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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.02.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:47
OK let's get started.
Mike in NYS
11:47
I'm sure you won't get any questions about this but is the story about Pickett true?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:48
I just filed a story. When it's published I will provide the link here. Pickett strongly condemned the reports. He feels like his character was assassinated.
putinbatch
11:48
do you think Trubisky will be working in the proverbial commercial real estate industry next year? thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
11:49
I don't have a good feeling Trubisky will be back with the Steelers, that's for sure.
Doyle37
11:49
Can the steelers find a great ILB in the next draft or do they need to continue to build the O-Line with the first round pick ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
I'd go O-line, D-line or WR with the first pick. It all depends on where the strengths and weaknesses are in this draft. You don't want to reach, for example, for a center in the first round. You can find good centers usually in the second or third round. I don't want to say they'll never draft an ILB in Round 1 again, but it's such a hard position to scout. I don't think there was one ILB selected in the first round in 2023.
Uncle Larry
11:51
Why is the defensive line seeming so unproductive?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
That's hard to say. Cam Heyward came back at midseason after his core muscle injury. He doesn't look like the old Cam Heyward. I think that's part of it. When you have one dominant player it can make a big difference for the entire unit. Larry Ogunjobi has been OK, but he's not a pass rusher. I think Benton has been good in limited snaps. Montravius Adams is looking better after coming back from his ankle injury. That's why I think they have to address D-line again in the draft -- and do it early. They need another dominant player up front. Heyward wasn't going to last forever.
Bill
11:54
There must have been a person or persons who had a relatively negative view of Mason Rudolph’s abilities within the Steelers organization. There had to be a reason that Rothlisberger was brought back for a lame duck year, Trubisky was signed, a first rounder was chosen, and Mason was made third string even though he won the quarterback “competition” - all of which buried Mason’s chance to start for the Steelers. Who do you think is responsible for keeping Mason down all this time and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
All of those decisions are made collectively by Tomlin and the front office. They evaluate each player after every season ends and then address their needs in free agency and the draft. They obviously didn't feel like Rudolph was the answer because they drafted Pickett and signed Trubisky as a free agent in 2022. Rudolph has done very well. I don't know how long it will last. There is something to be said for playing care-free and playing with house money. Rudolph himself has said he's playing with a different attitude now at this stage of his career. If Rudolph plays well again on Saturday it creates a more murky QB situation this offseason.
pdxJaxon
11:58
Good morning Ray....was lookin for you up in Seattle.
You think there is any fire to the smoke surrounding Kenny Pickett "Refusing" to back up Mason?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Pickett shot down those reports this morning. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/01/02/mason-rudolph-...
Goldy
11:59
What about the stiff arm by warren in addition to that of Harris?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Warren and Harris played extremely well. They and the offensive line were told before the game it was in their hands, and they responded with great games.
Hi Ray -
12:00
Hi Ray - is it me, or has the development of Warren put a fire into Harris?  I can't recall him running with this much purpose since he arrived.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I've never had an issue with Harris' effort. I think blocking, scheme and play-calling might have had something to do with his struggles earlier in the season. He does miss some holes sometimes. He's not perfect, but I never felt like he was out there giving less than 100%
Fort Wayne Nate
12:02
Morning, Ray. If Mason and the Steelers offense puts up 20-30 points against the Ravens, do we still look outside the organization to bring in an O.C? Or run with who we got into next season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I still think they go outside for the new OC.
Hi Ray -
12:03
Hi Ray - what can you say about Miles Jack?  Wow, he's all over the field, and a few weeks ago, he was ordering Domino's on his couch.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Jack has played very well in the past two games. He'll need to step up again because you know the Ravens are going to try to run the ball on Saturday.
Mike Brown
12:04
Happy New Year Ray.  We’ve complained for a couple of years about the offensive line and Najee in particular not hitting holes.  Could the real issue have been teams were daring Pickett to beat them with his arm?  The offense seems wide open now since Mason is stretching the field.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
A well-balanced offense helps the pass game and the run game. This is how it's supposed to work. I think the biggest difference between Rudolph and Pickett and Trubisky is Rudolph's willingness to stand in the pocket longer, which allows his receivers that extra split-second to get open. He also throws a better deep ball and gets his WRs in positions to run after the catch. We'll see if he can keep it up.
Hi Ray -
12:06
Hi Ray - could the 2023 OL look a lot like the 2024 OL if the Steelers make the playoffs?  DT, ILB, WR, CB, SS are all priorities.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
It could, but they need to figure out what they're doing at tackle. If Jones is going to play on the left side next season they'll need to find a right tackle. And they probably will look at getting a center with Mason Cole only signed for one more year. But those other positions need to be addressed too in free agency or the draft.
Jana
12:10
Because I am in Texas and don’t get all the games I was wondering if you see a difference in the rhythm and skill in play calling that Rudolph is able to take advantage of compared to what was going on for Pickett???? Thanks for your insight
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Not really. I think if you're a good play caller you find a rhythm with whoever is playing QB. It's up to the QB and the offense to execute. Having said that, I'm sure it is a lot easier to get into a rhythm when the running game is doing well and the QB is hitting on his throws.
Mike Brown
12:12
Granted, it’s a small sample size but if Mason performs well against the Ravens, should he be the starting QB next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
You said it. Small sample size, but it would make it a lingering questions during the offseason.
Paul from Beaver Falls
12:13
Do you think any other NFL team would have picked Kenny in the 1st or 2nd round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
There wasn't a lot of first-round buzz for any of the QBs in that class. Kenny got some late because he aced the pre-draft process. I remember he did very well at the Senior Bowl, for instance. It all depends on need. QBs are always pushed up draft boards because if you don't have a good one you don't have a chance in the NFL. That's why there is such a big bust rate.
Steeltowntim
12:14
Ray, It seems like a no brainer to start MP, and Kenny should know that, any truth to the news that he has a problem being the backup?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
He said today he has no problem with being the backup this week in Baltimore. He is preparing to do just that.
dpreble001
12:16
Ray  I can see dl being important in this next draft, however I've seen its not a deep class, would you invest $ in a young free agent, and I think ol and dB just as important,what do you think
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Sure, but usually the best ones are locked up by the team that drafts them.
chuck mac from Houston
12:17
Is Mason's play writing Mitch's ticket out of town?  And yet will Mason want to stay with the Steelers after the dismissive treatment over the pas few years and would he trust the organization?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Mason is only making a little over $1 million this season so I'm sure he'll want to cash in on free agency when he's hot. Not saying he'll make great backup money, but he should command significantly more than $1.1 million.
Paul from Beaver Falls
12:18
If Kenny actually refused to be the backup in Seattle shouldn’t he be suspended without pay?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Ding, ding, ding. Pickett addressed it earlier, but it never made any sense to me. No one who wants to work in the NFL would ever do such a thing.
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