You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.21.23
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
1:51
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Cliff780
1:51
Can you imagine a scenario where daniels moves to left tackle, dotson out, and herbig and seumalo in as guards?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
No. James Daniels has never been a tackle, never will be. He's an interior offensive lineman with NFL experience at guard and center. That's who he is.
Cliff780
1:52
Are new inside linebackers REALLY an upgrade?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
They're hoping so. It's been a problem area for quite some time. Of the two they signed I think Cole Holcomb is the one who projects more as a three-down linebacker. They signed him to a three-year deal.
Guest
1:53
do you think the Steelers will address the need for a speedy, cover backs and TE's inside backer to pair with one of the sledge hammers we already have in Robinson and the 2 new free agents?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
I'm sure they would love to, but there just aren't many guys like that in this draft.
Mercury
1:54
What are the Steelers going to do with all these guards?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Barring a trade or a surprise release, my guess is Seumalo at LG, Cole at C, Daniels at RG. Herbig at backup C/G. But lots can happen between now and September, so stay tuned.
Linebacker Lounge
1:56
Appears the Steelers are building a more physical team.. If the draft were today, seems CB would be the first pick.. They passed on Creed Humphrey, how can they pass on the Minnesota center at 32? Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Minnesota C John Micheal Schmistz is scheduled for a top-30 visit to the Steelers next month. That's an interesting one given what we just discussed above with the interior of the line. Maybe the Steelers aren't satisfied with what they have in Cole and Daniels. As for the pick at 17, don't assume CB is the way they go. I could see them going CB, OL or Dl with that pick. Just depends on how the board falls.
Bill
1:58
Why did the Steelers sign older CB Peterson for $ 7 million per year, only $ 4 million less than Cameron Sutton signed for? Why didn’t they just wait to find a veteran CB much later, even cut from a team, or just pay Sutton a little more?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Well, they didn't sign Sutton to $11 million per year because they didn't think he was worth it. Peterson is a rental. They still need to draft one, and maybe two, corners in the draft.
Linebacker Lounge
1:59
I’m all for the physical make up trend.. but there is a need for an ILB that can cover.. what’s the plan? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Lots of teams have the same issue. There just aren't a lot of ILBs that can handle the job in pass coverage. I think you could see more dime, three-safety looks, etc. to help with coverage issues.
Noh Canada
2:00
Hi Ray, thanks for the time and the chats. You have a great understanding of offensive line play.  Interested in your take on their signings.  I think Omar has done a good job setting next year up to have 8 starter capable OL, with the 8th coming at 17, 32 or 49.  On paper he’s upgraded the OL for this season and I believe his plan is to overhaul the OL through the 23-25 drafts. Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I think you're spot on. Assistant GM Andy Weidl is a former offensive lineman and believes in building winning teams from the inside out. He is Omar's right-hand man in the personnel department. If you look at the way Omar structured those contracts last year they were all three-year deals for Cole, Daniels and Okorafor, but they could walk away from them early without big penalties. If they move on from any of them next year at this time the dead cap hit for all of them would be $3 million or less. It's more this year if they want to do that. Those guys who were brought in last year were OK. I think they have a vision for how they want to play and Herbig and Seumalo probably fit the mold better than anyone who played for them last season.
Alan in Hoover, Alabama
2:03
Hi Ray…Brian Baldinger suggested yesterday that James Daniels MIGHT be the odd man out on the O-Line. I find that hard to believe. Do you have any information suggesting that they were at all disappointed in him OR Mason Cole? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
If he's the odd man out this year the Steelers would have to eat $5.8 million in a dead cap hit. It's a much more manageable $2.9 million dead cap hit next year. But he is an $11 million cap hit. I think anything is on the table with a new regime. Remember, Kevin Colbert signed those guys last year. They have a new GM and a bunch of new evaluators now.
Bob A
2:05
I love the emphasis Khan and Weidl have placed on the offensive line. That said, the tackle spots (especially LT) still leave a lot to be desired. If the Steelers pass on one in the first round, who do you like that may still be available on day 2?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
The premium tackles will be selected in Round 1. The nice thing about this year is they have the No. 32 pick at the top of the second round so if there is a tackle who falls for whatever reason they could possibly get one there.
Guest
2:07
Many fans(including myself) are pleasantly surprised about the FO trying to address our needs especially on the offensive line. My question though, is regardless of how well we draft and/or finish FA, do you feel confident that the offense can be competitive this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
That's largely up to Matt Canada and his young offensive core. It has potential to improve, but they have to be put in position to make those strides.
JPinIndy
2:07
Hey Ray! Thanks for the chat!! So after this first wave of free agency who (besides K Green) is most likely out of a job? And do you foresee any other "notable" additions via FA?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Kevin Dotson has to be wondering how he fits in now... Any other moves in free agency will be on the smaller scale. Maybe they get a No. 3 OLB or a WR or re-sign Zach Gentry or Terrell Edmunds.
Tim
2:09
Interested in your o line perspective.  Is center in play for one of our top 4 picks considering who we have signed in free agency last year and especially this year with some of them having “position flexibility?”
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
It's not necessarily a need, but if they feel like they can upgrade with Schmitz or another center over Cole then they would do it. As I mentioned before, JMS is coming in for a top-30 visit. I don't think they would waste his time or theirs if it wasn't a possibility.
Chris Parker
2:10
Hi Ray - love the chats. Do you think the Steelers will make any other free agent signings before the draft? If so, what position do you think they will try to fill?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
OLB, WR, S. But anything you see from here on out likely will be one-year deals similar to what they did last year with Edmunds.
OLine
2:11
What does the signing of 2 new guards mean for Dotson and Daniels? They can't keep all 4, can they? Trade? Plus, it seems the real weakness is at tackle, especially Less, I mean Moore. What will they do at OT?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I wouldn't rule out a trade although I'm not sure what Daniels or Dotson would bring in trade return. Daniels is making $8.2 million in salary for the next two seasons so any acquiring team would have to be comfortable with that number.
freddy adieu
2:13
Do the Steelers believe in Robinson or Leal as future starters?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
They signed Elandon Roberts so I don't think they view Robinson as starter material in 2023. Maybe he develops more, and they would feel comfortable with him in 2024. That's a possibility. I feel like I answer Leal questions every week. I don't think he has to be a "starter" to be an effective player for them.
Jake
2:15
Could you see CB #1 and Alabama S #2? I know we need OT and DL but shoring up the back end might make sense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I'd be surprised if they went DBs with their first two picks, but I would not be surprised if they drafted two DBs.
Sidney
2:15
I understand that one needs a balanced offense, but doesn't it seem that the OL mostly improved in the run game? And isn't the current thinking around the league that one needs a potent air attack? Are the Steelers going backwards?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Offensive linemen do more than run block. They also pass protect. Who says Isaac Seumalo isn't a plus pass protector too? The Steelers wanted to upgrade at guard and did that with his signing. You don't sign one-dimensional players for $8 million per year.
Tyler
2:17
Hey Ray, any truth to these obj rumors?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky floated the idea yesterday. The Steelers loved OBJ coming out of LSU. I don't know that they feel the same way now. And certainly not for big money. He's coming off an ACL injury and he's had issues with coaches on his previous teams.
Serra
2:18
Thanks for the chat, do you these 6'3'', 6'4'' 280 pound D ends that can move all over the line the future? Like Leal.
Connecting…