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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.18.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
You're on the right track. Read my mock draft tomorrow on post-gazette.com!
Bob from Poconos
12:37
There is a lot of speculation that 2019 could be a make or break year for Coach Tomlin.  He has been a head coach for 12 seasons, what are the chances of major improvement in the areas where he struggles, such as preparation for sub 500 teams, Control of players such as AB, clock management and challenges?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
He better improve. If he's not signed to a contract extension the writing is on the wall. He has to get back to the playoffs and create a winning culture again.
chest up eyes up grow up
12:38
Is Art going to lay out the Steelers options to Antonio in no uncertain terms or will he play the peace maker and capitulate to some of the FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) that AB has been spewing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Honestly, I just think Rooney wants to know his side of the story so he can attempt to prevent this from happening again. I don't think there is any way Brown can return to the team.
Polamalu43
12:39
Ray, better trade? Ab to Cards for 4th round pick and LB Hassan Riddick OR AB to Oak for 5th round pick and CB Gereon Conley?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
No thanks to either.
George in OKC
12:40
Isnt funny how the draft works? The ravens jump the Steelers in the second round and draft Max Williams. The Steelers take J James in the 5th. James is rated as the number two TE available and Williams is rated as just a guy
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
I know. The draft is so unpredictable. Funny how that works out sometimes.
Doyle37
12:40
Why won't Steelers trade up to get quality CB or LB ? A 3rd round pick can't be that valuable .
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
They might. But you can't give up your entire draft to do it, especially in a year when you have so many other needs.
Swannie
12:41
Ray - How much, if anything, does Mr Rooney reveal after his meeting with AB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Good question. Art usually only talks once or twice a year, but he could have something to say after this is all done.
Abe
12:42
How much can the tell about Boswell in the spring and summer? Don’t they pretty much need to see him in game pressure situations?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
You can create competition in training camp and then certainly in preseason games. It's not the same pressure as real games, but you can learn what you need to know.
George in OKC
12:42
Even if they added a few difference makers this year via the draft or free agency, is there reasons to optimistic about the defense. Maybe it’s more of what there doing instead of who they are doing it with
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
I think the talent, or lack thereof, is more of an issue. No doubt they can get better in all areas, but I think talent is a bigger issue than you let on.
The Windber Rambler
12:44
After Antonio leaves, what attribute in a potential drafted Recieiver do the Steelers value the most, you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
Speed, ability to stretch the field, a playmaker. JuJu and Washington aren't fast. They're not slow, but they don't threaten safeties down the field.
Jeff M
12:45
Do you think signing either Sean Lee or Thomas Davis and drafting an ILB early could help fix the problem there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
I wouldn't be opposed to Sean Lee at the right price. He still under contract with the Cowboys but is a candidate to get cut. Thomas Davis is too old in my opinion.
WV Black & Gold
12:45
Ray, which do you think bothers players the most?  That Brown acted the way he did, or that Coach Tomlin openly gave him a different set of rules.  Thanks for the chat!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
Both.
Pammy Whammy
12:46
Do you foresee any officiating changes coming down the pike as far as holding the refs more accountable and setting them up better for success instead of failure? Full time employee status, maybe?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
The owners will discuss that at the combine and again at their spring meeting, but I don't get the sense that there will be significant changes.
Ralph LA
12:46
Were you at all surprised at how well Cleveland did this season, especially with the midseason change in coaching? Have they drafted their way out of the cellar?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
It's hard not to when you draft as high as they have been the past few years. They were bound to get better, and they are. It's all about the QB. They seem to finally have one.
Mike
12:47
The Steelers appear to be placing more value on controlling where Bell ends up over compensation for losing him. Smart or not smart?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
I think it's smart if you know what you can get in return before you place the tag on him. If not, then it's not a smart move. Kevin Colbert is a smart GM so I think he'll have it figured out.
Smith
12:49
I wasn't dissapointed at the season at all. All games were competitive. Lots of story lines. This is supposed to be entertainment right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
I thought it was about winning, but OK.
JL
12:50
What are the chances at this point that we get anything for Brown?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
I think they'll get something in return, yes.
Doyle37
12:51
Wouldn't signing S.Lee preclude us from getting compensation for Bell ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
It depends on what he signs for, what Bell signs for. I think that's why the Steelers are considering the transition tag. You'd take the guesswork out of the compensatory formula.
Glen
12:51
Hi Ray, would you do Antonio Brown for Patrick Peterson straight up?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Yes, in a heartbeat.
Greg
12:52
How about more Nix this year, like back in the day when Bettis had Kreider?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
You don't have to convince me. You might have to convince Randy Fichtner and Ben Roethlisberger though.
Ryno
12:52
DHB is supposed to be the fastest guy on the team, so what is he doing wrong to never see the field as a receiver?
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