Wednesday, 09 November 2011 20:48

Written by Dan Gigler

Steel Curtain Rising: Gerry, how much did Timmons play at LOLB Monday night and was he there because of injury or was it performance based?

Gerry Dulac: He was only there for a handful of plays, in certain packages, and part of it might have been because Jason Worilds had missed the past four games with injury and was making his first NFL start. He's not accustomed to playing that much. You might see a little more of the same this week too.

Hombre De Acero: Care to play Jr. psychologist and speculate as to how much of this loss can be attributed to a let down in the wake of the Patriots win?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think that had anything to do it. It's the Ravens and the Steelers were prepared, schematically and psychologically. But I think, again, the Ravens outsmarted and out-schemed the Steelers for much of the game, especially with their offense. Give the Ravens credit. They did it to 'em twice.

Hombre De Acero: Stevenson Sylvester got more extensive action this week, what are coaches saying about his performance?

Gerry Dulac: Actually, he saw less time against the Ravens than he did the week before. With James Harrison back against the Ravens, Lawrence Timmons could move back inside for the first time in five games. Sylvester actually started against the Patriots because of the injury to James Farrior. So he played a whole lot less against the Ravens. But, to answer your question, the Steelers like Sylvester, He is young, aggressive and does a nice job for a guy with little experience. Is he the heir apparent to Farrior. Probably not, at least, not in the long term. But he's a nice young backer.

Andy: Would this team become unbeatable if they forced two turnovers a game? Other than the defensive backs not intercepting a pass a couple of years ago until the final game in Miami, have you ever seen anything like this?

Gerry Dulac: Yeah, I'm not sure which is more amazing -- only four takeaways after 9 games on no CB having an interception for the first 15 games of 2009. Takeaways wouldn't have helped in the season opener, unless there were 7 of em -- which was the number of turnovers by the offense. But they might have helped in Houston, when they didn't have any.

Unbeatable? Maybe with four per game.

Tprod: Gerry, did the superb showing of man coverage against the Patriots—which surely surprised then—lead to over confidence that a similar scheme would work against the Ravens? I know this would allow the Steelers to utilize more resources against Ray Rice, but the Ravens had a time to game plan against that press coverage.

Gerry Dulac: Not at all. I don't know where this idea that the Steelers played man coverage against the Ravens originated??? Probably Tony Dungy. Yes, they played some man coverage, but they also played zone coverage, and they do that a lot. The Steelers will even use their outside corners in man coverage and use zone coverage behind them.
And, on the winning TD pass to Torrey Smith, the Steelers had deep zone coverage -- well, at least they're were supposed to. Ryan Clark had the deep zone responsibility to that side of the field to protect William Gay. But he was late getting over because he bit on a possible throw to Anquan Boldin in the underneath zone.

The Steelers have different schemes for different teams. Just because one works one week doesn't mean they will use it the next.

Steel Curtain Rising: Gerry, this question is coming in a week late, but you've gone on the record saying that you think Chris Carter has a bright future here in the NFL. How did you think he looked in his first NFL action?

Gerry Dulac: Just to be clear, what i said was that I think Chris Carter has a chance, as a No 5 pick, to be the steal of the draft.

I have also said, however, that he needs to get bigger and stronger to play that position in the NFL. If he does, he has a chance to be real good because he is very quick and explosive off the edge.
If that is a bright future, then, yes, you're right.

t: $40K fine for Clark? wow. any word on how much ray Lewis was fined?

Gerry Dulac: None yet. Usually players are notified by mail either late today or tomorrow. The only reason Clark knew already was because Coach Mike Tomlin, who was notified by the league, told him.

Tprod: Gerry, did the Steeler make a mistake to release Max Starks and instead hang on to Aaron Smith? Smith was 35 and spent three of the last four seasons on injured reserve. The Steelers also committed two first round draft choices to 3-4 Defensive Ends. I understand the respect, admiration, and loyalty Coach LeBeau and Tomlin have for Smith, but wasn't keeping your franchise Quarterback upright a higher priority. Could the Steelers have placed Starks on the PUP list after he showed up for Roethlisberger's wedding looking like a dirigible.

Gerry Dulac: Overweight is one thing. Overweight and overpaid is another. The Steelers re-signed Starks for one year at the veteran minimum of $810,000 when he was supposed to make $6-something million this year. I would say that was pretty astute, not a mistake.

Hombre De Acero: Not to "bug" Gerry, but during the off season you said you were going to write an article on the proliferation of former Dick LeBeau players in the NFL assistant coaching ranks. I think that's a fascinating story that I'd love to "hear" you tell. Is this still your plan?
2:20

Gerry Dulac: I don't like to reveal my plans, just in case Bill Belichick is listening.

Steel Curtain Rising: Gerry, what is the deal with "concussion like symptoms?" Can teams evade the NFL's new rules on concussions by simply calling them "concussion like symptoms?"

Gerry Dulac: Maybe some teams, but not the Steelers. They have always been proactive about being cautious with any players who gets dinged in the head and is woozy. This has happened twice to Hines Ward and each time he has wanted to go back in the game, but the Steelers medical staff will not allow him. The Steelers have been at the forefront of concussion testing in the NFL and, as a result, othetr professional sports. Their doctors have developed the tests that are used by nearly every sports organization today. I can't speak for other teams, but I can for the Steelers. And that just won't happen.

Gerry Dulac: Well that's all the time we have today, boys and girls. Sorry for the late start, but it didn't bother your line of questioning. See you next week.

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