he never looks comfortable in the pocket, he doesn’t move around very well back there and he hasn’t been consistent throwing the deep ball. He has a lot of room for growth so we just need to watch how he develops this season before we decide what he is.
Greg
12:27
Coach Paul, what would be your game plan for this weekend's game? Open up the deep ball? Power running game? Feature the tight ends?
Paul Zeise
12:31
First thing I would do is figure out what number Aaron Donald is wearing and make sure we always have two guys to block him!!! No seriously if ever you wanted to try and dink and dunk this is it. You don’t want Rudolph in the pocket for too long. I do think if you can get the running game going you can have some success with screens and play action but that is a big if at this point. In short, I’d try and do my best to keep Rudolph clean and be content to punt as opposed to force things and make mistakes. I honestly think 17 points might be enough to win this game.
Dale
12:31
What do you see as Tomlin's greatest strength as a coach? The usual answer seems to be that it's motivating players, and he does seem to be better at this than most, yet still we start seasons slow, start games slow, and lose to teams we should beat even when top players are healthy.
Paul Zeise
12:33
I think he is excellent at motivating players and also keeping his teams engaged and fighting even when a season or game looks lost. He is very good at handling players and getting the most out of some guys who may not have as much of a takent
BB
12:34
Is Mason Rudolph's arm strong enough to be a franchise quarterback. He seems to be short on a lot of passes and has a loop to his deep passes?
Paul Zeise
12:35
I don’t think that is an issue. He was known as a deep ball thrower in college.
Bill in SF
12:35
Why are the Steelers so inept at 4 minute offense situations.  I can't remember the last time they were able to put together a couple first downs and close out a game - it's been at least a couple years.
Paul Zeise
12:38
That is very easy to answer - they stink at running the ball. And that’s when they are running normal offense. But when teams know they have to run the ball the Steelers have no chance at all. They need to get this running game going for all situations but especially to close games
Jimbo
12:38
Will pitt be winning ACC football and basketball trophies along with the vball team this year or what?   Maybe 1-2 national championships and a bowl win too!!!!
Paul Zeise
12:39
🤦🏾‍♂️
Ricky
12:39
Say it Paul you’ve seen enough are we making the playoffs one way or another? Yes or No ?
Paul Zeise
12:40
I think so, so yes. I look at their schedule and think 9-7 is probable and 10-6 is possible. Either one of those records get them in
Emilio
12:41
Who is more likely to continue coaching career in NFL Joey Porter or Todd Haley?
Paul Zeise
12:43
Todd Haley. He is a proven, established NFL coordinator. He is good at what he does. Someone will hire him if he wants to coach again. There is only one coach in America I can think of that would give Porter a job.....
574 Fan
12:46
Did we not do Bud at least a small financial favor by picking up his option this year at $9mil - it seems a stretch that anyone else would have paid him that kind of money this year (granted it would have likely been part of a longer term deal elsewhere)?  And is it possible that he considers that when negotiating a long term deal after the season (maybe a small home town discount)?
Paul Zeise
12:50
The Steelers have taken care of Bud but as we know, that doesn’t always factor into everything when it comes time to get paid. And I don’t blame guys by the way - he will get one shot at getting paid in full, why should he not demand his value? The one thing I will say is I think because of how well he fits in the defense he would be smart to think about how much being in a great organization and great situation. That may be worth taking a little less.
Gorms
12:50
Don't you think that to get the running game going they must open up the passing game more teams see what they are doing and just crowd the line of scrimmage no fear of the dink and dunk
Paul Zeise
12:53
It works both ways but it wasn’t working when Ben was playing, either. The running backs aren’t getting to the right holes, they aren’t making guys miss and they aren’t making yards after contact. They have to run harder and smarter. And the offensive line needs to just keep getting better as well. The run game has to get better and that has nothing to do with the passing game being limited
574 Fan
12:54
Keeping Bud and TJ together after this year will be very expensive as I'm sure they'll want to extend TJ probably after next season at the latest.  But the pressure that they are creating and the TO's that are resulting are the straws stirring the drink right now.  Is it worth it to let some guys like Hargrave and Conner go in order to try to keep them together?
Paul Zeise
12:57
I don’t know that I’d be signing James Conner to a big money long term deal. He has to stay healthy and prove he can be durable. Hargrave is replaceable too. I think the two outside rush positions are so important to this defense I absolutely would hope they’d do everything in their power to sign those two guys. I just don’t know if they can
well it has been fun but I’m done!!! Let’s do I again next week. Thanks for participating and all the great questions
Connecting…