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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 06.05.24
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Gerry Dulac
9:52
OK kids, we'll start our chat in just a few minutes. A little news to start your day: the Steelers are meeting with former CB Cam Sutton today and are expected to sign him to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, according to sources.
Stairway to seventh seed
10:00
Gerry: I know that Heyward showed up for OTAs this week, but given he seems to think he is entitled to an extension, do you think Khan regrets not just releasing him in February?   Khan could have used that $16m of cap space to go after a younger, better player in free agency like Christian Wilkins?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
He has no regrets at all. The Steelers intended to honor the final year of his contract and they still do. That's what made Cam's threat to skip OTAs for a contract extension seem so curious. They weren't asking him to take a pay cut, something they've done in the past with Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis and James Harrison, among others.
Bill in LA
10:02
What do you make of this phenomenon whereby young starting quarterbacks like Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder, Zac Wilson, Justin Fields and Kenny Picket, are traded away to become back ups? Do their short starting stints really reveal them to not have what takes to be successful starters, and does the NFL now look at them all as career back ups at only about age 25?
Gerry Dulac
10:05
Good morning, Bill....I think what it reflects is how QBs coming out are over-evaluated and over-valued by NFL teams. They reach for these guys, hoping to get lucky. But, because they're No. 1 picks, they have a short shelf-life to prove themselves, to prove they are the future of the franchise, or teams are going to move on from them quickly. And then go over-evaluate and over-value other QBs.
Jeff M
10:06
Morning Gerry, Hypothetically, lets say Russel Wilson proves to be a decent QB who doesn’t turn the ball over, checks down a lot and leans on the running game. The Steelers end up in the 8-10 win range. Do the Steelers extend him or try to find a QB that can elevate them to a SB contender?
Gerry Dulac
10:07
Depends if they make the postseason and/or win a playoff game. But eight wins certainly won't be good enough. As I've stateed before, the Steelers and Wilson both intend to sign a longer deal after the season. Again....their intention. Not sure what happens if they only win eight games, to your point.
55 year fan
10:07
Does there seem to be a pattern with the Stillers that players want to play past their expiration date and the brass has to make the tough call of saying no? We don't know if 97 is there yet but it makes sense to wait and see how he plays this year. Even 7 took a pay cut....thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:08
I think they're trying to be fair with some players who have meant a lot to the franchise, though I'm not sure Hines Ward or Troy Polamalu would agree with that.
Madison IN Mike
10:08
If the Steelers signed Cam Sutton to a contract, wouldn’t that speed up the process for NFL making a decision on discipline?
Gerry Dulac
10:08
There is no question he will face some sort of discipline from the league. So...yes
Commissioner
10:09
Can you explain to me why teams wait around and don’t sign their star wide receivers sooner than they do? The price just keeps going up! Thank you
Gerry Dulac
10:09
Maybe because the WRs want to wait and see what the market bears
Chad
10:09
Hi Gerry - Thanks for your time.  I was very excited about Patrick Queen but concerned he may be more of a Robin (Roquan Smith Batman) than a Batman.  Any concerns he won't live up to the production we need next to Elandon Roberts or potentially Payton Wilson rather than Roquan Smith?
Gerry Dulac
10:10
Robin is still better than what they have or what they have had. Much better
Madison IN Mike
10:10
Initially when Heinz Field opened there were lots of complaints about the grass / field surface.  I haven’t heard much lately so is it safe to assume that players like whatever changes have been made?
Gerry Dulac
10:10
Very safe
Jim
10:10
How serious is the WR2 situation for the Steelers? Can it be alleviated by more passing to tight ends? If they need to find someone to fill that spot, what is the most likely source? Trade?
Gerry Dulac
10:11
I wouldn't call it serious because, yes, you can always throw to the TEs. Do you think the Chiefs were concerned with their depleted WR corps last season? Didn't seem to bother them
Joe Friday
10:13
With all these '# 3' and '#4' WRs on the roster, what makes someone a #2? These guys are all fast and can catch the ball. I would presume some are better route runners than others. Is it just more intangibles where no one seems to think any of these guys could be a solid #2?
