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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.04.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
It's a good CB class in the draft. But they probably do have to sign at least one CB in free agency. Even if they have identified Cory Trice as a future starter they can't go into the season with him as the only option because of his injury history. And you never want to go into a draft having to draft a certain position. Free agency is for filling in the holes so you don't do that.
epiballo
12:32
Thanks for the chats and articles Ray! Loved your article on the George Pickens decision. You laid it out quite plainly. Having clearly laid out the options, which do you think they should pursue?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Trade.
Steeler Joe
12:32
Why do the Steelers not have a "tush push" in their playbook? It seems like coaching malpractice at this point not to take advantage of the trend -- and it's not like we don't have the beef to get it done. And we sure could have used it a couple of times down the stretch on third and fourth downs.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Well, they didn't do it very often with Justin Fields because he either can't take snaps from under center or they don't feel comfortable with him doing it. But with a QB like Wilson, even though he's not big, the tush push should be a staple in any NFL playbook. The Eagles line up two TEs behind Hurts have them push him forward rugby-style. What's stopping the Steelers from doing the same. If I were a coach, I'd put two backup offensive linemen in there to do it. It's not rocket science.
Steeler Joe
12:34
Is it possible that Justin Fields will command a higher salary in free agency than Russell Wilson? It could turn out that Fields isn't the economical choice in the end for the Steelers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
No. Wilson will command a higher salary. If you recall, Fields did not draw a lot of interest in the trade market last winter.
David O.
12:35
Hey Ray, do you think the league committee will allow more types of plays and penalties to be reviewed next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
They should, but then again, do you have any faith replay assist will get it right? I don't.
epiballo
12:36
Assuming they do not resign Harris, do you see Warren becoming the RB1 (in a committee approach), or do you see them signing a FA? Who do you see as a 'home run' RB pick in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Yes committee approach With Warren 1A and the new draft pick as 1B.
epiballo
12:36
How deep is the DL crop this draft? Could the Steelers get a sure fire pick outside of the first round? That has to be the priority ... do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Yes it should be a top priority. I don't think you want to wait until the second round if you know you can get a difference-maker in Round 1 especially when the colleges haven't produced defensive linemen in great number in recent years. This class is an outlier, which is why you might want to get one early.
mrbig
12:39
why do I sit on my couch and know:
1) Warren should start over Harris
2) CP should not get snaps
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
You weren't the only one.
Steeler fan in NE
12:39
Ray , enjoy the chats . How many players away , at what positions  & years in your estimation are the Steelers from becoming an elite team again ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
QB obviously. They need a legit No. 1 receiver without baggage and another good WR on top of that. They need the offensive line to gel. They need at least one and maybe two good defensive linemen. And they need a CB opposite Porter. Is that far away?
Wayward
12:40
Ray, thanks for the chats.  Which is deeper in this draft WR or DL?  If the Steelers go these 2 spots 1/2 are they going to get impact guys who really fill their needs
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I think the DT class is more top heavy. As always, you can get starting receivers or contributors in the middle rounds of the draft.
itsallmoot
12:41
Don't live in Pgh but seems like most of the hostility is directed at Tomlin but shouldn't it be directed mostly at ARII?  He's the one not recognizing Tomlin's shortcomings and helping him overcome these?  Most agree he's not good with X's & O's for today's game...why not force him to get a more talented Coordinator like Spagnolo?  He's not good at ID'ing talent...reduce control into player personnel decisions? Rooney seems so afraid of losing MT (3 yr extension) seems like he won't make the big boy decisions.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
I think Art Rooney II is getting as much heat if not more this offseason. And he's noticed. I think he said his inbox is full when he was asked about fan disappointment last week.
MP Jams 2
12:42
Ray - have your changed your mind about selecting Milroe after his Senior Bowl performances?  Also, I noticed you mocked only one defensive tackle in the draft.  Were you anticipating the team would sign a DT in free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Yes I think they will sign a free agent DT if they cut Ogunjobi.
Chris P.
12:43
Too early to tell, obviously. But… if you had to guess, what do you think the Steelers plan at WR is? Could you see a Cooper Kupp as an option? Feels like he would be a good mentor to a drafted WR.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
I agree. I think Kupp has some gas left in the tank. But does he want to play for the Steelers? If he's cut he'll be a free agent and will get to pick where he goes. He might be in a mode at his age where he's chasing Super Bowls, not paychecks.
Franco’s Army
12:44
When many say the Steelers defense is too predictable.   Is it time to MAKE Tomlin actually stay away from the defense side or hire a real Defense coordinator.  I know he thinks he is a defensive guru but it’s clear he needs a more dedicated resource
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
I don't think when you pay a coach $50 million you strip him of his duties. You're paying him that much because you believe he's capable.
Lenny from NY
12:45
Good morning Ray. What are your thoughts on letting Wilson and fields go and sign Daniel Jones to be a bridge if we draft Dart or Howard? IMO Jones Has a better arm than fields and is somewhat mobile. Also if Wilson and Fields leave will we get any compensatory picks next year for them?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
But then you'd be breaking in a new QB. At least Wilson or Fields has a year under their belt in the system.
PODOG
12:45
Ray when are Steelers going to make some changes to the coaching staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
Aaron Curry left last week. You'll see a couple more leave in the next week or two.
TVC15
12:46
Question: If the Steelers had Patrick Mahomes (or Josh Allen or Joe Burrow) would they sill have lost to the Ravens in the first round of the playoffs? I mean maybe not the blowout by halftime but still lost? That defense is pretty awful.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Definitely would have had to outscore the Ravens, who let their foot off the gas pedal in the second half. That could have been 56-14 instead of 28-14. After a while they put Jackson in bubble wrap and didn't run him anymore.
A. Roy
12:48
Morning Ray. Now that the dust has settled, any input as to why this team collapsed at the end. Up till the Philly game, this team was looking good in all 3 phases. Yes, the teams they faced at the end were good teams, but this was a come-to-a-halt disaster.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
All three phases declined over the final five weeks of the season. Art Rooney said the team lost confidence. I saw Cam Heyward say the schedule was a factor. And there were major issues with cohesion on defense and offense. They peaked in early December, which is something you never want to do. You want to peak in January. I can't remember the last time I felt confident in a Steelers team late in the season. It seems like they always falter down the stretch.
WestCoast Steeler
12:50
Do you trust Arthur Smith to run an offense that takes advantage  and of and builds upon Fields skill set?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
I do. He had Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee. He was a good athlete. Not as good a runner as Fields but probably a little better passer. I think there are some similarities there.
Tom M.
12:51
Instead of (or in addition to) doing mock drafts, have you considered creating your own list of the top 100 the Steelers should draft?  That would be based on talent and needs. The would get through the first 3 rounds. Obviously, the top players wouldn’t likely to be available when the Steelers pick but that’s OK.  It would be your own version of the Steelers draft board and it would be Intersting to see how they pick vs. your board.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
We did a big board last year and we'll do another one this year. We went five or 10-deep at every position. We didn't break it down by top 100 but we did it by position. Look for that in the coming weeks at post-gazette.com. I'll be sure to send out a link once it's complete.
Jack
12:52
Since the Steelers are light on the DL can they talk to Tuitt about coming back?
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