Gerry Dulac: OK, kids, I see you’re already lined up in the store, so we will open for business in another 5 or so minutes.
Gerry Dulac: Let’s get our chat started. Go....
coach15: Allegedly, BB is getting rave reviews in camp, if this is so, why is he projected by many as the 4th best QB in the division, & so low on ftsy fball draft boards?
Gerry Dulac: Because the dummy who said that is just that -- dumb. Same guy who built those wonderful Jets and Dolphins dynasties. It is not many, just one.
marty v: Don’t you think they will find a way to sign Heyward to a deal before the season starts?
Gerry Dulac: Yes, I still do.
coach15: As this season will be “different” with the virus, will the 2021 season be “more different”, due to the salary cap crunch, & what is your prediction on how Steelers attack their cap delimma
Gerry Dulac: I can’t make a prediction on something I don’t know, but I know this -- the Steelers handle the cap better than any team in the league. That’s why you never see them have fire sales and dump their high-salaried guys en masse. They will handle this too.
coach15: Do you expect Claypool to be a contributor this season, seems as though he’s getting plenty of pub?
Gerry Dulac: Absolutely. All you have to do is see him in practice to know they will get him in the game and get him the ball.
Jimmy: Fans in the stands for the home opener Gerry? Best guess as of today.
Gerry Dulac: I don’t think so. Maybe later in the year. Maybe. But not now.
Frank: Do you think Benny Snell can potentially be a 3 down back? How is he looking so far throughout camp?
Gerry Dulac: No, he is a first- and second-down back. He is not an accomplished route runner or pass catcher. Benny Snell looks very good, a competent backup for James Conner.
Buccobil@gmail.com Bil: Any chance coaches will encourage gunslinger to cut his int’s in half?
Gerry Dulac: Encourage? Nobody is advocating for him to THROW interceptions. Of course they would like him not to throw any. So would Ben. They are part of the game when you have an attacking QB. But sometimes they are not always his fault. Sometimes the receivers run wrong routes and aren’t where they are supposed to be (AB).
broom12: McFarland is getting positive buzz. What’s his comp? Is he Dri Archer/Chris Rainey or...Kareem Hunt or who?
Gerry Dulac: I’m more impressed with McFarland than I thought I would be, and by that I mean he is a better runner than I thought. He’s not just a guy who will run outside and try to make a big play. And he’s sturdier than I thought too. He is not Dri Archer or Chris Rainey.
coach15: How will Pittsburgh or any other NFL city, control the game day stadium parking lots from becoming another Ozarks, or Jersey beach area?
Gerry Dulac: That remains to be seen. I will be curious to see if the city will ban tailgating at home games, just like they did in Cleveland, even if fans aren’t allowed in the stadium. Because I would expect people to still have tailgates near or around Heinz Field on a home game.
jay: Do you miss Latrobe and if so, then what do you miss the most?
Gerry Dulac: I miss the routine of Latrobe. It’s better than the arrangement now, that’s for sure. What I miss the most is the serenity of the surroundings in the morning. And visiting Champion Lakes.
coffee88: Impressions of Highsmith? I just have a feeling about that guy.
Gerry Dulac: I need to see him in a game. I like his athleticism and explosiveness, but need to see it against an NFL tackle in game situation.
Stlrdave1: Thanks Gerry for taking my question. I always respect your expertise. I may be biased towards our Steelers, but with this season like no other, I feel the stabilty and leadership of the organization is huge plus. Agree?
Gerry Dulac: In these times, there is no question that is a big plus. They are a team with nearly every returning starter and a coach who does a good job of keeping everybody on an even keel and focused on the task, not the limitations.
Frank: How has Antoine Brooks looked so far? Has Terrell Edmunds looked better in coverage so far in camp?
Gerry Dulac: To be honest, Brooks hasn’t jumped out at me at all. But, again, he’s someone you need to see in a game. He will have a tough time making the team. As of right now, he looks like a practice squad guy to me. And I never put too much credence on practice. I evaluate guys how they perform when it counts.
Bob: Will Cam Hayward be resigned to a new deal?
Gerry Dulac: He will, the question is just when. That is their top priority, trust me.
