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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.04.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get it going.
Devon
1:58
Ray, is there a deadline from the Steelers organization to see if Big Ben is able to throw like a professional QB again?  If he shows he is unable to throw properly, do you think he'd retire, or would the Steelers be forced to cut him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I don't like to deal in those what-if scenarios when there is no indication Roethlisberger won't return to full health. I suppose a decision would have to be made by one of the parties, yes. But Ron Cook had some news yesterday. Ben is expected to begin throwing light objects after his Feb. 21 doctor's appointment in Los Angeles, if all goes well. He also told Ron he expects to take part in OTAs in May.
Tom
2:00
Ray, what was with MAhomes throwing a long pass on the last play of the SB? Seemed like the Chiefs could have easily run down the clock with a kneel down. Seemed a bush league move, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Not bush league. Just a way to end the game without giving the ball back to SF. He threw it in the air as high as he could. He wasn't trying to make a play. In fact, he brought down his completion percentage.
Bill
2:01
Do you think the steelers would consider trading up if a top running back slips to late in the first round or into the second round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
With what? They only have five picks right now. They should get a sixth -- a compensatory third-round pick when the NFL announces those. They have a lot of needs. I see them using all of their picks.
FineLine
2:02
What is happening with the latest allegation of the Patriots taping the Bengals signs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Goodell said at the Super Bowl the investigation is ongoing. I imagine the discipline will be announced in the next few weeks. If they are going to dock the Patriots a draft pick they'll have to give them a few weeks notice.
Johny
2:03
From what I see Ray we are Far behind many teams honestly and “still“ one of the favorites To win SB next year I dont see what this vegas people are seeing that I’m not, Ben been out for long plus His uncertainty, hopeffully they are right.. any thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I actually think with Ben back at full health they are among the best teams in the AFC. I'd put the Chiefs, Ravens and Patriots ahead of them, but probably not another team. I really like their defense, and I think if the coaches tweak the offense a little and commit to the run game a little more the offense will be good enough to contend.
mrbig
2:05
Am I wrong to say that Faneca deserves to be in the hof MORE than Troy? Troy's style was unique, but was often injured. Faneca was a beast & an amazing pulling guard, I think started more games. The steelers needed Alan more than they needed Troy in order to win. Troy has 1 more ring... what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I think they both are more than deserving. It's a shame Faneca has had to wait so long. The voters put Steve Hutchinson in before him. Faneca had a better resume -- six All-Pros compared to Hutchinson's five. He was more versatile. And please don't tell me the voters use the eye test for offensive linemen. 95 percent of the people in that room don't know how to evaluate offensive line play.
TheChotGun
2:07
Ray, I just returned from the superbowl and was amazed by the wild food selection at the stadium (nevermind the halftime show! sheesh!). Ox Tail!?!? What sort of exotic food items do you think would be most popular at Heinz Field?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Ox tail? That is different... How about fries and slaw on sandwiches at Heinz? Out of towners probbaly think that's exotic.
Jacque Strap
2:09
Hi Ray, who are some of your favorite Twitter follows -- people you like for NFL draft content, or for any other reason?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network is a good follow. I also follow the usual suspects from ESPN - Kiper and McShay. Rob Rang of nfldraftscout is another good one. There are a bunch of others. Too many to list.
Nate
2:10
Hi Ray, what positions do you think the Steelers will target in FA?  And do you think that they'll just be depth players considering their limited cap space?  Would love to see a potential starter though.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
At this point, unless there is a purge of high-priced veterans, I would expect they'd target depth players in free agency. Maybe a backup TE. Maybe a back up guard/center. Maybe a backup OLB shoiuld they cut Chickillo.
Jay
2:12
Ray,  KC and SF showed the importance of a TE.  If a solid TE is available in the 2nd rd I think that would be a wise move. How do you see it?   Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Sure, if they really have a high grade on a TE I can see them using their pick in the second round on a TE. But there aren't a lot of complete TEs in this draft. Most of the top-rated ones are pass catchers. In other words, bigger slot receivers. When I look at the Steelers and their needs, I think they need help to improve their running game more than another target for Ben. That's just my personal opinion. We'll see how the Steelers feel about that in a couple of months.
rcc prof
2:14
The Steelers have 27 Hall of Famers. Where does that put them on the list of teams with HOF'ers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
That's a lot of research for a chat, RCC. But I'll see if I can come up with some information on that for next week.
