Wednesday, 04 January 2012 14:18

Written by Gerry Dulac

mike: how did Ben look today Gerry? did he do anything?

Gerry Dulac: Not so good. His hair was mussed. Unshaven. He probably needed a shower.

If you mean on the practice field, I don't know. They just went out as we are chatting. I will tell you that he told me earlier he aggravated his injury against the Browns and his ankle is feeling worse this week than it did at this time last week. But he will play.

Understand this, though, too....it is unlikely Ben's ankle will heal and be 100 percent again this season. By playing every week, there is no chance to rest. Nor can there be. His type of injury takes a month or so to recuperate. And he and Maurkice Pouncey don't have that kind of time at their disposal.

weegie thompson: Hi Gerry, can you give us some info on the new RB?

Gerry Dulac: He';s small (5-8, 202) and shifty, is about all I can tell you. I havent seen him play in a game at this level to evaluate. I'm sure he was on the practice squad for a reason. You better hope you dont get to see him to evaluate, either. That means the Steelers are really in trouble with injuries if Chad Spann gets in a game.

Jim: I would guess Allen doesn't play this week. Do the Coaches think he will be healthy next week? He seems too important to lose.

Gerry Dulac: Correct. Cortez Allen will not play this week. He has a separated right shoulder, similar to what Doug Legursky had. And Legursky, who will return against the Broncos, missed only one game.

Allen has a chance to be back if the Steelers advance in the playoffs. He is their dime back and has been very good in coverage.

Bill: If the Steelers win in Denver, who do you think they will play the following week? I think it will be New England because I don't see Cincy going in to Houston and winning.

Gerry Dulac: We disagree. I think they will play Baltimore because I think the Bengals win in Houston and the Steelers win in Denver.
I really wanna see the Steelers play the Ravens again, only because I will laugh from Baltimore back to the 'Burgh if the Steelers beat them when it REALLY matters.

dude from latrobe: Hi Gerry, thanks for the chats.

Gerry Dulac: You're welcome.

Guest: Have you noticed that kickoff return men seem to be bringing balls out from 8-9 yards deep, which it seems like never would happen before this year? 84 almost always manages to get it past the 20, so no complaints here, but it's interesting to me that the philosophy on this seems to have changed so much in one year.

Gerry Dulac: Well I hope you're not noticing it just now because it's been happening since Week 1. But, yes, what people thought would be a drastic reduction in returns because of the new rule has actually encouraged more returns from kickoffs deep in the end zone. The reason: The other new rule that prohibits players from getting a running start from more than 5 yards. It takes the cover guys a little longer to get down the field now, so that gives the returner a little more time to get some yardage.

MiStlrFan: Gerry: Did Mike Wallace "alligator arm" a couple of passes on Sunday? It looked he did. I just don't see him being a go-to guy when he can't fight for a ball or is afraid to get hit.

Gerry Dulac: I don't know if he alligator-armed a couple or not, but I will say he did not aggressively pursue a couple catches or use his body to properly get position on a catch -- the same things he did last year in the Super Bowl when the Steelers threw three consecutive passes to him, all incompletions, on the final possession.

If you remember the deep pass into the end zone against the Browns, he all but stood there and watched the defensive back drop the interception. His job in that instance is, if he can't catch the ball, to make sure the other guy doesn't catch it, either.
I thought he was over all that earlier this season. I guess not.

SearchingForAnswers: Father Gerry, Since I will be watching Tebow for over 3hrs this Sunday, does the almighty consider this an acceptable substitution for attending church?

Gerry Dulac: Only if Tebow delivers a sermon from on (Mile) High.

Guest: Do you honestly think that should the Steelers beat Denver they can win any more games beyond that? I, for one, don't.

Gerry Dulac: Tell me if you thought any differently in 2005.

mike: You ever think of trying to impersonate Art Rooney II?

Gerry Dulac: I did ... until I went to the bank.

Guest: In your opinion has Antonio Brown become the Steelers number one receiver?

Gerry Dulac: No question. Look at how much he is targeted by Ben. I know some of that is because teams are going to pay attention to Mike Wallace, leaving Brown in single coverage. But Brown has also drawn his fair of share of attention from opposing secondaries and he's still catching passes and being productive. It has become apparent that Ben relies on him a great deal.

weegie thompson: Would you consider Redman's fumbles anomalies or will they be addressed in this week's practices?

Gerry Dulac: I would consider them fumbles.

But, I will say, the Steelers were going to try to rid him of the problem by having him get slashed a couple times by Evgeni Malkin. But they decided against it.

Guest: Have you read the stories out of New York and comments made by Jets players concerning Santonio Holmes? Many don't want him back next year. Think the Steelers made the right call even though they gave him away?

Gerry Dulac: I don't have to read them to know that. I saw it first-hand for several years.
Don't you think your observation to me answered your own question? The Steelers were going to release him if the Jets didn't offer a fifth-round pick. What does that tell you?

Guest: Could running back suddenly become a priority for the Steelers in the upcoming draft?

Gerry Dulac: No.

mike: What way do they go this week if Pouncey goes out ... Essex in at C or Kemo at LG with Legursky moving into the middle?

Gerry Dulac: I think they will move Legursky back to center and use Kemo at LG.

Guest: You've seen the top AFC teams in person. Do you honestly think any one of them can beat Green Bay or New Orleans in a Super Bowl?

Gerry Dulac: Only teams with a good defense, and that means either Baltimore or the Steelers.

Ed: Hi Gerry, do the Steelers do any special preparations when they play in the high altitude of Denver either during the week or on game day?
1:58

Gerry Dulac: They were going to practice this week on Mount Washington but decided against it.

Hank: Is Denver's defense is good as everyone is making them out to be?

Gerry Dulac: Absolutely not, but their rush guys on the edge -- DE Elvis Dumervil and OLB Von Miller -- are as good as any in the league.

mike: Is John Fox foolish enough to try the option this week to Harrison's side, where he can just smash Tebow to bits if he so pleases?

Gerry Dulac: Well, Tebow is lefthanded and that would be the side to which he would naturally roll, right?

Gerry Dulac: That's all the time we have today kids!! Thanx for the questions. See you next week. It's off to the mountain top ...

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