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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.21.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Lots of players to watch In Indy. Too many to mention here. I'll have a combine preview that will publish over the weekend or early next week so watch for that at post-gazette.com
STEEL72
2:21
Hi, Ray. JJ Watt said... "I don't love my brothers THAT much." He didn't say, "I'm retired." Long shot... could the Steelers pay JJ one year 5 million (if that would be sufficiently more attractive than league min) to chase a ring with his brothers? Are than any further complications that would prevent such a pipe dream move?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
No other hurdles, but maybe the Steelers can petition the NFL about some kind of group rate for employing all three Watt Brothers.
MG
2:22
Everyone talks about the importance of drafting a CB, and I can't deny that a talent upgrade would be welcome there, but personally I am sick of watching opposing tight ends like Mark Andrews seemingly always running wide open in the middle of our defense. So for my money I would rather prioritize getting a stud ILB, by draft or FA, with the range and speed to effectively cover the intermediate middle of the field. What do you say?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
There are big hybrid types of DBs that can do that now. I'm not saying someone like Drew Sanders can't do that, but I think there are more hybrid DBs capable of matching up with Andrews and other TEs than ILBs.
Hines Ward HOF
2:23
Hypothetical question: You have your choice of offensive coordinators to run the offensive,  who would you pick, and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Andy Reid
Jay New
2:23
Thanks for the chats Ray. Its early, but any draft prospects standing out to you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Lots of them. I've watched a lot of the OL and DL prospects this week. I really like Steve Avila as a pass protector on Day 2 although he'd have to develop a lot as a run blocker. Syracuse's Matt Bergeron is the opposite. He's a terrific run blocker who has trouble in pass protection. I know people might try to tie the Steelers to the best run blockers in this draft, but this is a passing league and you have a first-round QB to protect. I see Beregeron as a guard by the way.
LarryG from Punxy
2:26
Do we notice a negative impact with the retirement of John Mitchell?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Mitchell hasn't been an on-field coach since 2017.
Tom
2:26
other than Pickett, what second year player do you think makes the biggest step forward?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
The rest of that draft class all could take a big leap, but I like Pickens because he's an athletic freak who has WR1 potential.
LarryG from Punxy
2:27
Skoronski, Van Ness, and CB's Ringo, Forbes and Gonzalez are all off the Board.  Do we take Joey Porter Jr.?  Or one of the remaining OL?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I'd probably take Broderick Jones over Joey Porter, Jr.
SteelersDave
2:28
The Lamar Jackson contract negotiations have gone on with no end in sight.  Suppose the Ravens trade him garnering a bushel of draft capital.  The Packers release Rodgers.  Would Rodgers balk at going to the Ravens because the road to the Supe in the AFC has many more obstacles than in the NFC?  If he did join the Ravens would that make the Stillers a likely fourth in the division?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Lots of what ifs there, but Rodgers got fed up with the Packers because they devalued the WR position and failed to get him or keep his top receiving weapons. And you think he'd be happy in Baltimore? They scout receivers about as well as the previous Steelers regime scouted corners? The Ravens are completely devoid of talent at WR.
Guest
2:30
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Tell me how the steelers don't fall into this trap. Keep Tomlin, keep Canada, keep the coaching staff small. Draft middle, finish middle, stay middle.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Would you rather them go 4-13 for a year and get a better draft slot? Or watch meaningful games in December and January. I think most fans would rather see them contend year in and year out, but I do see your point.
Mean joe
2:31
Any more coaching hires coming?  Particularly on offense - what if the offense continues to underperform under current management- who could replace the Canada?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
If they were going to replace Canada they would have done it in January. Art Rooney II came out and said it's not happening now. But they could add a senior offensive assistant at any time.
Jim
2:32
Any truth to the Jalen Ramsey crap ? Or can we put that to bed ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
They don't need an aging expensive corner. They need a young corner to develop. Sutton, Wallace and Witherspoon all turn 28 this year and none of them are under contract beyond 2023 at the moment.
Nate in Iowa
2:33
Hi Ray, appreciate the chats!  Who is your favorite 1st round OT and why?  I'm starting to like Broderick Jones more and more.  I've heard Skoronski has short arms, which might be a concern.  And I don't necessarily want to assume your #1 is Paris Johnson.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
My order is Skoronski and then Jones. I'd be fine with either at No. 17, but that's probably wishful thinking. They're widely regarded as the top two OL in this draft. There is a drop-off after them and Paris Johnson is probably next.
STEEL72
2:35
Follow up question... would you be among those who think that JJ Watt would be an incredible upgrade to the defense and has enough left in the tank to make a run?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
JJ Watt was a great player in his prime, but I'm not sure signing a guy who has had problems staying healthy is a smart move unless the price is absolutely right.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:37
Are they going to let Hassenauer walk? I always thouight they liked him, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I don't think he's very high on their list of free agents. If he wants to come back for the vet minimum that's fine but he's a backup and that's all he is.
TexStill
2:38
Some chatter and mocks now about tackle value at 17 is gonna be RT value. OL is also not a rotational position, teams stick with guys to get continuity. So with Chuks being solid on the right side of the line jelling well as the year progressed, would this mean a 1st round pick mostly sitting his 1st year if they went RT?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I mocked Dawand Jones to the Steelers at 49 in my first mock and I had some issues with the very thing you bring up. But I was OK with it because it was only one year they had to sort that out. So Jones sits for a year behind Chuks and then becomes the RT in 2024 when they cut Chuks... At No. 17, it's harder to do that. You want an immediate contributor.
Eric in Indiana
2:40
What would constitute a successful next step for KP?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
His first playoff appearance.
Joe Mayo
2:40
Have you flipped your opinion on who The Steelers should draft coming up? Now what?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
My next mock draft will come out after the combine. So stay tuned.
Tom
2:41
is it true our ILB had zero tackles for loss last year?   if so, how can ILB not be the top need?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I think you mean zero turnovers. And yes that was true. That would be quite the story if they had zero tackles although it seemed that way in some games.
Nate in Iowa
2:42
Hi Ray, I know you like Lukas Van Ness.  How about his teammate ILB Jack Campbell?  I think he'd be a great pick at 49 (although, I'm not sure if he's still there).  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I've watched him a little bit. I think 49 is a little high for him but maybe Round 3 or after.
Ralph LA
2:42
I know that reporters are unlikely to know if players are playing with an injury, but do the coaches know about the player’s issues?
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