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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.18.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Sign a cheap one or draft one late. That would be my approach. All you need is a third RB. They're only important when the starter goes down for any length of time.
Lou
12:41
What is the rationale behind the Shazier contract?  Do they think he's worth protecting on the roster for an actual comeback, or was this simply PR?  And not to sound too cold, but is the limited PR actually worth the $500k cap hit given the teams needs and cap situation?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
It's not a PR move. It's doing the right and decent thing.
Guest
12:41
Ray,
following the chat, and agree with all that's said. I still cant help but think the steelers grabbing White, Bush Or as you say Brian Burns in first round is a MUST.
they really cant go another year without filling the Shazier hole even with the Barron signing....
Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
I agree. They need an impact player on defense either way whether you trade up to get one or by picking at No. 20. Maybe it will work out that the player they really want falls to them. Who knows? We're all kind of predicting Bush or White is their guy, but maybe it's someone else.
bob
12:43
McDonalds injury prone.  If an Iowa tight end is there at 20 I take him.  what say you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
McDonald is a starter and gets paid accordingly. Unless they think one of them is the next Gronkowski then I don't see it happening.
Not CLE bandwagon
12:44
National media types are all over the CLE offense, which, granted, looks much better on paper.  Still, Mayfield, Chubb, Beckham, Njoku is not greater than Ben, Connor, JuJu, McDonald.   Throw in the “drama” factor and I see a  better chance for implosion in CLE as much as a 10 win season.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
They do have some superstars and the coach will have to deal with their egos. But there is no doubt they're a threat to the Steelers and Ravens. They are a talented team. I want to see them prove it, of course, but there is no doubt they've set themselves up to compete in the AFC North.
fvicchy@yahoo.com
12:46
Do you have any knowledge of the reasoning behind the Steelers willingness to give Dupree the 9.2 million contract?  Couldn't they  attempt to negotiate  a more reasonable long term deal?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
They like him. They think there is more potential to tap. Big year for him, obviously.
Andy
12:47
Good morning Ray. Not really a question but more of a statement. After witnessing greedy Bell sit out a year to lose nearly 20 million, and to watch Brown act like a 4 yr old, it just leaves me truly sad. I've watched some of their Steeler highlights and can't help but think what could have been...just sad....it really is....
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Lots of talent from 2013-18. Little in return in terms of playoffs wins. In the NFL, it's not about stars and scoring, it's about building a team that can win. The Steelers never did that with Bell and Brown and it was time to move on.
Steeler Joe
12:48
Are there tea leaves to read with the lack of an extension for Ben? Or is it just a case of "we'll get it done when we get it done"?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Maybe a bit more difficult to get done than they envisioned, but I still think it gets done.
Steeler Joe
12:49
T.J. Hockenson of Iowa would be a game-changer for this offense--a TE who can both catch and block at a high level. Roll him out with McDonald in two-TE sets, and the defense won't know what's coming, a run or a pass--and he can be effective either way. Am I making a case for a potential surprise first-round choice for the Steelers? This is a guy who can make a difference day one.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
The Steelers did draft Heath Miller at No. 30 overall. But that was a complete team that was ready to win. Miller was one of the final pieces. I could argue ILB, CB, WR and S are bigger needs. Maybe not WR if the TE can stretch the field, but you see where I'm coming from.
ALB
12:50
With his injury history Barron sounds like another Burnett. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Except Barron fought through his injuries and tried to get on the field whenever possible. As I noted in my story last night, he played in 14 or games in six of his first seven seasons. He's known as a tough player and one that tries to play through injuries whenever possible. I don't think you'll hear anyone associated with the Steelers say those things about Morgan Burnett.
Mike
12:52
Any chance that BJ Finney beats out Ramon Foster?  I think he will be UFA in 2020....Hate to lose him to another team due to his youth.  i would rather have Foster as an insurance policy
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
I wrote last week in this space how I was surprised at the Foster signing. But they're paying him $8.25 million over two years. I assume it's to be the starter. You don't pay out that much money for a backup. So maybe they feel like they can sign Finney next season and cut Foster or maybe they just don't think Finney is starter material. I happen to think he's an upgrade or at the very least the equal of Foster, but maybe they don't feel the same way.
FoolBack
12:55
Ray, does the fact that LeVeon Bell didn't play last year affect the Compensatory Pick process at all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
No. He left as an unrestricted free agent. That's all that matters.
Winning
12:56
AFC North, more stacked now than the West?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
More stacked or more mediocrity? I admit. I'm intrigued. I think it's going to be a battle. But I don't know that there's going to be a great team to come out of this division.
ImperialDestroyer
12:57
They signed Eli for 2 more years, but Switzer has been their best returner in a long time. Can they really afford to cut such a versatile asset who is cap friendly?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
Switzer was OK, but "best returner in years"??? Antonio Brown was a great punt returner. Reliable is how I'd describe Switzer.
Greg
12:59
Just read Burfict was just cut. Should we take him? :)
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
Maybe in 13 days. On April Fool's!
Thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do it again soon.
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