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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.03.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:26
They went OL-OL in Rounds 1 and 2 in 2012. They hit on DeCastro. Not so much on Mike Adams. I could see them going DL in Round 1 or 2 to be honest. They are getting old up front. They need to restock the cupboard. Cam Heyward can't play forever.
Dirt Dawson Winston
10:27
Why are Steeler fans so consumed with Tomlin's coaching tree? Since when has that been a standard for a coach's excellence? Perhaps Tomlin's assistants like working for him and the Rooneys? Also, wouldn't you rather have a coach who gets his players ready to perform how'd we win 9 games?) than a coach who has one of his assistants get hired by the Jets as HC only to get fired in 3 years?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:29
I disagree. I think any head coach takes pride in his assistants moving on to get head coaching jobs. That's what it's all about. Plenty of Cowher assistants went on to become head coaches. Dom Caper, Dick Lebeau, Marvin Lewis. Most had success too. I don't get your point. You hire great coaches, prepare them to be head coaches and then go back and do it again when they leave. Most of the great coaches have strong trees.
BPOS
10:29
With the gift of hindsight, how would you re-draft the first 3 rounds of 2021.  I'd still take Najee #1 but would grab Humphrey over Frieiermuth. I would steer way clear of Green with any pick.  Nothing against Muth, but would rather have my stud center than a TE.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
I still don't have an issue with Freiermuth in Round 1. He should be here for a decade. If Green worked out no one would be talking about it. They just need to shore up center this offseason.
Steeler fan in Bama
10:30
Love the chats Ray. I am of the opinion that Steelers should Not draft a QB this year instead they should use the draft and free agency to build up the O line and D line and other areas of the team. Let Rudolph be the QB this year and then go heard for a QB in next years draft. What are your thoughts on this approach
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
I think your scenario could happen. I'm sure they want to upgrade the QB position, but they might not be in position to get a guy they love this year. Maybe that's next year. Or maybe it's a free agent that's in their price range.
J$Money
10:32
Throughout the draft process, do the Steelers consult at all with current players about potential draft picks that they may have played with in college or are associated with in some way? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
I am sure players are asked about former teammates, but the scouts and GM are paid to evaluate these guys and to do the deep digging on them.
Jud
10:33
Has Tomlin said anything publicly or otherwise regarding the Flores situation?  Would the Steelers bring him in to DC for a year or two until resolved?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:33
Tomlin is here in Mobile. I asked to interview him, but he hasn't addressed the issue yet.
DALTER
10:34
Hi Ray,  In your opinion what position should the Steelers target in Rd. #1?  I know we should look at the offensive line and defensive line.  I think take defense first because there seems to be more "good" offensive lineman in the draft this year.  But.....do you think any of the quarterbacks make sense at #20?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
You make some good points. This is shaping up as a deep year for OL. As far as a QB at No. 20 it all depends on how much they like the guy. A QB can cover up a lot of warts on a team. I'm just not convinced there is a guy like that in this draft. At least not a sure-fire, no doubt type of guy. Lots of guys with some potential, but this is not a year with a truly elite QB in the class.
Justin
10:36
I was watching the Chiefs/Bengals game and the last drive after the Mixon carry, I said that's a live ball, he was never touched.  Later I saw your tweet.  Did they ever explain what happened and why it wasn't a fumble?  Sure, didn't look like he gave himself up and the CBS announcers never mentioned it.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
CBS never mentioned it, which is crazy to me. Gene Steratore came on and started talking about an illegal formation that being reviewable. I have heard since one of the officials blew the play dead. That just can't happen in a game of that consequence. You never blow the play dead unless you are absolutely sure the runner was tackled or touched down. The official who made that mistake should never work in the NFL again. That being said, the Bengals deserved to win. And their coaches had better coach up Mixon because he can't make that same mistake again, either.
