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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.12.21
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Ralph
2:34
It's easy to say get rid of Ben and his big contract but I also think back to the revolving door of quarterbacks between Bradshaw and Ben. If possible maybe the best solution is fire the OC and try and get Ben to take a major reduction in salary.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I don't think Roethlisberger is going to take less money than he is owed.
shaif jetha
2:35
hi ray! steeler fan since 72! great organizations act progressively before they have to be reactionary!!! i dont think the rooneys will act!!! a complete overhaul of 2 coordinators and roster is needed! roster still has talent but is 3-5 years away from contending! your thoughts please!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
They have a good defense to build around. They need to improve the running game and long term they need to find a QB to replace Ben Roethlisberger.
Jeff
2:36
Thanks for chats Ray.  I saw enough from Ben to warrant bringing him back.  Yes inconsistent but more good than bad.  It would be nice if took a pay cut to keep some key pieces like Dupree.  Draft RB, OL and try and establish running game.  People forget the accuracy and velocity the first 11 games.  Clearly it took a toll on his arm hence the late season inconsistency.  What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
If what you said is the case -- and it might be -- why would we expect his performance to be any better late in the 2021 season? That's when he has to be at his best, for the playoff push. I guess if they improve the run game they could save some throws on his arm and that might help.
Igor Larionov is Back Baaabeee
2:37
They beat the ravens twice this year but lost to the browns twice. Last time that happened?? I'll tell you. Never
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Nice nugget, Igor.
Guest
2:38
Hi ray. Isn’t the Steelers biggest hurdle moving forward the ridiculous amount of great young Qbs in the AFC? Mahomes. Allen  burrow  Watson mayfield the kid in SD.  And Lawrence making an entrance ? Wow
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Now they need to find one.
NM Steeler
2:38
Ray, I would pay good money to ask Coach Tomlin questions! Can someone (you possibly) press him on the hideous decision to punt on a 4th and 1 from the 46, zapping all momentum?! What happened to “if you can’t get a yard, you don’t deserve to win?”
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
He was asked about it after the game. He said he wanted to pin them and get the ball back with good field position. That didn't happen.
Salarycaphell
2:39
Ray, thanks for the chat.  Since the Steelers do not have a good recent track record over the past two decades of drafting and developing offensive tackles (Ferris, Hills, Adams et all others), Do you think they should instead target an interior lineman which they tend to have much more success with or go BPA in the draft?  This is assuming Chuks could slide over and 72 brought back for RT.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Given the status of Pouncey and DeCastro (one year left on their contracts) I think they're in position to draft the best lineman available. They'll need all three positions within the next year. Don't reach for a tackle.
Raymund
2:41
Ray time is over.. why not go after Bienemy from KC, nothing against Tomlin but time has come for a change, time is up or things will remain the same.. are you in with the idea?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
It might be time next year, but I don't think they're eager to make a move on Tomlin now. As for Bienemy, he's a good coach. He deserves a chance. But he's in the running because he's coaching Patrick Mahomes. Was he at the top of the list for jobs when he was coaching Alex Smith? I don't remember that if he was. My point is you have to find the right coach for your team. Not the hot coordinator. Tomlin wasn't a household name when the Steelers hired him. But he made the right impression on the Rooneys and got the job.
Coach15
2:43
Did it look like BB wanted nothing to do with diving on ground & recovering opening offensive snap of the game, & the team quit the first 1/4 of game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Honestly, I think he and Conner were thinking the other one was going to jump on it. But I agree that it looked bad. I don't think that was a sign of them quitting.
Rich
2:45
Hi Ray is it possible that Chukks is the only lineman tk return next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
No, but they very well could have two new starters and maybe three. I just don't think they'll do wholesale changes.
TPhunter
2:46
Thanks for all of your hard work and great coverage this season Ray. To me, it is becoming more obvious by the year that the great Steelers era (1970-2010) is the handiwork of Dan Rooney. Neither his Dad nor his son seemed to have the ability to coax greatness from this franchise and the trend line now does not look good. Is Art II capable of making the Steelers the Steelers again?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Sure he is, but nothing lasts forever. They've been a competitive team for the past decade. They just haven't made it back to the Super Bowl. He's closer to the end though. He might be in this job for a few more years given his age. The more appropriate question is whether his successor will be able to lead the Steelers back to prominence.
