Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 8.31.11

Wednesday, 31 August 2011 18:07

Written by Dan Gigler

Gerry Dulac: All right, lets get this thing started boys and girls....

DULAC MANIAC: Gerry, do either W. Saunders or D. Warren make this team? Thanks.

Gerry Dulac: I think Warren has a better shot than Saunders, but I think both will be tried to sign to the practice squad, especially Saunders. He has a lot of potential.

Guest: Yes or no, does Wesley Saunders make the team as the third tight end?

Gerry Dulac: See above.

dsf: All other things being equal, which team looks better. Last year vs this year?

Gerry Dulac: They're the same team, except for right tackle, so tough to answer.

Bruce: Tomlin has spoken of how Sylvester made the team last with his performance in the final preseason game. Which player do you think can beat out a veteran with his play against Carolna?

Gerry Dulac: I think LB Mario Harvey has a chance to be that guy. I think CB Cortez Allen has a chance to be that guy. And I think NT Steve McClendon really has a chance to be that guy.

Steel Curtain Rising: You've clarified that Doug Legursky hasn't necessarily leaped over Tony Hills for the starting guard spot. However, does this put Hills roster spot in jeopardy?

Gerry Dulac: I'll be honest, I'm still not entirely sure what is happening there and I'm still trying to find out so I have accurate information to dispense. But I think Tony Hills still makes the team, yes. I think the guys who are in trouble of making the roster are T/G Chris Scott but especially rookie G Keith Williams.

Chris from NY: With Harrison's back issues, does he need time on the field to get up to game speed or more time off the field to heal...or is that the catch 22, he needs both?

Gerry Dulac: He says it's time on the field to get into football shape. If his back wasn't healthy enough to play, he wouldn't be on the field. But because he couldn't work out for months, his conditioning is not what he is accustomed to. More specifically, it's not at the level that allows him to play the way he typically does, the level that made him a four-time Pro Bowler in four years of starting.

Guest: Will Grisham make it, get cut, or probably end up on the practice squad?

Gerry Dulac: He's still eligible for the practice squad I believe, so he's targeted there. However, if I'm another NFL team and I've been scouting, I claim him off waivers.

Hombre De Acero: Gerry, no one had Anthony Gray pegged for the Steelers 53 man roster, but do you think the decision to cut him now means that they don't want him back on the practice squad?

Gerry Dulac: No, not at all, because it might be that he ends up being available for the practice squad and maybe some other D-lineman aren't. There is still a possibility he could be re-signed to the practice squad.

Steel Curtain Rising: Gerry, we keep hearing that "James Harrison isn't at full strength yet, but he'll get there." Given that the NFL season is a war of attrition even for healthy players, do coaches REALLY think that Harrison is going to recover strength during the regular season?

Gerry Dulac: Well, you raise a good point. Harrison insists he will get to 100 percent, but he doesn't say when, mainly because he doesn't know. At age 33, maybe he won't get to 100 percent until he retires. What player over 30 can honestly say he's 100 percent after so many years in the NFL? None of them. It doesn't seem to be a matter of strength with JH; he says it's fatigue and stamina.

Guest: So much was said about

Chooch79: Do you know what the CB rotation will be for tomorrow night's game?

Gerry Dulac: Keenan Lewis told me yesterday he's OK to play after injuring his knee against the Falcons, so I would imagine it's going to be the same -- he and William Gay will start and Crezdon Butler and maybe Curtis Brown will rotate as the nickel back. How they are used early will tell you who is going to make the team.Tomlin already said Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden won't play.

Hombre De Acero: Gerry, you speculated a while back that Bryant McFadden might not make the 53 man roster cut. How do you like his chances now?

Gerry Dulac: That's all it was, speculating about possibilities in response to a question that, yes, anything is possible. But I have always counted him on my 53-man roster and nothing has changed that.

Steel Curtain Rising: It has been suggested in some quarters that Chris Hoke might get the axe, what is your take?

Gerry Dulac: That is a very real possibility, but it depends how many linemen the team keeps. Steve McClendon has looked really good and should be the sixth lineman for sure. If they keep seven, then I think Chris Hoke is on the team. He almost got cut last year, so it's possible it could happen this year.

Chris from NY: Gerry - These Steelers have a lot of options at receiver (If they stay healthy).With Wallace and Brown both serving as deep threats, that could be pretty tough to defend, no? I see a big year for the passing game...

Gerry Dulac: I couldn't agree with you more. And, with addition of Jerricho Cotchery, now you have five receivers who can make plays. I think the Steelers might have the best receiving corps in the league. They certainly have the best trio of young receivers in the league.

Guest: Any chance the Steelers bring back either Starks or Adams before the opener?

Gerry Dulac: None. When the Steelers re-signed Trai Essex, that just about ended any chance of Flozell coming back.

Hombre De Acero: Any chance that Emmanuel Sanders goes in IR?

Gerry Dulac: None. He's back practicing and could play tomorrow night in Carolina, though I doubt he will.

Andy: Which veterans may be in trouble of being cut?

Gerry Dulac: Chris Hoke is about the only one, really.

Scott: Who starts the season as the # 3 receiver, Sanders or Brown?

Gerry Dulac: Sanders is the more polished receiver and is considered their No. 3 guy, but OC Bruce Arians will make sure he finds ways to get Brown on the field, even in some three-wide sets. He's too explosive to keep off the field and they know it.

Guest: Who wins the punting job?

Gerry Dulac: Not even open for debate -- Dan Sepulveda.

Hombre De Acero: Marcus Gilbert got an extended look at left tackle vs. the Falcons. What are the coaches saying?

Gerry Dulac: Well, they like what they have seen of him. He's come back from a slow start at camp and did a nice job against John Abraham. You will see him play a lot tomorrow night too. But the Steelers have to get Jonathan Scott some snaps against the Panthers because he did not play last week.

Steel Curtain Rising: Final cut downs will be made by the time you do your next chat - care to offer any 11th Hour predictions on surprise roster moves?

Gerry Dulac: Ask me after the game. I don't guess. I inform.

Gerry Dulac: Well, kids, that's going to do it for today. There were a whole bunch of questions that I didn't have time to answer, so thanks for participating. See ya next week for the season opener.

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