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Paul Zeise's Steelers chat: 11.14.19
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Paul Zeise
12:05
Welcome and let’s get started
Theon
12:07
Hey Paul, I realize that Dupree's sudden ascent has the team in an awkward spot, but I don't understand the talk of him pricing his way out of town. The Steelers always pay top market contracts to their players who are due, particularly their draft picks. See Heyward, DeCastro, Brown, Troy, Timmons, Woodley, Tuitt, etc. They even tried to pay Bell a top market RB contract. I don't think money will be the determining factor
Paul Zeise
12:11
Yes but they also have to make a decision on a number of other guys and fitting it under the cap is not going to be easy. And then there is the discussion about what you are going to pay a guy top dollar seeing as he has only had one year at a high level
Ouija Board
12:11
Paul, What do you think is the probability that the Steelers can establish a consistent and effective running game, this year?
wackadoodle
12:11
When Banner checks in as an eligible receiver doesn't that allow him to leave the line of scrimmage earlier after the snap to throw a block farther downfield for a run or a pass?
Paul Zeise
12:23
Well somehow we got two questions in a row here but they are both related so I’ll answer them. First the running game needs to get going and I believe will if they continue to stick with it and continue to make sure they are able to get James Conner back rolling. I like the other two backs for what they are but Conner is the only real every down runner they have and they need him.
12:24
As for Banner because he is eligible yes he can go down the field and I believe they have some plays in for him to catch the ball. He was open once in the end zone against the Colts, actually, so it is gonna happen
TC from Big D
12:25
I was liking what I saw from Mason Rudolph early on, but since he got knocked out, I feel that he is playing scared. His throws are off (high, low, behind the receiver), and he seems to have little pocket awareness. Please don't give me the "he's only started 6 games" answer.  He is a second year player, not a rookie. I've seen rookies come in and play better.  Is he still rattled from that knockout?
Paul Zeise
12:28
I disagree I think he has gotten better and thought he actually played his best game Sunday against the Rams. He made good throws and tough throws and he did a great job of getting the ball to the right guys. They now need to catch the ball when he throws it them
Dirty Dave the Love Slave
12:28
Hi Paul, thanks for the chat. ¿Do you have any reasonable explanation why the Browns would be a 3-point favorite tonight? Thank you.
Paul Zeise
12:30
Yes - they are the home team and the home field is worth 3 points. And I think these two teams are probably relatively even.  I think the line is actually about what it should be to be honest. I know a lot of people love the Steelers but I can’t quite get all the way there. I think the Browns might give the Steelers the business tonight.
Larry
12:30
I like the adjustments the coaches have made, like playing Chuks last game.  For tonight’s game I think they should have Fitzpatrick play way back to prevent any cheap TD by the Browns.  Agree.
Paul Zeise
12:32
There is no way in taking Fitzpatrick away from the ball right now. It seems like it is finding his hands every week and he is in the right place at the right time quite often. I want him around the ball and making plays. He is so much fun to watch, isn’t he?
Jimmie
12:33
The Steelers can keep Dupree by signing him to a three-year deal as follows: he gets the same salary he gets now for the next two years to stay under the salary cap.  Then, when #7 retires $35 M becomes available.  The Steelers and Dupree's agent can determine what part of the $35 M goes to Dupree in the final year of Dupree's contract. What say you?
Paul Zeise
12:35
I hope you are still tuned in because I have to ask - if you are Dupree why would you do that? Someone is probably going to pay him something like 5 years, $60 million. Why would he take that much less?
TC from Big D
12:35
I've been a Steelers fan since 1978, and I've never heard an excuse like I'm hearing now that "our OLinemen are built for defending the pass than the run" as an excuse for no run game. That is a cop out and an excuse.  They MUST do both, that is the job description.
