JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.22.23

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.22.23

Gerry Dulac

9:40

Ok kids, we might start our chat a little early, so get ready with the questions....

9:47

OK kids, I see there are plenty of chatters in the store, so let's get started while I have some extra time....

Zach B

9:47

Are the Steelers looking to hire from outside the organization for an OC or do you believe it will be another lazy hire from inside the organization?

Gerry Dulac

9:49

I think they should. The last two OCs have been internal promotions. It will be a chance, though, for Mike Sullivan to show if he is more than just the interim OC. But whatever they decide to do, it won't be till after the season.

PhilfromCanada

9:49

With the recent signings of Martinez and Jack, as well as the potential of signing Shaq Leonard, the ILB position looks pretty crowded alongside Roberts.

Gerry Dulac

9:50

Who said anything about the "potential" signing of Shaq Leonard.

Hobbster

9:50

With all this talk about the offense, what about how passive the Steelers played a rookie QB in his 2nd start? Why the hesitancy to blitz?

Gerry Dulac

9:50

They didn't have to. He was dreadful up until the final drive.

PhilfromCanada

9:50

Sorry hit enter and didn’t ask my question: My question is whether it makes sense to move Robinson to FB to help with the run game while learning ILB in a reserve role.

Gerry Dulac

9:52

Uh, do you really think the run game needs any help after they've rushed for 543 yards the past three games??

Bill

9:53

Robert Spillane seems to be doing well with the Raiders. What is it about Spillane's game that made the Steelers just let him go and not offer a contract, especially given the Steelers’ need at linebacker?

Gerry Dulac

9:54

Robert Spillane is a nice ILB, tough against the run. But he was a liability against the pass and the Steelers wanted to revamp that entire position.

Bill

9:54

Why isn’t experienced Mike Sullivan the solo offensive coordinator, who ever heard of a split job? What’s with splitting the job with Eddie Faulkner? Do you think this is a racial thing, Tomlin feeling obligated to appoint a minority coordinator?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

No, it's not a racial thing. For all intents and purposes, Mike Sullivan is the OC. He will be the guy calling the plays. Eddie Faulkner will be the guy who is "organizing the staff," to use Mike Tomlin's words, to develop the game plan. Mike Sullivan will be a part of that, as will all the other assistants, which, typically, is nothing new for most NFL teams.

Jim_Bow_Dean

9:56

Does Tomlin get a contract extension this offseason?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

I'm betting he does.

Tom88

9:56

Happy Thanksgiving Gerry, if the Chargers fire their coaching regime, what do you think about going after Kellen Moore as the next OC?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

I don't have a problem with that

Guest

9:56

You reported that Rooney made the decision to fire Canada (which I totally believe). Tomlin was very forceful yesterday in saying he made the decision on his own. Yet another fib from Coach Cliché??

Gerry Dulac

9:57

I wouldn't call it a fib...

Guest

9:57

Now that Canada was fired, any chance he lets the cat out of the bag in regards to Tomlin hiring him as a favor in return for giving Dino a scholarship? Maybe a way take a parting shot as spite?

Gerry Dulac

9:58

That would only lessen Canada's credibility if he said such a thing

Eduardo

9:58

What do you expect the front office to do regarding KP if he still doesn't perform with Canada out?

Are they considering drafting a QB in 2024 if that is the case?

Gerry Dulac

9:59

If he continues to not perform, anything that happens this year will be up to Mike Tomlin, not the front office. Nonetheless, I don't expect them to be considering drafting a QB next year, nor should they.

Bill

9:59

You reported confidently that it was Art Rooney who made the call to remove Matt Canada. Can you explain then why Mike Tomlin claimed at the press conference it was only his decision?

Gerry Dulac

10:00

I can't speak for Mike Tomlin

SMF

10:00

Hi Gerry: Thanks for the Chats. Sometimes I just don’t get the Steelers at all. Pickett said after the Browns game the Steelers prepared for Man Coverage but saw a lot of Zone Coverages. So what? Those are the only 2 options. Aren’t the teams prepared for both every game? Aren’t the coaches and players capable of making adjustments during games? That’s on Tomlin.

Gerry Dulac

10:01

They are capable, or should be. As Jerome Bettis liked to say, it's a game of adjustments. And it should only take a series or two to see what the other team is trying to do.

Linebacker Lounge

10:01

Why can Mark Robinson not get on the field for defense?? 38 overran the Browns scoring play early, Robinson makes that play

Gerry Dulac

10:02

Apparently, they don't think he's the better player, or, at least, the most experienced. That being said, I was stunned he didn't get a defensive snap, though a lot of that had to do with their rookie QB dropping back to throw 45 times. 45!!

Derek

10:02

Gerry, was there behind the scenes stuff that was the final straw for Canada?

Gerry Dulac

10:02

No, it was all out in the open for 2 1/2 years.

Tim

10:02

As disappointed as I was with the Steelers performance on Sunday, it pales in comparison to the Tomlin postgame presser. His responses to you and your colleagues pointed questions are condescending, lacking in ownership of coaching mistakes and frustrating to me as a fan. Does he not realize that this is getting as stale as the lettuce in his word salad? Happy Thanksgiving, Gerry, thankful for your good work covering my beloved Steelers.

Gerry Dulac

10:03

Give this guy a drumstick!!

Al from Bethel Park

10:03

To my eyes the OL regressed in pass blocking in the Browns game. Is this group capable of giving a QB more time with a change in coaching?

Gerry Dulac

10:04

Well, the offensive line coach is responsible for all the line assignments and run plays, and because they didn't change him, which they shouldn't, I don't think anything is going to change from that standpoint....or, at least, from your personal assessment.

Big Ben

10:05

Gerry, do you happen to have a play by play of how it all went down with Canada? Thanks

Gerry Dulac

10:05

Yes, but I'm not allowed to audible

Linebacker Lounge

10:05

2024 Draft: DL, ILB, C ?

Gerry Dulac

10:05

Not bad