Gerry Dulac: Ok kids, we're going to start our chat in about 5-10 minutes so get ready....
Gerry Dulac: Ok kids, here we go.....
Lou: Hey Gerry! Let’s say the Steelers wind up with a top 10 draft pick. Who would you take in 2022?
Gerry Dulac: Too early for me to even think about that.
Guest: Hey Gerry, Russell Okung, Ben Garland & Mitch Schwartz (coming off surgery, I know) are still FAs. Any of them could be an upgrade to the OL. Any idea why Steelers aren't making a move? I know they want the kids to get their reps but Ben's getting killed.
Gerry Dulac: Yeah, because they're not interested.
Art from NC: Hi Gerry- When will Steeler nation wake up to the realities of the NFL? We have been spoiled for the past 18 years by having a HOF QB, which mean we won a lot of games, But this also means we have drafted in the bottom of those rounds for those years as well. This ain't Alabama where you go out and get the best players every year! The Browns and Bengals have been drafting in the top 10 for like 20 years, sooner or later this catches them up. We have to ride this out and do the best with what we have this year !
Gerry Dulac: Heyyyy, who let this rational guy sneak into the chat this early????
MTScott: Hello Gerry - are there new rules this year that says you can’t run on 2nd down or you can’t throw a pass past the 1st down marker on 3rd or 4th down???
Gerry Dulac: Ba-dum....I'm here all weekend. Try the veal!
REID: Hi Gerry, I get it. The ultra cool, jocular, giggling Aaron Rodgers had a good game Sunday but he also missed A LOT of downfield throws especially to his TEs. So is the difference of Packers passing game the protection Rodgers gets that allows him to miss throws but also allowing him to attempt and complete more throws? vs Steelers who have far fewer opportunities to throw downfield and need to be perfect to capitalize on said opportunities?
Gerry Dulac: The difference is the Packers let Rodgers do what he wants
REID: Hi Gerry, do you think some media let personal bias against Ben affect their evaluations of him?
Gerry Dulac: Maybe some. Some media are also fans and react like them, instead of really looking at and understanding what's going on.
Justin: The season is not over, but as a fan if I'm being honest with myself, the Steelers are not going anywhere this year with this awful offense and a continually injured defense. The Steelers have the 2nd most regular season wins since 2000 (Patriots the most). It's been an amazing stretch but we're overdue for some subpar years. The Steelers will never tear it down and start over but this year may yield tear down results without intentionally doing it. Call me crazy, but could this work out well for their future? If you were the GM (and we all know you should be!) what is the team identity that you would build for a successful retool/rebuild?
Gerry Dulac: You are right in one regard -- they never tear it down and start again, and they won't start now. It's one of the reason for their continued success decade after decade. They are not going to the AFC title game or Super Bowl every year. they are not going to the playoffs ever year. What they did in the 70s and from 2004 to 2010 was incredible but it is an anomaly (unless you're Tom Brady).
Mark: Do you think Urban Meyer acted on purpose to get out of his contract? After all, he’s not experienced with losing.
Gerry Dulac: Uh.....No
REID: Hi Gerry, How do you think Joe Haeg played ?
Gerry Dulac: I thought Joe Haeg played very well. You know why? Because you never noticed him out there, which is a good sign for any OLineman
Bill: Do you think ben should have followed the Heath Miller route and should have known when it was time to retire. Seems some players just want to hang on forever.
Gerry Dulac: No
MTScott: If we are to believe MT that we don’t live in fear…..then why to we punt in obvious situations where we need to go for it on 4th down? Maybe we need to surprise our opposition & punt on 3rd down!
Gerry Dulac: I'll tell him
MTScott: Do you see the Steelers being sellers during this year’s Trade Deadline? I want to see MR or DH given a chance for next year @ QB since next year’s draft doesn’t offer any projected future franchise candidates - agree?
