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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers Chat: 02/25/19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get the chat under way momentarily.
Professor G
11:54
I think it would be great if Ben stopped doing his radio show. Though it may be true that he's has earned the right to critique his teammates—doing so in public setting seems to do way more harm than good. Will he stop this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
That question remains unanswered, but it doesn't seem like the Steelers mind all that much. At least that's what I took away from Kevin Colbert's comments to some local reporters last week. Perhaps Kevin and Art Rooney II are having different conversations behind closed doors with Ben. My thoughts on the subject if I GM or owner: When Ben's new deal is in the works I'm telling him no more radio show, or at the very least, tone down the criticism of your teammates. We'll see what happens. People on the national level say the show is a must-listen every week. That alone should be enough for Colbert and Rooney to at least talk to their QB about it.
JB
11:57
Any thoughts on resigning Bud Dupree with the intention of moving him inside? Also, Thomas Davis and Mike Tomlin seem to have deep respect for each other and Davis would be the type of dynamic inside veteran and leader we need as a one or two year stop gap. Thoughts on bringing him in as a UFA?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
I don't think they have intentions of moving Dupree inside. Colbert came out last week and said Dupree had his best year last year and that they wouldn't mind paying him the $9.2 million fifth-year option if the two sides were unable to work out a long-term deal. That surprised, but it makes the team's plans clear. They are fine with him on the outside for at least one more year. Besides, Dupree, while athletic enough to drop into coverage as an OLB, might not be able to handle all the duties of an ILB. As for Thomas Davis, just because he and Tomlin have a mutual respect doesn't mean the Steelers will sign him in free agency. For one, he's 36 years old. For another, the Steelers need a three-down ILB that can play the pass as well as the run. A 36-year old is not going to perform those duties well enough in my opinion.
Manny
12:00
Hi Ray, Colts are highest odds to land AB (vegas) would you think is Fair a trade straight up Darius Leonard for AB ? In truth arguably best WR in NFL for a young promising ILB, or should we give an aditonal 5th? What U think honestly ? Would U?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
OK here is my honest opinion: The Colts would never, ever do that. Darius Leonard is a young All-Pro whose future is bright. He has no off-field issues that I know of. Antonio Brown will turn 31 in July and has off-field issues galore. I would, however, ask the Colts if they would deal some draft picks for Brown.
Professor G
12:02
Any early buzz on free agent targets for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Not yet. We might start to hear some this week at the combine.
John
12:02
I understand getting rid of Joey Porter as outside linebackers coach but why add to Butler's responsibilities and not hire a coach to exclusively coach position. Munchak showed what good position coaching can do
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Butler has experience coaching the position. He did it for years. I don't really have a big problem with it. Randy Fichtner coordinates the offense and coaches the QBs. Butler will be asked to do the same thing.
Professor G
12:03
Everyone is assuming Bell's departure will bring a compensatory pick, but with all the cap space the Steelers have this offseason, isn't there a decent chance we'll sign more players than we'll lose?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Yes that is part of the formula. We won't know how it will all shake out until after free agency. Even then, we won't know for sure because the formula for determining compensatory picks is complicated and sometimes even baffles Kevin Colbert.
CanadianSteelersFan
12:05
Juju is a terrific reciever, but do you believe he can truly be our number 1 wideout? Without AB opposite him I think we might see a drop off in his production. Can Juju command double coverage as AB did or will it be up to Ben to spread the ball around more and Randy to scheme our recievers open? I think we will miss AB quite a lot when the season opens.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I think JuJu can be an effective No. 1 receiver, but he'll need more help than just James Washington. Whether it's in free agency or the draft the Steelers have to add some talent to the receivers room if Antonio Brown is traded.
Frank
12:06
Will the Steelers sign an impact FA, or more of the below average starter type we typically see them go after?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I think there is a happy medium, and the Steelers have to find it this year.
