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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.07.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Bruce was up for the Rams QB job last year. So he's on the radar of NFL teams. Tomlin said he is open to hiring one. Not sure if Bruce is on his list, but it might be a good idea to hire one because of the young QBs on the roster.
Tampa2
2:33
What has happened with the NFL’s investigation of the Patriots filming of the Bengals sideline signals?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
It's still ongoing.
kjacksonpgh
2:34
Ray, do you believe that Conner's running style plays a role with him not staying healthy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
No. He takes a lot of hits. All RBs do.
Eric Carr
2:34
Are either Lynch or Duck currently under contract for next yr? I know they resigned Barrett but have heard nothing of those 2? I assume they were only signed for this yr so does that mean we're done with both of them?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Yes. Both are under contract in 2020.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:35
Did the O-line get old fast or did defenses realize our passing game was nonexistent and scheme appropriately?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Both. And by the way, the line was getting older late in the 2018 season when I detailed their deteriorating play in a story.
Jeff
2:36
Hey Ray, thanks for the chats.  What if anything can be done with Edmunds?  yes I get if he wasn't a first round pick expectations would be lower, but when I look back at some of our great defenses, we had no weak links.  He can be a weak link that will and has been exposed against good teams (and average ones).   Assume we find RB in free agency, ff a top safety is there in the second round do you take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Good question. Maybe down the road Edmunds moves to nickel LB and they get a deep strong safety somewhere in the draft in the next few years. But as of now, he's the SS and I think the hope is he improves.
Gene
2:37
Do you think the Steelers will draft a WR this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Yes I do. It's a great year for WRs in the draft.
DaquidoBazzini
2:37
Do you think it's definite that the Steelers will lose Hargrave? If so, what options do you see in replacing him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I think the possibility is strong they will lose Hargrave. They have a lot of money tied up in Heyward and Tuitt, and I just don't see a way for them to keep Hargrave when he's going to command a lot of money on the open market.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:38
Bigger impact over the course of the season: Steven Nelson or Minkah Fitzpatrick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I think Minkah, but Nelson was really good at CB.
RealityMan
2:39
While the Steelers D made big strides last year and possesses some very strong players I think Steeler Nation is ahead of itself anointing this an an elite unit. Clearly they could not stop the run when needed and did not play very many elite QB’s. With strong safety as a clear weakness any chance we can groom Hilton or Sutton this year to ultimately replace Edmunds? I think with Barron gone Edmunds would be better utilized as a role player up on the LOS as opposed to playing in coverage. This always them to not have to draft another D player, upgrade a position and save a pick for another area. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
That's sort of where I was going with my previous answer about Edmunds. I'm glad you brought up Hilton and Sutton. Yes, both have safety qualities. If you remember, the Steelers used Hilton instead of Edmunds in a package at one point late in the season. I asked Hilton how much safety he played this season, and he said "quite a bit" on locker cleanout day. So I think that is a possibility. I'm sure they'll look at that.
DaquidoBazzini
2:41
Ray - If you saw the Titans-Pats game....Do you think it was a smart move for Vrabel to go for two after the INT with 9 seconds left? If that ball comes loose, and NE runs it back....That game is tied.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
The final score was 20-13. If the ball comes loose and returned it's only worth two points. Vrabel was trying to boost the lead to nine points and end the game.
Alan
2:42
How would you rate Devin Bush’s rookie year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Bush had a good year, led the team in tackles, made some big plays. I'm sure he'll be even better next season. This was a learning year. They didn't want to expose him in certain situations. I think as he grows they'll expose him to more and he'll have a chance to grow.
iowasteelerfan
2:43
I've read a long term deal for Bud would be around $15M/year, and TJ is likely looking to be at least $20M/year.  Would they really invest $35M in 2 OLB positions, and should they for the next 4 years?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Probably not, but they can do it for one season with Bud on the tag for $16 million.
Paul
2:43
Ray thanks for the chats. I would like to see Marcus Allen get a chance to compete with Edmunds. Any chance of that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Marcus Allen wasn't even on the 53-man roster until Kam Kelly got cut late in the season. That ought to tell you what they think of him.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:44
When could we expect an update on Colbert's future?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
He's under contract through the draft, but I'm sure Art Rooney II will be asked about it when he meets with reporters later this month.
John Strange
2:44
What was the excuse for the Steeler offense - replete with BIG BEN for gosh sakes  --- being held to 3 points in the opener against the Pats?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
The WRS didn't get open very often, and when they did they dropped too many passes. Also, the running game was inconsistent and really bad in short-yardage situations. They couldn't convert a third-and-1 or a fourth-1 in the first half of the game.
Ralph LA
2:46
Would Roethlisberger be having the same issues with the blitz that Duck and Rudolph had this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
That's impossible to answer. He did have trouble against the Patriots in Week 1. But the Patriots had a shutdown CB in Gilmore and a very good defense overall. They didn't blitz much, if at all.
Rocky B
2:47
If you were GM, please rank your off season priorities, including:  veteran backup QB, featured RB, TE, left OT, #1 receiver.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
WR, OL, RB, TE. Not really committed to the order just yet, but that's my feel on jan. 7. And I say WR just because I think there could be a good value at No. 50. Not listing QB as a need until I hear the doctor report on Ben is not good.
Ralph LA
2:49
Even with Roethlisberger at QB the wide receivers were dropping passes. Any idea what was going on? Were passes too hot to handle or in the wrong spot or receivers not having enough time to practice with the QB or were the wide receivers just not that good?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
I think they can use another good WR to round that group out. 18 and 19 are your starters. 13 improved, but he can be pushed for playing time. They need a fourth WR that is capable of contributing.
Ralph LA
2:50
Throughout the season, could you tell if the wide receivers were getting separation or were they being missed when they were open?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
I would say getting open was more of a problem than the QB missing them. But I'm sure the young QBs made their fair share of misreads and bad throws, too.
Ben
2:51
It would be great to see the Steelers keep this D together but I’m not convinced they should do a long term deal on Dupree. He had a great year and is solid, but what would it look like if Watt wasn’t on the other side? If they go long term on bud and Heyward in the off-season, I think there is a pretty good chance they look around in 2 years at their defense and the investments in aging players and have regret. Hard to imagine a situation where Dupree, Heyward, Haden, and Tuitt are healthy and playing at a high level. A lot of guys could look good opposite watt. What do you think?
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