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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.23.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Welcome. Let's get the chat going.
Javi
1:58
Hello Ray. Do you believe the Steelers will forgo other needs and draft up to get QB this year if Ben is gone? Seems like they want to get in front of the QB situation and next years QB draft options are not as good as this year.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
If Ben Roethlisberger is not back I would expect the Steelers to add a QB in the draft, but I am not sure it would be in the first round. If he's back I'm not even sure they draft one.
Buzz
1:58
What is your prediction for starting offensive line in 2021? If needed put in a draft pick! I know it is early!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
LT -- Draft pick or Chuks LG Kevin Dotson C Draft pick or free agent RG Dave DeCastro RT Zach Banner or Okorafor.
JuJu Is on My Lawn
1:59
If the Steelers know they won’t contend for a Super Bowl next or compete beyond what they did this year (at best), what is the strategic, plan-oriented argument for keeping Ben for another year? I can’t think of one.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Just that he gives the team a better chance to win, and that's what the Steelers really care about most. That being said, the financial aspects of this obviously is a complicating factor.
WV Black & Gold
2:01
Ray,  Thanks for the chat!  It seems like the national media is trying to paint a picture that there is something nefarious in the Steeler’s handling of Ben.  I believe, in a perfect scenario, they would prefer him back, but are unwilling to sacrifice the future to make that happen and are making sure he understands exactly what he would be coming back to.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I guess, but how can they not have that figured out by now? I mean, we know the cap is going to be between $180 and 190 million. No matter where the number lands it's not going to make or break their offseason.
21-58-66
2:02
Ray - Does it seem like it is taking a long time to resolve the Ben situation?  Doesn't that have to be the first thing to be sorted out before the team can start making other decisions?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Yes it is and Gerry Dulac reported a little while ago that Roethlisberger met with Art Rooney II today. So maybe we are getting closer to some resolution.
Paul from Sacramento
2:03
Hi Ray, Love your chats and podcasts with Brian.. Great insight.  Do you think the Steelers would ever pull the trigger in the 1st two rounds on a TE? haven't had an all around (I think) since Heath Miller. A good TE can also help with some of our blocking woes.. whatcha think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Pat Freiermuth would be the only possibility in the second round. I like his game, but they have so many other needs. I just sort of view taking a TE in Round 1 or 2 as a luxury when you look at the holes on this roster. But I do like Freirmuth as a prospect.
Mike
2:06
Ray, if Ben retires or is released, and we redo a few more contracts like Nelson, is there any way we could keep Bud, especially since Kevin went out of his way seemingly to mention him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Can we begin to move on from Bud Dupree, please? He was a really good player the past couple of years, but he's going to become a free agent and the Steelers cannot afford him. I always tell people to pay attention to the draft when it comes to team building. They knew losing Dupree last year was a distinct probability so they drafted Alex Highsmith in the third round. That's how they operate. Let's start to realize that.
darrin
2:08
I heard Tomlin speaking out about the lack of african american coaches in the NFL.  The coordinator positions are normally seen as the step before becoming a head coach.  What has he done in this regard?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Well, he's had Dick LeBeau and Keith Butler as his defensive coordinators. LeBeau is a Hall of Fame coach and Butler has been more than solid as his replacement. And if you're patient, you might see Teryl Austin replace him whenever Butler decides to hang them up. I will not nitpick his choice of defensive coordinators. He's had Bruce Arians, Todd Haley, Randy Fichtner and Matt Canada as offensive coordinator. He was told Arians would not be back and I'm not sure Haley was his hire. Yes, he hired Fichtner and that did not work out. We'll see about Canada. I guess I'm open to being more critical of Tomlin on this one if for no other reason Jim Caldwell was available on each occasion and was not hired. I know others have taken Tomlin to task for his hiring practices, but he's had a lot of African-American coaches on his staff over the years.
Retire21
2:12
Curious case of Wisniewski. Gets a ring. Gets cut. Signs with Steelers. Gets cut. Signs back with KC and starts Super Bowl. Was he that bad here or did I answer my own question with his performance in Tampa?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
No one on the KC line was good in Tampa, but if you read the tea leaves, the Steelers simply liked rookie Kevin Dotson more than Wisniewski. I think that's all it was.