Ryno
12:06
Given that not all teams would have a need for AB, would you still consider interest in him low that only three teams have been in contact so far with Colbert?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
When Kevin made those comments Friday it was only two days after his news conference and only three days after the meeting with Antonio Brown. I would expect that number to grow at the combine. I'm not saying half the league will be interested, but I think it'll be more than three teams when it's all said and done.
JB
12:08
If the Vikings release Xavier Rhodes, which seems likely given last season's injuries and salary, what kind of interest would there be in adding him and do we have the cap room?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
If Rhoades is on the market I'd imagine he'd be one of the top free agent corners and would be paid as such despite the injuries last year. We'll have to see what happens, but I don't know if the Steelers are going to be position to pay a top free agent at his position. Those guys, especially corners, tend to be expensive.
CanadianSteelersFan
12:09
I don’t believe Lamar Jackson will be a viable starting QB in this league for long and I’m not too worried about the Bengals this year either. Is it possible that the Browns may Actually be our biggest competition this year in the way of a division title?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Yes the Browns will be a challenge, but I won't discount Jackson and the Ravens next year either. They made a run with Jackson late last season to overtake the Steelers. The AFC North and the rest of the league must prove they can adjust to Jackson. If not, the Ravens could continue their success. I see the Steelers, Browns and Ravens all being contenders for the AFC North title next year. Can't pick a favorite at this point. Too many questions with all three teams.
Ryno
12:11
Do you think someone finally talked sense into Brown about staying off social media and making stupid comments? We haven't really heard anything make the news pertaining to him on social media since the meeting with Steelers brass.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I've been thinking the same thing. It's so odd it took Art Rooney II to have that conversation with him. Why his handlers didn't broach the subject with him is baffling. He wasn't just hurting the Steelers. He was hurting himself and his value.
Rob
12:12
We keep hearing the Steelers want to deal AB before March 17 to avoid paying him the 2.5 million bonus. Would you consider that the cutoff date to trade him or would they be willing to pay it and hope for a better offer down the road?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I think everything is on the table at this point. Kevin Colbert made it clear last week they weren't going to trade him for the sake of trading him. They expect to get fair value in return. So I don't think March 17 is a hard deadline. They'd like to get a deal done before then, but I could see them paying the bonus and holding onto their asset if the offers aren't good enough.
Ryno
12:13
Do you think some teams may be hesitant to look at Bell since he won't have played football in about a year and a half or more? He missed out on a season of wear on his body, but the downside is that he hasn't played football in that long.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
We'll find out in a few weeks. It only takes one team to make a crazy offer.
I don't know how they feel, but if I was Kevin Colbert I wouldn't settle for anything less than a high second-round pick at this point.
Ken
12:14
At what round do the Steelers say no to a trade.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Question to previous answer.
Scott from Franklin Park
12:14
Hi Ray. I see several mock drafts having Devin White fall all the way to the Steelers at #20. Do you think that could actually happen, and if he's available, would he be their pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I've seen a few of those mocks as well. I'd be surprised. Some analysts believe he's one of the top 5 or 10 talents in this draft. If he's there at No. 20 the Steelers should grab him. But I don't think he will be.
Leaper
12:15
Do you get a sense the Steelers favor CB or ILBmore?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
No. The need for CB and ILB is so close. It might just be a matter of which player is rated the highest on their board when they pick at No. 20.
Ryno
12:16
Thoughts on Colbert commenting that they would be okay keeping Dupree at $9M plus?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I was surprised. This is how I feel. There is no way you can tell me the Steelers can build their best 2019 roster with Bud Dupree making $9.2 million. They have a lot of needs to fill and can use the salary cap space to address some of those needs. Every dollar counts in an offseason like this. Just my opinion. Kevin and his staff obvious have a little different opinion on Dupree and his value.
pozone
12:18
Do the Steelers consider trading Dobbs and Gilbert? In free agency I like LB HICKS from Eagles and John Brown from Ravens. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Yes I like John Brown too. He might not be super expensive either. As far as Gilbert and Dobbs, I just don't think there is a lot of trade value there.
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