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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.14.25
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Gene
2:28
I have been a fan since the 60’s and love the Steelers but the last 5 games seemed like they didn’t play with energy and a desire to win. Why do you think that was. Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
They played really good teams. And I think on some level they lost confidence. Things snowballed on them and they could never put the brakes on the losing skid.
George T
2:29
Hi Ray, I have a question for you. Will you be putting out a year end grade for the positions as you did after each game?  Also will you do a review of each player and stating in your opinion who should stay or leave.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Cut Them or Keep Them will be published in the Sunday Post-Gazette print edition and published online Saturday or Sunday. Not sure which, so be on the lookout.
Linebacker Lounge
2:31
NFL Draft 1st round has to be DL. 2nd WR or CB - get the other in FA. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
I agree with you on the positions. What they do in free agency will tell us more about when those positions will be addressed.
Arthur not Art
2:32
How much of this staff is still around by MLK day? Who’s gone on O and on D? Does ARII increase the coaching salary budget to allow for better hires and additional coaching positions? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
I think you'll see multiple assistant coaches go.
Sam
2:32
Scoreless first quarters are indicative of...coaching, yes?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
100% yes.
KDUB
2:33
What would you do at QB next season? I was all in on Russ but the way the season finished I lean towards bringing Fields back and designing the offense around his strengths and see what happens.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I don't have a strong sense of whether they'll retain Wilson or Fields, but they need to acquire a young QB to develop. I know this is not considered a good draft for QBs, but at some point in the near future they have to identify a player and do everything they can to acquire him.
Tim from Canada
2:34
Hi Ray. Thanks for the chats. Am I just overly hopeful that with a healthy o-line next year and a couple of good receivers from draft and FA, as well as shore up the d-line and corners with draft and FA, that we are in a pretty good place? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
That's a lot of shoring up to do.
Guest
2:36
under what circumstances whould you sign Pickens, and what conditions would you demand in return.  
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
I would not
Arthur not Art
2:36
Hi Ray, who’s a big back they can replace Harris with? They need a Jerome Bettis type to pair with Warren and sustain drives
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
They shouldn't have any problems finding one in the draft. This is a good draft for RBs apparently.
Arthur not Art
2:37
Hi Ray, is the poor performance by the Oline a function of their inexperience more than coaching or are their run blocking concepts unsound. I know they dealt with some key injuries but at least Frazier seems to have been an upgrade. Do you think Jones was a miss or is he just an LT trying his best to play RT? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I think it's a combination of hat you said, but ultimately it falls on the coach to coax production no matter the circumstances.
Eric Carr
2:38
Ray, what percentage chance to you give that Pickens is on the team in 25?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
50%. How's that for being wishy-washy. Tomlin said today there remains "a heck of a lot of room for growth."
Tom M.
2:39
Do You have any idea what the trade value is for Minkah and Pickens if they decide to move them? It seems Minkah is trending down and Pickens is an obvious problem so I’m thinking the return wouldn’t be as much as folks might think.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I can't imagine an opposing GM would be thrilled about acquiring his contract. He's due $32 million in salary over the next two years.
JDub
2:41
Good afternoon Ray do you think Benton is a long-term answer at nose tackle? He doesn’t seem stout enough to take on the required double teams to keep the linebackers free. He seems more suited for an end position. I think the 3-4 is really lacking without that big nose tackle
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
I was expecting a bigger jump from Benton in Year 2. They need him to become an impact player. He's a second-round pick.
Big QB news: Skylar Thompson has signed with the Steelers.
Mike Brown
2:46
Happy New Year Ray.  You’ve just been named new GM of the Steelers and you’ve been given the authority to implement change as you see fit. What personnel decisions are you going to make to improve the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
I'd be like Chuck Noll in 1969. I wouldn't know when to stop cutting.
TV
2:47
Russell Wilson's stats were not terrible, but stats don't tell the whole story and he just didn't look good down the stretch.  Do you think the Steelers chalk it up to the lack of talent around him and he is QB1 next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Hard to say at this point. And I'm not sure the Steelers have decided to be honest. Tomlin today certainly didn't endorse him.
ForWhomKordellTolls
2:49
Ray would you trade George Pickens for DK Metcalf or Tyreek Hill, assuming they are available?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Didn't Hill quit on the Dolphins in the regular-season finale. They don't need another guy like that. Metcalf seems more reliable so I'd be fine with him.
Jim
2:50
What is the world happened to Jones, he does not look like a first round pick, more like a turnstile. Still young, or out of position?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
Hopefully he's still growing as a player. He only started 17 games at Georgia. That's barely one full season. But I have to tell you, he's entering Year 3. He's got to figure it out soon.
Johnstown Johnnie
2:52
Ray, love the chats. With so many holes to fill on this roster, doesn't it make a lot of sense to trade someone like Watt, Fitzpatrick and Pickens.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
no, no, yes.
Spjack
2:53
Hi Ray. Had a dream last night that the Steelers got Mike McCarthy as their offensive coordinator? I know it was a dream but what are the chances? (I think I know lol)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
You must have been drinking at his family's bar.
Guy in the car
2:55
Art the Second is 71, if memory serves. Is there any succession plan currently in place for his eventual successor? I had heard talk of Dan Rooney, Jr. as a possible replacement. While I can appreciate Art’s legal background, I wouldn’t mind seeing the next person to take the reins having more a football background (I.e.’ coming up through the ranks). Thoughts?
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