Gerry Dulac: Well, I think what you want to see happen next year will happen next year
Tim: Crazy talk from all the network morning sports mouthpieces saying aaron rodgers as next years qb for the Steelers. All because he gave MT a nod and a wry smile after the timeout to avoid the Steelers offside and saying he respects him. That has a chance of happening about as much as Urban Meyer lasting the whole year in Jacksonville.
Gerry Dulac: Or Urban Meyer coaching the Steelers. Preposterous
REID: Hi Gerry, do you think PFF is an accurate assessment of grading a performance? Initially, I thought they looked at each play and graded if that player "did what he was supposed to do". I heard recently on talk radio one of PFF grades for QBs is " big time throws" ? what???? Is big time throw an expectation if the QB is supposed to throw a 5 yd out?
Gerry Dulac: I don't pay too much attention to them. I respect the job they do, but they don't know what the play call was, what a player's assignment was, what a QB is looking at, what a lineman is supposed to be doing. Sorry
ordinaryfanman: I think Big Ben's experience is his downfall, He questions every mis pass he throws. He is thinking too much, and not reacting. All the experience in the world does not match his limited physical ability. Thanks for all those great years, it is time to move on.
Gerry Dulac: That comes from having a new offense that restricts his ability to audible
Justin: Ben has had an awful start to the year. No arguments here. A QB change could be good for the long term, but not in the way you may think. I believe most would agree that Mason is not the answer but the team seems to view him differently than the fans and media do. Would putting Mason in (assuming he would fail) prove to the Steelers coaches and the Rooneys that a better succession plan is needed or would they blame the poor o-line for his struggles? You CAN win in this league with an average QB, but not without a dominant line (missing!), RB, and defense. Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac: Wrong. If by winning you mean going to the Super Bowl, you need the elite QB, not a great offensive line or RB. Now, if you mean by winning 10 or so games, and you have a good defense, you can get away with an average QB.
RJT: Ben looks uncomfortable, missing throws, missing reads, and he can’t step up or slide in the pocket to buy time. Why won’t the Steelers give Mason Rudolph a try. What’s the worst that could happen? They score 16 points instead of 17?
Gerry Dulac: This isn't a college program
ApolloNative: No question, just a "thank you" for the chats and content.
Gerry Dulac: Finally, a short question that I like!!
REID: Hi Gerry, yes Minkah blocked FG return should have been a TD, but I haven't seen the game changing splash plays like that from him in a while. Has his role and responsibility changed on the defense?
Gerry Dulac: The whole defense hasn't been making them. Read this.....https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/10/05/pittsburgh-ste...
Justin: Hi Gerry. Assuming we draft an o-lineman high in next year's draft, do you believe that Green is still the starting C? The talent and mean steak is certainly there, but would he be a better fit as a G to move him away from more powerful NT's? Or does he just simply need to get stronger?
Gerry Dulac: I think you will see an OL in the first round, probably a guard. Or maybe what you suggest. Give Green a chance. Only been 4 games. He's not that bad.
GM: I honestly like the outlook of our future O-line especially with 53 and 69. But not so much the OC... I get that this is a long year, but the offense had an extra game to learn and grow the playbook. So why does it look like we run the same 10 plays?
Gerry Dulac: That's because they probably do
navydad721: Is the supposed hip injury to BB a ploy by steeler management to gracefully sit him and open the door to Mason R
Gerry Dulac: Uh....no!
REID: Hi Gerry, narrative on Ben last year was " arm strength -couldn't throw the deep ball". This year its " immobile - can't move around in the pocket". My question to you is " WHAT POCKET???? "
Gerry Dulac: Another comedian. But funny
Steeltowntim: Gary, Blocked field was a scoring play, why no review from NY or the booth
Gerry Dulac: You can't review penalties. And because of the penalty, it WASN'T a scoring play
John in SC: Good morning Gerry. Really hate to say this, but the Steelers look stale. The phrase “doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results” comes to mind. I know it won’t happen, but time to move on from Tomlin. I know he won a SB early in his career but it was with a team he basically inherited. Plenty of years where he had enough talent to win more, but he’s failed miserably in that regard. If you look at the last few years, we are trending down. I honestly don’t believe Tomlin is capable of winning another SB in Pittsburgh, so what’s the downside of bringing in new, fresh thinking?
