JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 8.30.17

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 8.30.17

Gerry Dulac

10:43

Ok, we're going to start our chat in a few minutes cause I have to catch flight for Charlotte for final preseason game.

10:44

OK, i see i have plenty of questions lined up already so lets get started.....

Scott in Dallas

10:45

Is adding McDonald a vote of no confidence in James or as a complementary player to James with no one else on the roster viewed as a viable starter in case of injury to him?

Gerry Dulac

10:46

Maybe a little of both. He was not brought in to replace Jesse James as the top tight end, at least not right now. It was more so to give them a second tight end to pair w James

Josh from SoCal

10:46

Good morning, Gerry. Your thoughts on V. McDonald? Do they keep 4 TEs now? If not, who's the odd man out?

Gerry Dulac

10:48

A fourth-round pick sounds like a lot for a guy who has a history of dropped passes. But the Steelers like to use a lot of two tight-end sets and this move helps them be more flexible. I think to start the season they will keep 4 tight ends, at least until McDonald gets up to speed. But the 53-man roster they pick to start the season is always ever-changing, and I think the odd man out among the TEs will be Xavier Grimble.

TeddyBallGame14

10:48

Please assure me that this new TE isn't bringing lingering injuries with him... And, help me to understand why a team that just extended his contract would be so eager to get rid of him so soon. Are we buying someone else's lemon like we did with Ladarius? And, counting Ladarius' remaining contract, how much of the salary cap is being given to TE's now???

Gerry Dulac

10:51

I don't think this guy is damaged goods. To answer your question, the 49ers had a regime change after McDonald was signed to that big extension and this regime wants different people. Hey, we'll have to see what happens. But the Steelers recent history of making trades for mid-round picks -- Josh Scobee, Brandon Boykin -- is not very good.

HARD HEAD

10:51

Anything on cornerback Joe Haden maybe coming to the Steelers? Thank you.

Gerry Dulac

10:51

Lot of gossip.

Ronnie

10:51

So Joe Haden, any realistic shot with him? Would you be more pressed to get Tuitt done?

Gerry Dulac

10:51

That won't have anything to do with it.

10:52

Oh, and speaking for trades that haven't worked out, I forgot one -- Justin Gilbert.

DaveinCentralPA

10:52

Any truth to the rumor that NO NFL teams were willing to send any players to Cleveland, even players they did not like, want or need, out of concern for those players mental anguish?

Gerry Dulac

10:53

No.

Steele Don

10:53

I'm worried that the Steelers are believing all of the hype and thinking all they have to do is beat the Patriots in the play offs to get to the super bowl. We need to focus on every opponent, especially the teams we are "suppose" to beat! What do you think?

Gerry Dulac

10:53

Relax. I think that's their approach. They don't think the same way fans do

Kevin in Punxsy

10:54

People are calling for the Steelers to try to sign Joe Haden. For 2 reasons, one is his cost, and two is his injury history. Your thoughts? Also, the Steelers are getting the 49ers 5th round in return, so not a straight 4th for him.

Gerry Dulac

10:54

That is correct. Steelers also getting a 5th round pick with McDonald. And, yes, Haden comes with a big price tag.

Dude_From_Cali

10:54

does Ladarius Green have more or less than 5% chance to be on NFL roster this year or next?

Gerry Dulac

10:54

Odds aren't very good

Dude_From_Cali

10:54

Had BIG BEN been drafted by Cleveland, do you think Ben's stats would've been decent or wash out?

Gerry Dulac

10:55

It depends. Depends on if the Browns were smart enough to put offensive weapons around him. But, my guess is they would have been at best.

mark in rochester

10:55

how is Williams going to produce compared to Timmons?

Gerry Dulac

10:55

We shall see. Vince Williams will make a lot of tackles.

Ronnie

10:56

Any indication as to how the coaching staff felt in regards to Cam Sutton's performance? Any consideration at him as a starter?

Gerry Dulac

10:56

Not yet. They liked what they saw against the Colts. He will get a lot of time tomorrow night

David

10:56

Gerry, do you think that Haden is much more of a star "name" at this point than an actual star "player"? Seems like he is a shell of the CB he was 2-3 years ago

Gerry Dulac

10:56

Hold your cards!

Steele Don

10:56

Every time I watch a Patriots game, I see Coach Belichick on the sidelines huddling with players and even using a white board to instruct players. I don't see a lot of other head coaches doing that! I think that's part of his details that helps make them successful.

Gerry Dulac

10:57

Actually I think a lot of coaches do that, certainly their coordinators do. For example, Brady huddles with Josh McDaniel on the sideline, not Belichick.

Kevin in Punxsy

10:57

Any truth to the rumors that Foster has an injury that could keep him out of the opener, and possibly more? Thanks

Gerry Dulac

10:57

Dont know where that rumor started

Steeler in Charlotte

10:58

Think we see the Steelers try to deal one of these WRs before cuts to get that fourth round pick back?

Gerry Dulac

10:58

If they do, the only one with any trade value would be Sammie Coates, and I'm not sure they would do that. Otherwise, teams will wait for the waiver wire.

Ronnie

10:58

Can we talk about Terrell Watson? Has he done enough?

Gerry Dulac

10:59

I think so. It just depends how many backs they decide to keep.

Justin

10:59

Any chance we deal Hunter / Ayers / Hamilton for Travis Cadet

Gerry Dulac

10:59

None