You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.1.17
powered byJotCast
Gerry Dulac
11:47
We're starting the chat an hour later today because of the Steelers bye week schedule. I
I'll be getting to your questions in just a couple minutes...
11:56
OK, let's get our chat started....Go!!
Scott in Dallas
11:56
IF Ben retires at the end of the season does it make it less likely that the Steelers resign Bell?
Gerry Dulac
11:56
No
JerseySteel
11:56
Hi Gerry - I saw Matthew Stafford gouge our zone heavy defensive game plan Sunday night and no adjustments to playing more man coverage (though thanks to their red zone defense they won). Do the Steelers still not have the personnel to play man or just not able to adjust in game?
Gerry Dulac
11:57
You are correct, but I think what you will see is the Steelers play more man coverage as the season goes on. I don't want to say they are saving it for when it really matters, but to some degree they are saving it for when it really matters. Kind of like using more of the playbook as the season wears on.
JerseySteel
11:57
Hi Gerry - will the Steelers activate Cam Sutton after 3 weeks (and if so who gets cut) or leave him on IR for the season?
Gerry Dulac
11:59
There is no reason to leaved him on IR. He is completely recovered from a hamstring injury -- who wouldn't be after 8 weeks? -- and it would be in his and their best interest to get some playing time to get him ready for next season, at the least. They like Cam Sutton, thought he could be their nickel back, and they want to give him every opportunity to get some experience. Don't forget, he missed most of training camp as well.
OHIO412FAN
11:59
Gerry, as the Steelers are in their bye week, what do you see them improving on?
Gerry Dulac
12:00
Consistency. Better in the red zone. Mid-range passes. Man coverage
JerseySteel
12:00
Hi Gerry - I know the Steelers stated they were not trading Bryant and also that several teams had contacted the Steelers about him. Any insight into what those teams were willing to offer?
Gerry Dulac
12:00
None. But who would give up more than a seventh-round pick for a player who is another strike away from a second one-year suspension.
Fineline
12:01
Bell is averaging just 6 yards per pass reception. Do you think it’s because they’re dumping it too him rather than splitting him out,running routes and isolating him on LBs?
Gerry Dulac
12:02
They are still doing both, but not with much success. I think what you're seeing is other teams commit a LB to follow him, at the very least, keep an eye on him.
Matt
12:02
Gerry, does a healthy McDonald & focused Bryant get this offense over the top for the 2nd half of the season?
Gerry Dulac
12:03
Barring injury, yes, I think you will see the offense improve in the second half, particularly in the pass game. Right now it's just average, with the exception of AB, who is never just average
Alan
12:03
What is you take on Rodgers playing time
Gerry Dulac
12:03
I'm not in favor of it
Matt
12:03
JC get more carries in 2nd half of season?
Gerry Dulac
12:04
Nope, unless there is an injury. Oh, maybe 1 or 2 more a game, but that's it. Nothing significant.
Matt
12:04
IMO, it looks like Ben is declining (a little). Do you believe he plays after this year?
Gerry Dulac
12:04
Yes I do
DK
12:04
Why do the Steelers continue to go soft zone (which appears less aggressive) against top caliber quarterbacks?  I know the coaches know way more than us but it appears like we lose our edge.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
12:05
I agree. Come after them. Stafford was sacked 17 times in the previous three games. The reason? His line stinks. Left tackle has been a big problem for the Lions. And the Steelers didn't exploit that. They sat back in zone against Brady and he carved them apart. Turn em loose.
Matt
12:06
W/ Sutton coming back, is sensabaugh's days numbered in the black and gold?
Gerry Dulac
12:06
They could be. The other option is to put Brian Allen on the practice squad, but I don't think the Steelers want to do that because someone will claim him.
Rahn
12:06
What is the point of emptying the backfield and giving away your intentions to the defense? The play-action fake has disappeared from the offense (maybe because they want No. 7 to get rid of the ball quickly) but when they do this in the red zone or short yardage... why?
Gerry Dulac
12:07
It's not just the Steelers, it's the entire league. I don't get it, either. Especially when you have Le'V Bell. It's OK, you know, to use him as a decoy.
Ike Steelheart
12:07
Hello Gerry, do you remember another Steelers Rookie WR who had a similar or better season than JuJu? Could you mention another NFL WR he can be compared to?
Gerry Dulac
12:10
Yeah, Louis Lipps had a big rookie season. And, you might not think so, but so did Troy Edwards. I think he set a rookie team record with 61 catches in 1999. He was targeted 118 times that year and caught five TDs. Now, both of those guys were No. 1 draft picks. But, still....
NW Steelers
12:10
Two things, this offense would be putting up 40 pts weekly if Ben did not play like he is semi retired, second if Haley did not call plays that reflects he is semi retired. Ben is done!
Gerry Dulac
12:11
I will let them know.
OHIO412FAN
12:11
Gerry, sorry for the typo texts. Anyways, what do we need to do in order to get home field advantage, beat the Pats, and reach our fullest potential? I know they have yet to get to that point. The sky is the limit for the Steelers. They are that talented. Now, let’s just hope it all comes together one game at a time. Thoughts ?
Gerry Dulac
12:12
Well, i mostly agree. Keep winning solves a lot of issues. Don't forget, they won 9 in a row before losing to NE in AFC title game. They're not going to play at their peak every game. That doesn't happen. But, like what happened in Detroit, the key will be finding ways to win when you don't have your "A" game.
Moose
12:13
How do you manage the balancing act now that is our receiving corp?  Play more Ju Ju and try to make MB happier at the same time.
Gerry Dulac
12:14
I don't think a lot will change. Bryant will still gets his 30-35 snaps a game because they maintain hope he can be the player they had in 2015 And JuJu will get his 25-30, maybe more. But JuJu will take Eli's snaps away, not Bryant's, for the most part.
J
12:14
Hi Gerry.  When Juju pick was made, I was upset because I wanted to see a secondary pick.  Funny how the non move by Steeles led to Joe Haden signing and Juju looking like an early ROY candidate.
Gerry Dulac
12:15
That's why you always wait and see what happens instead of rushing to judgement.
Moose
12:15
I know nobody is perfect at QB, and Ben is awesome, but do you have any explanation for his increase in his inaccuracy?  It seems a lot more frequent this season.
Load More Messages
Connecting…