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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.02.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Welcome and let's get started.
21-58-66
1:54
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  Do you think the Steelers show any interest in Nick Martin to fill their hole at Center, or will he be too $$?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
He could be in the mix. Other veteran free agent centers that could be in the Steelers' price range are: Ted Karras, David Andrews and Austin Reiter. Martin had been making some nice coin, but he's not the same caliber player as his brother, Zack, who plays for the Cowboys. Those are definitely some names to keep an eye on once free agency begins on March 17.
The GM
1:56
Ray, if Ben does come back in 2021, if he stumbles out of the gate like he did down the stretch in 2020, how long do you think the Steelers will stick with him?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
It's hard for me to imagine a scenario where the Steelers bench Roethlisberger for poor play. They've never done that. Maybe if he plays like he did in the playoff game against Cleveland for about a month straight, but I don't see it happening. They want to surround him with a solid running game so the game isn't on his shoulders every single week.
21-58-66
1:57
Ray - March 17th is rapidly approaching.  Do we see moves by the Steelers happening pretty soon?  It seems like they always wait until the last minute on their releases when other teams have already made their moves to give their now ex-players more time to find a new club?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
A few guys have been released, but not many. Why would the Steelers make a move now when they don't know what the cap number will be? If the cap is set at $190 it might change their perspective on how they construct their roster in 2021.
Walter Abercrombie
1:59
Great Chats Ray. Why is it Steeler fans always predict doom and gloom every year for this team, and most years  they beat expectations. Year after year I hear how the Cowboys, or the Bears, the Cardinals, the Saints, Colts etc are going to be a force, but often underperform, its a year to year league and the last time I checked, as of today,  The Steelers are tied for first overall in 2021. Have Faith, its gonna be a ride and you never know!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Walter, how is Frank Pollard doing? You're a half-full kind of guy I like it. But it's going to be a challenge for the Steelers to repeat as AFC North champs next season with the schedule they're facing. It's brutal, and they have a lot of rosters issues to deal with between now and the draft.
Javi
2:01
Hello Ray. Do you really believe the Steelers think they can make deep run in playoffs this year with Ben or was bringing him back a bit of a PR move considering his stature and storied career? Did they really need to handle this more carefully than past players such as Polamalu? I still believe they would have preferred him to hang it up thats why I ask..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Team president Art Rooney II released a statement last week that said just that. He expects Roethlisberger to lead the team to a championship. That's how the Steelers always think.
Larry from Moon Twp
2:02
Ray, why are the Steelers so slow to address Ben’s deal?  I don’t buy the salary cap being unknown logic.  They k is they are well over regardless and need to get Ben done so they can dig others line Sutton and Alualu.  If he simply has his salary converted to vet minimum with the remaining of the $19M balance converted to a signing bonus spread over faux years, it’s seems like they are just being slow or lazy.  Get on with business.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I agree. It shouldn't be that hard.
Gino
2:03
Do you think Van Noy will be an inexpensive option for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
He made $15 million last season so even if he makes a few million less than that now he won't be inexpensive. The Steelers won't have a lot of room under the cap to sign free agents and I think their first priority could be finding a starting center.
Larry from Moon Twp
2:04
Why doesn’t Ben take snaps under center?  He has a ridiculous percentage in shotgun which kills play action?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Randy Fichtner hinted last season it's a comfort thing for Ben. He would rather survey the defense at all times rather than turn his back on the defense. Randy is gone now and Matt Canada would be smart to convince Roethlisberger that play-action can help him and the team. I've mentioned this before, but it's worth mentioning again. Roethlisberger was really good with play-action early in his career. They gradually got away from it, but I am definitely of the school that believes it's a vital part of any offense.
Larry from Moon Twp
2:08
do you think they sign any external free agents?  If so what positions do you think they will target?  Any names?  Kelvin Beachum?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I don't think they'd go after a guy like Beachum in March. Maybe closer to camp. I think center and a No. 2 TE are their top priorities. No. 3 OLB after that. Of course, this is before free agency. Lots has to shake out between now and March 17, so these priorities could change.
Tom
2:09
Ray, thanks for the chats. In your opinion why does Tomlin allow some players (Juju’s logo dancing, AB’s antics, etc) to become a distraction to this team? And in your opinion what do you attribute their annual end of year meltdowns too (lack of player leadership, physical fitness, arrogance they’ll beat “ inferior teams (i.e. Jacksonville, Cleveland). Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Yes  do, but I know Tomlin does not view Smith-Schuster's "antics" to be a distraction. They only became a distraction when the Steelers lost, opposing players started talking about it and we started asking questions about it. Tomlin was willing and did let it all slide before all of that stuff happened. I am of the belief the Steelers have to be more buttoned up. That doesn't mean you can't have fun, but you respect your opponents and you don't give them any bulletin board material.
Gino
2:12
How bad is our salary cap numbers? Can restructuring open up more?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Yes along with releases and maybe a contract extension or two. They'll get there. They always do.
Jerry
2:13
It seems to me the Steelers get out coached at halftime. After the game Tomlin always say they didn’t execute. No the other team made adjustments and know what you are doing. It just seems like the Steelers just stick to their game plan without making adjustments. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
What about the Texans game?
Or the Ravens game in Baltimore?
2:14
I get it. The Steelers are sometimes outcoached. It happened this year especially on the offensive side of the ball, but don't group the entire coaching into your thinking.
Doug
2:14
Ray thanks for your great work........ JuJu, Sutton, Hilton........who is coming back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Sutton or Hilton. My educated guess is Sutton.
Jeff
2:14
Big ben turns 39 today.....alot of his highlights are all over internet....those 12 td's in 2 weeks.....if you look at them he is under center and doing alot of play action.... I don't get why he fights it?  Whats your opinion on why he doesn't like turning his back to defense when he knows it works?   You don't have to be mobile to run play action...just doesn't make sense
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
See earlier answer. I think he became enamored of being in the shotgun all the time, and sometimes those habits are hard to break.
bob
2:15
The RB may already be on the roster, an OL and WR can be had in the 3rd or 4th rounds, so why wouldnt you take BPA defense in rounds 1 and 2.  Plenty of good LB, CB and DL to choose from.  Plus, defense wins SB's
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
But they don't have glaring needs at LB, CB or DL. Unless you're coming off a Super Bowl win and your roster is stacked it's almost never BPA. It's BPA at a few positions of need.
V. Fontaine
2:17
Only two rookie running backs had more than 1,000 yards last year. Neither was a first round pick and one was a free agent. I don't understand why people are saying the Steelers should draft a running back in the first round when a atarting offensive lineman or a playmaker on defense would be available. They should be able to scout a good running back in the second to fourth round.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Like they've done the past four years, eh? (See: Conner, Samuels, Snell, McFarland).
Guest
2:18
From your experience with Ben, do you believe he would be unwilling to change his style of play in order to win?  Many people think he will not change but look what it’s done for Brady.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Ben is a team player and wants to win. Now, you might have to convince him of something before he makes a change, but the only reason he is coming back is to win another Super Bowl. He's got plenty of stats.
Jared
2:19
Hey Ray0 Who would be the better back for what the Steelers want to do- Entinne or Harris?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
*For what the Steelers want to do... I think I know how Matt Canada wants to play, but it's not like he has a long track record. He's bounced around a lot. So I can tell you what he did at Pitt and maybe you'll see some of that influence with his offense, but really who knows? That was five years ago. Coaches evolve and are constantly tweaking. Etienne might be a better "fit" but Harris is really good, too. I'd just take the guy you have a better grade on.
TexStill
2:21
Chase Claypool, continues to improve or hits the sophomore slump, what is your prediction?
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