Paul Zeise
12:37
Are people saying this? That doesn’t even make sense. They are paid a lot of money they better figure out the run blocking and really soon, too. This is one of those things where they also need some help from the running backs too
Bad Form
12:38
Minkah has received a lot of deserved praise. How much of his production (splash plays) can be attributed to the high level of play from Haden, Watt etc, etc? Their coverage, pressure and tipped ball have certainly allowed this ball hawk to thrive!
Paul Zeise
12:42
Well it all works together obviously but Minkah Fitzpatrick is the straw that mixes the drink and allows Haden to be Haden and Nelson to be Nelson and the pass rushers to just go get the QB. They all play freer knowing he is back there to clean up the messes
Jason
12:42
Paul,  Will Vance McDonald get it going tonight?  Very disappointing season so far.  QB change has to be part of reason.  Your thoughts.  Thank you.
Paul Zeise
12:50
Boy I  hope so. I mean you would think with a new quarterback that would be the case that the tight end would be the focal point of him trying to run the offense. One would think he would be the safety outlet and open in the middle of the field where the throws seem easiest to make
Texas Steeler
12:51
I'm confused about the evaluation of Dupree. How does a mediocre player for 4 yrs become a key loss at the end of this season? If the people who matter think he's been doing well, why has he not been extended already? What will it take to replace him?
Paul Zeise
12:53
Well he has taken a huge step forward this year and. Having by far his best year. He is indeed making a case for a big contract. The thing is the Steelers do not negotiate during the season with anyone. And I think they wanted to see what kind of season he was going to have. They’d obviously have to either draft a guy or sign a guy to replace him
Texas Steeler
12:54
I understand we have groomed our OL to pass protect. That being said, how do professional football players, who have excelled at every level of the game, and are being payed heavily for their skills, run block so poorly? I can't believe they have never been asked to do so until this season.
Paul Zeise
12:55
Again they are playing poorly, I don’t think they are bad play players though and I believe they will figure it out one of these weeks
LivinginMDstinks
12:55
Paul, when the Steelers go double tight end with Banner as extra tackle why no JuJu as the lone wide out.  Why Holton?  It seems the play action is not even remotely believable with Holton in there.
Paul Zeise
12:56
Horton is the deep threat so that is why he is out there alone. If they catch a team sleeping it can turn into a big play down the field
Jim
12:57
Why don't Steeler season ticket holders fail to show up for home games? Its sad that they don't sell them or even give them away.
AllanbTN
12:57
Will we see more of Vince Williams tonight than last week?  We need to stop the run!
Paul Zeise
12:59
Season ticket holders for the most part get to the games and it isn’t always easy to sell seats. I know there have been some no shows this year but not nearly as many as some people would make us believe. The crowds have been fine
1:00
I don’t know that we will see more of Vince Williams because Mark Barron is coming off his best game. He really played well last game so I think he will get the majority of the snaps
MrCJJr
1:01
Hello Paul. I asked Gerry this question and his answer is the same as mine. So, I'll ask the same to see if your answer coincides. Why is Dan McCullers still on the roster? I don't believe his snaps have increased since Tuitt's injury...so why keep him? Did someone in the organization lose a bet/or is related to him? Thanks.
Paul Zeise
1:01
Well maybe he talked to Sean Rodriguez about his secret to staying on a roster long after he should be .....
JerseySteel
1:02
Will the Steelers be able to stop the run to force the Browns into passing situations where our defense has been making things happen?
Paul Zeise
1:03
I think so the defensive line has played well and the front seven has gotten better at stopping the run every weeK.
AK
1:03
I don’t understand the fans who want the Steelers to cut or trade Roethlisberger after the season.  Do they really think Rudolph is going to be better?
Paul Zeise
1:05
I think that the thinking is maybe it is time to turn the page and maybe that addition by subtraction thing goes beyond Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. The team seems more united and they seem to be playing more like a team and more invested in winning that’s for sure.
1:06
Well that’s it for me, get your tailgate items ready (well for the tailgate on your porch tonight) and enjoy tonight’s game. We will do it again next week!
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