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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.14.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Yes. We reported on many of the problems too. Brown had another great season, but there were plenty of other stories about what was going on with him off the field. That stuff adversely affects other players too because they're being asked questions about distractions and things of that nature.
jake
12:38
Hi Ray, I think it was an article by Paul Ziese talking about how this is the year the steelers need to move up in the draft and get a playmaker on defense. I couldn't agree more, it wont cost us too much being that we draft at 20 instead of our usual slot in the late 20's. I really like the LB from LSU, would be great to have him in the middle of our defense. thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Devin White officially declared for the draft today. He's widely regarded as the top ILB in the draft. Not sure if he'll be there at No. 20 so they might have to move up to get him. I read somewhere this morning that he could go top 5 or top 10. If that's the case then it will be hard for the Steelers to move up. It's expensive to move up that many spots. Now if he's still there at No. 15 or 16 then it would be doable. We'll find out more at the combine. If he tests well he could very well be a top 10 pick.
Ryno
12:41
Do you think Terrell Edmunds performed as a first-round draft pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Edmunds started out of necessity. Morgan Burnett was signed to be a starter, but his injuries prevented that from happening. So the Steelers lived with a rookie as their starting SS. That was good and bad. It was bad because he made rookie mistakes. It's good because he got a lot of experience and presumably will be better for it next season.
Cburg Yinzer
12:42
It's very bothersome to me that Roethlisberger is getting beaten up a bit during this AB craziness.  Granted Ben isn't perfect, but IMO he has more often than not publicly taken the blame for his bad games and is extremely supportive of teammates.  Yes he did call out AB on the pattern mistake against Denver, but was he not correct on that?  And I'm sure the past two years of growing AB misdeeds and odd behaviors has worn on Ben and I think Ben genuinely cares about succeeding for the Steelers and the Rooneys and has had enough of the self-centered ABs and Bells of the world.  Am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
You're not wrong. The people who call for Ben to stop doing his radio show, or at the very least, stop criticizing his teammates on those airwaves, aren't wrong either. It's good for our business I suppose, but I honestly don't see how anyone in the Steelers organization believes it's good for the QB to go on the air and do what he does. If I'm Art Rooney II I'm making that clear when he hands the pen over to Roethlisberger when it comes time to sign that extension.
Chet
12:45
I read that story, Butler isn't the problem - well someone on that staff is. Enough with the "they don't have the talent" spiel, New England is heading to the AFC championship game and I can name ONE player on their defense
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
I can name plenty. Stephon Gilmore is an All-Pro corner. The Steelers don't have one of those. JC Jackson is another emerging corner. Devin McCourty is a solid safety. Donta Hightower is a solid LB. Granted, we're not talking future Hall of Famers, but please don't tell me the Patriots are void of talent. I would venture a guess that if you polled NFL GMs that all of them would tell you the Patriots have better defensive personnel than the Steelers. The Steelers have to upgrade their personnel on defense.
Steeltowntim@aol.com
12:47
ay, would you trade Brown for Patrick Ppeterson straight up cap space and age similar? Or rather have high draft choices?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
I'd rather get Peterson and a second-rounder. Peterson is a few years younger, but an elite WR like Brown can be a game-changer for the acquiring team. I'm not sure Peterson would bring that same impact to his new team. Just my opinion.
mtsteel
12:49
Hi Ray and thank you. How do you keep the Defensive Coordinator after so many defensive lapses this season and we cant forget the lapses that happened the previous season (but got bailed out by Boswell).  I mean what has to happen for a DC change?? Also, it seems there was some good coordinator talent out there this off season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
I noted earlier there were too many communication errors. But how do we know if the coordinator's fault? Tomlin all but took the blame for the communication error that led to the Chris Hogan touchdown in the Patriots game. He said he was too busy arguing with officials and didn't communicate the coverage to the players on the field. That's worth noting for several reasons the least of which is Tomlin's role in-game role as a communicator and play-caller.
Jerry
12:51
Why is everybody overlooking Big Ben's behavior? He's a terrible leader!! You don't call out your players to the media. You keep that in the locker room!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
I just noted in a previous answer than Roethlisberger can become a better leader, but in no way, shape or form is he the biggest problem when it comes to this Antonio Brown drama. Brown deserves all of the blame for leaving his teammates in their "darkest hour."
