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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 6.7.17
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Gerry Dulac
11:07
OK, lets get our chat started kids. I'm at OTAs today
Tim from Tyrone
11:07
Good morning Gerry. Have you heard anything about the Steelers resigning Tuitt to a new contract. Thanks
Gerry Dulac
11:08
No, but it's something they would like to do, if they can, before the season. But it's not a huge priority
Tom in Wheaton MD
11:08
Will James Conner get much time in the backfield or is he a special teamer at best this year?
Gerry Dulac
11:09
Barring injury, my guess is he will be mostly a special teamer. The Steelers aren't going to take a lot of time away from Le'Veon Bell, though they might do so early in the season.
DieHardSteelCity
11:09
Hi Gerry I really enjoy your chats. I really like Demarcus Ayers. I think he would be a great insurance policy if Eli Rodgers misses any time. What do you think his chances are if they keep 6 WRs?
Gerry Dulac
11:10
I think it's going to be tough if they keep 6 WRs, which is the most they are going to take. A lot will depend on if they want to keep Darrius Heyward-Bey from another year. But I liked what I saw of Ayers at the end of last season.
Quinn
11:10
Are there any Steelers players that you see will be disappointments this year?
Gerry Dulac
11:10
If I could predict that, they won't be Steelers this year
Diondapittfan
11:10
Hi Gerry ? Do you think the Steelers will let Sutton win the outside job since they're trying to do more man coverage and will we be able to hide allen on our ps i think we should keep him on the 53 and bring him along slowly
Gerry Dulac
11:11
They are not going to LET him win that job, but they are going to watch him closely and give him every opportunity to do that as the season goes along. If he shows he can handle it, they will put him in there.
BishkekSteeler
11:11
Hello Gerry, I very much enjoy the chats, thank you for doing them. My question is about Hargraves, what do you see as the most important thing for him to take the next step in his progression, footwork,hands or something else?
Gerry Dulac
11:12
I think Javon Hargrave's next step will be made just from having a year of starting in the NFL under his belt, not from any technique matter. Of course, that experience will help him refine and adjust his technique, but he has the tools to be a very good D-lineman, which we have seen.
SacramentoStilr
11:13
Gerry...Hearing good things about TJ, Your take?
Gerry Dulac
11:13
Lets just say they will be eager to see him in pads
BishkekSteeler
11:13
With all the tall wide receivers we have, why don't we convert a couple of them to corner? [just kidding]
Gerry Dulac
11:13
They drafted a tall CB who once was a WR -- Brian Allen, who is 6-3
11:14
Shows those draft experts didn't know what they were talking about. I cant speak for the Packers or what they were looking for, but maybe those draft experts were simply making the Wisconsin connection.
JerseySteel
11:14
I know the Rookie Minicamp and OTA's are "football in shorts", but what impression did you get about Cam Sutton?
Gerry Dulac
11:15
I think Cam Sutton has a chance to be the surprise of training camp, even though he was a third-round pick. I think he is better than people think.
STEELER DAVE
11:15
I know it's football in shorts, but how does the tall rookie corner Allen look thus far? Could he be the diamond in the rough?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
In shorts he looks terrific. He has all the measurables -- 6-3, 215, 4.48 speed and had the best time in the three-cone drill at the combine that measures ability to cut at full speed. Bu there's probably a reason he lasted until the fifth round and I think it was his inability to track the deep ball. I will have to see him in pads in camp and in games, but I like what I see so far. How can you not??
JerseySteel
11:18
Have you heard any word on how serious the injury to Hargrave's shoulder is? I have seen too many not serious shoulder injuries linger all season
Gerry Dulac
11:18
I have not
BishkekSteeler
11:19
Sorry for this being off the Steelers topics, but can the Jets just blow up their team like this a face no penalty from the NFL? I thought teams had to at least try to be competitive.
Gerry Dulac
11:19
Maybe their excuse is they're trying to be more competitive by rebuilding
Rags from Balitmore
11:19
What's your take on Bell not being at OTA's? Injury related or hold out?
Gerry Dulac
11:20
Precaution.
bigk825
11:20
With offenses morphing into a college-like spreadem out and throw every down; do you see the defenses morphing into something like the 3-3-5 employed by WVU and a few others to stop the pass?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
We've seen variations of it for years -- 2-3-6, 2-4-5. The Steelers are in their sub packages (at least 5 DBs) nearly 75 percent of the time, which is three out of every four plays.
Ryno
11:21
If it were up to you, would you have done more to retain Timmons this season?
Gerry Dulac
11:21
I think they knew he was going to test the market and they knew he would get an offer they just couldn't afford to pay. They did the smart thing.
Ryno
11:21
Where do you see Big Dan this season? Cut, seeing even more limited playing time, or taking a big step up? I read he showed up looking to be in better shape than the past couple years, so hopefully that is a good sign for the walking condominium.
Gerry Dulac
11:22
Haha...I see him assuming the same role, backup at end and nose tackle, some snaps in sub packages.
JerseySteel
11:22
Do you see the top 4 draft picks this year making a significant contribution by mid-season? May be in rotation, sub packages, or even starters
Gerry Dulac
11:23
Yes and no. Watt will eventually be a starter or, at the very least, a rotated player. JuJu will play a lot and Sutton has a good chance to be the regular nickel back and possibly a mid-season starter. Conner will be a special teams guy who will get a couple snaps, unless there's an injury
TK
11:24
What's the purpose of having OTA's? Do teams just want a way of checking up on players during the offseason?
Gerry Dulac
11:24
They got over the playbook mainly, get them some reps with any of the new stuff they might have installed or concepts they want to convey
TK
11:25
Has Sutton been getting work returning punts, or do they not practice that during OTA's?
Gerry Dulac
11:25
They are in shorts, not pads
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