Gerry Dulac
10:14
A No. 2 is judged on his production, but also viewed as a guy who isn't a game-breaker. Diontae Johnson perfect example. Really really good No. 2 guy who isn't dangerous enough to be a high-priced No. 1.
Guest
10:14
Good morning Gerry.  Do you think it is wise for the Steelers to break the bank for a #2 (or #1 receiver)?  I personally feel that you only do that if you are just one piece away from a Super Bowl.  I think this team is much further than that.  With this coaching staff and QB situation, not to mention the other weaknesses, I don't think 1995 Jerry Rice could get a ring with this group.
Gerry Dulac
10:14
They already have what they think is their No. 1 receiver -- George Pickens. And, no, they are not going to break the bank, which is why you haven't seen a trade materialize
Rahn
10:15
Any takeaways of note from OTAs performance-wise or is it just (mostly) much ado about nothing?
Gerry Dulac
10:16
Anybody who takes away anything seriously from OTAs is horribly misguided
Tom in Chadron
10:16
HOF question- what are your thoughts on Reeves and Schottenheimer being inducted? Heck, Dan Reeves had a great career as a player and as a coach- do you remember the "ice bowl?" He took 4 teams to a SB- 3 with Elway and 1 with Chandler- that's pretty impressive. And Marty took three  teams with losing records and built them into contenders within 2 years. Impressive as well. Thanks for the chats
Gerry Dulac
10:16
Couldn't agree with you more.
Rahn
10:16
It's early, but... how would you compare the tenor and demeanor of this team compared to last year's team?
Gerry Dulac
10:18
They all look together and cohesive and unified in OTAs. It's kind of like what Mike Tyson used to say about getting punched in the jaw for the first time. Let me see how they react then.
Retire21
10:18
Why isn’t Fields an updated version of Mitch? Another high pick Chicago Bears disaster..
Gerry Dulac
10:19
Different skill set. But you can't even call him an updated version. Fields won 10 games in three seasons in Chicago. Trubisky took the Bears to the playoffs twice
Retire21
10:19
Great respect for DeChambeau for keeping his game sharp while other LIVers like Dustin and Brooks seem to be struggling with a lack of King competition. He’s my pick at Pinehurst. Yours?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
I'd love to see it. Great choice. He makes the game worth watching. Can't say that about too many players
Guest
10:20
I hear a lot of talk that players love to play for Tomlin and give their all.  In fact, I believe Rooney said the players still respond to Tomlin just this past offseason.  How can that be what you see players quitting on the field?  It happened with two receivers just last season.  If the players responded to him, would that happen?  Is this just lip service?
Gerry Dulac
10:21
I get your point. I think they respond to him. They can't all be wrong or just paying lip service. I think the problem comes in when they don't have to respond to discipline, because apparently the discipline is not the type to which they would favorably react
Noah Kravitz
10:21
Hey Gerry, Sitting here right now, I would say the roster still looks very incomplete. Still need a wide receiver #2, some secondary, and maybe defensive line help. If there is some kind of free agency signings or trade coming up, what do you think it could look like Gerry?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
Noah, there are none on the horizon. But I think after all the offseason moves they made, you might be a little more encouraged that they made themselves a better team. Either that, or change your seat
Stairway to seventh seed
10:22
Gerry: I know the schedule is brutal and the DL, WR, and CB positions are understocked.  However, oddsmakers project the win total at 8.5.  The Steelers opened as underdogs to the lowly Falcons in week 1.  A subsection of the fanbase (eg Bill in LA) already seem to long for the days of Pickett.  I know that he had one really bad and one average season in Denver, but does it surprise you just how disrespected a future Hall of Famer like Russell Wilson has been?  Wouldn't the Steelers have been maybe 13-4 last year with 26 TD-8 int QB play?  Why isn't Wilson being hailed as a possible savior?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
Looks like another sucker bet to me. Me, I take that bet
Stairway to seventh seed
10:23
Gerry: do you think they really drafted Watts to play safety when they are so thin at corner or have they already determined he can't play CB so they are trying him at safety?
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