You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.27.20
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Should be ready to go by OTAs.
Sarah
2:21
Is it better for Pitt if Brady goes to the Raiders then if he stays with the Pats?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Probably. Don't think the Raiders have the roster to compete for the playoffs even with Brady.
Nick
2:23
Is there any way Javon Hargrave can remain a Steeler without sacrificing too much? It's a little sad because what a find in the draft, development on both him and Steelers he's just become too expensive for what the Steelers need and can afford.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Just the way it works sometimes. Can't keep everyone.
2:25
Well, if they play a true nose only 25% of the snaps then maybe they can get by with a combination of Tyson Alualu and Isaiah Buggs. Only problem is they're the top two backups at DE too. I think they draft a DL with one of their six picks. They need to add some quality depth there.
Tprod
2:25
Ray, how do the Steelers counteract the trend of opposing teams employing a power running game between the tackles when the Steelers pull the nose and go with the nickel defensive package? It seemed that both Bush and Barron, lightweight LBs, were to easily blocked and often made plays several yards downfield.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
There is no easy fix, but it seemed like the Steelers were willing to trade that off. And their defense was excellent for most of the year.
Dave in Dovuh
2:26
Sooner, rather than later, Stillers will need a new QB.  Any thoughts on how they go about doing this?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
They'll worry about that next year. Trying to maximize Ben's final years now. As it should be.
Guest
2:27
Hey Ray, what’s the odds of getting an edge rusher early?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Probably not at 49 unless Dupree is not tagged for some reason. But OLB is in play anytime after that.
Quinn
2:27
Good afternoon, Ray.  Thanks for the time! Seems a good TE is a critical piece to success in today's NFL - play disguising and flexibility (run v. pass, pass route schemes) and pre-snap reads for the QB.  Gerry thinks the FO might look to address it in free agency, what's your take on what the FO will do -- hope Vance McD stays healthy, adds in free agency (with little cap room), or drafts early?  All of those?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Obviously, an established free agent TE would be a better option than a rookie. But, of course, that costs $$$. And the Steelers haven't exactly had luck in signing outside free agent tight ends. (See Ladarius Green). It is an important position as you note, but you can't reach for a guy at 49 if you don't think he has value there.
RICH ERENBERG
2:29
Any Idea who would be available for their 2nd Rd pick for RB, and what type of Back do you think they would be interested in? A big Bruiser type or receiver type back, because at #2 are they going to get a back that does it all?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
If you're drafting a guy in the middle of the second round you're expecting to get a future starter. So a three-down back that can be a replacement for James Conner someday.
Jeff
2:30
Thanks for the chats Ray.  If CBA gets approved does cap go up this year or next?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
It will go up this year and likely next year if they do a new TV deal.
CBA advisor
2:31
My question: Why would any player be in a hurry to ratify the CBA so quickly? There is an entire year ahead until crunch-time? Why would any player agree to 17 games without two bye-weeks? And how could anyone want to continue Thursday night games unless Sunday before-and-after are off-weeks? I don't get it.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Let's face it. The NFLPA membership has never embraced sitting out games much less an entire season to get what they want. The owners know this. And if you look around it's obvious the players are divided on this. It's embarrassing for the player. The owners know this, and they plan to take advantage.
Jack Lambert's tooth
2:33
If the cba passes and the cap goes up, where would you expect to see the Steelers spending that extra $?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
As I wrote a little while back, it will go up and but not by a whole lot.
Robert Steel
2:33
top pick should be TE or OL.   If a WR slips a bit, maybe WR.   But if JK Dobbins is there in the 2nd, it might make sense to get a strong RB knowing in a year or 2 there will be no Ben, and RB will have to carry the load, agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Maybe, but as I mentioned earlier, I think OL and WR are bigger needs.
Jeff
2:34
I guess I am one of the few that thinks Mason has the ability to play a Neil Odonell type game (when the time comes), thought he was doing a little of that before the concussion.  Even if that happens this defense needs to go from good to great.  In your opinion, what needs to happen for them to be dominant...against everyone, not just the Bengals
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Shut down the running game. That's really the only thing they did not do all that well in 2019.
steelbydesign
2:34
Feels like people are ignoring edge as a need with the assumption that Bud will return. Wouldn't it be a good move to grab one early even if Bud's tagged so that guy is possibly ready to play in 2021?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Check out my mock draft 2.0 next week. Will publish to post-gazette.com Monday or Tuesday.
Chris long island
2:35
hey ray - I feel the rb situation is crucial. James connor is too injury prone , is it safe to say they need another featured back that can help now ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Only if Conner is injured again. And really, there is no way of knowing what will happen in that regard.
Mark
2:36
Ray, I'm having a hard time coming up with a question about the draft that hasn't been asked a million times in this chat.  Ooh, I know, should they draft a punter?  Berry stinks, he never pins the other team inside the 5 yard line.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Yes if there is a good one available. But it's not like the colleges are pumping out really good punters. If that were the case, Berry would be been replaced a long time ago.
SOD
2:37
Are any of the TEs in the draft worthy of our 49th pick in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I'm a little hesitant to say yes. I've watched all of those guys in that conversation -- Cole Kmet, Harrison Bryant, etc. Maybe I'm spoiled because I remember what Heath Miller was. And none of those guys reminded me of Heath Miller in any way. So maybe I'm expecting too much with the No. 49 pick. Maybe that's the type of player you do get there. I'd just rather have a WR, especially this year when the talent pool is so deep at the position.
Chris long island
2:39
ray- who do u think will be the cap casualties this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Foster and Chickillo.
steelbydesign
2:39
I've seen some noise that Grant Delpit could slide on draft day. Would the team consider him as an Edmunds replacement if he's there in round 2?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Too early for a safety after using a first-round pick on Edmunds in 2018. You'd be admitting a mistake.
Jeff
2:40
why are national writers and journalists so uninformed? Lazy?  Looking for spin?   If I am in that job, I read all the local papers like this one, then maybe I wont have the Steelers taking Jalen Hurts in the second round.  Do that for 31 teams and maybe we would take you more serious
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Just read us. That's all you need.
Connecting…