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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.10.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Mats
11:57
Would you trade WR Johnson after his not so stellar season? If yes, what would the steelers get in return
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
It would be hard to get fair return for Johnson now because he's coming off a below average season. What team would trade for Johnson when he is owed $15 million in salary over the next two seasons especially after a year when he did not score a touchdown and once again had issues with drops? If you do find a team will to take on that salary I don't think the return would be more than a mid-round pick, probably fourth round or later. That's just my take.
artie bridge
12:00
Ray, Two questions: 1) Does the OL's improved play in the second half of the season alter Steeler draft thinking? and 2) Biggest surprises of the season - positive and negative?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
The offensive line did improve in the second half of the season, but I still think the Steelers will use one of their early picks on a lineman. They can upgrade and they need to add some quality depth behind the starters. Trent Scott and Jesse Davis are UFAs and I'm not sure what's going on with Kendrick Green. So don't be surprised if they take a second OL later in the draft. As for the 2022 surprises, I'd say the development of Jaylen Warren. He was a great find by Eddie Faulkner and gives the offense a really 1-2 backfield punch.  The negatives? Not that I'm surprised but the way the team kind of fell apart when Watt went down. It exposed their lack of quality play at corner when there was no pass rush, and it exposed their lack of depth behind Watt and Highsmith. They should address both areas in the offseason.
Ron
12:05
Outside of resigning their own players, do you think a free agent ILB or CB is more likely as the major signing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
That's a tough call. Are they signing a free agent if they keep Myles Jack? Probably not. He has an $11 million cap hit, but I'd probably bring him back along with Spillane and Bush and draft an ILB to groom behind that trio. They need a No. 1 CB and those guys are expensive in free agency so I'd say drafting a CB high is always the way to go. They'll spend some money in free agency and they might make a splash at one of those two spots, but I think there are other areas they can address first such as getting a veteran OLB.
Ron
12:08
Is left guard the biggest OL upgrade need given the development of the tackles?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Or left tackle. I think they can upgrade at both spots although Dotson improved as the season went on. Still commits a lot of penalties but his play got better. Cole and Daniels were their best linemen this year and really helped the running game get going in the second half of the season.
Steeler in Virginia
12:10
Did you see enough from Leal to make him the starter beside Cam next year if Larry O isn't resigned?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
They might not have a choice if Ogunjobi is not re-signed. Not unless they draft one in the first two rounds and commit to starting him. They really like Leal. He's versatile and can play anywhere on the line. I think they like to use him all over the place as a result.
Ron
12:11
Is there any chance the Steelers could promote Flores to DC/Assistant Head Coach to guard against losing him? I know it's not fair to the existing DC, but wouldn't this be the best option for the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
They could make him assistant head coach and give him a pay bump without naming him DC. But I'm not sure they could compete financially if another team wants to pay him top dollar to be their coordinator.
SteelersfanSLC
12:12
Trading Claypool for pick 32 is one of the all time steals. Do you think we keep all our same picks or try and trade up for an impact player if one is in reach?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Depends on how special the player being targeted is. But they need help at a bunch of positions. I think they keep them.
Buddhamanmf
12:13
It’s two days after the season ended and Matt Canada still has his job. Is it safe to say that the offense improved enough the second half of season insuring he won’t be going anywhere?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Maybe. Or maybe not. Tomlin said yesterday he'll do exit interviews with his players first before he does with coaches. So maybe he gets around to talking to coaches Friday or early next week. If the Steelers move on I think we'll hear about next week or the week after.
Ron
12:15
Have you heard anything suggesting that WR Johnson's tendency to have all his inertia going back towards the line of scrimmage, after catching the ball, is being recognized as a problem/habit that needs addressing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
That's an interesting way to put it. Maybe they need to have the same conversation with Johnson as the one they had with Najee Harris at the bye. Stop dancing and starting running forward.
