Wednesday, 31 October 2012 14:05

Written by Gerry Dulac

Gerry Dulac: All right, everyone, let's get the chat started ...

CDO: Can you please tell Antonio Brown to take some lessons from Heath Miller on how to act after getting a first down or scoring a touchdown? Antonio seems like a nice guy, but he's starting to remind me of the diva receivers from years past. There's no need for showboating after getting a first down, not to mention running backwards 20 yards into the end zone. Lame.

Gerry Dulac: I agree, but it's not just him. It's way too many players in the NFL who are more interested in what they do and their antics afterward. I have long grown wear of it. But I will tell you Antonio is a nice guy, a team guy, who knows what he did against the Redskins was not the right thing to do. I wish they were all like Heath. As Chuck Noll used to say, act like you've been there before.

Gerry Dulac: That word was supposed to be "weary," not wear.

CDO: Do you think Troy will be back in time for the first Ravens game?

Gerry Dulac: I'm not so sure. I think by the second one, for sure. But the first Ravens game is two weeks from Sunday. I think that is the earliest he will be back. Curious, isn't it, that without Polamalu, the pass defense has slowly ascended to No. 1 in the league??

CDO: Who are the 2 starting safeties this week against NYG?

Gerry Dulac: I still think Ryan Clark will be able to play against the Giants. He told me yesterday he feels fine, but the tests he has to take will determine that. We will also know by whether he is allowed to practice. If not, that will give you your answer as to whether he will play. He will not miss practice all week then suddenly be allowed to play on Sunday.

CDO: Do you agree with Ed that Ta'amu will be cut?

Gerry Dulac: I disagree. I think they will keep him and try to help him with his problem, get him the proper rehab. If they cut him, and no one else claims him (and why would they?), then Ta'amu would have to send himself to rehab and pay for it on his own. I don't think the Steelers would want the stigma of cutting him and being the team that chose not to help him.

STX Steeler Fan: What do you believe the reason for the lack of sacks and interceptions this year by our defense? Even though they are highly ranked, there just seems to be something missing about them making the critical plays at critical moment.

Gerry Dulac: You are right about that, and the lack of pressure is easily explainable -- the health of James Harrison and, to some extent, LaMarr Woodley. You saw what happened last year that tandem -- the best LB sack duo in the league -- missed a total of 11 manpower games.

Well, it is apparent Harrison is nowhere near the player he was. He is barely detectable on the field. And now Woodley has already injured the same hamstring twice, which is going to rob him of his effectiveness.

And the interceptions go hand in hand with that. I don't think it's any coincidence that the Giants have 16 picks already. They can get after the quarterback with their front 4 and drop anywhere from six to seven players in coverage. Their pressure leads to lots of takeaways.

CDO: Just read about Sanders having to answer about his "cramp" during Bengals game. Do you think that was something he just did himself or was he told (coached) to do it? I thought that was kind of bush league and not "Steeler-like".

Gerry Dulac: I don't think he did it on his own or was told. I believe he cramped, though it was a cool night in Cincy. It appeared fishy because it was somewhat of a delayed reaction.

But look at what happened to Polamalu when he was injured. One second he is chasing a player to the sideline, several seconds later he turns around, starts walking back to the huddle and suddenly feels the tear in his calf muscle.

But, if was told by one of his coaches to fake an injury, then the team, not necessarily Sanders, should be fined and disciplined. And the person responsible would be Mike Tomlin.

Joe Joe: Ryan Clark needs to stop making hits with his helmet. It seems he hurts himself more than the defenders!

Gerry Dulac: Well, you can say the same thing about Troy Polamalu. Lets tell him to stop playing with the reckless abandon that made him Troy Polamalu so he won't get his seventh or eighth concussion, or however many it is.

Polamalu has always said it's too late for him to change his style; that's the way he always played. Probably the same is true with Clark, though what you say is indeed advisable.

CDO: Do you think they might try to go deep a little more often this weekend against NYG?

Gerry Dulac: The Giants play a lot of zone coverage designed to keep the ball in front of them. That's why they have so many picks -- because it is easier to do that when the secondary can play with their eyes in the backfield instead of on the receiver in man coverage. Dallas threw for a ton of yards, I know, but one of the reasons is because they were behind 23-0 and had to catch up. They also threw a lot of underneath stuff, which is what the Giants were giving them. That's why TE Jason Witten had 18 -- 18!! -- catches.

Gerry Dulac: That's all the time we have today, kids. Thanks for the questions, though I suspect some of you were a little timid. Must be the weather....

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