You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.14.19
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
I don't think the seat is hot, but it's warmer than it has been. How's that?
jovan
1:07
How is that New England can loose players each year and still find a way to stay at one of the best every year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
Tom Brady. Plain and simple...And Bill Belichick isn't bad either.
Vico
1:07
What happens if AB shows remorse and gives a public apology? It´s enough to make him stay?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
I'd be hesitant if I was Art Rooney II. Actions speak louder than words.
SD Stiller
1:08
Is there a league specified date where the Steelers have to make a decision on AB? What would YOU do if you were on the Steelers staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
He's due a $2 million roster bonus in March.
DC
1:09
What % chance that Boswell kicks for the Steelers in 2019?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
All depends on his offseason. He proved he can be among the top kickers in the NFL from 2015-2017. If he can get back to that he'll be fine. If not, it's adios.
Tom
1:10
Thank for the chat.  I am struck by the comparison to the past great D's in Pittsburgh vs today.  There is almost no one on the roster that you would have to game plan for if you are an opposing OC.  They definitely need to recommit to a rebuild at all levels, even the Def line.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
Definitely in the secondary and on the second level with the LBs. But I hesitate to say rebuild. I think they have enough talent with Heyward, Haden and Watt to be a good defense. They just need to add talent to it. So if I'm Kevin Colbert I'm making this a defensive draft. Draft all defenders for all I care. Just add talent to that side of the ball.
Man5454
1:11
With this year’s draft class especially loaded with defensive linemen, can you see a scenario where the Steelers actually do draft a DL in early rounds or will they strictly draft to address the positional needs?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:13
That's an interesting question. This draft is loaded with quality interior DL. But not every team 1-19 needs a DL. Some need a QB. Others need OL or WR. So if an elite DL falls to the Steelers at No. 20 - and he's higher on their board than anyone else -- then they might have to pull the trigger. They play enough sub-package football they can make another DL fit their scheme.
Jerry
1:13
I'm just shocked how people think juju is gonna be good. Only reason his numbers were good is because of AB getting doubled and triple teamed. Your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
1:14
JuJu Smith-Schuster proved this season he is a No. 1 WR. Will he be as productive without Brown opposite him? No, of course not. But he's a high quality player with big upside. Remember, he's only 22. He's going to improve.
E.J.
1:14
No wild card team has made the SuperBowl since 2013. All #1 and #2 seeds won this weekend. So this will another Superbowl without a wildcard team. Is this an issue? Should the NFL be concerned, or should we just expect fewer upsets now?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
A few years ago, I wrote a story where I polled a number of TV executives. They were convinced the league was going to add two more playoff teams because they know how much more $ the league would make with expanded playoffs. But talk of playoff expansion has died down a bit. I'm not sure why. They could make billions more by adding two more teams. The only holdup is the playoff format and scheduling. The prevailing theory had the No. 7 seed playing the No. 2 seed with only the No. 1 seed getting a bye. I don't think owners loved that scenario so they've held off. But I'd be OK with expanded playoffs. If there was a No. 7 seed this year the Steelers would have played the Patriots in Foxboro on wildcard weekend.
Josh
1:18
If the Steelers get the San Fran pick for an who would you pick and #2 overall?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
I might trade down to get multiple first-round picks.
Alan
1:19
What's with some of these ex-players on NFL network and ESPN and how ignorant they are on many topics? Saw Steve Smith Sr. offer his opinions and they were dumb. Aren't these networks aware that some of their on-air talent are making fools of themselves?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
Apparently not.
Dr. Jackson
1:19
I don’t see Bell getting big money in free agency.  CJ Anderson looked as good as Gurley and most RBs are a dime a dozen.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
I tend to agree, but there are teams like the Jets that have more than $100 million in cap space. They're the type of team that will spend silly to get one of the top RBs in the league, even if he's not worth it.
TXSTEELER
1:21
Where are things in the Munchak front?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
It was quiet over the weekend. I'm sure that will be resolved this week.
TXSTEELER
1:21
So after Saturday you tweet about the effectiveness of RBs for the winning teams but Sunday two winning QBs both three for over 300 yards and you say nothing. Seems like a bit of an agenda
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
What agenda? Pointing out that teams with good running games do well in the playoffs. I have news for you. The Patriots and Saints run the ball better than the Steelers and most other NFL teams. That's part of the reason they won Sunday. They obviously have great QBs, future Hall of Famers, but you need balance to win in the postseason. I believe the Steelers need more balance in their offense. You and others won't deter me with statistics.
Ok thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll do it again next week.
Connecting…