Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 09.30.26
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Gerry Dulac
9:53
OK kids, I'm ready to go if you are...fire away!!
Stairway to seventh seed
9:53
Gerry: huge win, but after the excitement died down the reality of a very poor defensive performance became clear.  I was hoping that soft zones and easy pitch and catch completions were thrown on the ash heap of Tomlin/Austin history.  I suppose you can argue that it eventually worked, but not really.  What were your thoughts on Graham's ultra conservative defensive approach?
Gerry Dulac
9:54
My thoughts are Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are very good, which I thought before the game, too
Ryan
9:54
Hey Jerry.   Looks like DK showed the critics on Sunday with the TD.  Now, what can they complain about him?
Gerry Dulac
9:54
A holding penalty that negated an 87-yard run??
Bill In LA
9:55
DK Metcalf is averaging about 2 penalties and 2 drops per game, with only 3.6 catches per game. Couldn't the Steelers get 3.6 catches per game from a veteran minimum contract (without the drops and penalties)? How does Omar Khan justify paying $ 33 million per year for Metcalf's below average performance?
Gerry Dulac
9:55
It's $30 million a year, but who's to quibble, Bill. I was surprised at the contract at the time of the trade and I'm still surprised.
Bill In LA
9:56
Gerry, to answer your questions from last week, yes I am up early, and the sky is always blue in Southern California. My question for you: Looking back now, why do you think Art Roony II was satisfied for so many years with 'non-losing' seasons and never would replace Mike Tomlin until he quit?
Gerry Dulac
9:57
Well, Mr. Sky is Blue, I think it's because Mike Tomlin has proven to be a very good coach, one who might get into the Hall of Fame one day, just like the other two coaches they neve fired when they, unlike Tomlin, had losing seasons.
Stairway to seventh seed
9:57
Gerry: since the 2021 Thursday night game where the defensive line was absolutely destroyed in Minnesota, Cam Heyward has only total 0.5 sacks in four straight Thursday night road losses.  Does Cam's body just simply not recover enough for him to be ready on Thursday and should the Steelers consider dressing a 6th DL for more rotation options tomorrow?
Gerry Dulac
9:59
Well, my friend, that's some pretty darn-good research there and, if true, I did not know that. But, he was a younger man when that streak, according to your research, started, so maybe it's not about age. Nonetheless, you raise a very intriguing thought. And maybe they will.
Stairway to seventh seed
9:59
Gerry:  I was shocked at how many media members, even local ones, just cavalierly opined that Porter probably wouldn't want to play against Chase and Higgins and sort of dismissed that as a logical decision without challenging the cowardice.  Are we going to enter a new phase of this "hold-in" where Porter plays, but then his back flares up the week before he would face any WRs that will expose him for the $18m per year corner that he really is?
Gerry Dulac
10:00
You are reading or listening to the wrong people if someone ridiculously said that!
Stairway to seventh seed
10:00
Gerry:  I was not in the camp of those worried about special teams because they kept a 4th QB, but with Porter also "redshirting" right now and the kickoff coverage being so abysmal I am starting to wonder.  Do they need at least one roster spot for a special teams coverage ace?
Gerry Dulac
10:00
They have two -- Skowronek and Bruener
Tom in Tn
10:00
Good morning Gerry, I watching the forest 3 games this defense still concerns me. There is plenty of money invested there and they just can’t seem to take the next step consistently week to week. What are your thoughts on this defense overall?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
Overall, it's been pretty good, the first two games in particular. And I've seen worse performances against Burrow and his WR friends. They are pretty good, after all.
Dan
10:01
Hey Gerry, thanks for the chat. Have you ever thought about writing a book on the Steelers? I read everything I can about them and would imagine that with your insight you’d have some great stories. Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
10:02
Well I have thought about it.
Matt in Kersey
10:02
Gerry,  I am so confused on the Porter situation...  Is Porter sitting out refusing to play or are the Steeler sitting him?  So many rumors and the enter situation doesn't make sense to me!   MM say he wants him to play??
