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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.20.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I think Samir Suleiman will be the biggest name from te front office headed to the Panthers this year.
Bill
2:25
I'm not so sure Fitchner looked all that smarter last year with Ben and AB?  Can you recall the last time the Steelers offense, with a chance to get a couple first downs and end a game, actually succeeded in not having to punt the ball back and put the game on the defense to try to close it out?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I didn't say he was perfect. Far from it. Canada was hired to bring in some new ideas. All I'm saying is Ben can help alleviate some of the concerns they faced in 2019.
Madlock
2:26
Thanks for doing these chats. Just going by my own eye test Terrell Edmunds issue isn't getting beat badly or lack of speed. It seems to be instincts that sometimes puts him a step behind and also bad ball skills when he is in position to defend the pass. He's too good in run support to just give up on and only 2 years in league leaves room to grow. Can instincts improve enough to make arguably the worse player on the Steelers defense league average or better next year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I suppose the more he sees the better he'll get, but you can't really teach instincts. 2020 will be a big year for Edmunds.
GUEST
2:27
Hi Ray, I doubt you're in the same boat as me but have to say I thoroughly LOVED watching the most OVERRATED QB Aaron Rodgers get destroyed yesterday. Sure the people that just check the box score will be like 'oh he played pretty good' ummmm no he was pretty terrible. He got his 'stats' during the entire 2nd half when it was already effectively GARBAGE TIME.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I don't root against Aaron Rodgers, but I would agree that his stats didn't tell the tale of how he played in that game.
westCoast
2:28
If the OL is dominant then it fixes both running and passing game. Dont you think the number one priority for steelers this offseason is to upgrade OL this offseason? Also, last couple years when Titans OL was subpar, Henry didnt have much to show.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Yes I do think the OL is a priority, and I think they'll address it in the draft. But developing a better run game has to be an organizational mindset. The players, especially Ben, have to buy into it. If not, it won't be nearly as effective as it could be. With the Titans and 49ers, it's an organizational mindset.
Justin
2:30
Forgive me for an AB question, but my friend and I were having the discussion the other day about Steeler Hall of Famers.  He thought if Brown didn't play another down he would be worthy of the Hall.  I said no...not a long enough career.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
He has the numbers, but I'm not sure how his on- and off-field behavior will affect him.
Cole from NY
2:30
Hi Ray... How do you feel about trading James Conner and getting say a 2 or 3 round pick jn the draft then hopfully snag one of the better running backs in this class? Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
If there is a team out there willing to give a second-round pick for a guy entering the final year of his contract I'd do it in a heartbeat. But unfortunately, there aren't any GMs that would make that move.
Coach
2:32
I don't know much about Canada but was a little concerned that he appeared to be out of football the last couple of years. Did I read that right? What was his last job and year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Out of football in 2019. Had been at LSU in '17 and Maryland in '18. I don't read too much into that. Mike McCarthy was out of football last season, and the Cowboys hired him as their head coach. Sometimes, a year away from the game and watching can help coaches become better at their jobs.
Cole from NY
2:33
what in your opinion should be the starting offensive line next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Well, they very well could draft someone in the second or third round to start so this might be a useless exercise. But since you asked, I'd cut Foster, move Feiler to guard and let Banner and Okorafor compete at RT. But again, I think they'll draft a OL pretty high and that guy could start as a rookie.
Jud
2:34
Bringing in competition for Berry a must?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I would say so yes. They've done that the past few years and kept him though.
Howard
2:35
Dupree may turn out to be worth a big contract.  But, with only one really strong year, I see the Steelers either tag him or let him walk and get a comp pick while using the cap space elsewhere.  What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I think they'll tag him and pay him about $16 million in 2020.
doug
2:35
feels as if steelers are light years away from being a contender again....sad eh?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
How so? I know they have a lot of issues on offense, but that defense is good enough right now to keep the Steelers among the contenders with just an average offense.
Jud
2:36
Does the O-Line need to get much better for a less mobile Ben to keep the pocket clean?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
They need to get younger on the line, and they will this spring.
Howard
2:37
We need to focus on a good fullback in free agency.  Rosie's time may be up.  Some money for a guy that can be a true blocker but also catch the ball would be special.  Maybe TJ's other brother.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Rosie has two years left on his contract, and they like him.
Daniel
2:37
Will Sherman return as a WR coach or are they looking for a replacementt?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I get the idea they'll have a new WRs coach in 2020. Sherman came out of retirement to help out after the death of Darryl Drake.
Olivia
2:38
Ray...any thoughts on how the Rooney Rule can be improved?  Thanks Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I don't understand why a team could not hire Eric Bienemy or Robert Saleh and have them assemble a staff while they continue to coach through the Super Bowl. College coaches do it all the time. They basically work 18 hours a day doing both jobs, but they do it for a few weeks because that's what has to be done. Something has to be done. It just doesn't make any sense the way it's done now.
GUEST
2:40
Hi Ray, I only 'root' against him because of the ficticious 'god' like stature he's been given which is totally unjustified. If the 'team' loses and plays terrible more often than not the 'media' (generally) says he has no oline, no running game, etc. basically a list of EXCUSES to protect him. It's a joke. Its everyone BUT Rodgers...but the reality is you're the QB soooooo....
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I can see where you're coming from. After he beat the Steelers in 2010 I thought he'd win at least one more. They lost after a 15-1 regular season and they lost that heartbreaker to the Seahawks. The Seahawks game definitely wasn't his fault. The guy on the hands team lost that game.
Daniel
2:42
Dupree was not listed as top 50 fa on one publication. What contract would you give him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I'd just tag him.
Scrub
2:43
Hi Ray,  if we could improve the run game somehow and keep the D together, do you see the Steelers maKing a run that could be similar to the 49ers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Why not? have to draft some better run blockers, but the 49ers won 4 games last season. It's the NFL. Anything can happen from year to year. That's why the league is so popular.
Mike
2:44
Ray:  assuming Ben is back and Cincy takes Burrow and just minor roster changes on each team in division....order of finish next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Way too early to say. Have to see what happens with free agency and the draft. I'd be happy to answer your question in July.
D from Chi-Town
2:45
It seems many teams in the league are rediscovering the run game to take advantage of defenses that have been built over time to primarily stop the pass.  Do you agree that the Steeler's already strong run defense should serve them well as they face more run-orientated teams next year.
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