Guest: I might be looking to much into it, but can’t the report yesterday stating Ladarius was exerting more energy than usual by running and cutting, be looked at as a positive?
Gerry Dulac: It could be in that you can ascertain his ankle is fine, or, at the very least, not bothersome and ready to go. But when you are being monitored for or with a concussion, exertion is one of the testing points -- that is, how do you react after a non-contact workout, do you still get headaches or dizziness or nausea, et al. There are two stages -- testing after rest and then testing after exertion. That’s what they want to see.
EWilkins: Do you think the Steelers have any interest in Antonio Cromartie?
Gerry Dulac: Gee I hope not
Bob: Can it be looked at as a positive that the NFL hasn’t contacted Leveon yet about an appeal? could it be delayed until next year maybe? Thanks
Gerry Dulac: Bob, that’s what he is saying, that doesn’t necessarily mean he is telling us in the media what he actually knows. No, I don’t think the matter will be tabled till next year. It will be handled now, though I don’t know what’s taking so long
Guest: Now that camp is over, even with a few more preseason games, has there been anyone in the secondary that you see making more of an impact than you maybe didn’t foresee before?
Gerry Dulac: No, I don’t think so, unless you want to count Doran Grant, who I thought all along could be a nice contributor. Donald Washington maybe, another Ohio State product, but thats it
Guest: Just hypothetically... how many games do you think Leveon plays this year & how many for Green?
Gerry Dulac: I think Bell will play 12 games plus postseason, provided he doesn’t get hurt. Green I’m not so sure , and neither are they, because you never know with concussion issues.
Rob: What are your thoughts about Gradkowski?
Gerry Dulac: I think he’s going to be out at least 4-5 weeks and might have a tough time making the roster. I say that because I believe the Steelers might sign a veteran QB after the final cuts of camp to be their No. 3 guy. I don;’t think Dustin Vaughan willl be that guy, though it’s a possibility.
Kevin: I thought tomlin stated its not concussion related on why green is on the pup?
Gerry Dulac: That is what he said. That doesn’t mean that is the actuality
Guest: why did shazier play so long vs detroit?
Gerry Dulac: Good question. Didn’t need to. I wouldn’t have even played him.
Guest: Do you think, brown, ben, bell, & deangelo will play at all this preseason?
Gerry Dulac: I wouldn’t be surprised if Ben and AB didn’t play at all, though I suspect they will get a couple series in New Orleans. I don’t think Bell will play at all, and why should he? What little timing or rhythm he might gain from a series or two, which is negligible, will be negated if he has to sit four games because of a suspension. Plus all that rest just gives his knee even more time to recover. To me, it’s foolish to play Bell. DeAngelo Williams might fall into the Ben-AB category.
Kevin: Do you see the steelers addressing the thin CB position via FA before the season begins?
Gerry Dulac: Only if someone else gets hurt.
Guest: with Artie not practicing much due to injury, do you see this as a lost year/redshirt year for him?
Gerry Dulac: Not at all. He’s close to returning. He will just be behind a little. Still Plenty of time to make up for lost ground, so long as he stays healthy.
SteelByDesign: This team has to find some outside help from the waiver wire don’t they? At cornerback we have 2 guys with any experience; Gay and Cockrell. I see 2 CB roster spots totally up for grabs and not a lot of great options to fill them. A tight end might be nice too.
Gerry Dulac: That sounds nice, but do you really think they are going to find someone better than what they have on the waiver wire, at least as far as being a contributor? Maybe for depth purposes. I think they will wait and see what they have w Green before they move for backup help.
Gerry Dulac: I’m sorry but I deleted someone’s question about Bell’s appeal and when might it be, and I would expect it to be later this week or by the middle of next week. Of course, I say that and I can’t believe it has taken this long. Maybe there is more for the arbitrator to investigate or review, which could be a good thing. But I’m not sure.
Rahn: Lost reps are lost reps, but for someone like Artie Burns, will cut-down day be beneficial from a standpoint of increased reps and more drill time?
Gerry Dulac: No, he is going to get all the reps he needs to get up to speed, no matter if there are 90 players or 53.
SteelByDesign: “do you really think they are going to find someone better than what they have on the waiver wire” ...Ross Cockrell and Antwon Blake are both very recent examples of cuts they added that played significant snaps on defense.
Gerry Dulac: That’s was out of desperation because of injuries (Golson), poor play (Cortez Allen) and poor trades (Boykin). They are not in a desperate state. Plus, Blake was not a free-agent pickup like Cockrell last year. He had been on the roster for at least a year
Guest: When will we find out anything more about Green? I feel like we will never find out anything more, if he continues to sit out on PUP
Gerry Dulac: That’s the tenuous nature of headaches/concussions
SteelByDesign: Weren’t you a big Eric Rowe guy during last year’s draft? Word is Eagles aren’t in love with him, and Steelers should get an extended look on Thursday night. Any chance of another cornerback trade with Philly?
Gerry Dulac: Haha. But, yes, I liked Eric Rowe and so did the Steelers. They might be leery after what happened with Boykin.
Rahn: I totally agree with you on the sitting of the Steelers’ stars and would be happy to not see them until Week 1. If that happens, 1. Do you think the league would place call to the team for its strategy and 2. Could this set a trend that sees other clubs doing the same, maybe resulting in the decrease to two such “exhibitions” a season?
Gerry Dulac: I don’t know if that will be the reason to force a reduction in preseason games, but, yes, I think other clubs will be more inclined to do the same, especially if Ben and AB start the season on fire. But I don’t think the league will place a call. Maybe angry ticket holders who want to see their stars, even for a cursory appearance
Guest: Saw on ESPN this morning, we’re ranked 6th in their new rankings. Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac: If they had Bryant, Green, Golson and Bell for 16 games, they’d be 1 or 2. 6 is fine
Rahn: So I’m guessing it’s a popular notion to put the kid from Pitt K’Wan Williams who CLE may release with the Steelers. Do you see that, also?
Gerry Dulac: That he’s from Pitt will have nothing to do with the possibility, which isn’t really a possibility. Look, the Steelers aren’t in any panic stage. They are always bringing in players to take a look in case they find someone who might help them. But they are not doing it because they think they are in trouble in the secondary. It’s a young group. They are willing to let them grow.
Rob: Who do you think will blink first between Harrison and the league? Do you think the league has over stepped its bounds on this one? It seems Harrison is in a good position to fight it.
Gerry Dulac: Really, no he is not. He and the other players have become the pawns of the union, who are trying to tell the league what to do. The league has asked the union seven times to provide the players for interviews, that’s it. The union has refused. Now Harrison is in a tough position -- listen to the bad advice of the union and risk letting down his teammates and the organization with a potential suspension; or go through the interview and be forced to violate your beliefs as a union members. The league is forcing their hand, but they are the league, they are the boss. They are asking for cooperation and the union is refusing based on their protective rights. Harrison has been put in a bad position because of bad advice.
Guest: i can’t help but think of last year and how close we were to the championship game with a hurt ben and no brown/bell. No matter what happens to our secondary, they can’t be any worse than last year. if we have ben/brown/bell for atleast 12 games, i don’t see how we can’t get to the superbowl. all comes down to health
Gerry Dulac: Bingo. Hold your cards...!!
Gerry Dulac: Well, we out of time. Thanks for the questions kids. See you next week.
First Published: August 17, 2016, 1:05 p.m.
Updated: August 17, 2016, 2:51 p.m.
