You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.23.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
So what kind of talent is there on the O-line or a running back to fairly judge Rudolph or any other QB? There's simply not a lot to work with, which is why there is strong speculation they'll go heavy on offensive players early in the draft.
Carl in Carrick
2:26
Hey Ray...any idea if the Steelers are interested in Zach Ertz?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Don't think they can afford him unless they dumped Eric Ebron. And not sure they'd do that. It's only eating $2.5 million, but Ertz is older and he doesn't solve any long-term concerns at the position.
bob
2:27
I dont see any immediate offensive need that cannot be addressed in later rounds.  what about BPA on defense?  DL, OLB, even corner if you cut Haden or lose Hilton?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
RB, OL and CB maybe their three greatest needs. I just don't see how you can look at that offense that was so putrid last season and think sixth and seventh-round picks will solve their problems. They need to inject some young and talented players into the group.
Roscoe1937
2:29
Dou you feel Ben will catch on with another team should he leave the Black and Gold?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Joe Namath and Tom Brady all played with other teams. Of course, it can happen. I'm just not sure it will.
Gino
2:30
Ray, Michael Wilbon of ESPN recently disrespected Kevin Colbert regarding some statements he made about Ben’s situation.  Do you know if Colbert, Steelers or local media have responded to Mr. Wilbon?   Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
What could Kevin Colbert possibly gain by responding to Michael Wilbon? I bet he doesn't know who he is.
Artie Bridge
2:31
Let's assume, for the sake of discussion, that both of the elite rb's - Harris and Ettiene - are gone by our draft slot at 24.  BUT, the two highly rated te's are available, along with a variety of ol's.  Where would you go?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
It's a deeper draft for OL so I'll say OL.
mrbig
2:32
Steelers really hurt Ben's closing window wasting those years with Randy... ironic since that's who Ben wanted as OC.... yes??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
You might be right. But Ben was injured for one of those years. And remember, in 2018 the Steelers had the second-ranked passing offense in the NFL. I'm not saying the offense was great. It wasn't. Ben threw too many picks. The running game stunk. But Fichtner didn't look nearly as overmatched then as he did in 2020. I've said this many times, but it never seemed like Randy had the proper adjustments in-game or week-to-week. And I think that's why he was fired.
Watt?
2:34
Most likely to be on the team next year: Haden, Hilton, Sutton, Vince, Alualu?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Tough question, but I guess I'll say Alualu. Could be any of those guys though.
TJ
2:36
Ben is not the player he once was but give him a run game and reduce the number of drops and the QB situation is pretty good in 2021. Only thing I was disappointed in Ben last year was his deep throws were off - in year two with a rebuilt arm that could improve don't you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Maybe, but when I asked Randy Fichtner about Ben's deep ball accuracy he seemed to think it was his footwork. He mentioned a few other things too. Hey, maybe his arm is weaker than before surgery. No one should be surprised if that's the case. It was not a common surgery. Or maybe his arm was tired late in the season.
casteeler
2:38
Do you think they bring back Ebron at TE or cut him and go FA shopping for TE?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
He's a dead cap hit of $2.5 million if they cut him, but that would free up $4 million. He's not worth a $6 million salary, but what do you do at TE if he's not on the roster?
Polovtsian Dance No.2 by Borodin
2:39
I think Harris is going top 10... That's probably too high for the Steelers... However if he's still there at 11 do you think the Steelers will be trying to move up and how far?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I don't think Harris or any other RB will be a top-10 pick this year. But he might not be there at No. 24.
Gene
2:40
Hi Ray who is the center next year JC Hassenour,a FAsigning, or a draft pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I could see them signing a free agent and drafting a center and allowing them to compete.
iowasteelersfan
2:41
Ray - what is better for the Steelers in 2021?... Ben with a weaker cast due to his high cap hit, or Mason with a stronger cast of players we could potentially keep?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
This is precisely what the Steelers are weighing. And  I guess it all depends on what moves they make.
Guest
2:41
Ray, not to add to the Ben fatigue, but do you think GM KC and the rest of the Stillers brass comes off looking bad by dropping cryptic soundbites in the media, so all the talking heads can speculate, rather than keeping it internal until something/anything is decided?  Thank you, sir!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Yes I do. I know that was not their intention, but it did open the door for people to wildly speculate about what is happening.
Gary from SoCal
2:43
Do the Steelers play more nickle because they don't have a buck lb that an cover?  If they draft Collins or Bolton at 24, could they stay in their base more and be more effective against the run?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Maybe, but I bet offensive coordinators scheme it up to take advantage of a defense that keeps two ILBs on the field in passing situations.
Justin Mathewson
2:44
Hi Ray, Keep Ben, Najee in round 1, OL in rounds 2 & 3. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I could see that happening.
I miss Heath
2:44
Any chance Kyle Pitts falls to 24 because he’s not a prototypical Tight end?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
No. He's a top-10 pick.
HT
2:45
Ray did Tomlin really tell Banner he was their left tackle and to rehad? Scratching my head on that he seems too big and slow. Right tackle yes but not left?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Banner is not a left tackle.
Waxman
2:45
Ray... early “Vegas odds” on a training camp back at St Vincent’s (won’t hold you to it 😉).
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
With fans? 10-20%. But I could see them going there to train regardless.
Yankton Ern
2:46
With Mike Tomlin having the “bug”, does this push Roethlisberger’s decision even further down the line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Maybe not. He met with Art II today.
HT
2:47
Ray I can’t get JuJu antics last year out of my head and Claypool seems like a clone! Before them Antonio and Mike Mitchell.  The days of Steelers being a class organization are gone! Tell me there is hope!
Connecting…