Huey Richardson
2:48
Call me crazy, but I don't think the Steelers are that far away.   The Defense is a top 5 unit.    The Wide Receivers and receiving TE unit is also top 5.   All we need is one or two blocking TE's, which are easy to come by, and a first round RB.   Stop asking a 38 year old QB to throw 50 times a game.   25 is a good number.   What says you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
If finding two run-blocking TEs was easy they would have done it by now. They're hard to find. And I'm not sure the WRs and TEs are top five in the league. Why did the passing game slump late in the year? Was it all on the QB? Don't think so. A top five WR group would not have had as many drops as the Steelers did late in the season.
Coach15
2:49
How can the Browns have backups, to their  backups on OL, & Steelers can't get pressure, hurries, sacks or turnovers? Possibly the Steelers r the NEW BROWNS-
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
The Browns never had to pass in the game because they got the big early lead. They passed, but the Steelers never really knew what was coming. You get sacks when you put the other team in adverse situations and the Steelers didn't do that nearly enough. The pass rush can't be successful in that environment.
Ted in Lakewood Ranch
2:51
What are the top 5 priorities for this off-season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
In no particular order: OL, RB, TE, ILB (depth), OLB (depth), CB and QB if you think they're going to want to groom the new guy for one year under Roethlisberger. I'm not necessarily in that camp, but I admit it's a possibility.
George in OKC
2:53
Afternoon Ray!! I’m not a big fan of drafting a RB in the first round but N. Harris looked like a first rounder to me last night. He sure would look good in a Steeler uniform. If he were available at 24, would you consider it, or take a LT and find a RB later on? Thanks Ray!!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
I would lean toward drafting the available offensive lineman assuming there is one at 24 that they like. I like Harris too, but I'd rather get him in the second round.
Coach15
2:54
What are the chances that there is an overhaul of the staff & or team?  They can NOT expect things to go away & or fix themselves over the off-season, or am I being to critical?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
There will be staff changes. And there will be an overhaul of the roster. Not sure to what extent you're looking for, but the Steelers have never been afraid to cut players with years left on their contracts. They made a few moves like that last year when they cut Foster, Barron, Chickillo and others. I'm guessing you'd see a few more notable names this year.
Sunner in Orlando
2:58
How long will it take for Ben and the Steelers to work out if he will play next year? Many decision subsequently will rely on this decision including whether they can afford Watt Juju Dupree Decastro Pouncey Hilton ands Ebron.If he elects to stay and the Steelers agree to pay him the 41 mil, they afford any of them! The next question is how many of the aforementioned players SHOULD the Steelers bring back besides Watt?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:00
I think we'll know about Ben by the end of the month or early February. They'll want to know before they prepare for the combine, which is at the of February. As for the others you mentioned some of those decisions are strictly financial. For example, the Steelers will either have the money to sign JuJu or they won't. He's a quality player any team would want. Others such Pouncey and DeCastro are declining players and the Steelers have to decide if they can play better in 2021 if they come back.
DaquidoBazzini
3:02
Hi, Ray- I’m not sure why many are talking about tough decisions via the salary cap this off season. I could get this cap down in about 10 minutes. Couldn’t you?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:02
There are some easy ones. I'll point those up later in the week so look for that story. I'm taking a look at all the vets that might be on the cutting line.
Leon
3:04
What is everyone else watching? Ben can't throw the ball anymore, he had maybe 5 of his 68 (!!!) attempts go for more than 10 yards or so. Sometimes it's right in front of your face. Hopefully the rooneys realize this too, agree/disagree?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:05
You do know they were sitting back with two deep safeties every play after they got the big lead. And they got the big lead 5 minutes into the game. Now you can argue they still should have thrown deep. Maybe draw a PI or let your WR go make a play. I can buy that. You also bring turnovers into the equation if you do that. Then again, those tipped passes at LOS resulted in turnovers too so maybe you're onto something!
Cburg Stiller
3:05
It feels like maybe the most important move needed is that Fichtner needs to be replaced.  How much of a factor does Ben possibly playing another year play in that possible decision?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:06
They can't make any decisions with Ben in mind. He's here for one more year and that's it. You pick the next OC because you like him and he can develop any QB and work within any type offense.
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