Gerry Dulac: My goodness, these questions today are longer than the stories I write....All I will say is Tampa Bay fired Tony Dungy years ago because they were tired of him making the playoffs four out of 5 years but getting eliminated early. They hired Jon Gruden and won the Super Bowl the next season
TXSteeler: Feel the lack of interceptions caused by the defense in the first 4 weeks (1) is being underreported. What are your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac: Let me know what is being under-reported....https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/10/05/pittsburgh-ste...
roccopd: It's been a great ride with Ben, and I have enjoyed following his career. Do you see him pulling himself out of the game, if he continues to play poorly?
Gerry Dulac: I'm not sure I have EVER seen a QB at any level do that.
Guest: What specifically do you see as the biggest difference between Ben and the offense the first 10 games of last year vs the most recent 10 games
Gerry Dulac: Good question. Biggest difference to me -- Ben not having the freedom to change plays and being forced to run ones that -- let's face it -- ain't exactly working
Truth be Told: Gerry - don't you think the only reason that Ben came back was to run up another year of stats so that he could pass Philip Rivers and be the undisputed QB#1 from the 2004 class (stats and SB rings)? Given his ego and history of 'me-first' behavior, it seems obvious. Front office and coaches seem ok with this, similar to the Lakers and their lousy farewell season tour for Kobe Bryant. Problem for Ben, this is a contact sport and tough to imagine the O-line being this bad so he's likely to get knocked out before he gets there. Not that there is an Aaron Rodgers or Steve Young waiting in the wings, but he can't get rid of the ball much faster so seems like we are in for more of the same until the end of the season or until he gets himself really hurt. What say you?
Gerry Dulac: No
REID: Hi Gerry, no one really talking about how much Alu Alu and Tuitt being out has affected the D performance to date. How big of an impact do you think this has been how big going forward?
Gerry Dulac: It
Gerry Dulac: Oops....It's been a big impact right now. Losing 2 of your top 3 D-linemen is not good, either when the depth is average at best. Tuitt had 11 sacks last season. Alualu keeps blockers off Bush and Schobert. Not sure if it's going to get better or worse, but right now it's a huge blow
TXSteeler: You won’t, because you can’t admit fault, but please tell me how this teeet was rude or disrespectful and deserved a block:
Gerry Dulac: Not sure to which you are referring...When I see it, I will refer it to my committee that blocks incoming tweets and I will review.
Tomi in Punta Gorda: Hi Gerry, getting frustrated with the NFL. Missed the whole 1st qtr sitting thru a 10 min overtime that took 31 min. Then 5 min of commercials. Why did they not review the bad call on Hayden when is was a scoring play?
Gerry Dulac: See above answer...Because it was a penalty, and penalties aren't reviewable
roccopd: Has Ben made any comments about what he's thinking about doing with his life after his playing days are over?
Gerry Dulac: I'll ask him
Alan from Indy: Gerry, Quickest turn around. Steelers or Rickie Fowler?
Gerry Dulac: Steelers
Falls Warrior: How did Minkah Fitzpatrick become another Terrell Edmunds?
Gerry Dulac: That's your opinion
TXSteeler: Again, doubt seriously you’ll address this for the same reasons you blocked me but a few weeks ago you said the following tweet merited blocking because it was rude and disrespectful. Please explain how it is and is not just an example of you continuing to be overly sensitive when you are simply shown something you stated was incorrect: “Sorry Gerry, but every cap site has Schobert counting around $1.75mm against the cap this year after Jax paid down half (yes sir half) of his salary and he restructured the other portion. With respect, you are badly mistaken when you said he counts $7.5 against the cap”. I mean, shouldn’t you just accept that you were mistaken, be thankful, and move on?
Gerry Dulac: I think I did. You musta missed that. But thanx for the reminder.
