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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.03.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:57
Ray: Jalen Ramsey was a huge disappointment as a safety.  I thought he would have a "Woodson" like transition, but he didn't make any plays and was a disaster in that last Baltimore game.  Has he fallen off athletically that much that he went from elite corner tools to not even good safety tools in about 2 years?  Does he just not have "safety instincts"?  Or given that Minkah also deteriorated rapidly here during his prime years, did the previous staff just not know how to utilize a talent at that position?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Well, he made the transition in-season. You have to take that into account. Being a full-time safety was not in the plans. It came about because of injuries at safety (and Ramsey not playing great at CB). I think with more time he is quite capable of making the transition to becoming a good safety. The question is whether the Steelers want him as part of their long0term plans. The issue with Ramsey is his high cap hit and the fact that he didn't produce many big plays. That matters when you're taking up a nice portion of the salary cap. We'll see what happens. I think he's a candidate to get traded, but I think he can still play a little and safety likely is part of his future wherever he plays.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:01
Ray: what happened to Donte Kent?  Is he a candidate to contribute next year at CB or S?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I talked with Donte late in the season. Tough rookie year for him. Injured in camp and then went to IR. Then tried to come back late in the season and tore his ACL. He's motivated to come back stronger than ever, but because the ACL injury took place in December he might not be ready to play for a while.
Realist
12:02
Will Gainwell get an offer from another team that tops what Warren is getting paid?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Ideally, the Steelers take care of him before free agency arrives, but that's totally up to Gainwell. If he wants to see what's out there it's definitely his right. Gainwell credited Aaron Rodgers for a lot of his success so if Rodgers comes back I think Gainwell will be motivated to sign a deal with the Steelers.
Realist
12:05
Can you explain how much of an impact missing training camp due to injury is for a rookie QB?  It seems to me that is huge.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
It is huge. The Steelers did not have a chance to evaluate him in game conditions. They saw him play well in practices, but games are entirely different. Now they have to wait another six months for that to happen.
Retire21.
12:06
Is the OC job less attractive if the HC calls the plays?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Somewhat but it's still a step up the ladder if you're a position coach.
Costner
12:06
I'm wishing it was draft day... what are your thoughts on the Steelers not trading any and using them all? I'm for it.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
How many do they have? 11? I can't remember the last time they drafted that many players. They would have a hard time keeping all 11. It's almost certain they'll try to trade one or two of them to move up for someone. The plan had been to acquire draft capital for a QB, but with the QB class weaker than expected, maybe it's for a WR or CB.
Retire21.
12:09
What are the important dates for free agency opening and the decision on fifth year options?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
March 9: Legal tampering period begins.
March 11: Free agents can begins to sign with teams.
May 1: Deadline to exercise fifth-year options on 2023 first-round picks.
Realist
12:11
Is Drew Allar a 4th round pick at best?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Depends on medical reports. He has enough natural talent that he could go a round or two higher.
Costner
12:12
I predict KG moves on for some nice career money. Steelers then in need of another back... Kaytron Allen fit the bill? What round if any?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Why can't he get that $$$ from the Steelers? I don't think he's going to break the bank or set the RB market.
Realist
12:12
Will Greenwood finally make the HoF?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
We'll find out Thursday. I hope he does, but Belichick did not make it with 39 out of 50 votes. Robert Kraft didn't get in either. So it's down to Greenwood, Roger Craig and Kenny Anderson. Which one of the three got 40 or more votes?
Steel Town D
12:15
What are the chances the Steelers draft 2 WR and a DB with their first 3 picks?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I don't know about the chances, but I like the idea.
Realist
12:16
What are the chances the following will make the HoF in your opinion:  Roethlisberger, A. Brown, Pouncey, Heyward, Ward, Harrison, De Castro?  Lock (L), Very Likely ( VL), Unlikely (U), No chance (NC)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Roethlisberger (L),
Brown (VL eventually)
Pouncey (L for likely)
Heyward (VL)
Harrison (???)
Ward (???)
DeCastro (UL).

I think Pouncey is on the borderline, and I think Ward and Harrison could get in someday but likely as veteran candidates. Thus the likely category.
Realist
12:21
Which team is the worst franchise in the NFL, the Browns or the Jets?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I have to go Browns, but man, the Jets are making a push!
Scott via Louisville
12:21
i read once that a writer for an online site was not impressed with weekly practices. The quote he wrote was, “practice, if you want to call it a practice, wasn’t” all that rigorous or something to that effect. I always saw that as a connection to slow starts to games and a reason we have so many soft tissue injuries. Is this view shared by you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Every team has lighter practices as the season progresses. Injuries play a big part in that. Preserving your star players is part of that too. Maybe it did have something to do with slow starts, but the Steelers aren't the only team doing glorified walk-thrus in December and January.
CT ART
12:23
As a former college interior lineman, do you think B Jones could bump inside and take over for Issac?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I don't.
Chill Dave
12:24
Hi Ray, the importance of slot corner has increased around the NFL.  Do you think the Steelers would look to that position over outside CB in the early rounds?  And is it actually the tougher position than being the CB2 (the one not tasked with taking away the top WR)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Slot CBs don't usually go in Round 1, but you do see them go off the board in the second and third rounds if they're talented.
martian
12:25
Good morning Ray! Given the news of the Post Gazette (still hoping you all find a way to stay) will you still be covering the draft as you have in the past? And if so - whens the draft prep start for you all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
We're still pumping out the content and hoping for a positive resolution. And yes, the draft will be covered thoroughly as we've done in the past. Chris Carter was at the Senior Bowl and already did a mock draft. I'll chime in with another in a week or two.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:27
Ray: much has been made about the need to restock the WR room, but what about at DB?  Samuel and Pierre are both UFAs.  Echols was exposed against the Texans.  If you cut Ramsey, only Elliot is under contract at safety and he will be coming off a gruesome injury.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
WR is the biggest need, but DB isn't far behind. Joey Porter Jr. is ready to have a breakout season, but they need to surround him with other quality players.
Realist
12:28
The chance that Watt will be traded are virtually none due to his contract, correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
The contract makes him difficult to trade, yes. But only because he's coming off a down season. If he had 20 sacks last season o one would be complaining about how much money he makes.
Realist
12:35
Why is it so difficult to evaluate college QBs for the NFL?  Lack of college programs using pro style offenses, greater complexity in NFL, speed of the game, other factors?
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