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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.20.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
It's been quiet there, but I think they'd like to have him back in some capacity.
Poppop
12:25
Why not give Nate Herbig a try at Center .. he did well when he played a couple of games at guard .. has played center with Jets .. and played next to Kelsey with the Eagles .. plus he is bigger than Cole ( if that means anything)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Well, if they cut Cole that's what would happen if they don't get Powers-Johnson or Frazier in the draft.
Mike Brown
12:26
Ray, I watched the North Shore Podcast where you and Chris Carter discussed draft busts.  I agree draft misses set the franchise back.  I believe the 2020 decision to take Chase Claypool over Jalen Hurts is an example.  Hurts could have been Ben’s understudy for a year and they could have had succession planning.  I don’t think they do a good good of succession planning.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
You make a very good point there especially since 7 was coming off his elbow surgery. Maybe they didn't have a good grade on Hurts. Maybe they wanted to maximize whatever time 7 had left. Another example is what the Packers did with Jordan Love. They didn't care if they ruffled Arron Rodgers' feathers. They were planning for the future. It was awkward at times, but it looks like they are going to be a factor in the NFC for years to come with Love behind center.
the real guest
12:28
Ray, Cam has one maybe two years left to play. The Steelers have zero shot at a SB this season. Perhaps Cam should ask to be cut and then sign with one of the 6 or 7 teams that has a real chance. Cam deserves a ring. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I don't see Cam wanting to do that.
Obxandy
12:29
Ray,
I have seen many people criticize 49ers for receiving OT kickoff. I question that criticism because that decision allowed possibility of 49ers having 3rd possession with a sudden death opportunity if game was tied after each team had a possession. Obviously, it did not work out that way. Your thoughts. Thanks.
Obxandy
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I tend to think the OT discussion was overblown, too. If the 49ers scored a touchdown on their drive instead of a field goal no one is talking about it. Shanahan was being aggressive and putting the game in the hands of his QB and the tremendous supporting cast they've assembled around him. Shanahan fired DC Steve Wilks a few days after the game. Remember, the Chiefs had second-and-15 on their OT possession. It's a team game. The defense has to step up and end the game there. I thought the decision to come out in soft coverage in second-and-15 was a bad move by Wilks. It got third-and-manageable and then Mahomes hit Rice for a first down in 49ers territory. From there, we all knew what was going to happen.
Brad
12:33
Hey ray. If a draft is strong with o linemen or wr in any year wouldn’t it be smart to draft a player in each position regardless if you need one or not. Eventually you will use those players due to injuries or free agency. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
The Steelers should be drafting best player within reason. In other words, they're not taking an edge rusher or a RB in the first round, but they should take BPA at just about every other position on their team.
Terry
12:35
Good Morning Ray!    What are the key requirements for the inside linebacker position that would exclude a talent like Nick Herbig, for example?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Coverage ability I am guessing.
ct stan
12:36
Do you think drafting a corner in round one or two is more important than a C, OT, DT this year seeing we have Porter I think I will be a shutdown corner already.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I view CB, C and DT about the same in terms of importance. Not saying they don't draft an OT in Round 1, but they just invested a first-round pick in Jones last year and they have Moore under contract along with Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook, both of whom were carried on the 53-man roster all last season. That means they want to develop them and believe there is upside there.
Star
12:38
Raymond, You're a wonderful man (Joe S voice) The Steelers have struggled to find D Ends for their system. It's understandable considering they are basically looking for hybrid DT and DE and colleges aren't producing them. Does anyone in Free Agency fit their mold? Can you see them changing their system to adapt to traditional DT's and DE's?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
They're not changing their system, but I know their view is they're only in base 33% of the time. I think guys like Heyward and Aaron Smith are important because they're bigger bodies and they're stout against the run. The risk you take when you have smaller linemen in the game, especially on early downs, is the run defense. But you are right. The colleges just aren't producing those types of players anymore.
Ronztheman
12:40
If you don't have a line to protect you only the very best QB's will shine and the Steelers don't and won't find that person anytime soon.  OL all the way don't you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
They'll draft an OL on the first two days of the draft. I can almost guarantee that.
RFS
12:41
Have Steelers fans ever had QB worse than they have now?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
What about the Kent Graham era? The David Woodley era? The Mark Malone era? (Even though Malone led them to an AFC championship game). I'm not saying Pickett is better than any of those guys. I guess we'll see what he does in his last-chance season.
Tom
12:43
Ray, OT or OC assuming that Latham, Mimms, Guyton, Fuaga are available for OT and Powers-Johnson and Frazier for OC?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
I'd take Latham in that scenario.
Tom
12:43
Ray would you go after Wilkins, DT from MIA and cut Ogunjobi?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
Wilkins won't be cheap. The Dolphins can tag him too. We'll have a much better idea on all of these soon-to-be-free agents once teams decide what they're doing with their tags.
Ryan
12:45
Good afternoon Ray with Mitch getting released last week i think we draft bo nix and I think we draft either the Iowa or the byu punter with harvin getting released what do you think
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
They'd be crazy if they drafted Nix.
Bill
12:46
Why has Chuks not been released yet? Both Trubisky and Harvin hit the transactions long ago
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Chucks was released the same day as Trubisky.
Andrew in ATL
12:47
Which position do you think the Steelers view as a higher priority to upgrade in the draft, C or OT?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Both but immediately center.
Quinn
12:47
Good afternoon, and thanks for all the work and insight.  Your thoughts on (a) fit  and (b) likelihood of signing of: J Madubuike, Christian Wilkins, DJ Readers.  Weak draft class for DT apparently
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Let's see what happens with the tags before we get too excited about any of the free agent possibilities.
Rocky’s Wife
12:48
Do you see a 10 year starting center in this draft in the mould of What the team has come to expect
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
You never really know, but Powers-Johnson has that look about him.
Greg
12:49
Let's say the Bears read your chat (like everyone should!) and we get Fields for a 3rd round pick. Then what? KP goes to QB2 and has to beat out to be QB1? Another "open" QB competition?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Yeah if Fields is acquired he's the starter and you find out about him.
Renegade
12:50
Related to Obxandy's comment. 49er's were also coming off a drive that had their D on the field extensively when KC tied the game. Smart to get a breather there as well for the D. Again - did not work - but a factor that may have played a role when deciding to receive.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
Good point.
Chuck from Michigan
12:51
Hi Ray, who do you pick in terms of priority and Steelers needs? I like Quinyon Mitchell, DB-Toledo, Kris Jenkins, DL-Michigan, Steele Chambers, ILB-Ohio State with Steelers first three picks.  Thanks for your chats.
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