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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.03.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
John from Toronto
1:59
Hi Ray. With the recent improvement in the play of the offensive line, do you think there is a chance the Steelers don't take an O-lineman with one of their first three picks in the draft? There could be an argument that ILB, DL and CB are all bigger needs right now.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I think the improvement with the offensive line is encouraging, but I think they can still use a high pick on an offensive lineman. But you are correct. They also need DL, CB and potentially ILB.
Daniel11
2:02
Hi Ray, Can you please tell Danny Smith to just kick the damn ball to the endzone? The Steelers season could have been over at that very moment.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I think they'd like to kick to the end zone every time, but Boswell hasn't been able to accomplish that either due to the weather or his injury.
Bernard
2:03
In your opinion, is Danny Smith an average to above average NFL specials teams coach?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
His units are not having a good season, but the players are making mistakes. Ultimately, that falls on him, but sometimes the players are to blame.
The GOAT
2:04
It seems that the team has finally adopted a 2 back approach. Jaylen Warren is an awesome complement and a really good player already. Do you think they will stick with this?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Yes I do. Tomlin was asked about it today, and he gave every indication Jaylen Warren will continue to be involved in the rotation.
Bill
2:04
Who are the Steeler’s receivers next year and do they need another playmaker? Is Calvin Austin a legit slot receiver? Does Anthony Miller come back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Miller is on IR and should be on the offseason roster. Same with Austin. Shame it's become a wasted year for Austin, but the hope is he can contribute next year. They can't count on that, but they used a fourth-round pick on him for a reason. They liked him.
The GOAT
2:07
Where are all the Malik Willis lovers now? Season on the line, and he can't beat out Josh Dobbs! Pickett clearly was the right choice at QB.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
He was a third-round pick. Maybe he's just not ready yet. All QBs come along at different paces.
The GOAT
2:07
Would you rather have Terrell Edmunds or Damonte Kazee back next year if you had to choose only one?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Well, I know about Edmunds. I've only seen a little of Kazee. So I'd say Edmunds.
The GOAT
2:08
Will they bring in competition for Boswell in the offseason do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
They probably will. He bounced back after his bad 2018. Maybe he can bounce back again. But maybe he needs to be pushed too.
The GOAT
2:09
Even though the OL has gotten much better, I still believe their first pick of the draft should be the best LT available. Make Moore the backup swing tackle, as he as shown he is capable. If the best LT available is a reach, I'd say inside linebacker or ...God forbid.... cornerback. Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I maintain OL, DL and CB are the priorities. Obviously, ILB could have some holes. I don't expect Bush to be back. Jack has a high cap hit. But they do like Spillane and Robinson.
The GOAT
2:12
Do you think Pickett was calling the plays on the last drive?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
No.
LarryG from Punxy
2:13
We appeared to improve steadily on offense and defense as the season progressed.  Was this due to better play, or lack of quality opponents?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Both I'd imagine. And this is a young team. I think it's natural for young teams to improve over the course of the season. Mike Tomlin today said early-season NFL games are like checkers and late-season games are like chess. He said this is the time of the year coaches like him earn their paychecks.
STEEL72
2:14
Hi, Ray.  A tough day to be discussing upcoming games and playoffs in general. Healing vibes for Damar. Does last night's shocking event have asterix potential for the rest of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
The NFL sent something out a little while ago that said the game won't be resumed this week and that there are no changes to the Week 18 schedule. But I don't know how they're going to approach the suspended game between the Bills and Bengals.
LarryG from Punxy
2:15
Have you seen enough of Pickett to feel comfortable with him as our starting QB moving into next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Yes. Obviously, he's not a finished product, but there is plenty to build on.
Hendershot210
2:16
With the recent success Kenny Pickett is having has there been any discussion of him getting consideration for ROY?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
He'll be the Steelers' ROY. Probably too little too late to earn consideration for all rookies in the NFL.
TexStill
2:17
So, 8-9 or 9-8 in a rebuilding year with a QB change and rookie QB, basically a new OL and TJ missing a number of games. Seems like a pretty decent result, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Sure, if you want to look at it that way.
Gene Takovic
2:17
Do you think Mark Robinson did enough to earn another start?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Tomlin said today his skillset suited the matchup with the Ravens. Not sure it will be the same personnel groupings versus the Browns, who also have a good running game. But they like him.
Rocky
2:18
I thought the DE Leal played well.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
He did, and Tomlin talked about his play as well today. He's another rookie they feel more comfortable playing now than before because they've had some exposure to him.
Javi
2:19
Hello Ray. If Steelers sneak in playoffs where would you rank this season on Tomlins tenure? I've never really seen them this awful at midseason and turn it around like this.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
It would be very impressive. I think what he did in 2019 without Ben Roethlisberger was a bit more impressive. I know they didn't make the playoffs, but they went 8-8 with Duck Hodges and Mason Rudolph at quarterback. There are similarities between 2019 and this season.
JerseySteel
2:20
Hi Ray - from where the Steelers O Line was in the preseason and early in the season to now - does Pat Meyer deserve a lot of credit?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Yes he does. He's got those guys playing well. The running game was impressive against the Ravens.
JerseySteel
2:21
Hi Ray - in his first NFL NFL start and extended action, what was your assessment of Mark Robinson's performance?
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