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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.30.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Welcome to this week's Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Jps717
11:58
Hi Ray?  Love the chat.  M Hilton was a good player here but would you agree that his shortcomings in coverage were exploited yesterday?  2nd
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Yes. I like Mike Hilton as a player. He's very good in run support and blitzing. But as you saw yesterday he does have some limitations in coverage. He's only 5-8 and doesn't have long arms. That's why he was an undrafted free agent. He's done very well in this league, but he's not someone coaches want out there in a game like that yesterday when Mahomes is the QB.
Whenisthenonlosingseasonparade?
12:00
Cincinnati seems to have an incredibly talented coaching staff.  Harbaugh and company have always gotten more out of less (e.g. Flacco vs Ben).  Stefanski beat the Steelers from his couch in a playoff game.   For all of the discussion that the Steelers are destined to have the 4th best QB in the division for years to come, where would you rate the overall coaching staff of the Steelers in the division?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
The Steelers staff is better than Stefanski's staff in Cleveland. After that, it's pretty even. Harbaugh has done it for a long time and has had his share of success. And you see what Taylor has done with the Bengals. He's changed the culture there, and that was hard to do after some of the people Marvin Lewis employed. I'm not sure if the Bengals will ever win the Super Bowl, but they're going to be a problem for the Steelers and the rest of the AFC North for years to come because Joe Burrow is a top-3 QB in the NFL.
Kid Rock
12:02
Ray,  given the vitriol of the Flyer rivalry,  should something be done or have been done to develop a Steeler/ Eagles rivalry?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Like what? They play once every four years. Can't really manufacture a rivalry. That only comes with heated games.
Silly in Philly
12:03
Hi Ray.  Pundits and some fans think WR is a need for this team.  But they have CA3 from last year to hopefully step in. More of a want than need, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
It's a need. Maybe 4 or 5 on their list, but it's a need nonetheless.
Soggy
12:04
As we are all about to be mocked drafted to death.... based on the positional depth, a CB looks to be it the Steelers reach at pick 17.  Which one of the top CB prospects would you like the Steelers to end up with?  (Thanks Ray, always enjoy the chat.)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
There are a bunch of quality prospects they could get. All depends on whether they fall to 17 or 32... Can they get one of the top three left tackles at 17? Do they take advantage of the CB depth and wait until 32 or 49 to take a CB? It will be a very intriguing run-up to the draft. Lots to discuss and break down in the coming weeks.
Mark in Texas
12:06
How can Steelers justify keeping Canada when 12 other NFL teams fired their OCs? And the large majority of those teams scored more points in 2022 than the Steelers did.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Art Rooney II said the Steelers kept Canada because he saw second-half improvement and wanted to keep some continuity with Kenny Pickett entering Year 2. That's how he justifies it. We'll see how the plans works, but that's his thought process.
Zamo
12:08
I’m still shocked Canada is being retained.  Has anyone asked coach Tomlin or Art about bringing in an offensive assistant to help Canada?  Would love to see Leftwich, kellen moore or someone of that caliber to give another voice on that side of the ball. Relying 100% on Canada is not a smart business decision. We have insurance for a reason and there is no coach cap in the NFL.  What’s your best guess Ray?  Will Tomlin/Art do this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Yes that question was posed to Art II, and he didn't close the door on the idea.
Mitchy T.
12:08
Ray, so I see that The Big Guy wants me to stick around as an insurance policy, but he did not mention if this scenario was contingent upon thou receiving a trim to the automatic deposit. Your thoughts on this matter, if any.? Danke Shoen.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I don't know if Art would have come out as strong on Trubisky if he was going to ask him to take a pay cut. We'll some come March.
This Guy
12:09
In your option should that personal foul been called against the Bengles at the end of the game.  It looked like the hit was at the exact time his foot hit out of bounds.  Was it called because it was late or because it was flagrant.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
It was late, not flagrant. I have no problem with the call. Kind of funny how many playoff games that franchise loses due to personal foul penalties. They have to won the record, right?
Steve
12:10
Good afternoon Ray. In reference to Cam Sutton, do you think he is a shut down CB? The reason I ask? I don't think he is and I'm concerned the Steelers will over pay him next month.
Steve in Canton
12:10
Hey Ray. If the 1st round of 2023 NFL Draft was held this week, what are 2-3 names you'd write on the Steelers card? Assuming they're available.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Sutton is not a shutdown CB, but he's a good player, and he's versatile. They won't overpay for him, but you have to pony up to keep good players. You can't just pay the All-Pros.
Gerald (with a G) Williams Fan Club
12:11
Would you name a few players that you're going to be taking a close look at this week at the Senior Bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Focus on OL, DL and CBs. I'll get into some of the names later in the week.
Mike—EE
12:14
Ray, do the Steelers have a road map to compete with teams like the Chiefs and Bengals or are we destined to be middling?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
See: Eagles.
Bernard
12:14
If not Mahomes on that run, does the flag get thrown in that situation?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Sure why not. As I said, it wasn't flagrant, but was there any doubt it was late? Ask Germaine Pratt. Ha ha. He thought it was late.
21-58-66
12:15
Ray - Thanks for the chats and keeping them going in the off-season.  Any word that the Steelers might bring in some offensive coach to help with play calling and game plans?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Art said it was possible, but I haven't heard any names. If something happens there it likely will come after these OC positions have been filled around the league.
Fletch
12:16
Hi Ray - One position I haven’t heard discussed much as a position of need is QB. This year’s QB FA class seems kind of weak. I expect Rudolph and Trubiski will be gone. Do you see them trying to pick up Dobbs and a late round draft pick to fill out QB or something else?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
If Trubisky is back then they can just draft one late or sign a cheap free agent.
Grossman
12:17
Ray, Pat. F. is a fine player, but are the people comparing him to Kelce looking through the same rose-tinted glasses as when they compare Kenny P. to Joey B.? Danke shoen.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
No one is Kelce, but I think Freiermuth is close to being a top 10 TE in the league, if he's not already there. The Steelers have to get back to throwing to him in the red zone next season. Not sure why that went away -- he was very productive as a rookie -- but his yards and receptions were top 6 in the league. And he's still young. He'll grow along with the other young players in the offense.
mrbig
12:18
How do you think the Steelers would have fared against KC, Buff & Cinn if they met at the end of this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Might have been competitive versus the Bills because they seemed to be leaking water by the end of the season. I'm not so sure it would have been very competitive against the other two. They need to close the gap on those teams for sure.
Nate from Fort Wayne
12:19
Ray, what drafting trend do you see happening this year? Last year there was a run on drafting WR's in the 1st round. 4 in the first 12 picks and 7 I think in the first 34 picks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Edge rushers and CBs.
Steeler in Virginia
12:20
The past few years we've seen poor OLB depth hurt this team (I'm thinking of Ingram being replaced by Taco Charlton and then Malik Reed this year). Do you think the team has finally learned the importance of getting a quality third OLB? I know you don't want to take Watt off the field ever, but the guy needs a few snaps off now and then.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Yes and this is a great year to add a quality edge prospect. It's a deep draft for edge rushers.
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