21-58-66
2:14
Ray - Do you think Derek Watt gets more playing time in OC Canada's offensive scheme?  I am surprised he was used so little last year unless they had already determined in practice he was not a good fit.  A lot of $$ for just a few special teams plays per game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
He had better hope so or he won't be on the 53-man roster. Special teams players don't get paid the way he gets paid.
KN
2:14
Hello. Thank you Ray as always for the chat.  Do you think the Steelers are trying to push Ben out  the door ?  I am surprised by the last week KC comments. According to the Ben, money was not an issue. I agree with Mr. Bouchette that Ben may not mean taking less money overall but just deferring it to later voidable years.  Do you think that Steelers want him to take a pay cut and not just defer it to later years or do you think Ben wants more years added and play for more than a year if he is to defer the money ? I hate to see a HOF career end on a sour note with the Steelers. Thank you very much.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
After listening to Colbert last week I think for the first time a pay cut might be on the table. And I never thought that would happen.
Retire21
2:15
Doug Whaley said on THE FAN yesterday Ben, inspired by Brady, will try to catch on with another team if he departs the Steelers. Buying or selling?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Not sure how many options he would have. Maybe Carolina, but they seem to want Deshaun Watson. Where else would he land that would be a good situation for him? Chicago? New England? I just don't think the Patriots or Bears are good fits for him.
Damien
2:17
Say the Steelers go QB in round 1 (I don’t think they will, but trying to understand cost with a move of that size), what would it cost to move up to get someone like Trey Lance? I assume he’ll go somewhere in the back of the 1st 10 picks, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
When the Steelers traded up to No. 10 two years ago from a similar spot in the draft order they sent the Broncos their first, second and third-round picks.
Retire21
2:18
Hindsight 20/20 department. Coming off that great second half against Indy, Steelers should not have rested Ben for last game against Cleve. He quickly lost what he had found and the Brownies got confidence beating the Steelers and that carried over?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't have a problem with resting your best players in that game. The problem was the way Ben and Pouncey played.
Gary - Manhattan Beach
2:19
Hi Ray. Enjoy your chats. I appreciate your insights. Do you think Mason Rudolph has the skillset to be a number 1 QB?  Also with Ben's declining skills, do you think Mason has the same or more upside for the Steelers this year than with Ben? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I still think Roethlisberger, if he buys in to Matt Canada, gives the Steelers their best chance to win. Can Mason Rudolph be a starter in this league? Sure. I just think Ben offers a little more even at his advanced age.
Guest
2:21
The Steelers will be hamstrung until Ben's situation is resolved.  Will they wait up until the very end or will they make a decision sooner than later?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
It's February 23. The new league year begins in three weeks. It has to be sooner rather than later.
Steeler Fan in GA
2:22
Both through public statements and team decisions it seems the Steelers are trying to edge Ben towards the door.  Do you agree with Ron Cook that this is another Troy/Hines situation where they did something similar? Thanks for the great chats.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
It's hard not to notice the similarities. Listen, if they knew they wanted Ben back for sure this would have been done weeks ago.
Tahleenee
2:22
How big of a need do you see finding a future ILB to play next to Bush?  VW is nearing the end, Spillane played decently, Gilbert can't stay healthy.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Given the many other needs on this roster I would not be surprised if Spillane starts next to Bush and they add an ILB somewhere in the middle or later rounds of the draft.
Dave
2:23
Ray,  I’ve read where the Steelers have not had a chance to get together and talk to Ben about his playing and his contract for 2021.  Now I’ve read that AR II has been at his winter home in West Palm Beach, FL for  many months.  Are they ever going to get in the same room to talk?  They could have done a video conference for some time now.  That would work now with MT quarantined with the Covid virus.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Ben and Art II met today, according to Gerry D.
LivinTheDream
2:24
Ray, AR II has made it clear a 42 mil QB hit is a cap hell he will avoid.....I agreed with him.Which makes me wonder how KC is going to deal with a QB hit of 45 mil per year for the next ten years.No doubt PM is an A+ QB but I. would rather see the Steelers take the Alabama approach.....surround a B+ QB with talent.Which is why I would rather have the Steelers find out in 2021 if Mason is a C+,B- or B+ rather than finding out if Ben can win 8,9 or 10 games in his final year.I would prefer a B+ QB surround by talent over an A+ QB living in cap hell. What say you?
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