Falls Warrior: Strength of the Steelers is supposed to be the pass rush. Packers were playing with 4 new offensive linemen. So why only rush 3 for most of the game?
Gerry Dulac: They dropped TJ Watt into coverage more times than I think is necessary.
Sonic: Gary, other than Munchak, isn’t it funny how no one ever wants to hire a Steelers assistant for their team?
Gerry Dulac: Pay the man!
Knuckles: Roll with Mason next year and draft your future QB in rd 1. Tell me, is this the best option?
Gerry Dulac: Don't dismiss the possibility that next year Dwayne Haskins will be given every opportunity to be the No. 1 quarterback, should Ben not be back.
Douglas: The Steelers continue to try to run up the middle, with little or no success. Would more off tackle plays provide Najee more space to utilize his exceptional strength and elusiveness?
Gerry Dulac: I thought the running game was much better in Green Bay and will continue to get better with Najee. You can see it already happening.
Idggy DeBeau: Tomlin sounded like a politician yesterday when answering all the softball questions that the jock sniffing local media was asking him. Are people afraid of him in these Tuesday press conferences?
Gerry Dulac: I think after all these years they've discovered that there are many questions he just won't answer. So they don't ask them. Waste of time
Joe: They can’t go on playing Ben unless they’re tanking the season. Anyone can see he can’t play anymore. What’s the harm in trying Rudolph at this point? I’m assuming the other players on the team want to win and Tomlin is doing them a disservice by sticking with Ben
Gerry Dulac: I'll ask the other players.
REID: Hi Gerry, I'm normally a glass half empty guy but with continued improvement of O line and run game (and hopefully pass protection) healthy WR corps and if defense can resemble previous 2 years play I see Stillers getting back in this thing. Especially if they can win next 2. What do you think?
Gerry Dulac: All I know is I've been around too long to know how things can turn around. I'm not saying they will, but I've seen it happen before, many times. What happens if they win the next two, get a bye, go to Cleveland and win and they're 4-3? What happens if Lamar Jackson gets hurt? Or Baker Mayfield? Then people will start pointing to a matchup with the Ravens as a big game? Or start pondering late-season possibilites. Let's just wait, ok.
Coach15: Why does Steelers front office not see that 7 is embarrassing himself & the organization? What makes ANYONE think that after the 11-0 start last season, he's struggled with his game & injuries, since that time-
Gerry Dulac: I'll send the front office an email
John: Gerry. In your opinion what would it take for Tomlin to bench 7? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. There is a large enough sample size
Gerry Dulac: He won't.
Dave: Gerry. Give us some hope???? Any positives with this team… just seems to be a dumpster fire from top to bottom
Gerry Dulac: I think I have pointed up the possibilities throughout the chat. The biggest being -- there are 13 games left. I mean, after they started 1-3 in 2019, did you or anyone ever think they would win eight of their next 10 games with Mason Rudolph and/or Duck Hodges?? The answer to that is easy -- NO!!
steelersfanslc: If the Steelers end up with a top 10 draft pick do you think they'd use on a potential franchise QB?
Gerry Dulac: I do, if they think there are one of those available in the draft
Ryan: Did the whole Decastro fiasco happening so late in the offseason throw off the plans for the OLine?
Gerry Dulac: Sure it did
The ville: Gerry - I saw a stat today that shows the Steelers at the bottom of the league in rush attempts. Understanding that we are always playing from behind due to our slow start to games, but isn’t it an issue that we are one dimensional and putting additional pressure on Ben and the OL which both is obviously not playing well at this point?
Bernard: What does it say about Mason Rudolph's potential as an NFL starter that the coaching staff doesn't seem to be considering a move despite how poorly Ben is playing? Or, does it say more about the failures of the OL and WRs?
Gerry Dulac: Sorry...this answer goes to previous question....I think it's more a result of playing from behind.
Gerry Dulac: As for Rudolph, I think what it says is they have a Hall of Fame QB in front of him
Gerry Dulac: OK, kids, we're out of time today. Thanx for the questions.
First Published: October 6, 2021, 1:36 p.m.
