You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.06.24
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
NFL stadiums aren't like baseball parks. They're all kind of the same to me to be honest. But I do think the newer stadiums in LA and Vegas are nice. I just wish they had grass rather than artificial surface.
KJ
2:31
What do you feel the likelihood is that the Steelers land Ryan Tannehill in FA given his past success with Arthur Smith?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Hard to say at this juncture, but I think if Tannehill wants to play for $6-8 million a year it's something the Steelers should consider.
Lonely in Wisconsin
2:32
Who hires a receivers coach? Mike Tomlin, Arthur Smith, both? Any input from Art Rooney?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Smith and Tomlin.
Josh H
2:33
Less than 1% chance Fields becomes a steeler?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Yes
UpstateNY Fan
2:34
There seems to be a fair amount of grumbling amongst the fans on hiring Smith as OC because of his apparent bias towards the run game, but aren't MT / AR just taking advantage of the team's current strength?  Roethlisberger's first few years @ QB were dominated by the run game, and the current superbowl contenders certainly don't shy away from the run game.  It's not like Smith is advocating the "3 yards and a cloud of dust" methodology.  Whatever happened to run/pass balance?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I think most knowledgeable fans acknowledge it's a hire that can work. For one, Smith has enjoyed success in the league as a coordinator. For another, his offensive identity meshes with how the Steelers want to build their offense.
Jana
2:35
It seems to me that a good run game with play action with shots down field when dictated would be great for Kenny’s development.  What are your thoughts???
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
A good running game and play-action off it is any QB's best friend.
Stash
2:36
Ray, if Mobile is so great, why must one fly into Pensacola to get there? It’s basically  Altoona with more humidity, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I flew into Mobile via Atlanta although many fly into Pensacola. But hey, they have Mardi Gras down there. Did you know that's where the first Mardi Gras was? New Orleans just made it better. At least that's what my Uber driver told me.
Gene
2:38
Would you draft one of the top centers in round 1 or wait until the next couple of rounds,
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
It's a pretty decent class of centers, but you always chance teams at the top of Round 2 taking centers. That's where NFL teams prefer to draft centers.
RJT
2:39
Russel Wilson had a 98 rating, 26td, and 8 picks last year. Why don’t you think that would be a good fit with the Steelers if they don’t give up too much?  Him being outted in Denver is obviously because of his relationship with Peyton and not because of play. Isn’t dealing with personalities something Tomlin is good at? AB for example.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I just don't see Wilson being a guy who could elevate the Steelers to a Super Bowl contender. It's been a while since he was that guy.
AK
2:40
Would you say the Steelers’ biggest need is a DL to replace Cam?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
It's certainly one of their biggest needs.
LYM
2:40
Given the talent available at CB, C and OT, if you were GM, would you go OT, DL, C with the first three picks and wait until the fourth round to get your CB or something different?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Or maybe take CB in the top three and wait for a tackle in the later rounds. I think tackle is in play for the Steelers in Round 1, but they did carry a couple of tackles on the 53-man roster they are developing. One is Dylan Cook and the other is Spencer Anderson, who can play all three positions on the line. Just keep this in mind: the coaches thought Anderson was best at tackle in camp.
APK
2:43
How can Greenwood get in the HoF?  I know it has to go through the Veteran’s Committee.  Can’t there be a push to get him in?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Yes. They've been trying to get Andy Russell in for years. And soon Hines Ward could be one of those guys. It's challenging when there are so many Steelers already in the Hall of Fame. There is definitely a Steelers fatigue among voters whether that's right or not. It's definitely a thing.
LYM
2:44
Is Jerry Rice‘s kid or Christian McCaffrey’s brother someone they would look at each one of their fourth round picks?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
That's about where they'll go. Rice had some issues with drops at USC, but he obviously has great bloodlines. He doesn't lack for confidence I'll tell you that. He seemed to have a rather high opinion of himself when I was in some interview scrums with him. McCaffrey seems to me he'll be one of those overachievers in the NFL. I think he'll be a productive pro because it means something to him.
62 Stack Monster
2:47
Hi Ray, Arthur Smith's offense requires WRs to block.  I wonder if our divas are up for the challenge?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
They better be. All good offenses have WRs who are willing blockers.
Jeff
2:47
Thanks for the chats Ray.  I am looking forward to mock drafts.  I am hearing the DL crop isnt great, anyone you think is first round grade?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Maybe one or two. Jer'Zhan Newton is likely the first DL to go off the board. He played at Illinois and was the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year.
SteelerZs Fan in Enemy Territory
2:48
How much of an impact does a WR coach have and will a new WR coach be able to get DJ and GP better focused and be more of a team player?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Hard to say because some WRs are unreachable, but you have to try to find guys who can relate to them and impart to them how their roles can be important to the team's success whether they're catching 10 passes a game or 1 a game.
mrbig
2:50
What are your thoughts on the Eagles opener on a friday night? They nfl finally broke the wall and "competes" with high school football... I hate it-
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
I don't like it. High schools should have the spotlight on Friday nights. But if you thought the NFL was going to turn its back on an opportunity to make more $ then you're not paying attention to how they're approaching their broadcasts.
Ryan
2:52
Good afternoon Ray do you think we resign killebrew and also what do you think about us drafting Frazier the center from West Virginia as a pick
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
Frazier would be a good pick. He seems to be recovering well from his broken leg so that doesn't seem like it will be an issues for teams. We'll see what he does at the combine and his pro day.
Joe TronzoBFalls
2:53
Do you think the Steelers will target a position they determine the "greatest need?" Or, with so many position needs at C, OT, DL, CB, ILB, and S, do they have the "luxury" of selecting the highest rated player on the board?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
They should definitely select the highest-rated player at a position of need.
Nf Bill
2:53
Hey Ray! What realistic chance do you give  Le’Veon Bell to return to the Steelers even as a practice squad player or do you feel Levon would not do practice squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Yeah he'd have to be one of those expanded practice squad players. Don't see him eating up a lot on the 53-man roster. He'd be a No. 3 RB who doesn't play on special teams. You don't dress guys like that. But he could be a guy you stash on the practice squad in case there is an injury. Of course, he'd have to earn that by showing he can still play. It's been a while since he's been the Le'Veon Bell of 2017.
Steelers Nation Jersey Chapter
2:56
I think that center is the most critical area on our line that needs to improve immediately. Who is your choice for the best center to be drafted by the Steelers? Jackson Powers-Johnson, Zach Frazier, or Sedrick Van Pran.
Connecting…