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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.18.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:48
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Salvatore
11:51
Hey Ray! Love your chats. Do you think the hire last year of Tom Bradley and now the new DB coach tries to have a different perspective on how to draft db's? I guess so far Edmunds has had positive impact on the team.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
You have to remember the scouts and GM Kevin Colbert do most of the legwork on the college prospects throughout the year. The coaches get more involved in the scouting process in January, February and March as time permits. But I do think it's good that Bradley and Austin have college experience. The NFL passing game is adopting more college principles every year and those guys saw what those offenses looked like first-hand. Plus, Austin has more extensive experience in the NFL so that will help too.
Regent Sq
11:54
Ben led the league in pics. The number of pics is increasing per year. He also led the league in passes within 3 yards of the line. Does Ben or does the coach dictate how much they run the ball and if a fullback is used as part of their offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
It's a collaborative effort. Randy Fichtner was pressed throughout the year on the pass-run ratio. He was never ever concerned about it. At least that's what he said publicly. I think they need to readjust their offense a bit. I'm not saying they have to get back to ground and pound because the league has changed, but they led the NFL in passing attempts by 45. That's almost a whole game's worth of passes. They weren't as successful as I think they hoped to be so I think there is some room for new thoughts on how to approach 2019. We all saw what the Patriots did with their ability to control the game with the run.
Ralph
11:56
Don't you agree that Mr Rooney is being to family like when wanting to meet with Brown?  Why should he care about the trouble maker any more?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Maybe he wants to find out exactly what happened to make Brown so angry. Something like this has never happened before on this scale for the Steelers. I am sure Rooney wants to avoid something similar happening in the future. He might not get any answers, but what's the harm in trying to find out. If there is something he can change when it comes to dealing with future players or team dynamics then I don't see the harm in meeting with him. Even though it might not be fruitful.
Joe Steel
11:58
Ray, While AB has obviously been heading down the wrong path for a while now, it seems to have gotten steadily & exponentially worse ever since he got knocked out by Burfict in the playoffs a few years back. I seriously think head trauma could be a factor in his erratic behavior. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
That's speculation. I'm not saying you're wrong, but we don't have any scientific evidence that's what happened. And I think some of his behavior predates that hit. Remember what Ryan Clark said a few weeks back after Brown signed his second contract in 2012. Things definitely started to change then.
Mr.Bling
12:00
Can we just get along? Keep Bell and Brown, and go forward. Is it better for us to keep them or just let them go.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Let them go. You don't give Brown away because that's not good business, but if you can get a decent draft pick for him then start over with players that want to be with the team.
Eric S.
12:01
What are some off-season necessities in your eyes?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
First and foremost, ILB and CB and of course WR if Brown is dealt.
Eric S.
12:01
Which player(s) do you believe can step up and be leaders of character for this football team? (Polamalu, The Bus, Clark) we need someone to step up.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Well, Cam Heyward can be a good leader. So can Maurkice Pouncey. But it's difficult to lead in that locker room when guys like Antonio Brown have a different set of rules than everyone else. So the head coach has to set the tone and improve the culture. Then his leaders will be able to lead more effectively. If you're looking for young leaders, T.J. Watt is a guy who can definitely step up and take on a bigger role in that regard. I think he's earned it, and I think more leadership from guys like him are needed in that room.
Mike J
12:03
What would think the Steelers record will be next year? Looking at the schedule l believe 10-6
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Way too early to tell. We don't even know when the games are scheduled yet. We just know the opponents. I will say this: If they address their needs at ILB and CB the defense can be much better. And that's the unit that let them down the most late in the season. Unlike a lot of folks, I'm not expecting a total rebuild. This team can get back to the playoffs with a few tweaks.
Greg
12:05
Brown’s behavior is making me question the policy of signing bonuses. Last CBA limited rookie contracts. Maybe the next CBA should limit signing bonuses so young athletes are more incentivized to act professionally and less like an a pre-paid jerk. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
That's a good thought, but we're trending toward more guarantees in contracts than fewer. GMs just have to make sure they're signing the right guys. Remember the Steelers signed Brown to his most recent contract just weeks after the whole Facebook Live episode. Colbert and Rooney can shoulder some blame in how this all unfolded as well. Brown takes the majority of it, but they knew to some extent that Brown was a handful to deal with. Not this extent, but they knew there was some baggage.
