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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.26.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:49
Welcome to my Steelers chat. We are going to start a little early today. If I step away for a few minutes in the middle of the chat it's because I'm waiting for a phone call for a story I am working on. I'll be back to answer as many questions as I can.
Retire21
1:50
Ray, we got Mapletron, We got O Canada as OC. And now Mike Sullivan is coming over from the Pens to the coach the QBs. And Martavis Bryant signed with someone in the Canadian League.  What's next.....Sidney at Center...his natural position?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:50
And maybe Marty McSorley and Gary Rissling to make sure the young kids don't go crazy on TikTok.
Retire21
1:50
Those young coaches last week kind of exposed themselves?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Great point. LaFleur hasn't coached really well in these last two NFC title games. Maybe that's why Rodgers is putting it out there that he's not sure what's next for him. That defensive call at the end of the first half just can't happen. And the decision to kick instead of going for the tying TD late was another head-scratcher. Hiring young guys is a trend in the NFL, but I'm not sure LaFleur is helping for the future of guys like him.
Retire21
1:52
Am I cynic to think that for Ben one more normal year jumps him over Rivers in yards, completions and td passes to 5th and that's a motivation to him?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
There is always plenty of motivation for Ben and most of that comes from his desire to win championships. And he has two more than Rivers so I doubt any stats would hold much sway for him.
Edentulous Anuj
1:53
Can the Steelers afford Matt Stafford if Ben retires?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
No.
Yankton Ern
1:54
Ray,  Thank you for the chat.  With Roethlisberger in the twilight of his career and the enormous cap hit he possesses, would you cut him if he doesn’t retire to help retool OL, CB or other needs or do you let him come back, and wallow in mediocrity and set the re-arming of team back another year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I would not do that. If he doesn't turn the ball over and if you surround him with a running game the Steelers can be competitive next season. It's going to be hard because of the first-place schedule, but not impossible to earn one of the seven playoff berths from the AFC. He's not an elite QB any longer. He needs help to excel. Now it's up to the Steelers to surround him with some better players.
Yankton Ern
1:55
Ray, Do you believe Pouncey is done and do the Steelers brain trust believe Hassenauer is a legitimate long term starter?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Gerry reported earlier this week that he is leaning toward retirement and Hassenauer would only be a stop-gap center. They would have to draft one and hope he can play early. Or sign a free agent.
Donna
1:56
With the retirement of McDonald, does the drafting of a tight end become more of a priority or will the Steelers look to sign a free agent?   Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
It does. Not sure which round or whether they'd consider adding one in free agency, but they definitely have to bring in another TE that can play alongside Eric Ebron. Zach Gentry hasn't played much and Kevin Rader only got called up to the active roster late in the season and for the playoffs. There is not a lot of experience in the TE room.
Henry
1:58
Do we need to draft a Center with the first round pick now?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
First or second round. Or maybe third round. But yes, they need to find one when Pouncey makes up his mind.
V. Fontaine
1:59
How much of Matt Canada's shifts and motions do you think we will really see next year? Does it depend on how much Roethlisberger buys into it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Of course. Ben has been around since 2004. He is going to have some input in the offense. But it's Canada's job to make sure there isn't another late-season collapse. He has to do what's best for the team, not what's best for Ben Roethlisberger.
2:10
OK I'm back.
Guest
2:11
BB - Ray...do you think Coach T's one year remaining contract status has had any adverse impact on filling the coaching vacancies?  Has it cut down on the pool of possible candidates who might be interested?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Maybe a little but, but most coaches also know the Steelers often keep coaches through coaching changes. But your point is fair. It might be a bit of a handicap.
Greg
2:12
Would you have kicked the field goal at the end of the Green Bay game? Hindsight is 20/20 but Green Bay has such a good offense I thought you were supposed to trust your players?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
No I'd have gone for it. If they stop you then they're pinned deep and you have a chance to get the ball back in decent field position. And the way Brady was getting intercepted in the second half I doubt Arians would pressed the issue much in terms of chance-taking. I still can't believe LaFleur did what he did.
Henry
2:13
My wife fell in love with Chase Claypool because we would watch his youtube videos (often funny and behind the scenes stuff) then I realized I am part of the PROBLEM with these athletes and social media.  How do we want to both watch these videos but have our athletes act more professional?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
It's a generational thing, and I honestly don't know if there is an easy answer. I will tell you that I don't see this as a big problem on other teams. You just didn't see other players do what JuJu and Chase were doing with the dancing and the social media and the celebrations, etc. I think a tone is set in the locker room and from the head coach, and for whatever reason Mike Tomlin and the captains of that team have let things slide over the years. Or -- and this is important -- they simply might not see it being a big deal. I think that is part of the disconnect between players and fans.
iowasteelerfan
2:16
At this time - who do you feel has the higher ceiling?  Mason or Haskins?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I'll answer that question after I see Haskins up close for an extended period.
daniel1111
2:18
So the report is that Ben is trying to convince Pouncey to play for 1 more year. Apparently Ben is trying to play GM on JuJu and Pouncey which I think is a bad idea. Do you think Ben comes back regardless of Pouncey's decision?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't have the answer to that question. I do know they're tight. Pouncey is Ben's best friend on the team. He respects him immensely. You saw that scene after the playoff loss. So it's wait and see on that front.
Gino
2:19
Hey Ray...is this considered a deep draft for offensive linemen?  If so, do you take a running back in the first round and a lineman in a subsequent round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
When you have as many needs as the Steelers have this year you have to trust your board and take the best player available. They need a tackle, a center, a guard, a running back, a tight end. It could work out the way you say, but this is not a time to be reaching for any position in any round.
MrCJJr
2:21
Hello Ray, Thanks for the chats. Any updates on the end of the season press conference with Art Rooney II? Also, regarding JuJu, I'm hearing mixed opinions on whether he'll stay or go....a few reports are saying that he wants to go to a larger market team. What are you hearing? Thanks again!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Art II is expected to talk later this week I believe. As for JuJu, there is going to be plenty of speculation over the coming weeks before the free agency period begins. He has said that he would like to come back. But at some point $ is going to matter, and I'm just not certain the Steelers can compete with others on the open market.
david
2:22
With Rogers staying in GB and wanting an extension, does KC approach GB for Jordan Love? If so would you be willing to send a 1st round pick to GB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Not sure about this year, or whether I'd offer a first-rounder. Maybe after Roethlisberger retires I'd consider something like that with another QB and another team. And, of course, Colbert would have had to have liked him coming out of the draft for that to even be a remote possibility.
You are the GM
2:25
First round of the NFL Draft, the Steelers are on the clock. RB's Najee Harris, Etienne are still on the clock. A top rated OT and ILB is also still on the board. Who would you take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Assuming they have equal grades on all of them, or close to it, I'd tackle the tackle.
ALB
2:25
Ray, in your opinion what would be the best path for the Steelers to follow in order to get back to being an elite team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Build an elite running game around the defense. Sign Watt and others on that defense. Try to get a good QB to replace Roethlisberger when the times comes.
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