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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.07.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I can see them going a number of different ways because they have good draft capital this year. They have picks 17, 32, 49 and 80 and the one in the fourth and two in the seventh. They can go OL in round 1. Or they could do DL or CB. And then the dominos would fall at 32 and 49 depending on which direction they go.
Amy
2:31
Trying to organize the food table for the Super Bowl. What does the table at the Fittipaldo house look like (food wise).
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
I think this year we are doing homemade pizza, spinach and artichoke dip, chips and salsa and maybe a seven-layer dip. Less is more. We've gone way overboard the past few years and it goes to waste. I told my wife this year we're not making 10 different things for the four of us. She'll probably ignore me though.
DrBobbyE
2:32
Hey Ray, thanks for taking questions. I see the steelers having a fantastic draft and addressing their needs in the trenches. Kenny will be great, and he has enough weapons to  score 24 a game, recork 10-7 0r 11-6, what say you...thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
They better be 10-7 or better. They are built to win now and should get back to the playoffs unless they are unfortunate with injuries.
Guest
2:33
Under Cowher, players played their best here then were ineffective when joining other teams.  Under Tomlin, the opposite is true (Hargrave, Conner, Sanders, JuJu, etc.)  Do our coaches just not know how to use a player and/or know how to get the best out of them?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I'll give you Hargrave, but the others??? It's not like any of those guys turned into All-Pros when they left. JuJu had an OK year, but Kelce is their top receiving threat. And going back to Hargrave for a moment, they couldn't have known then Tuitt would have personal problems that would shorten his career.
The Real TP Hunter
2:35
Hi Ray, thanks for your time. Alex Highsmith had a great season with 14.5 sacks, but he certainly wasn't a difference maker when TJ Watt was injured. If he is essentially a very good complementary player, is he worth $15-20 million a year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Less than that. I think $12 a year is a fair price for him. Or in that ball park.
Pikachu
2:35
Hi Ray, do you think Moore or Okorafor have hit their ceilings as linemen, and which do you think is more likely to be bumped from the starting lineup if the Steelers draft a tackle early?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Based on play and contract structure I am guessing Moore would become the swing tackle if they get a starting caliber player at 17. Or the swing tackle in time. If they draft a tackle early it's not set in stone he'd have to start right away. It could happen anytime during the season. That's the nice thing about bringing back five starters. They won't be forced to make any changes. A draft pick could force their hand, but that would be good news because he'd be proving he's ready to play over an established NFL starter.
20 year old illegal helmet
2:38
Talking corners, do you think the length physicality of a guy like Porter is much more intriguing to the Steelers than shorter, faster and more explosive guys. Witherspoon is fast and physical despite his size...best corner IMO. Maybe a good compromise, and maybe he falls because he's only 180 lbs.?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I think the bigger corners with CB1 traits go earlier than the smaller CBs. It's always been that way. Doesn't mean those guys always pan out, but teams tend to take chances on bigger guys with elite athletic profiles earlier in the draft. The smaller ones tend to fall down boards. Many of them turn out to be really good players though.
Rodney R
2:39
Any comp picks awarded for Flores being hired as DC? Or is that for HC hires only?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
No comp picks for Flores. He had to stay for more than one year.
KDub
2:41
What does Jerry O coach? I always thought he coached inside backers before this season.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
He did until Flores arrived. His role changed. I guess he can always go back to his old role, but that would be kind of weird I think.
Ed in Carrick
2:42
Is the 3rd RB on the roster now?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Maybe it's McFarland, but usually the No. 3 RB plays special teams and more than just a returner.
Justin
2:43
Would you draft the QB Hooker in the middle rounds to back-up Pickett or would you use say your third round pick on a more pressing need?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
They have five picks in the first four rounds and I'd be surprised if they used one of those on a QB. Maybe with one of their two in the seventh.
Mike in Oakland
2:44
I’d suggest ILB is one of the hardest positions to play as to stop the run and drop into coverage. Lots of different skill sets   It doesn’t seem like the Steelers value the position much just as they don’t seem to value OT. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I would agree with that. And it's not that they don't value ILBs. It's just hard to project which ones will have success in the NFL. It might be the hardest position to play.
DaquidoBazzini
2:44
Hi Ray- Some seem to think the Steelers should deal that 32nd pick. I like the thought of getting three players out of the first 49 picks. What do you think??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Again, it will depend on how their board falls. If they see equal value from 32-40 and they can trade down and still get a player they want they'll consider it. But so much goes into that.
GM
2:46
Hi Ray, I saw some murmurs on a 2 letter app about how bad Austin was as DC his 1st year, what's were your thoughts about his coaching?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
He was great when TJ Watt was playing and terrible when he didn't. I'll let you in on a secret. Any DC would have had similar results. That's why the Steelers have to find some better depth behind Watt and Highsmith in free agency or the draft. And they need to get younger on the defensive line, which is aging.
Oldfan
2:47
The Steelers defense seemed to go kaput when Mr Watt  was out.  With his injury history and the importance of an edge rusher, shouldn’t a quality  OLB also be a high priority ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Yes it should be.
Jeff Lebowski
2:48
From your time covering the Senior Bowl, who should be on the Steelers radar & why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
I was impressed with the offensive and defensive linemen there. Plenty of guys in Day 2 and 3 range for the Steelers and other teams.
Mercury
2:48
Why does someone like Jim Haslett get involved with something like the XFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
The paycheck.
Kevin Colbert
2:48
Anthony Miller was a having a very good camp before the injury sidelined him for the year. Is he a viable option to alleviate the need to draft a wide receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Perhaps. But whether it's through the draft or free agency they have to bring in some competition for Miller and Austin for the No. 3 role behind Pickens and Johnson. Depth is an issue at WR if one of the starters has a long-term injury.
Mercury
2:49
Did you watch any of that “Pro Bowl” nonsense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Not one minute.
Stash
2:50
Ray, your fellow PG Chat Master Mackey was bragging (quite egotistically) that he had 81 chat participants interested in the cheapest franchise in the history of organized sport. So, care to provide your participation volume? Gracias.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
229 at the moment.
Ryan
2:50
Good afternoon Ray how did Isaiah foskey look at senior bowl i know he’s from the same hometown as Najee
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