Dan Mucy
12:07
Hi Ray.  Love your work!  After the Twitter mess, what possibly can come of a meeting with AB and Art Rooney?   Isn't enough, ENOUGH already?    Also, can you really risk millions on Boswell next season, with so many other needs--and so many kickers who come cheaper?   Thanks and keep up the great work!  Dan
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
See above answer for the question on the Brown meeting. As far as Boswell goes, he's a big cap hit if cut. They have no problem paying him if he gets back to his 2017 form. But they have to figure out this spring and summer if he can bounce back. If he can't then you cut him and eat the cap hit. But if you think he can return to form then you keep him because from 2015-17 he was one of the best kickers in the NFL. And he was clutch to boot.
Tucson
12:09
Why is Brown still stirring the pot especially with his recent criticism of Ben?  He is going to get what he wanted, so why keep doing it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Great question. Someone theorized he's trying to sabotage his trade value so the Steelers will outright release him. They won't do that of course, but that might be his end game. Look at his mentor Terrell Owens. That's what he did in Philly.
Steeler Fam
12:10
I believe we have the 20 pick in the draft what is most likely to be available MLB or CB and if that is the case should they target one of the two in free agency so they only have to focus on one big target in the draft
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Check out my Steelers seven-round mock draft tomorrow at post-gazette.com. It's my first one of the year and it will give you an idea of their needs and which players might be available.
Heath Miller Fan
12:11
Ray, I enjoy your work.  I realize Tomlin isn’t going anywhere this year but in your opinion how badly has his reputation taken a hit.  Is the fact he is still head coach because he, Colbert and Rooney are all equally responsible for the lack of discipline i.e. late attendance at meetings (Bell, Brown), summer camp Latrobe rental home, twitter distractions (Bell, Brown)?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I think there is a level of truth to what you said. The organization as a whole has to take some responsibility for the way Brown was handled. That being said, Tomlin is the head coach and it's his responsibility to handle these types of things. And he hasn't handled them very well the past couple of years. The James Harrison thing ended badly. Now Brown...Even the way Bell declined to take his phone calls, it doesn't speak very well to how he communicates with his players -- most certainly with his star players.
Ryno
12:13
Brown will meet with Rooney, but AB is still posting nonsense on social media.  Any idea why Rooney is even bothering at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I think he wants to get his side of the story. That's it.
Ryno
12:14
The Steelers decided against taking an ILB last year in the draft when all of the best choices were gone by the time it was their turn. Are you aware of any inside linebackers that turned out to be really good that were chosen after the Steelers took their first pick, t maybe they should have grabbed?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Um yeah, Darius Leonard was selected very early in the second round, only a few picks after the Steelers took Terrell Edmunds, and he made All-Pro as a rookie.
Gallo
12:15
If Bush or white aren’t there at 20 do the Steelers move down pick the best available or draft for a need at another position like wr
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I'd say CB unless you absolutely are in love with a WR that you think can become a star.
574 Fan
12:15
With Ben's attitude/leadership being questioned as part of the recent AB rift, what is your take on how affects the locker room?  Why would his O-line love him if he had issues in this area, as some are suggesting?  When you've done what he's done, for as long as he's done it, hasn't he earned the right to be critical of anyone he feels he needs to correct, even one of the great receivers in the game?  Or is this more than that, is he really a difficult guy for some people to get along with?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Obviously, he's not well-liked by everyone in that locker room. As you say, he doesn't have to be. But your leaders must have the respect of their fellow teammates. If they don't then it's tough to be a leader. I think Ben has the respect of many of the players in that locker room. Just not all of them. Maybe it's time to weed more players out than just Brown.
Gallo
12:17
What FA at the moment do you think the Steelers should target
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
WR John Brown, who played for the Ravens last year. I don't think he'll be all that expensive. I think he played on a one-year $5 million deal last year. And that wouldn't preclude you from taking a WR in the draft if you like him. It would give you flexibility and not in a position where they HAVE to draft one.
Ryno
12:19
Did you notice ANY change in performance from Dupree as a result of moving him to the opposite side?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Not really. He still isn't able to bend the edge and get to the QB. He takes circuitous routes and often gets washed out of the play. I did, however, see a big difference with Watt. He talked openly about being able to see the field better from the left side. And he was much more productive so it was definitely worth it.
Gallo
12:20
Should the Steelers go after a cb in fa instead of the draft even if there is a top corner still available due to the fact they haven’t drafted or devolved a cb in a while and instead go with a known commodity
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