You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.30.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Wisconsin Winters
2:15
Will Troy Polomuao and Bill Cohwer get their HOF celebation event
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Yes in August. The 2020 class goes in on a Saturday and the 2021 class on a Sunday. First week of August. I believe the dates are the 7th and 8th.
KN
2:16
Hello. Thank you as always for the chat. Do you think that Steelers do not have any interest in bringing Jesse James back ?  There seems to be no movement which is surprising since TE room is almost empty. Also is there a chance that they might bring V Williams or Nelson back on reduced charges ?  Thank you very much.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Maybe if Vince doesn't have any takers. As for Jesse James I could see them still making that move.
Rocky B
2:18
Conflicting reports on Ben's conditioning last season.  I've read that he lost all the offseason weight and showed up to start the season in great shape.  Now recently Peter King and Florio imply that he played last year 20 lb overweight.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
He didn't look 20 pounds overweight to me. This seems to be a favorite thing for national reporters. Not sure why.
Adam T
2:19
Hi Ray, thanks for taking my question. Now that the pro day schedule is almost done, it seems like the Steelers sent their top guys to see most of the expected players (running backs, linemen, corners, etc...). The one position they've seemed to scout up a little more than anticipated though is edge rusher. Is it just a coincidence that some of the top edge players happened to be at pro days that Mike Tomlin would have been at anyway, or is edge legitimately in play for round 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Probably not Round 1, but they need to add some depth there for sure.
schnail
2:20
Do the Steelers think enough of James Pierre (or Justin Layne) to the point that we'll see one of them on the field a lot more?  Or do you expect we'll also address CB in some other way?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I can see them drafting a slot corner in the middle rounds if they don't take an outside corner in Round 1. (And I doubt they will)
Donna
2:21
Hi Ray.  Do you think the Steelers may try to move up to get Harris before Miami picks at #18?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Dolphins definitely need a back. And no, I don't see them trading up to get him.
Guest
2:22
Question 2 from Martin in England (sorry I sent the trade down question)   I see with interest you suggest Etienne as the pick but  I have seen so many Mock drafts not pick one in the 1st round or indeed in the 2nd round in some cases...  Its a confusing picture to somebody not so skilled in understanding the draft, I guess you think this then is the teams biggest need?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Etienne is a guy who will have a first-round grade by a lot of teams, but RBs aren't often picked in the first round for a variety of reasons.
Polovtsian Dance No.2 by Borodin
2:23
Hey Ray... Good afternoon, Are you watching the live Bama & Ohio Pro Day on NFL Network? It's repeated later, in a condensed version, I believe. Man... Harris is impressive as a receiver.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I had it on as background noise as I'm working. And yes, Harris is a very good receiver out of the backfield.
Tom
2:23
I just don't understand why a team would sign an O-lineman who has proved he is one of the worst in the league. Why not just sign some undrafted guy, he will be as bad as the previous guy but maybe has a chance to be better. Same with recycled coaches.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
No harm in signing Coward. He has some experience and he's still learning the position. If he doesn't make the team they'll ow him nothing.
Nate from Fort Wayne
2:25
Seems like some players don't want a 17 game season.
What if instead they did an 18 game season (9 home games, 9 away) Players are required to take 2 games off and will only play 16 games max? That will help with injuries and fatigue and also That will help keep NFL records without any asterisks also(rushing yards season, TD in a season etc.)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I have a hard time seeing NFL owners sign off on that one.
Nate
2:25
Did they sign Ballage for special teams or are they planning on RB by committee this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
You are assuming Ballage makes the team. I am not.
Guest
2:26
Hi Ray, thanks for the chat sessions. Do you think the bring back Big Al, or draft an OT? or both?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I think they'll draft a tackle.
Guest
2:26
I'm a Clemson guy so I'm partial to Etienne, but do you think he'll be there in RD2? I think OL has to be the pick in RD1.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Etienne might be available in round 2, but not at No. 55, which is where the Steelers pick.
Paul
2:27
Call me crazy but I think James Pierre will replace Nelson just fine as well as Sutton in the slot. Just need a CB for depth in Haden gets injured.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
That's a big leap of faith considering his experience, or lack thereof. But the Steelers do like him. How much? We'll see, I guess.
Rocky B
2:29
what's claypool like in the locker room?  Fans only get a very limited glimpse off the field.  Is he a well-liked, hard worker, with leadership qualities?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I haven't been inside the locker room since the end of the 2019 season. But to answer your question he did impress his teammates by being in shape and ready to seize a big role as a rookie.
Yates
2:30
Ray - GIven current roster and Steelers scheme on D, rank need between - slot corner, Sutton like flexible CB or pure 1/2 CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Sutton-like flex CB would be nice if they could get him and maybe he'd be ready to play earlier than Sutton did.
ROY
2:31
Do you really think Sutton can be better than Nelson?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Hard to say, but Nelson never made a Pro Bowl so it's not like he was Mel Blount out there. He was a nice No. 2 CB they could no longer afford. Maybe Sutton can be that for a smaller price tag.
ALB
2:32
Do you know who will be introducing Troy and Bill when they are enshrined?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Art II will introduce Cowher. I haven't heard about Troy. Or maybe I missed that announcement.
Guest
2:33
Hey Ray, Do you know whats the plan for attendance at Heinz Field this year? Full Capacity?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
That is their hope and with the way vaccinations are going it looks like a real possibility. That is, of course, if enough people get vaccinated.
Rocky B
2:34
at this early stage of his career, has Highsmith shown you that he could someday be in the category of Porter or Gildon?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
No.
Connecting…