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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.27.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:25
We'll get started in about a half hour. In the meantime, post your questions or listen to our latest Steelers podcast. Here is the link: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-... You can even listen while we chat.
Harold H.
1:55
Do the Steelers have enough draft picks (overall) to address offensive skill positions, defensive line, and offensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Well, right now they have five, but they should have six once the compensatory selections are announced by the league. That comp pick is expected to be at the end of the third round. The speculation is they need OL, TE, WR and RB on offense and DL, OLB and maybe S on defense. Obviously, not all of those positions can be addressed in the draft. I just rattled off seven positions, and they'll only have six picks. They might address one or two in free agency. Otherwise, they might have to wait until the summer or fall as they did last year with TE and S.
Harold H.
1:57
We’re good at RB, aren’t we?  Conner, Snell, Whyte, Nix, Samuels - That’s not bad. Do the Steelers really need to spend a 2nd round pick on a RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I wouldn't say 'good.' I would say the Steelers are OK if James Conner remains healthy. We all saw what happened last season when he missed a bunch of games. Some of the issues with the run game had to do with the OL and the QB, but RBs were problematic, too. Just look at how many they played. They didn't really ever settle on one guy, mostly because they had a bunch of guys with different skill sets. That's OK, but the point is they didn't have a viable backup they could plug in and count on to replace Conner's production.
San Fran Man
2:00
is it time to move on from some of our high salary players? Like Pouncey. We tend to hold onto them way too long.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
They just re-signed Pouncey last spring. They're not cutting him now. It wouldn't make sense from a financial or team-related standpoint. There is no value in cutting him. Others on the roster? Sure. And they will begin cutting players in the next few weeks before the new league year begins March 18.
Hendu
2:01
Hi Ray -- Any idea how the proposed 17-game schedule will work? Also, how will the extra home or away game be determined? As you know, present 16-game schedule = 2X Same Division Opponent (6 games) + 4 rotating AFC Division games + 4 rotating NFC Division games + 2 games vs other same Conference opponents based on previous year division place. Thx!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
There has been a lot of speculation about that, but nothing solid from the league because the CBA is not yet ratified. I saw one proposal where all 17th game would be International games out of the country. I saw another where the 17th game would be rotated between home and visiting teams every year. In other words, in some years you'd have a ninth home game and others just the eight. I've seen proposals for an annual rivalry game from another conference. So, for example, the Steelers vs. the Eagles every year. I've seen other proposals where the 17th game would be based on where you finish in your division much in the same way they form the schedules now with conference scheduling.
Martin
2:04
Assuming that the Steelers Tag Dupree and don't sign either Hooper or Hunter via free agency, what position do you think the Steelers are most likely targeting in the 2nd round?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
WR or OL. I might be reading too much into Kevin Colbert's comments in recent weeks, but he sounds committed to Conner as the starter for this season. In fact, he thinks he's a Pro Bowl type of player when healthy. So why use your first pick on a RB if that's the case. You still draft one, but probably not at No. 49. Same thing for tight end. Colbert is on record saying they like Vance McDonald when he is healthy. We'll see what do in free agency next month. That will factor into this as well. But right now, I'd say WR and OL with a slight edge over TE and RB based on Colbert's recent comments.
Nate
2:06
Hi Ray, if you were the Steelers, would you go after Austin Hooper and then release McDonald?  Or are they better off drafting a TE?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
It's hard to say. Hooper might end up being the top TE on the open market if the Chargers franchise Hunter Henry. He'd command big $. So you're probably right. They'd likely have to sever ties with McDonald for that to happen. I know he's had injury issues, but the Steelers like McDonald when he's healthy.
Fineline
2:08
Do you think they view Benny Snell as a feature RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
We'll have to wait and see. I don't get that idea from watching him play last season. He had a hard time eluding that one tackler that could have led to bigger runs. Maybe if he drops some weight and gets a little quicker he'd have a better chance of being one, but based off his rookie season I didn't see enough evidence to say he can be.
Ghollywoodg
2:09
how soon will we know the outcome of the players vote on the proposed new CBA?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Apparently in a week or two because the NFLPA lawyers have to look it over before the players get to vote on it.
Tprod
2:10
Ray, if the new CBA is approved rendering the 30%  limitation irrelevant and the cap increase by a significant amount, how does this change the Steelers FA plans, internal and external?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Well, they'd have more freedom to sign free agents, but the cap isn't expected to increase by that much. So they'd be able to sign or two guys, but they need the space to tag Dupree more than anything.
Nate
2:11
Hi Ray, if Dobbins, Swift and Taylor are all taken by pick 49, are there any other RBs that you like as a potential every down #1 RB?  Or should the Steelers just go with what they have if those 3 are gone?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Cam Akers is an intriguing prospect. He'd be in that range. Don't think he'd last until the end of the third round, when the Steelers would pick next. Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be another guy in that range in the second round. All depends on how the Steelers view them to be honest. Edwards-Helaire is short in stature. Can he be a three-down back? If you;re picking a guy at No. 49 you're expecting him to be a full-time starter.
Ramon
2:13
Does it seem weird to have Foster negotiating the new cba for Pittsburgh just days before he gets the boot?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Not really. A lot of club reps go on to work for the NFLPA after their playing days are over. Eric Winston did it. He's deeply involved in the negotiations. Others have done it as well.
Gene
2:13
Who is our 3rd QB next year Paxton Lynch, the Duck or some one else?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Have to think Duck is in the driver's seat, but Lynch obviously has the tools if he ever puts it all together.
Jim
2:14
Who do you think the Steelers will release for cap space in the next 2-3 weeks? McDonald? Foster? Chickillo? Barron? Williams?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
  1. Foster. 2. Chickillo. Others could happen, but tose are the obvious choices right now.
Hector
2:15
Big, Big Ben, new nickname as he's HUGE right now seems to be throwing early. Who's going to help him lose 40-50 lbs? He's never been a gym rat.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
There is way too much being made of Roethlisberger's physical appearance. This is a constant theme in the national media. He's never been a physical specimen, but he's never been grossly out of shape, either.
Nate
2:17
Hi Ray, what do you think about TE Adam Trautman?  I'm starting to like his upside/potential the more that I hear about him.  Do you think he's worth 3rd round compensatory pick, or even 2nd round pick?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Third round comp pick, sure. Might be a little bit of reach at No. 49
Jared
2:17
Starting 5 across the o-line next year in your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Hard to say at this point until they decide what they're doing at left guard and right tackle. But for now, I'll say: RT Feiler, RG DeCastro, C Pouncey, rookie and LT Villanueva. But it could easily be Feiler at LG and a rookie or Banner or Chuks at RT.
Leslie
2:19
Switzer make the team in 2020 or Deon Cain?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Too early to say for either of them, but odds will be much lower if they draft a WR in the first four rounds.
Shawn
2:19
When will Pitt find out if they're on Hard Knocks?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I don't think they announce that until May or June. But the Steelers are looking like a good bet to be on.
Kyle
2:20
Odds that Burns, Hargrave or Davis return to Pitt in 2020?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
0%, 5%, 2%.
Laura
2:21
Any word on Tuitt's recovery from his season-ending injury?
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