JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.11.20

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.11.20

Gerry Dulac

10:49

OK kids, we will start our chat in just a couple minutes, so get ready.....

10:55

OK, kids, let's get started....

Jakester

10:55

Thoughts on Pick 49: a RB they have rated #30, a WR they have rated #30 or an Offensive Lineman they have rated #30: Who to select?

Gerry Dulac

10:55

It won't be an offensive lineman if they're all rated the same.

Guest

10:55

Is there any scenario where the team does not tag Dupree?

Gerry Dulac

10:56

Not really. It is their No. 1 priority and I don't think anything has happened to change their mind. They are not in position to sign him to a long-term deal.

Guest

10:56

What's the likelihood the team will address TE or S in free agency?

Gerry Dulac

10:58

Safety is not a priority. I think you will see that addressed later in the draft. Tight end is more of a priority, but it is not a major one. Still, it is the one position most likely to be addressed in free agency. The Steelers can always keep their fingers crossed and hope Vance McDonald can stay healthy.

Guest

10:58

Is Barron or Vance back with the team next year?

Gerry Dulac

10:58

Both

Damien

10:58

With Bud presumably being tagged for this coming season, do you expect this to be his last in Pittsburgh, or do you feel they’ll get a long term deal done before hit hits FA again? Thanks.

Gerry Dulac

11:00

The long-term deal will be going to TJ Watt, so the most likely thing w Bud is he might get a second franchise tag or not one at all, depending what happens in 2020. If he is that productive this season, they won't be able to afford a long-term deal with him anyway.

Guest

11:00

What kind of implications will COVID-19 have on the draft process regarding pro days, prospect visits?

Gerry Dulac

11:01

We shall see. I think a bigger impact will come with the draft being held in Vegas. Pro days and office visits don't carry the same type of community-spread threats

Artie Bridge

11:01

Let's say selection #49 rolls around and Chase Claypool and maybe a few other highly regarded wr's are on the board. So are the tight ends noted in the P-G profile piece last week. Who would you pick? Or would you go in a different direction, maybe ol or rb?

Gerry Dulac

11:02

If all ratings are the same for players at different positions, i think you will see them lean toward WR. They never turn their back on a quality skill player, and most of those are WRs, especially if one is a playmaker.

Jerry Jones

11:02

If I don't tag Dak or sign Amari, will the Steelers end up signing them. I hear the Steelers are great at working the cap, so I'm afraid they'll steal them from me. I need to be comforted.

Gerry Dulac

11:02

Take a nap.

Mike

11:03

Al Villanueva was a TE in college. He'd provide great blocking and CAN catch. Have the Steelers ever thought about that move?

Gerry Dulac

11:03

Nope. And never will.

Steelers2010

11:03

Gerry, do you think the Steelers will try and re-sign Watt or JuJu this offseason?

Gerry Dulac

11:04

I'm not sure about this season, but when the salary cap goes up appreciably in 2021, it will definitely happen by then. Not to worry.

Todd from Swissvale

11:04

I agree that the Steelers front office is the best in the league. Does anyone even come close to working the draft pick compensation system as good as they do? It seems they get picks every year and nail those picks better than anyone else.

Gerry Dulac

11:05

It is hard to find any organization in the league that retains its best players better and more often than the Steelers. There's a reason why they are among the best, if not the best, franchises in the league over the past 3 to 4 decades.

Double T

11:05

Do the Steelers have most Hall of Famers in the league? It seems they are always in the Hall of Fame game. I understand they are the most popular team, but it doesn't seem right they play the game so often.

Gerry Dulac

11:05

No. And they don't play the HOF game any more than most other teams.

11:08

BTW, they have played in the HOF game five times since 1965. This will be Dallas' fourth time in the game since 2010.

'Double Divot Dewey

11:08

Been a bit since we've received any updates on Ben's progression. Have you heard any additional updates? Sorry - but I think this might be a common question right up till Game 1......

Gerry Dulac

11:09

They don't provide daily updates, nor should they or will they. You can be curious all you want but until we hear more there is nothing else to say.

Go Steelers!

11:09

If you had to cover any other team in the league, who would you choose? I assume it'd be a warm climate team since you like to golf.

Gerry Dulac

11:09

I'm perfectly satisfied what I'm doing.

TX Steeler

11:09

Given the depth of talent in a few positions of need and our relative lack of picks, would it be worth exploring a trade of next years 2 for a 3 and 4-5 this year? I know the Steelers don't like trading away the future, but this draft seems like a good one to stock up on. What is the forecast for next year's talent?

Gerry Dulac

11:10

No. And I'm lucky to know and evaluate this year's talent, let alone next year's.

574Fan

11:11

I'm guessing that you know Ben as well as any media figure in town at this point. It certainly seems as if he will be back for training camp as his rehab is on schedule, but who knows what to expect in terms of arm strength, durability (given age and injury), etc. Given the resurgence of the defense last season, it seems like it makes sense for this team to try to revert to the formula that won a lot of games pre-2010: control the LOS, control TOP, run the ball, play action, etc. My question is would Ben buy in? I have a higher opinion of him as a person now than I did years ago, but is he really at a point where it's team first at all costs for him? Seems like he should be since another ring would be a huge feather in his cap post-retirement and he isn't playing for another contract, so I guess it's an ego question.

Gerry Dulac

11:13

Look, Ben will adapt to whatever formula is best to win. It's the Steelers who develop that formula. And, with an improved defense, it will require him to throw less if the Steelers are trying to protect leads instead of trying to overcome deficits. The key to his rehab is how well Ben will be able to spin the ball. Those are numbers he can measure. Spin rate determines accuracy and, in some cases, distance. Velocity is important, yes, but not as important as the spin rate.

Big Kev

11:13

Did Goodell give the Steelers one of the easiest schedules because they will be on Hard Knocks and play in the Hall of Fame game? Seems like a fair deal.

Gerry Dulac

11:14

There is no such thing. The formula for a schedule is determined years in advance.

Jason

11:14

Gerry, Would you be hurt if the Steeler's go with Jalen in the 2nd rd? Thanks.

Gerry Dulac

11:14

I don't let any pick ever affect my appetite. But if you mean Jalen Hurts, that ain't happening either.

mark bo

11:15

Do you see the steelers cutting Switzer,Foster ? Keeping Finney?