Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 4.18.12

Wednesday, 18 April 2012 14:46

Written by Gerry Dulac

Guest: Gerry, in a past chat you insinuated that the Steelers might draft up to take Poe. Do you think this is still possible?

Gerry Dulac: Well, based on the past couple mock drafts I've seen, Poe has still been available at No. 24, so I don't think the Steelers will consider a trade up to draft him or Alabama ILB Dont'a Hightower. They would take the chance they could get one of those players at their regular spot.

Guest: Gerry, any real possibility of trading Wallace

Gerry Dulac: None.

Guest: Is the Alabama Safety a fit for the Steelers

Gerry Dulac: Not early. Alabama has a lot of players the Steelers like.

Guest: It seems the Steelers might take a tight end high in the draft. What do you think is their reasoning for such a move?

Gerry Dulac: I thought more of that notion before they signed Leonard Pope in free agency to maybe be their third TE. The reason is because the team is not going to just keep a roster spot open for a No. 3 tight end -- Weslye Saunders -- while he serves a four-game suspension to start the season. And they have come to see that David Johnson is a fullback/H-back and little more. So if you're looking for a second or third tight who can catch, you better go find one. But they have had a lot of tight ends visit the South Side, leading me to believe that they still intend to draft one no later than the fifth round and possibly by the fourth.

IdahoSteelerFan: Gerry, with Steelers bringing in TE Poe from KC, do you think it's possible Todd Haley could try to bring in a KC guard that wouldn't break the bank?

Gerry Dulac: You have Poe on your brain -- you mean Pope, of course. I don't know. It is not unusual for an assistant coach to recommend or seek a player who was a solid reliable guy from his former team. At this point, I think the Steelers will wait until after the draft to see which players, if any, they might need to sign to strengthren their depth.

Guest: Donari Poe had 1 sack last year against Austin Peay. Combine wonder but I wonder why the Steelers would draft him?

Gerry Dulac: Haha. You're not alone. That's why some NFL people are not too gung-ho on him. He needs a year of seasoning and they think he tends to take plays off. Believe me, he could be Ndamukong Suh or he could be Albert Haynesworth.

Guest: What position do you think the Steelers will draft that will be a surprise?

Gerry Dulac: I think there are two -- wide receiver and running back. They have had a lot of WRs in to visit since the combine and they never turn their back on a skill player, especially if a good one is still on the board. And I think the situation with Rashard Mendenhall could prompt them to draft a running back, too, though somewhere in the middle rounds, if they do. I don't believe either position will be considered with picks 1 and 2, though with wide receiver, you never know.

Chunkles: Gerry, does ANYONE beat Peyton Manning in his first games as a Bronco IN Denver? Sorry, I think the Steelers start out 0-1.

Gerry Dulac: Yes. I think you are confusing this Peyton Manning with the Peyton Manning from a couple years ago. This Peyton Manning is 36, hasn't played in more than a year and is coming off a serious neck injury that still raises concerns about his arm strength. His first game back? With a new team? The perfect time to play Peyton Manning -- THIS Peyton Manning.

Marty: I see where the ravens might want to pick hi tower to replace ray lewis one day , apparently he has mean streak. Do you think steelers should take him.

Gerry Dulac: I think the Steelers would have no qualms whatsoever drafting Hightower. They like him and, to me, would be a perfect fit in the middle of their defense. That's why the Ravens like him too.

Gerry Dulac: Well, that's all the time we have today, kids. See you next week, the day before the beginning of the draft. Bye now.

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