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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 8.23.17
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Gerry Dulac
10:50
OK, kids, we're going to start our chat in just a couple minutes, so get those questions ready..
10:58
OK, let's get started....
JB
10:59
Fans tend to get over excited about young players. I am in Canada so I have no idea how good Sutton looked in the spring or if he can come back this week and has a chance to play a significant role early in the year. Based on your knowledge and what you saw in spring sessions, can Cam Sutton have an impact early in the year or is he more likely to need time and contribute later in the year like Burns did last year?
Gerry Dulac
11:01
Cam Sutton has yet to have a practice in pads or play in a game so ti has been tough to evaluate him. It has certainly retarded his development, at least in the short term. So he will need some time before he can be a contributor.
JB
11:01
Landry Jones is clearly the #2 on this team and I am sure the team is hoping this injury does not linger. However, would the Steelers add a veteran if he is not ready for week 1 or go with Dobb's as #2 until he is ready?
Gerry Dulac
11:01
No, they will not add a veteran unless the injury is long-term and I don't think that's the case.
grumpy EDB
11:01
Hi Gerry do you know if Golson is close to getting back to practice? exactly what is his status currently?
Gerry Dulac
11:02
He had a pretty good hamstring tear the first day in pads and that type of injury is usually around 4 weeks to heal. It is now 23 days later so he should be getting closer.
JB
11:02
I know a lot of people are up and down on Watts, but even though he didn't get a sack last week, he held the edge well against a good tackle. I suspect Harrison runs out of the tunnel as a starter in week 1, out of respect, but how much do you see them using Watt? With them moving him around from side to side
Gerry Dulac
11:04
For starters, I think he will be the starter in Week 1, and why wouldn't he. That's their plan. Secondly, they will not flip-flop him, at least not right away. It's tough learning to play one position as a rookie, let alone having him learn the other side.   They made that mistake early with Sean Davis last year before they just let him settle in one spot. It made a huge difference.
NH steelers fan
11:04
Hi Gerry. Thanks for taking my question. Ben has taken some criticism for calling out teammates for not showing up in moments that were too big for them. Do you think that he has evaluated and worked on his own meltdowns by referencing that he did not throw ONE interception during training camp? Can this be a backhanded way of letting his teammates know that he is addressing his poor road performances that have contributed to losing playoff homefield advantage?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
No it is not.  But a well-phrased question
Atlanta Dan
11:06
Has Mr. Bell still been in Stage 2 of the NFL's substance abuse program this summer and subject to random testing or has he been discharged (with no additional positive tests a player can be discharged after 12 months in Stage Two) and subject to being tested again for marijuana in his system only after he apparently will elect to report to the Steelers on September 1?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
Sorry, I don't know that answer. (Gawd, I sound like Siri)
HT
11:07
Are the Steelers going to bring in more help at the CB position? Is Antonio Crawford their longtime solution?
Gerry Dulac
11:08
He's not even their short-term solution.
Zach B
11:08
Gerry - If no major injuries occur who do you predict are the Steelers 3 CB's in nickel by the time we play New England in December?
Gerry Dulac
11:08
Burns, Sutton, Cockrell
Steelydave
11:08
Do you think Ross Cockrell will still be a starting cb by seasons end? He looks like a tremendous liability if our desire is to play more man coverage. Thanks
Gerry Dulac
11:09
If all goes according to plan (or hope), no. And that may be the reason.
Jim Brown
11:09
Do you think the conference is sleeping on my Browns?
Gerry Dulac
11:09
Maybe defensively. I think they will be much improved with two rookie playmakers like Garrett and Peppers
Alan, Nashville, TN
11:10
Gerry, I think it's possible that Justin Hunter earns a roster spot and that may spell the end for DHB. I like DHB but he hasn't impressed me so far in preseason games this year. Are you thinking the same thing?
Gerry Dulac
11:10
I would say that is very possible. The coaches like Hunter. But he doesn't play special teams, and that could be a factor. DHB does.
J. Hawkins
11:10
What the heck has happened to me.  Last year I was making great strides and appeared to have all the tools. Now I am a not even mentioned! Need answers please.
Gerry Dulac
11:12
I think what happened is that after being impressed if not wowed by Hawkins last year, everyone was expecting an even bigger wow this year. And that hasn't happebnd, that's all. I think the expectations for him were high, if not unreasonably high. I'm not giving up on him by any means.
Joey
11:12
I understand all helmets arent built the same and some provide more protection against concussion than others.  Do all players where the helmets with more protection? Particularly curious about the guys who have been concussed this pre-season. Juju, Big Al, Hargrave, etc.
Gerry Dulac
11:13
I don't know the number of players who wear extra-protected helmets
Scott
11:13
Trey Williams had some success returning kickoffs at A&M. Why haven't the Steelers given him an opportunity? If he can return kicks and punts the Steelers can part ways with Knile Davis who has shown nothing on offense or special teams.
Gerry Dulac
11:14
I'm not going to argue.
Big D
11:14
When is our front office going to realize they need to bring in an established db if we want to beat Tom Brady
Gerry Dulac
11:15
What, you don't like Coty Sensabaugh??
Scott in Amsterdam
11:15
Are the Steelers looking to replace AB on punt returns? Could a PR make the team without playing another position (like Trey Williams)?
Gerry Dulac
11:15
I don't think so. And I don't know that they're actively looking to replace AB. I think they will stay w the status quo.
Joey
11:15
Trying to weigh appropriate level of concern for the Steelers D is difficult. Guys out, no game plan, trying not to show new approach, still communications problems.  Do they have a real problem or was last weeks showing just preseason stuff?
Gerry Dulac
11:16
Relax, it's just preseason. Give it 4 or 5 reg season games.
Joey
11:16
How many snaps on avg (if any) do you anticipate James Conner getting a game?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
Not as many as you might think, especially once Bell gets to full speed. No more than DeAngelo Williams got, for example. But I'm guessing he'll get more in that first game in Cleveland. But, unlike last year, when they had Williams, there is no clear-cut No. 2 back right now. It's still a tossup
Scott in Amsterdam
11:18
Too many receivers on this roster and not enough quality corners....could you foresee any trades to remedy that?
Gerry Dulac
11:18
Not a trade that will bring the type of player who can remedy the situation. Or be better than what they have.
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