Frank: How has Anthony McFarland looked in camp? Do you think he could be a 3 down back with star potential?
Gerry Dulac: Star potential is a little premature, but if you saw my earlier answer I think McFarland has looked better than I thought he might. And it’s a little premature to think he will be a third-down back. Their intention is to hope he is a big-play back.
Buccobil@gmail.com Bil: My concern with int’s is that over last couple seasons, seems like teams with lower numbers make playoffs. Been awhile since we’ve made much noise there. One of two areas you think improvement can translate to playoff football?
Gerry Dulac: Nobody likes a lot of interceptions, including Ben. So, yeah, they hope to reduce the number of picks by being more balanced. There have been seasons where Ben hasn’t thrown a lot of interceptions.
Bob: America needs the NFL now more than ever. Any chance we’ll see more games played during the week this season? Or are we still looking at only Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays until they play those late in the season Saturday games?
Gerry Dulac: I think NFL games will be a nice panacea for a lot of people. You might see Saturday games earlier in the season, but remember there is still college football with some conferences, including ACC and SEC.
GLB: With the expanded practice squads, do you think the Steelers will reserve a spot for a specialist like a punter or kicker, just in case?
Gerry Dulac: Highly unlikely, I would assume.
North side Jim: What do you think the odds are for Bill Nunn getting inducted into the HOF this year?
Gerry Dulac: I’m not sure, but it would be fantastic if he got in. His stock is strong because he was the one scout who helped build the 70s dynasty.
Frank: Do you think Juju will be resigned? Have you heard anything on that?
Gerry Dulac: Way too early for that. That will be after this season...maybe. But I think he will be re-signed. He is their No. 1 receiver after all.
George in OKC: Good morning Mr Gerry! Do you believe the lack of a preseason will have a negative affect on the officiating at the beginning of the season. I sure do!
Gerry Dulac: Not like it will for the players, especially the young players. Like anyone in that situation, I’m sure there will be some rust to knock off and time to get comfortable with calling a game again. But I don’t think it will be detrimental...no more than usual, that is.
Matt: Gerry, I heard Lynch is having a terrible camp via Mark Kaboly. Is Duck going to win the 3rd QB position?
Gerry Dulac: He is also the person who said Ben changed his throwing motion, which he didn’t. I think the assessment is a result of a horrible throw Lynch made in practice Monday when he badly missed an open receiver downfield. That alone could qualify as having a terrible camp because Tomlin was incredulous at the miss.
Matt: Is Smallwood going to put Samuels on the PS?
Gerry Dulac: No.
Matt: Top 6 receivers going to be JuJu,Johnson,Washington,Switzer,Claypool,McCloud?
Gerry Dulac: Not sure who the 6th will be right now. Maybe Cain. It all depends who can play special teams.
Frank: Would you say you are comfortable with the LB and S depth as of now? Or at least from what you have seen from players in camp?
Gerry Dulac: No, but I think the addition of Curtis Riley will help the depth at safety. To me, the one injury the defense might not be able to afford is if something happened to Devin Bush.
BigEdBarr: Good morning Gerry! My biggest concern is the offensive line, what is your take on the O line? Hope all is well my friend!
Gerry Dulac: I think the offensive line is fine Ed because 4 starters return, which is always a good thing. And 3 of them are Pro Bowlers. Let’s wait and see what happens at right tackle. I still think in some amount of time Matt Feiler will go back there and Steve Wisniewski will be the LG.
Frank: Do you think this team has the pieces to win the division? If so, would you say they have a legitimate chance at a SB. That is if the team is healthy.
Gerry Dulac: I certainly do because of their defense and the playmakers they have added to the offense. There is no reason to think they can’t be a solid playoff team, but they have to go out and prove it. Believing it is one thing, doing it is another.
J-town Johnny: Hey Gerry, How do you feel about Mickelson tearing up the senior tour?
Gerry Dulac: I like seeing it!! Great for golf and that tour.
Gerry Dulac: Well, kids, time for another Zoom call so that’s all the time we have to chat today. See you next week.
First Published: August 26, 2020, 1:09 p.m.
Updated: August 26, 2020, 4:46 p.m.