Ryan
10:38
Ray how has Connor heyward looked at the senior bowl practice?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:39
I like Conner Heyward. Not sure exactly what position he'll play. He has to find the right team. I see him as a fullback/H-back type of player. He's versatile and assuming he can play special teams I think he's a guy who can make a roster.
Yinzer Maniac
10:39
I've heard that the Steelers have preferred Sam Howell to Kenny Pickett (and others) in this QB class. Still way too early to glean?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
Yes too early. How is 6 feet tall. He has some qualities NFL teams like, but he's not an elite prospect.
Yinzer Maniac
10:40
Chances Joe Haden is re-signed on a scale of 1-10?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
I don't think the chances are great unless Haden isn't valued on the open market. I think a contender that needs a veteran presence in the secondary will make him an offer the Steelers would rather not match. But we'll see.
Doogz
10:42
Re: Draft: Do you think the Steelers will go for the best player available (at positions of need) or will have a certain position they’ll target per round?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
BPA at position of need.
Guest
10:42
Thanks for the chats Ray.  I will admit I am not a fan of MC coming back but watching the playoffs you see a lot of teams running a lot of motion, jet sweeps, WR screens, etc.  And most do it successfully.  Maybe its personnel more than MC
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
I've said this before, but I feel like I have to repeat this often: A good coach works with the personnel he has at his disposal. Coaches who can't adapt to their personnel aren't good coaches.
Evan
10:43
Your opinion on how the QBs have fared so far at senior bowl?  Anything surprising from any of them? Best and worst performance in your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
Wednesday was tough to judge because the weather was so bad. It rained throughout both practices and pretty hard. It's good in the sense that NFL teams can see how these guys perform in adverse conditions. Carson Strong showed the weather didn't bother him very much. Same with Malik Willis. I thought they handled the conditions better than the others, but that doesn't mean they're now the top-rated QBs. There is so much more that goes into it. And yes, Pickett struggled on Wednesday. But so did most of the other QBs.
MilesMcGuire
10:46
hi Ray….watching the chiefs go to 4 straight AFC champ games, it’s extremely hard to fathom that Ben only had one deep playoff run after the super bowl loss. As much as we all love Ben, it feels like he left alot to be desired. Thoughts ??
Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
I agree. But how much of that had to do with the defense not being up to par? They had bad luck with injuries in 2014 and 2015. Bell didn't play in the wild-card game against the Ravens in '14. Antonio Brown missed the divisional round game against the Broncos in '15. And they almost won that game without him. Lots of things came into play. Overall, it was an organizational failure not to have deeper runs after 2010, but I don't lay all of the blame at Ben's feet.
Matteo
10:48
I think it’s apparent that Kendrick Green can’t play center for us. However, I think he’d be a better guard and that would make Center perhaps our biggest need on the team. Other than Linderbaum, are there any other centers that are projected to go in rounds 1-3?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
Linderbaum is by far the top center prospect in this draft, but there will be others available after Round 1. They can also go the free agent route. I wouldn't get one of those guys who are over 30, but if there is a center in free agency in his prime I would explore that move.
Guest
10:49
Why I love your chats...you give it to us straight!  After your response I agree, MC should have adapted more to what he had!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
Thanks!
Jud
10:50
Where do the Steelers stand in Cap room versus other teams...seems like when FA period hits, it's going to be funny money for a while...
Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
They are in very good position. I think they are among the top 10 teams when it comes to available cap space.
Fort Wayne Nate
10:50
There's the center Jensen from the Bucs that's a Free agent whp
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
But he's over 30. If they convinced he can stay healthy and earn his contract then sure. But I'm not a big fan of signing older guys in free agency in most circumstances.
Big Sid
10:52
Thoughts on Norwood?  Potential starter one day or a rotational piece ?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
Good player. Not sure if he's ever a starter, but I think he'll be more than useful in sub-packages.
Big Sid
10:52
Thoughts on the ILB we drafted last year?  Thumper or someone who can run - in theory - in coverage?
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