Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 2.13.13

Wednesday, 13 February 2013 14:09

Written by Gerry Dulac

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

Guest: Could you see the Steelers going after a kid like Lacy, the running back from Bama?

Gerry Dulac: I could see it because he's a big-time back, and the Steelers are going to be in the market for a running back -- preferably one who is comfortable running outside. But I don't anticipate it because I think the Steelers are more interested in players at other positions, mainly wide receiver and outside linebacker. I think the Steelers will look at a running back but not in the first round.

Stiller: Will the Steelers regret having released Wes Saunders?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think he's the type of player who instills regret.

Mel Kiper: Lots of mock drafts have the Steelers taking the linebacker from BYU. He was a one year wonder. Is he worth it?

Gerry Dulac: I'm assuimg you're referring to Ezekial Ansah, a defensive end who is projected as a pass-rush OLB in a 3-4? Yes, he is raw and unpolished, but his physical skills are through the roof. I don't know yet how the Steelers feel about this guy, but taking an OLB on the first round would not surprise me at all. But one word of caution: His nickname is Ziggy, and I'm not sure the Steelers can afford to have two Ziggys in their defense.

Guest: Brian Hoyer is thought to be a guy a lot of teams want. Did the Steelers blow it by releasing him?

Gerry Dulac: I can't imagine that a lot of teams "want" Brian Hoyer when he kicked around as a No. 3 quarterback. That being said, the Steelers did like his ability to be a backup quarterback. The "did the Steelers blow it" question falls under the Weslye Saunders category (see above).

Chooch: Any chance the Woodley might get switched to the weakside rush LB if Harrison is cut? Is seems like Worilds had better success on the strong side (in his limited playing time the past few years)?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think so. The strongside LB -- Woodley's position -- requires a bigger body, and I think the Steelers plan on keeping him there. The weakside LB is usually a guy who is a little smaller but quicker. That description does not fit Woodley.

Gerry Dulac: Ooops...as to the second part of your question, yes, Worilds, at times, appears to play better on the left side. But he is not as effective against the run on that side because he cannot manhandle TEs like Woodley.

Franco: Will the nose tackle drafted last year be a Steeler come opening day?

Gerry Dulac: I think if the Steelers were planning to get rid of Alameda Ta'amu -- the player to whom you're referring -- they would have released him by now. If he isn't on the roster, it's because the Steelers don't think he is good enough to help them.

Omar Khan: Will Joe Flacco's big deal be good for other AFC North teams as it relates to the salary cap?

Gerry Dulac: It might help him to "buy" more time against the Steelers secondary.

Guest: Who signs Chris Rainey?

Gerry Dulac: A team without a cell phone plan.

Guest: What positions would you prioritize if you were running the Steelers?

Gerry Dulac: I have said several times since the end of the season that if were running the Steelers draft my first five picks would be a wide receiver, OLB, running back, wide receiver, backup QB. That's assuming, of course, the Steelers don't re-sign Mike Wallace or Rashard Mendenhall. I might not pass up a good inside LB, either, if I didn't think Sean Spence was going to recover from his serious knee injury.

Black and Gold: Everyone raved about last year's draft, but now many are questioning it. Coming off an 8-8 season, now important is this one for Colbert and Co?

Gerry Dulac: No doubt, the draft class was a hiuge disappointment, mainly because of the injuries to the top three picks -- David DeCastro, Mike Adams and Sean Spence. But each of those players has a chance to rebound and be productive if not impact players. The major disappointments were Rainey and Ta'amu, if only because they let down the coaches and their teammates with their off-field behavior. Ta'amu, though, is still on the team, and, like the others, still has a chance to be a significant contributor.

To me, whoever the Steelers draft on the first round needs to come in and play immediately. They are not in position to groom a player for a couple years. Same with No. 2 pick. In today's NFL, your top picks have to be ready to play and help immediately.

Ken: I came across the CBS/Ray Scott original telecast of a 1969 preseason Bears-Packers tilt on youtube. Fascinating--Sayers' famous injury and Butkus' ferocity are only mentioned in passing. Scott is so basic in his call. The game is really neanderthal. Plenty of Travis Williams up the middle. Check it out before they take it down.

Gerry Dulac: Lucky you -- Ray Scott one of my favorites growing up. Loved his style. And the first Steelers game I ever attended at Pitt Stadium, Travis Williams returned two kicks for TDs for the Packers. Great stuff

Ben: How soon does Mike Wallace sign in free agency, where might he go and does he get anywhere near the money he could have had a year ago?

Gerry Dulac: I think he goes quick and it would not surprise me at all if he got more money than he could have had with the Steelers. That's because nothing surprises me with a desperate team and a desperate GM. That being said, I think the top 3 teams who might sign Wallace are the Jets, Browns and Patriots -- teams that need a big-time wideout.

Dick Lebeau: How do the Steelers sign Keenan Lewis?

Gerry Dulac: Well, with money, to start. Lewis will be the team's top priority among their own free agents, especially with Wallace and Mendenhall not likely to be re-signed. There is no reason they won't re-sign Lewis, And I don't expect him to receive an outrageous offer in free agency that the Steeers wouldn't be able to match., Those kind of offers are usually reserved for corners with lots of picks. And, to most NFL teams, Lewis is probably viewed as the Steelers' No., 2 cornerback behind Ike Taylor, though I think he will ultimately be better, if he isn't already.

LC: Speaking of Ziggy, and throw in Heyward, is this the year when they prove they can play or are labeled as busts?

Gerry Dulac: I sure hope so. I don't think is a bust by any stretch. He has been very dependable and serviceable. But, for the style the Steelers play and what they expect from the DEs, is he worth a No. 1 pick? I don't think so. Same with Heyward. He has more natural ability than Hood and will be a better player, but he is being asked to be the type of player he isn't. That's why I feel the Steelers did not make good use of their No. 1 picks with Hood and Heyward. It's nothing against them. It's just that, for the way they play, they can find the typs of DEs they desire on the middle rounds.

Gerry Dulac: Well, that's all the time we have today, kids., I went OT because of all the good questions. Ill be at the combine in Indy next week so we'll probably move the chat day till Thursday or even Friday. So stay tuned.