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Ray Fittipaldo's noon Steelers chat: 7.16.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
The chat is starting. Post your questions please.
JerseySteel
11:56
Hi Ray - any updates on the LeVeon Bell negotiations? Chances a deal gets done?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
I'm not optimistic a deal gets done. They have four more hours to negotiate, but they've already had more than 500 days to strike a deal. Not sure why it would happen now unless Bell really wants to remain with the Steelers for the long term. Maybe I'll be surprised, but he's waited this long to hit free agency. He can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Steelrz99
11:59
Do we fans expect too much from Artie Burns? How is he regarded by the rest of the league?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Right now, I think he is viewed as an average starter. He doesn't intercept a lot of passes. He has been susceptible to giving up some big plays. I think he needs to find some consistency in his game. If he's not going to pick off a lot of passes he has to find a way to limit the number of big plays against him.
AT
12:00
What position do you anticipate being the biggest struggle for the steelers this upcoming year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Inside linebacker. Specifically, how they do against the run. I know the defensive line and secondary are tied into the run defense, but they would be starting a couple of guys in Vince Williams and Tyler Matakevich who are limited athletically. They'll have to be very sound with their keys and make the plays they are supposed to make.
JerseySteel
12:01
Hi Ray - watched the Jaguars-Steelers playoff game again on NFL network yesterday. I noticed when I watched it live that Bud Dupree was getting knocked off the ball in the run game. What I didn't notice until I watched the replay was how Vince Williams struggled in the run game. Isn't that supposed to be VW's strength?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I watched bits and pieces of the replay last night as well. Yes, Williams did struggle, but it wasn't all on him. The defensive linemen weren't making any plays either. Neither was Sean Davis, who missed several tackles. The Jaguars offensive line handled the front seven pretty well throughout the game, especially in the first quarter, which is when the game was lost. It was 21-0. I know the Steelers came back, but they really had no chance after getting behind by such a big margin.
Mark from Sauquoit N.Y.
12:04
Do you know about any dialog between Bell and or agent and Steelers today? IMO sign Bell.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
They continue to talk. The offer is the offer. It's going to be up to Bell to take it.
Krugerrand
12:05
Do you think Bell's trademark hesitation at the line of scrimmage would help or hinder a flea-flicker type play?  I don't remember seeing one in a long time.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I think it would help. That's a natural part of that play.
jim
12:05
If Bell sits out the first half of the season, can we yank the franchise tag mid year so he gets nothing? Can he sign with anyone he chooses at that point?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Yes and yes. The Steelers can pull the tag at any time. They can pull right now if they wish.
John C.
12:06
If they sign LeVeon to a long term deal and he breaks down in two years, what are the cap implications of cutting him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Well, that would depend on how the deal is structured. Typically, there would be a significant bit of dead money involved if the deal is structured the way the Steelers have done previous deals.
FlaFan
12:07
Hi Ray, If Bell plays under the franchise tag & misses up to 10 weeks, is his salary prorated per game?  He would lose huge $.  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Right. He'd lose roughly $900,000 for every regular-season game he misses.
SteelerNation7
12:08
Do you really think Bell sits out the first half of the year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
No. I heard what Adam Schefter said on Sirius XM radio. That's coming from Bell's agent to make the Steelers feel uncomfortable. For someone whose words screams that he's all about the money missing $900,000 checks every weeks seems an unlikely scenario.
Steelrz99
12:11
Does the Jax playoff game make Ben and the coaching staff look at Vance McDonald in a different light? Do you think if he stays healthy (big if) he gets most of the snaps?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Yes. I think they would love to have McDonald emerge as the full-time starter. However, he's had injury problems almost every year he's been in the league so Jesse James has to be ready again to fill in if need be.
@Datsko
12:12
Assuming Bell doesn’t agree to deal as expected- what are the odds he will get $15mil/year deal next season? Would Steelers be willing to go with $14 mil per year NEXT season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
The Steelers were willing to pay him more than $30 million over the first two years of a contract that averaged $12 million a season last summer. They are willing to do the same and a bit more this summer.
John C.
12:14
Why do the Steelers keep three QBs?  Many teams are doing 2 QBs on the theory that if you have to rely on number 3, the season is a bust anyway.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
A lot of teams keep three QBs. It's not abnormal.
haleclan
12:15
Which rookie best fits Pittsburgh's blue collar work ethic?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
You mean, who is the Steelers blue-collar man? "Give me a job, give me security. Give me a chance to survive. I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line. My God, I'm hardly alive..."
12:17
Sorry, I went to the Styx concert Saturday night.
SteelerNation7
12:17
Do you expect big things out of Vance McDonald this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Yes I do, as long as he stays healthy.
Not yet. They'll turn their attention to him and some others looking for long-term deals after this Bell stuff is over.
SteelerBill
12:18
Any updates on signing Boswell?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Question to previous answer.
JC
12:18
Chances of bringing Timmons back?  Serviceable and he knows the system.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I'd sign Navorro Bowman before Timmons. He's younger and has a better recent track record.
Tim Turner
12:19
Ray, I believe if they can’t sign him to a long term deal today we should tag and trade him so we get something in return. Any thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
What would the Steelers get in return for Bell when he can sign with any team he wants to sign with in a few months? I don't suspect the return would be great.
AT
12:20
Do you think that Shazier will end up being some sort of "special assistant coach" this year? He brought so much to the team I cant imagine him not having any role.
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