OKC Dave
2:14
Since it appears Faneca won't get in the HOF because they don't value lineman, who's the next Steeler to get in? Hines doesn't appear to have the resume.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Faneca will eventually get in. They put Kevin Mawae in in 2019, Hutchinson this year. Faneca will be up against Boselli next year. I think he has a good chance.
Artie Bridge
2:15
Did Nick Vannett show the Steelers enough to earn re-signing?  What kind of $ will he command, either on the fa market or with Pittsburgh?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I could see the Steelers signing him for $2-3 million a year. He's a backup. Maybe another team will offer him more, but that's probably as much as the Steelers are willing to go for him.
BringBackWeegie
2:16
Ray, assuming Bud is gone after next year, when do the Steelers get around to finding his replacement?  Or is he already on the squad?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I think that's an issue for the 2021 draft. And maybe by then Ola Adeniyi or someone else steps up.
Heath Miller Fan
2:18
Ray, I really enjoyed your mock draft yesterday.  That article gives fans much food for thought this time of year and the Georgia tackle sounds like a stud
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Thanks. With the first mock draft I always try to identify team needs and the strengths and weaknesses of the draft. The players will fluctuate in the coming weeks after the combine and pro days. I can see them taking a RB, TE or WR in the same spot. But tackle is a deep position in this draft, and the Steelers have to begin addressing their aging unit at some point. Why not this year?
Steeler in Virginia
2:20
I saw one prominent website post a mock draft with the Steelers taking a CB with their 2nd rounder. I know it's early and BPA and everything, but can you think of a position in less need of picks right now than CB, other than kicker?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
No, I can't. That's why you should always get your draft information from local writers. They know team needs and the team's tendencies better than anyone on the national stage.
John Strange
2:21
If you had to make a decision today, which head coach would you pick? Kyle Shanahan or Mike Tomlin? And for the "be careful what you wish for crowd" are there ANY head coaches hired after Tomlin was in 2007 that you would rather have?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I'll take Tomlin. Shanahan is obviously a good coach. He got the 49ers to the Super Bowl. But that clock management at the end of the first half was bad. Then his decision to call passing plays with a lead in the fourth quarter was puzzling. The 49ers barely passed at all in their first two playoff games. Then, when the situation called for running the most, he began to pass? It was quite puzzling.
AFCBigPicture
2:22
Two part question:
1) Gut feeling: Do the Steelers believe Ben has 2 more years left before they need to move on?
2) Watching Mahomes, I couldn't help but see someone they won't be able to draft a QB that goes toe-2-toe with. Does this change how they proceed in building the team for the future?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I answer the second part of your questions first. Everyone thought Marino and Rodgers would get to multiple Super Bowls after they got there as young players. Marino never got back, and the sun is setting on Rodgers. So as much as I like Mahomes I'm not going to sit here on Feb. 4 and pencil them in for the next 5 Super Bowls. Stuff happens. It's a competitive conference. Lamar Jackson is on a rookie contract in Baltimore. The patriots will be contenders if Brady returns...As for Ben and the Steelers, I don't think they'll know until this summer, but everyone has been positive when asked about a return to playing.
Steeler in Virginia
2:25
Steelers have had a lot of success turning undrafted players into quality starting linemen (prior to Munchak leaving, I'm aware). Do you think this gives them more confidence to draft WR/TE/RB before turning to the OLine?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
You are right. They have had a lot of success doing that. But where are those players now? BJ Finney is an unrestricted free agent. He's 28. They haven't committed to him as a starter yet. I don't see them doing it now. Do we know anything about JC Hassenauer? He was on the practice squad for most of the season. Their backup tackles are draft picks. So unless they sign a UDFA this summer who ends up making the roster I just don't see the depth to project that.
Micah
2:27
Is there a center in the upcomng draft the Steelers might take to groom as Pouncey’s successor?
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