Wednesday, 05 December 2012 15:54

Written by Gerry Dulac

jayhawk67: Do you think Ben and Colon play on Sunday?

Gerry Dulac: Ben will play. Tomlin said after practice that it was a positive day for Ben and that his passes had good velocity. He added they will see how his body responds tomorrow.

I think Colon will play too, but I'm more sure about Ben.

RW: Big Ben or Batch, your prediction?

Gerry Dulac: I was told Tuesday it will be Ben and nothing has changed.

JamesinNYC: How does Ben look?

Gerry Dulac: He looked pretty good. All I had to do was see him throw one pass and I knew he would play. And he will, barring some setback.

JamesinNYC: If you tell Ed that nobody shows up when you move the time he will never have a set time ;-)

Gerry Dulac: It's our secret. BTW, sorry for the short answers, but I'm trying as quick as I can to answer a lot of the questions we missed.

Tship: Hi Gerry, just found out about the time change for today. What odds are you giving Ben plays this week?

Gerry Dulac: Good odds. 3-to-5. Count him in, again, unless there is unforeseen setback.

Dormonty Dawson: Gerry -- Are you starting early today? That's not my official question. My question: Have you heard whether the 23 December game against Cincy might be flexed to a time later than 1:00pm? I have relatives I'd like to take to the game, but their flight doesn't land in Pgh until 1:30 p.m.

Gerry Dulac: I started early and, as a favor to those who missed the change, I'm answering late.

I have been told they can't flex that game to night. i think because of the holiday weekend travel plans.

Scott: Do we keep 5 WR active once Cotchery returns? Seems Burress could be a nice red zone asset as the playoffs approach.

Gerry Dulac: Yes, they will keep five. I'm surprised they didn't have 5 earlier.

JamesinNYC: Reading a lot of the draft blogs, which at this time of year is a waste, they always have us going for a inside linebacker ... but it appeared Spence was well liked until he got injured. Has he been practicing, working out in PGH and how is he overall?

Gerry Dulac: They do like Sean Spence and he tells me he's coming along nicely. Whatever work he does, he does without us seeing. He's not allowed to be on the field when the team is out there, other than to watch.

JAMESH: Is MT still supervising the Special Teams?

Gerry Dulac: He supervises all areas. But, not really.

bennihana: I'll ask the questions that everyone probably has, what are Ben's chances of playing this week? How close to 100% is he?

Gerry Dulac: You're right, everybody is asking the same question. See above.

TomPaul1: Beachum performance: anomaly or is there a starter in waiting

Gerry Dulac: No, not an anomaly, and not a starter in waiting, at least, not now. But a potential swing tackle at the least.

Steeltyke: Gerry, the Ravens could lose all 4 remaining games looking at their opponents and the way flacco is playing right now. How likely do you think that is? The Steelers could then win the division by running the table.

Gerry Dulac: I don't think, based on one loss to the Steelers, that the ravens are going to be forget to do all the things that made them 9-2. Chances of them losing all four is more remote than Leftwich playing this week,

Steeltyke: Is Golden getting any playing time on defense as well as special teams?

Gerry Dulac: No. Just scout team. Why, you think the league's No.1 pass defense needs him?

JAMESH: Other than performance, is there an inkling that the demotion of Mendenhall is partly because of locker room issues/attitude?

Gerry Dulac: No. It's performance, and lack of attention to performance.

Steeltyke: What did you think of the Steelers playing Pouncey at Guard? I suggested it to Ed at the start of Pouncey's 2nd year when the Steelers were really thin at Guard and he answered that I was nuts (not the actual word he used) but the inference was there.

Gerry Dulac: I thought it was a smart, intelligent, perceptive move, and he showed why he's a special player. He played very well, very quickly.

rob from thomaston: Gerry, have you any update on Sean Spence and his recovery? Any complications?

Gerry Dulac: See above

Tim - Imperial: How much credit do we give Carnell Lake for the development of the young CBs?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think there's any question he deserves a good bit. Their play has been remarkable.

Keith Halcovich: Gerry, Is it just me or has the defense been outstanding the past 3 games which makes the previous two losses tougher two swallow. What do you contribute the sudden rise in play to? I know statistically they have always been good but now they are actually dominating stretches of games and coming up with turnovers.

Gerry Dulac: It's not just you, Keith, it has been. That's why they're No. 1 in the league overall and against the pass and No. 4 against the run. Imagine how good they would be if they took the ball away???

Keith Halcovich: Gerry, I am coming from California to the game on Sunday. Any good restaurants I should check out while I am in the city? Also, is it just me or is Worilds playing at a much higher level that Woodley ever did? Could Woodley be cut after this year?

Gerry Dulac: Lidia's in the strip. LeMont on Mount Washington. They are a good bet. Better bet than Woodley being cut. Ain't happening.

Delaware jim: Your chat is supposed to start at 1:30 PM.

Gerry Dulac: I was helping Ben loosen his throwing shoulder.

Gerry Dulac: Sorry for the change in time and sorry for the short answers. I was trying to catch up to so many of the missed questions, and there were many. We'll do it again next week at the regular time.