Gerry Dulac
10:06
The whole situation can be confusing because it looks as though the Steelers are complicit in JPJ's plan, which they aren't. The Steelers have always wanted him to play and even upped their contract offer to slightly north of $27 annually. He, apparently, didn't think that was enough, or needed more guaranteed money, or something. Up to now, even beyond all that, he hasn't been in shape to play. Apparently, he is now. So the now the real fun begins. Will he play, as he says he will? Or will the Steelers decide it's time to take action? Keep watching
Tampa Too
10:06
Gerry. The Steelers wasted At least three timeouts in this game due to communication problems possibly? Was any explanation ever given for these timeouts. I don’t understand when you have such a veteran quarterback and veteran head coach why this happened
Gerry Dulac
10:06
I had it at five actually. Inexcusable.
RAM
10:06
Hey Gerry! In the Cinci game our D seemed to play zone for most of the game allowing Burrow to play pitch and catch  in between coverage most of the game. Were we willing to give them short yardage to avoid a big splash play down field or what?
Gerry Dulac
10:06
Good observation and that is correct
Tampa Too
10:07
Gerry. What’s your take on the president’s cup? At 14– 1–1 it seems like this is such a one-sided affair that perhaps it should go away?
Or maybe they can make it a net event and give strokes.. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:07
It almost wasn't one-sided this weekend. Kinda why I wanted to see the international team win. Maybe that would lend more drama/interest in the event
itsallmoot
10:08
Is it fair to say one of the most important, if not the most important things needed for success this year and in the future, is the devlopment of the O-Line?  If it can run and pass protect, AR can pick defenses apart and the D can stay off the field against the big time Qb's in the AFC.  also, whoever is QB next year will need a strong running game to help them out (like Big Ben had in the early years).  Game against the Bengals seemed encouraging.  If they regress, we are in trouble.  thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:09
It's not only fair to suggest, it's one of the basic fundamentals of winning football -- gotta win up front. Yes sir.
Theo Bell
10:09
What was the problem getting the plays in and wasting multiple timeouts? It’s not as if they have a rookie QB and rookie coach.
Gerry Dulac
10:09
Exactly. As I said, inexcusable. And it wasn't just one or two times
itsallmoot
10:09
On JPJ, seems like it's best if we can work this out.  Even if we got a late 1st round/early 2nd so we could go after a top tier qb next year, I think it's better to have a known commodity (top 10ish CB) than hoping we hit it with a young QB. Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:11
If someone would offer a late first-round pick -- and you don't always know if it might turn out to be higher -- I think you would see a trade get done. And for the reason you suggest
Uncle Leo
10:11
Hello Gerry! That was a great game for Omar. His draft picks on the oline and his contract/free agent decisions - Warren, Hoffman, and Washington - were great. Terrible game for Joey Porter. He basically abandoned his teammates by either being unwilling or unready against the division opponent he is most positioned to help beat. He only makes it worse by betting against the team again this week with Ramsey hurt if he doesn’t play. I’m ready to send him anywhere for a first… your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
You are not alone in your observation. And he is not making anything better, unless he decides to play. And then what sense does that make after everything he decided to do since the spring??
Tom88
10:13
Isn't is absurd the Steelers finally draft a very good CB; a position they have been terrible at drafting for and can't work out a deal?  A year after they traded away one of the NFL's best WR's (at a loss) while their remaining WR's leave a lot to be desired.  Maybe the problem is upstairs? Not just Tomlin.
Gerry Dulac
10:13
Maybe there is a lot more to it than you seem to think.
Steelguy70
10:13
Is Porter going to play?
Gerry Dulac
10:14
We'll see. The Steelers are suggesting he's ready. It's up to him. If and when he does, it might be a good idea if the first game was on the road.
Dave
10:14
Gerry,  How much longer is this Porter, Jr. stuff going to go on?
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