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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.09.21
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Newman
12:19
Is it likely that TJ Watt's extension this summer would make him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Not sure about that, but he's going to be the highest-paid Steelers defender. And he will be one of the highest-paid defenders in the league.
MD
12:21
Do you think the Steelers have a chronic problem of overpaying their own players to sign them a year early?  Ben, Villanueva, Pouncey, and Vince Williams come to mind as guys that signed extensions that probably paid them a good bit more than they would have gotten on the open market had the Steelers just let their deals play out and then retain them on the Free Agent market.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Not really. It's hard to gauge when an aging player will lose it. It happens to everyone. By and large, I think the Steelers do a good job of managing their cap. The playoff success hasn't been there the last decade, but they are in contention for a playoff berth almost every year.
Utah Jim
12:23
How would someone like Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz look in Canada’s offense? He should be available in the middle rounds and would be awesome on jet sweeps.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
There a lot of good WRs in this draft. If not Schwartz, the Steelers should be able to get a good one in the middle rounds.
21-58-66
12:24
Ray - I remember reading an article on Claypool.  He was asked what the most important thing he learned during his first year.  His answer......how to market his brand from Ju-Ju.....not a good sign.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I read that too. It wasn't a good look, but I have no problem with how Claypool prepares. He was ready to step in and be an impact player for the Steelers from the time he arrived. They'll have to manage his off-the field stuff, but he's a good player who is only going to get better.
MD
12:26
Claypool to replace JJSS, Highsmith for Dupree, Dotson for Feiler, Mcfarland for Connor.  2020 was another example of the Steelers long history of using the draft to pick at positions where they are likely to lose free agents the following year.  Doesn't that lead one to believe that if one of the QBs falls or even if Mond or Lance are available, that will be the pick?  And if so, what do you think about how they balance "going for it in one year" vs building for the future.  It seems they play both ends and optimize neither.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Who is Mond? And I doubt Lance will fall to 24. Some people think he'll go in the top 10. Lots of other teams need QBs and they pick before the Steelers do.
Steeler in Virginia
12:27
If the Steelers don't take a RB in the first two picks, they shouldn't take one at all... Yes or No?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
I would agree with that.
KN
12:28
Hello. Thank you as always for the chat. Do you think that Ben took a pay cut to make it possible for Steelers to keep the Band together and increase chance of Ju Ju signing ?  Thank you very much
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I just don't know where they'd get the money. JuJu is a good player. No one who watches the Steelers denies that. It's just a matter of team building and prioritizing needs. And WR isn't one of them with Claypool, Johnson and Washington waiting in the wings.
Rudy
12:29
If you answered this question previously forgive me.  Is someone going to be working with Haskins concerning both on and off field activities?  If so, will he have a realstic shot at being our #2 QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
He has to make the 53-man roster first. And even then, he'd be competing against Rudolph, who has been with the team for the past three seasons.
Carl in Carrick
12:30
Do you think the Steelers have faith in McFarland?  It looked like he had trouble reading his blocks last season.  Is this something that can be learned/corrected with experience?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I suppose it can, but they are not counting on him. If they can draft someone better they will.
Utah Jim
12:31
Odds they franchise Bud one last time and go ‘all-in’ for Ben’s final year? They could make the cap work with some extensions and restructures.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Zilch.
Art from NC
12:31
Hi Ray- Not impressed with Ebron at all, too many drops and couldn't block a Pop Warner player. Cut him and use the money elsewhere, and look to FA for someone else?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
If you cut Ebron you'd have to spend big $ in free agency to find a starting TE. I bet they keep him, live with his shortcomings and look to find their next starter in the draft, if they can.
Frank
12:34
Does Gentry have any future with this team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
If he does he better show something this year.
MD
12:34
Kellen Mond is the Texas A&M QB who seems to be moving up on the "expert" draft boards.  Which QBs would you take at 24 if any of the top guys fall?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Justin Fields and Trey Lance if they fall to 24, which I don't think they will. I don't want Jones. And Mond definitely is not someone I would take in Round 1.
12:36
Is that just like a few years ago when they guy from Pitt was getting buzz? Remember Tom Savage?
GPT
12:36
Ebron is 6'4, 250#.  Heath Miller was 6'5, 250#.  I often wonder how similar sized athletes can be so different when it comes to blocking.  Mostly effort and desire, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
And hard work and technique and a willingness to stick your nose in there and help the team.
21-58-66
12:38
Ray - Do you think the special teams play will improve this year?  Has been pretty bad for several years now.  Do they ever work on that phase of the game?  Just seems like they don't really think it is important.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
They believe it's important and they work on it every day in practice. Mike Tomlin obviously doesn't think Danny Smith is the problem. He's had plenty of chances to bring in someone else and never did. Maybe they just need better players.
12:40
OK thanks for taking part this week. Have to get back to work. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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