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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.12.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Good afternoon. We'll get the chat started in a few minutes.
Ed in Carrick
1:54
Given Jack was signed do the Steelers downgrade the ILB position in draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I don't think so. If Devin Bush's fifth-year option is not exercised (and I don't think it will be) he's only under contract for one more year. And Jack was signed for only two years. Not sure there is a long-term answer there. Now I don't know if they'll take an ILB in the first round, but I could see them taking one Day 2 or Day 3.
Ticco in Boston
1:55
Good afternoon, Ray, and thanks for the chats. Do you think that Ben Roethlisberger will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, especially now tat Tom Brady came out of "retirement"? I ask because it seems that some voters treat it as a personality contest, instead of focusing on a player's on-field achievements and place in the game (Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, etc.), which I feel is unfair. Speaking of the Hall of Fame, do you think that Hines Ward and James Harrison ever get in? Thanks, Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Yes I think Roethlisberger will get in on the first ballot. I think Ward has a better chance than Harrison, but he hasn't advanced very far in recent years of his eligibility.
Ed in Carrick
1:56
The NFL mourns Haskins and it is a terrible situation. I feel so bad for his family. Ron’s article this morning reflects that and mentions it is terrible they need to get back to business. In an effort to not diminish everything I do however wonder if there is a QB you think might be added in FA. Who is he?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Out of respect to Haskins and the Steelers I'll choose to answer this at a later date.
Kris
1:57
Can our OC scheme ways to get the ball in Claypool’s hands in some manner other than a contested jump ball, which seems to leave him climbing off the turf in some level of pain and likely has led to his productivity issues to some degree?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
I should hope so. Claypool was much more effective under Randy Fichtner than Canada. But I would also add Claypool has a role in how this plays out, too. It's not just on Canada to get him in position. Claypool has to get better on his own.
Ed in Carrick
1:59
Is Kendrick Green winning a guard spot?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
That's what training camp is for.
Guest
1:59
I felt like Keith Butler was more of a "next man up" and not "best available" coordinator. Do you expect that Austin, along with Flores, will be a significant upgrade getting the most out of the talent?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I think a lot of people for whatever reason failed to grasp how good of a coach Keith Butler was. He had a tough job following Dick LeBeau, and it's been well-chronicled how Mike Tomlin took over play-calling duties. I think the bigger question is will Tomlin trust Austin and Flores more.
Dan
2:01
Just terrible about Mr. Haskins. Very sad.  Have any of the teammates who were with him in Florida given any insight on what may have happened?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Some have chosen not to speak on the matter, but they have expressed their love for Haskins on social media.
Wil
2:02
Thanks for the chat.  The Steelers still need a safety.  Can you see them drafting one, or will we see a free agent signing?  Any college safeties you think fit what Pittsburgh does defensively?  Better than Edmunds (who played pretty well last season) anyway?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Yes, I could see them drafting one. I also could see Terrell Edmunds coming back. We'll see what happens.
MD
2:03
Ray: just three years ago the Steelers made the disastrous trade of a 1, 2, and 3 for Bush.  Now there seems to be a lot of talk that if "they really like" a QB, they should move up and get him.  Why should AJRII have any confidence that this staff really likes the right QB when almost all of the outside analysts seem to think that these QBs are 2nd round talents?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
The Bush deal isn't looking good, but ARII hired Colbert, Tomlin and others to make these decisions. He has to trust them.
Alan
2:04
Hi Ray. How serious do you think the Steelers are in possibly drafting a QB in round 1? Outside of Pickett and Willis, is there another name to keep an eye on?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Desmond Ridder and Matt Corral.
MD
2:04
Ray: three of the last four high WR picks have been relatively slow (>4.53) in Johnson, JuJu, and Washington.  Do you think the Steelers will stay with that bigger, slower, combat catch approach or focus more on speed with the next WR pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
You make a great point. I think they need to focus on getting some speed at the position.
Ralph LA
2:04
After the games do the PG writers coordinate on their stories? I can read all of the coverage and there’s different perspectives without repetition.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Yes we do. We all sit in the same area in the press box and discuss before we head to the locker room. Or in the case of the past two years before we head onto zoom calls.
MD
2:05
Why isn't there more talk of one of the top safeties (Cine from UGA or Hill from Michigan) as the #20 pick?  Both are sub 4.4, with decent size, and played at the top levels of college football.  Maybe Hill is viewed more as a FS, but Cine would seem to be able to be an SS.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I haven't seen Cine in many first-round mocks. I see him mostly in the second or third round.
Trade Down
2:06
What has been the Steelers' hangup in recent years about trading down? Adding picks for depth this year seems necessary because this roster seems thin in several positions. Maybe not the 1st round, but wouldn't dropping down in the 2nd or 3rd to get extra late 3rd to mid 5th seem logical?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
You need a dance partner to execute those types of deals. And you need to know you can get a player you want after the trade. No one trades down merely to acquire more picks. There has to be value in doing and the assurance that a desirable player will be there after the trade.
Carl in Carrick
2:07
Hi Ray, a well-respected peer of yours thinks the Steelers will hire someone outside the organization to succeed Kevin Colbert.  Your thoughts?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I wouldn't discount that theory, but I also think the Omar Kahn/Brandon Hunt tandem is still very much in the mix for the job.
Hersh M
2:08
Are we close to signing a safety or do you predict us drafting one high to be the presumed starter
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
If you mean high by first three rounds then yes. But I don't think they need to take a safety in round 1 or 2.
Ron
2:09
I want really Pickett in the first and Travis Jones in the second or Jordan Davis in the first and Howell in the second. Howell, then Jones might by Those dream scenarios aside, the Steelers might need to draft 2 wide receivers by the mid rounds, one slot capable and one speed guy, and pick up a free agent wide receiver. Question is, we’re they really prepared to be down 3 of their top 5 OR were they surprised to have receiver become such a need?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
No one was expecting Washington to be back. And they obviously made a decision to move on from JuJu at the price the Chiefs paid. If there was a small surprise it was the $ SF paid McCloud, but he's a No. 5. You can get a No. 5 in the later rounds of the draft or on your practice squad (Anthony Miller).
Hank
2:10
Hello Ray, Davis and Wyatt , the defensive linemen from Georgia.  Which one do you see having the better career?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Good questions. Wyatt is very athletic for his size and has a great motor. He has a high floor. I don't think you need to worry about him busting. He'll be solid. Davis has a higher ceiling, but he's been labeled a boom or bust prospect. He has unusual size and some freak athleticism for a man his size. But NFL personnel people haven't seen him translate those talents onto the field yet. Or at least the complete package he possesses.
JJ Knot
2:13
Where in the draft do you see them targeting a quality CB? Hoping rd 2/3? Sutton and Witherspoon are barely serviceable and we'll see if Wallace will be any good, but this group could easily be this years achilles heel without new strong talent. I know their poor record drafting CBs but can  Flores help snap that streak?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Definitely first three rounds and don't discount the first round.
wiscoken
2:13
Ray - always appreciate your chats - thank you!  One important storyline that I'd like your POV is what's happening with Kevin Dotson.  A solid (arguably strong) rookie year, followed by a very disappointing 2nd year, where both his play (and frankly his effort) came into question.  Season 3 seems to be a pivotal year, if he is able to rebound, the off season moves on OL should prove to be extremely additive... if Dotson continues to underperform, it is yet another hole to fill in this leaky bucket.
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