Nick F
12:16
i. Your opinion why is there such a disconnect on Tomlin between national and local media ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Because national media look at it from a national perspective. They see a Super-Bowl winning coach who has never had a losing season, someone who always has his team in the hunt. The local media is closer to the team and sees the warts -- no playoff wins since 2016, porous run defense (2021), impotent offense (2019 and the first half of 2022). I think it's only natural. I think any NFL head coach gets more scrutiny closer to home.
Troy
12:18
Any chance Andy Weidl will get final say on players taken in the crucial upcoming draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I've been told Andy is very easy to get along with and that he and Tomlin will get along well because they share many things in common. We'll see how it goes, but I think Tomlin will continue to work with Weidl and Khan the same way he worked with Colbert for so many years.
J$Money
12:20
Hi Ray, thanks for the chat. In order of importance, what positions do you feel the Steelers need to address, through trade, draft or free agency? And which Steeler free agents do you think they will prioritize to sign? Thank you!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
TOP FOUR NEEDS (in no particular order): OL, DL, CB, ILB. I think Cam Sutton is someone they will want to sign before free agency begins. They did that in 2021 when he was a UFA for the first time. Then I think Ogunjobi (if they think he can stay healthy).
Rich
12:22
If MT keeps Canada that will be a huge mistake.  Probably another 500 season give or take a win.  Hopefully Khan can be the voice of reason with Mr. Rooney.  Being the 4th best QB in the division the steelers need a pro level OC.  Beating teams worse than them or without their starting QB's is very misleading.  What chances do you give Canada goes?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
80-20 they move on.
Sam
12:23
Do you think the Steelers have a false sense of how close they are?  I see 5 teams out of the 14 playoff qualifiers who actually can win this thing (PHI, SF, KC, BUF, CIN).  So if next year the Steelers win a 10th game and/or get the help they need to fall their way, I don't think that makes them truly any closer to championship contention.  You can't magically make players have more experience than they have, and I believe that they have the right young foundational pieces to qualify next year, but unless they upgrade some of the staff to better maximize their talent/experience level, I just don't see true contender status being that close.  Is that off base?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
They're certainly closer than they were than in the summer. Look at the experience Pickett and Pickens got. And to a lesser extent Leal, Connor Heyward and Mark Robinson. This has the makings of a strong rookie class. They have issues for sure. Just look at my top four needs above. And they'll have to spend $$$ in free agency, but they are in win-now mode and should be given their aging defense.
Silly in Philly
12:24
RayRay:  HNY.  Tip of the hat to Pat Meyers, eh?  Helped turn a joke of a line into a competent unit.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I agree. Mike Tomlin sung his praises yesterday a little bit.
Silly in Philly
12:25
Who gets Miami’s forfeited pick or is there only going to be 31 picks in the 1st round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Only 31 picks this year. Steelers, for all intents and purposes, get the final pick of the first round because they own the top pick in the second round (No. 32) courtesy of the Bears and the Chase Claypool trade.
DA BEARS
12:26
Why wouldn't the steelers interview Duce Staley for OC based upon the production of the Lions offense?  Canada is over matched.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Maybe they will. Tomlin is going to be deliberate with his decisions on his staff. He doesn't care what other teams are doing with the coaching carousel.
Loudermilk's Dad
12:27
What happened to Loudermilk from training camp to this season (besides the injury)? Has he lost some of the luster of a decent rookie season that he may be at risk of making the roster next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Yes definitely a disappointment. I should have mentioned that earlier when I got that question. He needs to take a big step next season.
Gregg
12:28
Way-too-early thoughts of the 2023 opponents?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
You have to see how free agency plays out and where these QBs land, but I don't think the AFC South is going to be very good next season. We'll see about the NFC West. The Rams should be better if Stafford is healthy. The 49ers should remain strong and Seattle appears on the upswing. Then you get the Pats and Raiders in the third-place matchups. Mac Jones is average at best and who knows will be playing QB for the Raiders. I definitely expect double-digit wins next season no matter how free agency and the draft play out.
Silly in Philly
12:31
RayRay:  if you had to pick: what is the best and worst to come from this 2022/23 Steelers’ season?
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