JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 12.11.24

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 12.11.24

Gerry Dulac

9:55

Ok kids, good morning. Let's get our chat started. Fire away...

Stairway to seventh seed

9:55

Gerry: imagine that the Steelers' 4th quarter defense is on the field with a one score lead late in a playoff game vs Maholmes or Josh Allen. Would that drive be best described as an unstoppable force vs an "easily movable object"?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

That would be an interesting test

Bill in LA

9:56

To me, the new kickoff rule makes for boring kickoffs. What is your opinion at this point in the season about the new kickoff rules? And do you predict it will change next year?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

I agree Bill. And I bet it does. I hope it does. It's awful. And, really, how is the punt return any less dangerous??

DannySmithsGum

9:57

Do you think there’s a chance GP plays against Baltimore? Tomlins presser made it sound like if he has an outside chance to play this week, he might have an actual opportunity next week for the division.

Gerry Dulac

9:57

He is not playing this week and it's very iffy for Baltimore, too. Especially with one less day.

Tony in Augusta

9:57

Hey Gerry! After watching Hard Knocks last night it seems HBO wants to talk George Pickens, but do you think the Steelers are trying to keep Pickens away from the camera? Minus the sidelines chats with Mike Tomlin in both episodes

Gerry Dulac

9:58

I don't know what the deal is with that -- if they want to talk to him or not.

Stairway to seventh seed

9:58

Gerry: I thought it was interesting this offseason when AJRII publicly disclosed that their objective this year was to win a playoff game. While many cynics viewed this as an improvement from what we thought of as their objective being to either make the playoffs or worse, just avoid a losing season. It actually was a startlingly public admission by a franchise that historically said its goal was to win the Super Bowl. Anyway, do you think that this mentality affects their decision making now? For instance holding Pickens out eliminates all chance at a #1 or even #2 seed, but saving him for the Ravens game might increase the chance of winning the division thus increasing the chance that they do win one (and probably only one) playoff game?

Gerry Dulac

9:59

He did not say that was their objective. All he said was it's time to start winning a playoff game. It was a declaration born of impatience.

Bill in LA

9:59

This is NOT a Kenny Pickett question. Given Sam Darold, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith’s resurgances, what current QB2s do you think have the most potential to make come backs? Zac Wilson? Trey Lance? Other?

Gerry Dulac

10:00

None of those. I think Sam Darnold should win comeback player of the year, even though he really wasn't coming back from an injury.

Uncle Leo

10:00

Gerry, hellloooo! There are many scenarios where the Steelers win on Sunday. The devil on my shoulder says I shouldn't feel bad hoping Hurts gets a little dinged up with a late lead, then Pickett comes off the bench and blows it. I've decided not to hope for that, but wouldn't it make a heckuva storyline to this memorable season?

Gerry Dulac

10:00

It would be the best storyline of the season, without question.

Nate from Michigan

10:00

Who is going to have more rushing yards this week? Najee or Saquon?

Gerry Dulac

10:01

Do I really need to answer that? But it's a good question.

Matt_in_Seattle

10:01

Hey Gerry, long time reader here. With Jalen Hurts and his top receiver seemingly no longer on the same page, what do you think the odds are we'll see Kenny Pickett starting for the Eagles sometime soon? It could be a good fit to bring the team together, given how KP was lauded for his leadership qualities during his time in Pittsburgh and, unlike those two, would never put himself before the team.

Gerry Dulac

10:02

Matt, I think you, me and a bunch of others are not on the same page here, either. First off, benching Hurts to Pickett is never going to happen. And I'd go a little easy on that leadership stuff, especially with the entitled way he acted when he didn't get his way.

Guest

10:02

Hi Gerry, What is going on with Roman Wilson? I thought he was expected to be back by now. Wouldn't it be a good time for him to play with Pickens being out?

Gerry Dulac

10:03

He has missed all of training camp and nearly all of this season. He is not going to play because he is not ready. Next year

Tony in Augusta

10:04

Second Question Gerry. This is just my perspective, but do you think the Steelers fan base will change their views about Tomlin after this Hard Knocks series concludes? Watching him speak in meetings, practice, games, etc it’s wild seeing the difference in his presence and message compared to the other 3 coaches (even versus another great coach in John Harbaugh)

Gerry Dulac

10:04

You would think. He has been the star for sure.

Uncle Leo

10:04

Gerry, Patterson is a nice depth piece and situational player, but it seems like he’s had way too many opportunities to make a play at critical times and rarely delivers.
Please tell me that late fumble

Gerry Dulac

10:05

That's what he was brought in to be -- a nice depth piece. Nothing more.

Sal

10:05

Happy Wednesday Gerry!! More than a question we should be highlighting the amazing job Omar Khan has done this offseason and during the season 25,2,3,31,20,54,66,41,15,44,48,42 have impacted the games and you can see a change in the demeanor of this team !!

Gerry Dulac

10:06

I think the job Omar Khan has done has been highlighted, and deservedly so. The off-season deals for 3, 6, 25, 26 have greatly impacted the team

Zamo

10:06

Happy holidays Gerry! Every time Scotty Miller makes a play, I wonder why he’s not on the field more. Seems shifty and gets YAC. Also not a bad blocker for his size. Even with GP healthy, think he gets more run as season continues?

Gerry Dulac

10:07

I don't disagree. He's one of those gritty guys who all he does is make plays.

Stairway to seventh seed

10:07

Gerry: With Fields backing up Russ and Herbig backing up TJ, is Pickens the player they can least afford to lose? There really is a barren corps of WRs behind him. Maybe Cam is more critical. It would be tough to take another injury on the OL, but I am not sure any of the starters are good enough to be "least afford to lose".

Gerry Dulac

10:07

I think you might be right. But losing TJ would be big, tho

Tommy from Florida

10:08

Good morning Gerry, Porter's penalties are really getting out of hand. Its almost as if he's hanging out with Pickens and it's rubbing off not in a good way. Will he be on this upcoming injury report with hamstring issues as well? Thanks for your time in advance. Go Steelers!

Gerry Dulac

10:08

I could be wrong, but I think I detect a pinch of sarcasm there.

Bill in LA

10:08

If a General Manager had to put together an entire NEW TEAM out of practice squad players from other teams to play the NY Giants, what would be the score?

Gerry Dulac

10:08

Haha...funny guy. But good question

CA Yinzer

10:09

Gerry - You have to pick a former/current US President, a PGA pro and a non-golf sports professional to join you in a 4-man scramble. Who do you got? I have Trump, DeChambeau and Steph Curry.

Gerry Dulac

10:09

I'll take one of the three

Guest

10:09

Good morning, Gerry. Is there an opportunity for Roman Wilson to get on the field now that Pickens is hurt? Thank you.

Gerry Dulac

10:09

Nope

Mikey C

10:09

These games mean nothing in life but everything! Do you feel that you are sometimes our therapist and our coveted Steelers beat reporter?