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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.14.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I like the Clemson RB, Etienne. He has some skills the Steelers could use. I liked a bunch of WRs in the game. LSU has some good O-line prospects. But mostly, I watched the skill guys for obvious reasons.
Nate
2:21
Hi Ray, thanks again for these chats!  If you were the Steelers, would you 1) move Feiler to G and have Chuks and Banner compete for RT spot, or 2) re-sign Finney, or 3) just draft a LG or even T instead?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
1 or 3. They have options. If they draft a G they insert him at LG and keep everything else the same. If they draft a tackle then they could move Feiler to G. I think Feiler can be a really good G. He's big, strong. That move could potentially help your struggling running game too.
Franco
2:22
Hello Ray, even if Ben does come back healthy, given the offensive woes, can the team make the play-offs next year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
With that defense, anything is possible. They almost made it this year with Duck Hodges at QB for crying out loud.
iowasteelerfan
2:23
Will Vanett be brought back?  Hate to see us give away a draft pick for 9 games from someone.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I think they'll bring him back at the right price. He liked it here, and I think he's a solid backup. He'll never be a No. 1, but he was useful last season.
Brian in CA
2:24
I like the idea of mid level FA signings to address holes, but while Nelson worked out, others (Bostic, Burnett, Green) havent.  Is that just the way it is, or will the Steelers get better on that front
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Nelson and Barron were good signings. Moncrief, not so much. I'm sure it's like that with a lot of teams. It's why teams like the Steelers prefer to draft and develop. You know what you're getting with those guys. With guys from other teams it's always a little bit harder to know who they are and what they'll bring to the table.
Victoria L.
2:25
What’s your take on our current situation at tight end? How do we improve there? (Draft? Free agency?)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
They need to start thinking about their next starter. Vance McDonald is going to be 30 and is coming off a bad year.
Franco
2:26
I'm not fully understanding everyone saying we need a running back early. We drafted Benny Snell last year and I think hes solid with some good upside. Conner is a pro bowler when healthy even know I agree he gets hurt a lot. Samuels isn't bad either in a change up role. Give me a better O line and I don't care who's at RB, that is my philosophy.....Point being, we need to focus on OL and do it all TE way before RB. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Maybe that's the route they go, Franco. But I think the speculation is there because there are some very talented backs coming out and the Steelers probably will be in position to take one of them.
KN
2:27
Hello. Thank you as always for the chat. I wanted to get your assessment of Mason Rudolph ? Do you see him as potential Ben replacement ?  I know he has an up and down year but considering that it was his first year playing, I thought he showed potential and good comeback in limited action after benching .  Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Obviously a tough year for Rudolph. Getting benched for Duck Hodges was not a good development for him. But Tomlin committed to him the day after the season ended. I'm sure he learned some things in 2019 and will look to apply them in 2020.
Steeler in Virginia
2:29
Thaddeus Moss would look good in black and gold, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Randy's son is a junior I believe and can go back for another season. I haven't heard his name mentioned as one of the top TEs in the draft. But he's a good-looking prospect. I know he made a few big plays in the CFP.
Steeler in Virginia
2:30
If the Steelers had a first-round pick this year, do you think they would still be (likely) tagging Dupree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Yes.
Brian
2:31
Now that he has game film to add to his resume, do you think the Steelers would take a chance on signing JP Holtz if he is available ? I feel he fits the mold of what the Steelers require from their TE's.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I liked Holtz when he came out of Pitt. I thought the Steelers should have signed him. He was an UDFA. He played for the Bears last season and did some nice things. Usually teams like to keep those types of players. I haven't heard of any change in his contractual status so I assume he'll be back with the Bears next season.
Nate
2:34
Hi Ray, if the Steelers draft a RB, who is the odd man out (released or traded) besides Edmunds - Connor, Snell, Samuels, or Whyte?  Each one brings a different skillset that can be useful.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Let them compete in camp. But my guess would be Edmunds, Whyte or Samuels.
SD Stiller
2:35
Is there any opportunity for the Steelers to refuse to do Hard Knocks or are they obligated to do it if the NFL brass say they have to?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
They're pretty much obligated if HBO wants them.
Steeler in Virginia
2:35
If you are Miami (I know, this is a Steelers chat) would you consider trading all three of your first round picks to get Burrow?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
I like Burrow, but you can do some damage with three first-round picks. They'd have to feel very strongly that he's a sure thing if they make that move.
kevin in Punxsy
2:36
I saw a national sports writers predictions for the upcoming draft (rounds 1 & 2).  He predicted the Steelers to draft an OLB from Florida with their pick at # 49.  Do any of these guys know anything about the teams that they are making predictions for?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Not really, no. They just look at Dupree and know the Steelers might not be able to keep him long-term. The local beat writers are much better sources for offseason needs, draft, things of that sort. And even we don't know exactly what is going to happen. I knew Devin Bush was a target last February. Sometimes you just know because there are glaring needs. This year won't be nearly as easy for a few reasons. For one, we'll have 48 picks before the Steelers are on the clock. For another, there are several positions of need.
Da Beard
2:39
Thanks for the chats Ray.  Based off the sudden drop off to the run game this year, who takes the blame,  overall offense scheme or change in coach?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Sometimes it's the personnel, too. And I don't get the idea Shaun Sarrett was a major issue. Perhaps they tweak their scheme and attack things a little differently in 2020, but I think for the most part they need to upgrade their personnel.
Sam
2:41
Ray, given the success that the Titans and 49ers (and Ravens, Vikings, and Seahawks for that matter) have had as run-oriented teams, do you sense that more teams might pivot more that way, especially given the perpetually low number of true "franchise" QBs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
The smart teams did that last offseason. You could see it coming a mile away. I still think there is time for the Steelers and others to hop on the bandwagon. But teams will be better prepared in 2020.
DK
2:42
How much of the dropoff in the OL line play was due to Ben not being there?  They weren't great in run blocking with hima and w/out a veteran changing protections I have to think it could have been a lot of it.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
I agree that was a big part of the issues in pass pro. Ben is very adept at changing protection and accounting for everyone on defense. But as you mentioned his presence can only do so much for the running game. They weren't very good running the ball in 2018, either. Certainly not in the second half of the season when they folded down the stretch. It's a huge issue and must be addressed. Ben fixes a lot, but he doesn't fix everything.
kevin in Punxsy
2:44
Ray, as great as the Steeler defense was this year, there were some warts.  There were at least three games where the D let the other team's O go 70 yards, or more, drives that ended is TDs and cost the Steelers 1-3 games in the L column. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Yes, but most of those came early in the season without Fitzpatrick or at the very early stages of playing with Fitzpatrick. My concern with the defense is stopping the run. They didn't do that well enough, and it cost them late in the season, especially against Buffalo and Baltimore.
DallasDave
2:46
Ray - one thing I haven't heard mentioned in regards to the offense struggling this year was the absence of Rosie Nix and using a FB to open holes for our RBs. It appears that several teams in the playoffs utilized a FB to help their running game. What are your thoughts ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
The Steelers didn't really use Nix a lot when he was healthy. Maybe that was going to change in 2019, but we'll never know because he was injured and lost for the season.
SD Stiller
2:47
Do you think players like Conner are predisposed to injuries or is it just bad luck? Frustrating that some RB's can go on and on for years but others, like JC, are hurt every other game.
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