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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.08.22
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Tom M.
2:30
Much has been made about Tomlin being the only black head coach (until the recent hires) even though 70% of the players are black. However, I don’t see the players breaking down the door to play for the Steelers. I fully realize there are other factors (money?) involved but in the end, it doesn’t seem to be a priority for the players. So, the question is, could (or should) the players be doing something about this since so many others think it is a priority?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Players want (and should) the most money they can get from their employer. There are other ways players can advocate for these types of issues, but playing for less isn't one of them.
Justin
2:31
I heard different rumors after the Senior Bowl the Steelers will definitely take Pickett, Willis and/or trade for Jimmy G?  Do you think they will draft or trade for a quarterback?  I think they should take that massive DT from Georgia (Davis) with the first pick.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
It's too early to tell. We still have the combine, pro days and  prospect visits to go in the evaluation process. I like Davis though!
Shoop Shoop
2:32
If you want to see a QB struggling watch Ben's first three years. At least give Mason 3 years as a starter, too. He has the tools and throws a good deep ball.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
You mean in Year 2 when Ben won a Super Bowl? And don't respond by telling me the defense won that Super Bowl. The Steelers beat Indianapolis and Denver because they opened it up and let Ben throw early in those games, got leads and then suffocated them with their top-notch defense. Let's not revise history. Ben was excellent in that playoff run to Super Bowl XL.
Lee Haney
2:34
Ray, did you happen to see the photo of KG with Pouncey?  KG looks absolutely huge. Can't be lack of strength that is holding him back, but rather technique, and that whole snapping thing, correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I did see the photo. And yes, a lot of his issues do lie in technique. I think it's great he's seeking out Pouncey to help him with his game. That shows his desire to improve.
Jordan Davis, yes. I have too many bad memories of Artie Burns to green light this regime to draft a CB in Round 1.
Jay
2:36
Hello Ray.  According to ESPN mock draft, steelers will lean toward a QB if all the 1st round OL are gone.  Would you consider a Jordan Davis or maybe LB or secondary in the first round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Sorry. Question to answer above.
SMF
2:36
Hi Ray:  Thanks for the chats.  Haden, Schobert, Banner, and Tuitt were paid enormous salaries based on their performance and/or absence.  Unless there is an agreed massive salary cut, do the Steelers bring any of these guys back?  Why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Haden is a free agent so he's in a different category. But to answer your question on the other three, I don't think there is any way they bring back Schobert or Banner under the terms of their current contracts. Tuitt is a bit harder to predict because he's a very good player when he's available. He just hasn't been available a lot in recent years, which is why it's a decent possibility they decide to part ways with him as well.
ev
2:38
Hello Ray, Will the Steelers have summer camp at St Vincent's this year?  In addition to personnel needs, I believe they need to get back to the Steeler way.  It's part of what made them.  After all, no Super Bowl win ever came by not going to St Vincent's first.  :)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Well, it hasn't been by their design. The NFL did not allow them to return to St. Vincent last year due to a number of reasons. All depends if there are any more variants coming.
SOMD
2:39
Ray, Do you think Leighton Vander Esch would be a good free agent pick up to perhaps supplant Joe Schobert?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
All depends on how much he's willing to take. Rashaan Evans, who was drafted by the Titans in that same draft, is a free agent, too.
Javi
2:40
Hello Ray. Did Big Ben have the same buzz coming into draft that Pickett has at the moment? And any similarities in their game the Steelers might be looking for?arm strength etc..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Different types of QBs.
Ct art
2:41
Who would you rank as the top 3 offensive lineman (underclassmen included) in the draft that have a legitimate chance at being available at # 20 for the Steelers? Same for DL.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Hard to say because there are different opinions on all of these players when it's so early on the process. I think Neal from Alabama and Okwonu from NC State will be long gone. Charles Cross from Mississippi State is sometimes mentioned as a top tackle in this draft too. For the guys in range at No. 20, you have guys like Trevor Penning, Bernhard Raimann and others in that late first-round range who should be there for the Steelers. The same goes for DL. Jordan Davis might be there at 20. Travon Walker is a guy who might be there too.
leonard
2:43
Would it be wise for the steelers to trade up in this draft for a qb that they think has a big upside?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
They don't have the draft capital to make a big move up this year.
Guest
2:44
Thanks for the chats Ray.  Can you shed some light on what our cap space could get us next year?  I get we have "a lot" but what does that mean?  How many Top tier FAs could we afford?  Assume we sign Minkah, Juju at a decent price but let Haden and Tuitt walk.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I think they'll have enough cap space to sign a starter or two.
Ken
2:45
Thanks for the chats. Based upon the present roster, it would appear that WR is the biggest position of need for the Steelers with Ju Ju and Washington departing. In that the Steelers rarely let a top flight skill position player not pass by, would it be unexpected that the Round 1 pick is a WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Doubt Round 1 unless an elite WR falls to them. I'm thinking more Round 2 or 3. But maybe not if they sign a WR in free agency. Signing Smith-Schuster last March for $8 million was good value. So if they can sign him again, or someone like him for a similar amount that could negate the need to draft a WR. Or at least draft one high.
Ryan
2:46
Good afternoon Ray who looked good at the senior bowl and when is your mock draft coming i can’t wait to see what you think
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
First mock draft is going to be published tomorrow morning.  I concentrated on the QBs and offensive and defensive linemen. There were some I really liked and others with hype that I didn't like as much. I'm sure I'll write about those guys over the coming weeks and months before the draft.
Weegie
2:47
I like that Markice Pouncey is working with Kendrick Green this off season, but do you think the Steelers will go for a free agent Center? O-Line certainly needs a leader.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
A possibility for sure. Tomlin said Green has position flexibility so he could move to guard if they happen to sign one in free agency.
Yancey
2:48
If the Steelers give big $ to Minkah this summer, and considering they just gave big $ to TJ, does that affect their sense of urgency at all when it comes to beefing up the roster, and being more aggressive in acquiring a vet QB? Doesn't seem to make much sense to pay those guys if you're going to spend the rest of their prime years rebuilding.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Not really. It's all factored into their team-building plan. When you have impact players such as Fitzpatrick you want to re-sign them. You just have to make sure you draft good players to put around them.
DaveatIUP
2:49
There are several free agents on the current team and Free Agency begins in March.  Who do you think from the current team the Steelers will resign, and will they do that before Free agency starts or will they allow the players to test the market?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
For some, they'll try to lock up before free agency. I think they did that with Cam Sutton last year. For others, especially those who are intent on finding out their true worth on the open market, they'll wait to see how things shake out. I think they'll try to re-sign Ahkello Witherspoon and probably a few others before free agency. It's a two-way street though. Remember, agents are involved.
Tom
2:51
I would think we are in full scouting mode.   why hasn't there been an offensive line coach hired?   have you heard if Doug Marrone is a candidate?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
They're going through that process now. I haven't heard Marrone's name with the Steelers, but that doesn't mean it can't happen.
paul from sacramento
2:52
Hi Ray, Love your chats and podcasts with Brian...  What (or who) stood out most at your visit to the senior bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Thanks! I thought Pickett acquitted himself well. He was the top QB going in and I think he's top the QB heading into the combine as well. There were some really good offensive and defensive linemen down there. This is a pretty good group of offensive linemen so the Steelers should be able to address that area in the draft and feel good about it.
Chris Dolbow
2:54
Since everyone else is going to ask about QB’s all chat- what day you about the Louis Riddick interest from the team. Thanks! You da man Ray.
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