Jake from DC
12:52
Well, it seems that AB is wooing SF as hard as SF is wooing him. Man, would it be a weird experience to see the steelers with the #2 pick in the draft. How long has it been since we've drafted that high?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
That's what I'd shoot for too. I'd want their second-round pick. They already have their franchise QB in place. They have one of the top TEs in George Kittle. Brown could be a game-changer for them.
Salami Phil
12:53
Is there a possibility that the Steelers franchise Bell again and attempt to trade him or is he just going to walk and the Steelers collect the comp pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
If they tag him I think it'll be the transition tag with the intent to trade him for something more than the third-round compensatory pick they'd get for him in 2020. By placing the transition tag on him they could get a pick in this year's draft instead. Now they'd have to have that trade in place and trust the acquiring GM, but that's a possibility.
don from florida
12:54
Why not hire McCarthy for Steelers defensive unit?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
Because, for one, he's known as an offensive coach.
Juice
12:54
Can you name another NFL team within recent years that underachieved more than the 2018 Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
The 2018 Green Bay Packers.
Chris
12:55
Ray , do you think it’s possible to launch AB to day the Cardinals for Peterson and a second round pick ,
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
That's what I suggested when I wrote that story a week or so ago. I think it would be fair for both sides.
Colbert must go
12:55
Colbert drafted a WR and QB in rounds 2 and 3..we needed neither..look at how the Colts built their team..isn't it time to move on from North Side Kevin?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
I don't know about move on, but Colbert needs to hit a home run on his first-round pick this year. He's had too many recent misses -- Jarvis Jones, Bud Dupree, Artie Burns... The Steelers build through the draft. You're not going to be a strong team if you're not signing your first-round picks to second contracts. Jones is out of the league and Burns was benched this past season.
DaquidoBazzini
12:58
Hello, Ray - Any early idea how big of a part Teryl Austin minght play as a Def Asst?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
Austin was hired to help with the secondary and that's what he'll do. He has previous experience as a coordinator so that will help in game planning, etc. But he was hired to help coach the secondary and that's what he'll do.
Francis
12:59
Hi Ray, great chat as always, they're clearly going to have to move Brown, but I think they're okay at WR without him - They won with Hines Ward and CEDRIC WILSON for heavens sake, I think JuJu and Vance and Washington are better than that combo
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Washington has potential, but he didn't do enough in my mind to slot him in as a definite starter if Brown is moved.
Ethan
12:59
For as much as the D-line is touted and their stats showed, they weren't able to wreak havoc when absolutely needed.  Any thoughts why?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
I thought the defensive line played well for the most part. They helped the Steelers to 50-some sacks for a second year in a row. Heyward is still a strong player and Hargrave took a big step in his development. I'd like to see Tuitt take another step in his development next season. He can become a dominant player such in the same way Heyward has become that type of player. And the fact that the Steelers pay Tuitt as much as Heyward means they expect that out of him. They haven't received their return on that investment yet. They need to draft or sign a DL or two though because all of their backups are unrestricted free agents.
Zack
1:02
Dont qe need to sign a new OLB that can get sacks? Dupree isnt cutting it.  Draft'd wise ILB and CB are a given
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Yes my top three offseason needs for the Steelers: 1. CB 2. ILB 3. OLB. Some people put ILB first.
Chris
1:03
any thought on the possibility of maybe having Sean Lee clme
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
I'd sign Sean Lee in a heartbeat if the price is right. I love the way he plays. I love his character. I think he'd be good for that locker room. I'm just not shelling out a lot of $ because his injury history is long. Maybe I'd give him $2.5 million on a one-year deal, but that's it. I'd be too afraid he'd get hurt.
Jake from DC
1:04
At this point, who is a bigger loss? Munchak or AB?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
It's always the player. Munchak is terrific as a coach, but players play and coaches. It would be up to Tomlin to hire someone who is good to take his place. In 2013, the linemen basically coached themselves when Jack Bicknell Jr. was the line coach. They can't be in that situation again.
Doug
1:06
Ray - Always love the chats.  I appreciate the open communication.  Ed and Gerry seem to be far more merciful when it comes to Tomlin.  I feel like you give him less of a pass and I tend to agree with you.  I get he has had success but he has essentially been Mike McCarthy of the AFC since 2010 (with less playoff wins).  I think Tomlin has become to secure with the job stability the Rooneys offer and it has plagued his effort.  You think the burners on his coaching seat were finally turned on after this disastrous year?  Or is it just going to be watching the same movie next year with Tomlin coming back in 2020?
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