teng: Mr. Gerry, Cambodian fan from Cambodia here. Big fan of team and post gazette. Who will start at center on Monday? Newly acquired player Velasco or Beachum? thank you
Gerry Dulac: I believe that Fernando Velasco, not Kelvin Beachum, will start at center against the Bengals, and for two good reasons. One, Bengals DT Geno Atkins is one of the best in the league and I don't think Mike Tomlin wants to use a converted tackle who has never started at center in this game. He would rather use a player who started all 16 games last season with the Titans, including 13 at center.
What's more, the Bengals strong side linebacker is James Harrison, which means he will line against tight end David Paulson. And the Steelers really don't want that mismatch. I believe they will want Beachum to do what he was doing before Pouncey got hurt -- report as an extra tight end. That way he can help on Harrison. That's why I don't think Beachum will start at center. Nor should he.
ralph: How did you think McClendon looked on Sunday?
Gerry Dulac: It's hard to evaluate how players on the inside perform, especially the NT. because their job is not always to make the tackle. I didn't see where he was manhandled or played poorly, nor did the Titans gouge them with long runs. But I do know this -- the Titans ran repeatedly inside the tackles and did a good job grinding out yards.
fan #1: yeah, the AFC north went 0-4 this week, but please rank the teams based on their performances. Thanks.
Gerry Dulac: 1. Bengals 2. Browns 3. Ravens 4. Steelers -- But a case could be made to flip-flop the Ravens and Steelers.
Guest: Why was Felix Jones in the game if they are not even going to hand off or pass the ball to him once?
Gerry Dulac: Well, for starters, he wasn't in there much. I expected to see him more often, and thought they would use him more after they struggled with the run. But Mike Tomlin said Felix Jones was still learning the offense because he hasn't been here very long and that's why he didn't play as much. My answer to that, do what you did in the preseason and run a couple basic plays for him. What's the worst that could happen -- he wouldn't gain more than the 2.1 yards they averaged against the Titans???
pgh guy: What's the vibe in the locker room best you can gather? The vibe in my living room was surprised at how poorly they played, followed by a sort of resignation to the fate of our loss and possible bad season, then the vibe was drunk.
Gerry Dulac: Haha. The vibe in your living room is one shared by many in town it seems. I can assure you that is not the vibe in the locker room, nor should it be. If it is, you are in for a longer season than you even fear.
yup: Based on what I saw on TV and read, it sounds like the fans really gave it to the team on Sunday. Did that happen a lot during the down years of the 80s? Were the crowds brutal?
Gerry Dulac: To be honest, I can't remember how bad the crowds were in the 1980s or if they were hostile to the team. They were irritated on Sunday not just because they were losing but more because they were disgusted at their performance. When people began leaving after the third quarter, it wasn't because they didn't think the Steelers might come back; it was because they were fed up and disgiusted with their anemic performance.
Don't forget too -- everyone here is spoiled after three Super Bowl appearances in eight years. Expectations are always higher.
MR F: Is the new ZONE BLOCKING SCHEME to blame for the protection/running issues?
Gerry Dulac: No. Talent is.
JamesinNYC: What is Pouncey's contract status ... how will his injury affect his signing do you think?
Gerry Dulac: I don't think it will affect it. He has one more year remaining after 2013 and I don't think the Steelers plan on letting him get to free agency. Injury or not, he will still be a priority to re-sign.
tbone: I couldn't tell during the game, but how many snaps did J. Jones play vs. snaps Worilds played? Thanks.
Gerry Dulac: Worilds had more snaps, especially in the first half, but it was almost equal in the second half. The Steelers started the game with Jones playing every third series; by the second half, it appeared to be every other series. Mike Tomlin said there was no planned rotation by series; he said it was based more on number of snaps. I don't have the exact number but I will try to get.
JamesinNYC: If you are saying there is no talent on the O line after 2 first and 2 second rounders then Colbert shoudl be fired....if on the other hand Pouncey meant that much to the line, which I hope is the case then shouldn't we have some hope? That said offense was offensive.
Gerry Dulac: It was said a bit in jest. We will see if their performance level matches their draft level, especially the tackles.One thing about Pouncey injury: By happening in first game, it gives the line a chance to work nearly an extire season with new center Fernando Velasco, if they can stay healthy.
Gerry Dulac: That's all the time we have today kids!! Thanx for the questions. Good ones. See you next week.
First Published: April 6, 2016, 4:14 p.m.
