JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.05.22

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.05.22

Gerry Dulac

10:50

OK kids, we will start our chat in just a few minutes

10:53

OK, let's get started...Go!!

Fire Canada

10:53

Is there any reason we didn’t see more jumbo packages with Banner versus the Browns or before? If you don’t want to mess up chemistry, ok, but wouldn’t it provide a potential boost?

Gerry Dulac

10:53

Has anyone figured out yet why the coaches are choosing not to play Zach?

Fire Canada

10:54

Thoughts on the play of Allen and Spillane versus the Browns? I feel like I should be concerned there wasn’t a discernible difference between Bush / Schobert.

Gerry Dulac

10:54

Haha. No matter what you might think, there was a difference. Spillane good against the run but I think you saw his liabilities in coverage

Fire Canada

10:54

What do you think is the biggest difference in Claypool’s play between Y1 and Y2? It doesn’t seem like he has the same desire on the 50 / 50 balls like last year.

Gerry Dulac

10:55

He doesn't run good routes, for starters. How many times do you see him open? Other than a quick 3-yard slant, name me a time when you see him open in the middle of the field or the sideline. He runs about the same 2 or 3 routes and that's it.

artie bridge

10:55

Which of this year's offensive linemen do you think will be back as starters next year?

Gerry Dulac

10:56

Moore, Green, Chuks. Maybe

Troy D.

10:56

Gerry, Last week I asked for your favorite Ben memory. Since Ben is headed toward retirement and he seems to like Golf as you do, have you ever played against Ben? If you did, did you defeat him? If you haven’t, have you watched his level of play, and could you defeat him?

Gerry Dulac

10:56

I have and Ben is very good. Athletic and strong, hits it a mile.

SMF

10:57

Hi Gerry; Thanks for the chats and Happy New Year. The most illuminating statistic of the Browns game for me was that Ben completed 5 consecutive third down passes—resulting in zero first downs. Third down pass completions followed by a punt is what losing teams do. For all the talk about poor running game—this is far worse. Meaning—Matt Canada has to go--the sooner the better.

Gerry Dulac

10:59

The play-calling is a matter of much debate, not to mention angst.

Tim

10:59

Once a quitter,always a quitter. When I see such great players like Cam Heyward who gets it and represents himself, the organization and the shield so well in the community and beyond, I’m amazed at the behavior of AB. He gives people w true mental health issues a bad characterization by being a bad person. Just go away, shirtless AB waving to the crowd, I’m embarrassed that you were once a Steeler.

Gerry Dulac

11:07

I thought his insubordination with the Steelers was the worst I've ever seen in the NFL. Until this past weekend. He has failed to co-exist with three of the most player-friendly coaches in the NFL -- Tomlin, Gruden and Arians -- and the selfish, narcissistic, egomaniacal behavior is always the same. The part I love is the people around the league who suspect he has mental health issues or is in need of an intervention, and yet teams/GMs who are desperate keep signing him and enabling the very same behavior and attitude that cause displays what we saw in New York. If the league is concerned about AB's mental health -- and I'm not saying they are or even obligated to be -- they should suspend him for conduct detrimental and not allow these teams who have no shame or regard for professional behavior from signing him and giving him a chance for more bizarre behavior. The hypocrisy is boundless

Fond Dulac

11:07

Did it take a new line coach to make that much of a difference? I know the Browns were dinged up but the line seemed to be attacking, getting on blocks and staying on them. I think it has been at least three years since I've seen the line play that way for a whole game.

Gerry Dulac

11:07

The line was outstanding the other night.

Javi

11:07

Hello Gerry. What do you make of Tomlins record of no losing seasons? Seems like that will be the storyline when people talk of his career. Feels like its a bit overblown considering only 1 SB win.

Gerry Dulac

11:08

It's not overblown. No coach in history has ever done that. Nothing overblown about it. And there are coaches in the HOF who don't have any Super Bowls.

SMF

11:08

Hi Gerry: It is surprising that the Steeler wide receivers rarely have separation, maybe 18 a few times a game. 11 looks horrible this year compared to last year, everything is a jump ball combat catch where he high jumps and falls down. 13 is NEVER open. How did this get so bad? Is Matt Canada’s finger prints on this as well? Ike Hilliard was so good as a Pro he must hate this.

Gerry Dulac

11:09

It didn't get bad. They don't have receivers who can get open or work hard enough on trying to get better. The lone exception is 18, who gets out of his break quickly. Otherwise, none. I give you props for realizing this!!

Fond Dulac

11:11

I keep seeing items from the national media pushing Parson for DPOY. Are they going to find another way to bridesmaid TJ? I thought his performance Monday night would have salted it away. Four sacks, two batted balls, getting into Baker's head ... what more can a guy do?

Gerry Dulac

11:12

Dion't worry, Parsons won't win. He has an award waiting for him -- defensive rookie of the year. After Monday night on national TV, no way Watt doesn't win the award.

Salvatore

11:12

Hello Gerry!!! Happy new year! Do you think this new ol coach Could be the answer long term ?? If munchack is available would he come back?

chuck Mac

11:13

Monday night was quite the celebration. Our fans put aside all the crabbing about Ben and stepped back and up to celebrate a Pittsburgh guy like Pittsburghers. Made me know that being a Steeler fan is more than wins and losses - its loyalty Gerry. You with me? !!

Gerry Dulac

11:13

110 percent. It was nice to see. Fully behind him, even though it wasn't one of Ben's better performances.

Ted

11:13

Why has James Washington played such a minor role in the offense?

Gerry Dulac

11:14

Too inconsistent. Doesn't get open. Otherwise, he's terrific

Fire Canada

11:14

How would you feel heading into 2022 with Witherspoon and Sutton as your outside backs?

Gerry Dulac

11:15

If Haden doesn't come back, that's what you might be seeing

11:15

Gerry, when you reflect on the injuries that have caused varying issues for Tomlin in the stadiums in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Ben in 2019, Bush and Dupree in 2020, JuJu, Alualu, and Tuitt in 2021, which year is his best coaching job? I am guessing 2019 is the obvious choice, but to have another non-losing season with the challenges of the 2021 schedule is impressive. Can magic Mike pull a QB out of his hat for 2022?

Gerry Dulac

11:16

I would say 2019 without Ben and 2013 when they started 0-4. I don't put this in that category, not even close.

Beth

11:16

Hi Gerry, are we stuck with Mason for a year at QB? There don’t seem to be very many decent prospects to be drafted this coming year so is it better to wait a year and see if there’s anyone we like in the next draft? Maybe even give Duane Haskins a chance. Or do we fall back on “the best athlete available”? I would hope we would shore up our offensive and defensive lines before reaching for a QB prospect.

Gerry Dulac

11:18

Your last sentence is the first thing that needs to happen. They are not very good on either line of scrimmage. The quarterback won't matter if that isn't addressed at the top of the draft AND free agency.

Ryan

11:18

Mr Dulac hope you enjoyed your New Years. With Dan moores improving body of work do you see his spot as the safest? Every other position seems completely up in the air.

Gerry Dulac

11:19

I would agree. And I'm willing to concede Green is a rookie playing a new position and giving him another year to evolve

Ted

11:19

What direction do you see the Steelers going with QB next year?

Gerry Dulac

11:20

Rudolph with Haskins getting a big-time chance in the preseason.

Yates

11:20

Hi Gerry- Of all the games you have attended over the years where does this past Sunday’s rank in terms of Steeler Nation atmosphere?