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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.10.26
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Wide Right
12:47
Ray, after watching the Seahawks and Patriots play defense it is clear the Steelers have been nowhere close to that level. What do you think is the most significant schematic change Graham can make? If you were him what would you alter?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
I don't know how much is scheme and how much of it was just predictability and things getting stale with Tomlin. Graham isn't going to reinvent the wheel, but sometimes change is good. He'll have different wrinkles opponents haven't seen from the Steelers. He's pretty creative in that way. I think being less predictable will make the defense better. Of course, you need the horses too. All the stars have to perform, and the Steelers certainly didn't get that last season.
Nico
12:49
Hi Ray, Jonnu Smith seemed lost in the offense this past season.  Do you think he gets another chance in a McCarthy offense or do you think he will be released or traded?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
They can move on and save a lot of money so I think they will. It's not like they're think at the position. You have Freiermuth and Washington under contract. It was a situation where they had too many mouths to feed at TE last year. Just eliminate one option and it probably solves your problem. They'd probably have to draft a TE to develop behind Freiermuth but so be it. It doesn't have to be a high pick.
epiballo
12:51
Hi Ray! Thanks for the chats. With McCarthy's preference for three WRs and with Muth the probable starter at TE, how do you see Mount Washington fitting into the perceived offensive plan?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
I think Washington is their best blocking tight end so he'll definitely have a role. Just not sure if it will be as expansive as it was under Arthur Smith.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:51
Ray: most Steeler media thought that trading Pickens was addition by subtraction and whether or not the coaching staff and players should have tolerated him will never be known, but isn't the bottom line that the Seahawks got $30m of cap space and Nick Emanwori.  The Cowboys got Pickens and the Steelers got minus $30 million (AAV), minus a 2nd rounder, Metcalf and a 3rd rounder.  I would say that Dallas and Seattle both bested the Steelers.  Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Seattle won the Super Bowl so it's hard to argue. And sure Pickens had a very good year statistically, but I'm not sure how long he'll last there or anywhere else.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:53
Ray: it seems like for at least the last 5 drafts, we pretty much knew what position group the Steelers were targetting in round 1.  WR seems like the chosen position this year.  Obviously that need is massive, but S, CB, G, and the DL could all use high picks.  Isn't it time to get back to taking the best player available within reason for need?  For instance if Caleb Downs falls to 21, why take the 5th best WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
Of course. I definitely think Khan is smart enough to do that. Downs is a player who is projected to go in the top 10, or at worst top 15. If he slides, some lucky team would grab him.
jay from Greenfield
12:54
Ray, do you see them moving a few ‘26 picks for ‘27?  They likely need to improve next years draft capital if they want to make a move for.a 1st rd QB.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
I've been thinking about that, but doing it is the hard part. Lots of other teams know the '27 QB class is much better than this year's class. So other teams will have the same idea. I think it's going to be more difficult than you think to pull that off.
62 Stack Monster
12:55
what is the significance of an all-pro designation when Shadeur Sanders was one?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
Sanders made the Pro Bowl, not All-Pro. The Pro Bowl voting process has become a joke. Players and fans vote on it. The All-Pro team is selected by a panel of football writers and others in the NFL media world. They take their responsibility much more seriously than anyone who votes for the Pro Bowl.
Matt
12:57
Hi Ray!  Any chance Cousins is a QB1 option?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Not if Rodgers wants to come back.
BH
12:58
Hi Ray, can we stop referring to Pro-Bowl appearances as some sort of indicator for a player's career success?  The players 'invited' to this farce is an embarrassment to what once was a hallowed event.   Giving these players credit for showing up because the best players didn't is not worthy of recognition.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
Amen
Cdub
12:59
Is Tua worth looking into?  Trade Watt for him, exchange of two bad contracts.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
He has a history of concussions on top of some very inconsistent play. No thank you.
Gene
12:59
Do you think the Steelers might offer the 49’s some draft picks for Mac Jones especially if Rodgers doesn’t come back?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
He'd definitely fit into that stop-gap solution who might win enough to keep you in contention.
RJ
1:00
Here is my draft:
  1. WR - Boston 6'4" Washington. 2. DL - Miller Georgia 6'4" 305. 3. WR - Either Fields from ND or Cooper from Indiana Fields is 6'4" Cooper 6'1". 4th Round. Safety - Kilgore 6'1" 211 from South Carolina. 4th (B) Guard - Roberts from Alabama 6'5" 327. Round 6. CB - Igbinosun 6'2" 192 from Ohio State. Round 7. WR - Roberts 6'4" BYU and Round 7 (B) Guard - Kearney 6'4" 310 from Florida. Would you take this draft if it actually occurred ?     
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
My first Steelers mock is coming out later this week. I like yours, but I think CB is an earlier need.
Mark in Buffalo
1:03
Two Super Bowls in a row where one Offensive line is overpowered by a superior Defense/Defensive line.  Seems to justify what Khan and Weidl have been trying to do the past couple drafts - build the trenches first to provide a solid foundation.  An indication the Steelers on on the right track? Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
Jury remains out on Broderick Jones, but I really like Fraizer and Fautanu. And I think McCormick is a solid starter. So yes, Khan has done a nice job rebuilding the offensive line. Harmon looks like a good pick last year on the DL, but they probably need to do more with Heyward turning 37 in May. I scratch my head why their run defense is so inconsistent. Is it the DL? Is it the LBs? Secondary? I know it can be a combination of everything, but man it just seemed like Seattle's front was more stout up front. Same with the Texans and Broncos too. When it comes down to it, I'm still a little skeptical if Keeanu Benton is a nose tackle who can anchor a strong run defense. I'm sure we'll have this argument many times over the next few weeks as the combine approaches.
Whatcha say?
1:06
Hi, Ray!  With the WaPo recently eliminating their entire sports department, I feel like we are living in bizarro world.  Any updates on the PPG?  You are guys on the Steeler beat are second to none.  Hope the same doesn't happen with the PPG.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
Everyone has their fingers crossed that something positive will happen soon, but much uncertainty remains.
Woody
1:08
Please tell me the strength and conditioning staff has been replaced. The team that received the lowest player grades in the NFL and screwed up Russell Wilson should have been fired for that alone. Another wonderful Tomlin hire btw.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
Yes there is a new strength staff. They kept one holdover from the previous staff, but that's it. Pretty much a whole new staff in that department.
Darnell
1:09
Hi Ray, I’m really hoping that things will work out for you and your coworkers.  McCarthy is known for running a West Coast offense.   Can he install that system with the current roster or will he have to bring in players via the draft, free agency or trades?   Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
He just needs more playmakers, period. And I think Khan and Weidl will try to get some for him in the draft.
Entmd
1:10
Hey Ray, thanks for the chat! What’s your order assuming all things being equal for draft selection? Wide receiver D line, defensive back?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
WR definitely No. 1 need. I could make a strong argument they should draft a CB before another DL especially if Heyward comes back.
Franco
1:11
Hey Ray, why not just go with Howard and see what he has?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
Because he's never played in an NFL game of any kind. Not regular season. Not even preseason because he was injured in the summer. I'm all for making him the backup, but they won't go into the season with Howard as their starter unless there is an injury.
OK I went a little overtime today. We'll do another chat next Tuesday. Talk to you then.
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