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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.08.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:45
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Jon
11:52
So ... if the Devins are gone which draft rabbit does Colbert pull out of his hat?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
Maybe a WR, TE, CB or OLB. He'll have players to choose from. Won't be an ideal scenario for them, but I think they'll be able to snag a good player at No. 20 if they stay there.
thomastown
11:53
Gerry doesn’t think the Steelers should keep all 10 picks. I agree with trading some to move up but only for the right guy at the right price.  But, since the draft is such a crapshoot, what’s the problem with keeping all 10 and increasing their chances of finding some good players?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
They've kept 10 picks in the past, including 2010. That turned out to be a pretty good draft. It included Maurkice Pouncey and Antonio Brown among others. The Steelers value picks. They also know they have needs this year. I think that's what Gerry was getting at. If ever there was a year to use draft capital to move in the draft this is it. But if they can't move up I don't think Colbert will be down about having 10 picks.
BillT
11:56
Encouraging news about Shazier.  Any idea what will happen to him in 2020?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Nice to see Ryan share so many of his milestones on social media. But I honestly have no idea what any of it means for resumption of his career. He says he's not giving up as long as doctors tell him there's a chance. And obviously he's making some progress. Let's not put dates or limits on his comeback.
Bubby.Blister
11:57
Do you think AB's latest comments are a function of his realization that he will never have the numbers in OAK that he did here and is feeling remorse? Or is he just an idiot?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Option 2.
Tyler
11:58
Other than Devin Bush, are there any particular prospects that you’ve heard the Steelers are targeting in the first two days?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
I think it's obvious they are targeting defensive backs in the second and third rounds. Justin Layne and Rock Ya-Sin visited on the same day last week. Darnell Savage visited last week. They're Day 2 picks although Ya-Sin has been mentioned by some as a late first-round possibility. I'm not sure if the Steelers view him that way at No. 20. But honestly, it all depends on how the first round unfolds. What happens then could have a domino effect on the rest of their draft.
BIG TEX
12:00
If Byron and Greedy are gone by pick 20, would the Steelers go after Baker from GA? Is he worth the pick at 20?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I don't think Baker is worth it at No. 20. Not a ton of production at Georgia. In the games I watched he didn;t seem to have a lot of ball awareness. After listening to Kevin Colbert talk about turnovers for the past few weeks I don't know if Baker is a fit for them.
BIG TEX
12:01
Which WR do you see being the classic Steelers late round find this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I don't think they'll wait until the later rounds. I think they'll get one in the first three rounds. There are some good ones in this draft. If you don't get one in the first round there are guys like Deebo Samuel, Hakeem Butler, A.J. Brown, Andy Isabella and others that will be there on Day 2.
John
12:03
Do you think that the Steelers' lack of interceptions has more to do with a lack of talent or a flawed defensive scheme?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I'd lean toward talent moreso than scheme. The scheme has worked in the past. Some of it has to do with luck, too. T.J. Watt has seven forced fumbles last season. Not one of them was recovered. How do you explain that? Perhaps some of it has to do with talent and players being around the ball, but sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. When iyt comes ti interceptions it's definitely lack of talent. They've admitted they've made some mistakes in evaluating CBs. That's why they'll likely take another relatively high in this year's draft.
Dr. Jackson
12:05
Kraft has a video why isn’t he forced to sell the team like Jerry Richardson Carolina panthers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Right or wrong, I think the NFL looks at sexual harassment and prostitution in different lights. I think the league should come down harder on Kraft. I just don't think they will.
Jeff M
12:07
If Bush and White are gone do you think there is any other player worth trading up for? Do you think they would consider trading down I that scenario?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Sure there could be. It could be a situation like 2006 when Santonio Holmes was falling and the Steelers made the move to get him. It's not always planned. Sometimes developments on draft make it happen.
Ken Ward
12:09
Hi Ray. If you were Kevin Colbert, who would you target with the first pick and what would you be willing to give up for your first pick? Love the chats, Ken
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I'd be willing to give up No. 2, a third, a fourth and a seventh to get Devin White at No. 10 if he falls that far. Bush is right there with White so I'd give up something similar. Maybe No. 20, a third and a fifth. Might not have to trade up as high to get Bush so you might not have to give up as much...
James
12:11
Hi Ray, Do you think the Steelers are interested in David Sills from WVU?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I think there is some interest. Colbert and Tomlin seemed to take a liking to him at the Senior Bowl. And the Steelers were well-represented at West Virginia's pro day. There are several good prospects in Morgantown this year. David Long, an ILB, visited the Steelers last week.
Bake
12:12
Special teams need to be better this season.  What's the likelihood we have same kicker and punter as last season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Better than 50-50.
Steel Curtain
12:12
Right now OLB should be top 1 or 2 priority in draft, agree?  Championships are won with pressure off the edge!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
In a different era, yes. Now teams are putting a premium on interior pass rushers because QBs are getting rid of the ball so quickly. They just need playmakers on defense. They don't have enough of those. If it's an OLB to plan ahead should Dupree not work out I'd be fine with that. I'm just not sure that's their focus with so many other needs.
Tyler
12:14
During a chat last week, Gerry stated that the Steelers were potentially interested in an Iowa TE in round one. Any insight as to which?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Hockenson has been consistently mocked in the top 10. That's high for a TE, but I think it'd be a surprise if he fell all the way to No. 20. He's the all-around TE -- good blocker, good receiver. Just a good overall player. Noah Fant is the pass-catching TE for the Hawkeyes. Not much of a blocker. In a different era I would have said Hockenson no doubt is their type of TE, but the game is changing. Good blocking tight ends don;t come around very often. Plus, the Steelers have to get the best weapons around Roethlisberger for his final years. Fant would be player with the most potential in the passing game because of his 4.5 speed in the slot.
Pres-ham from port arthur tx
12:17
Hi Ray I don't think the steelers should trade up when the drafts comes..it would cost to much...if we stay pat what do you think about Dexter Lawrence from Clemson..iron head kid isn't getting any younger? Thanks Ray love your chats...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Not a lot of depth on the D line, but I don't think they'd pull the trigger on a DL in the first round. Too many other needs. Maybe third round or later. They do need to add a quality developmental player because as you mention Heyward is not getting any younger. Still has some good years left, but they probably have to plan some for the future.
Bake
12:18
Ray, which is more likely Steelers trading up or making 10 selections?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
55-45 trading up. I just think it's a distinct possibility because they have the draft capital and they have the need at ILB.
Mo
12:19
Hey Ray...love your work..do you think now that the noise are both out of the building will Big Ben have a better season this year than he did last year especially interception wise? With him not having to force feed AB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
It will be hard to have a better statistical season, but he could have a better year. In other words, he might not throw for 5,000 yards, but he should be better with the INTs. All depends on how his young receivers develop.
Professor Flush
12:20
Why are the Steelers sticking with Jordan Berry? He does NOT angle punt, he outkicks coverage or shanks it.  This is main reason our punt coverage team ranks near the bottom of the league, but Colbert and Tomlin and special teams coaches are too stubborn to make a change. And now a new contract for Berry? Am I the only voice of reason in this canary cage?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Just because Berry signed a new contract doesn't mean he'll automatically make the roster. If they find a better punter they can attempt to trade Berry or they could release him. It's not a horrendous cap hit if they do cut him. It's something like $750,000 to make that move.
jshaf
12:22
do you see a scenario where there is no one they like at 20 and trade back in round 1, then trade up in round 2 to snag a ILB they deem a better value in early round 2?
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