You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.20.21
powered byJotCast
Ray Fittipaldo
1:49
OK bonus chat time. Starting early. Let's go.
RD
1:49
Ray, how surprised are you over the Mike Tomlin 3 year extension. Given the past several years of disappointment and Roethlisberger's pending retirement, I would have assumed the Rooneys would have held off to asses the future direction of the team.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Here's the thing: knowing how the Rooneys operate, I am not surprised. It is obvious Art II was taking notes when his father was running the team. This is a move Dan Rooney would have made. So in that way I am not surprised at all. However, if you're asking me to provide some critical analysis of Tomlin's recent seasons, then yes I am surprised. There was no no need to extend him at this time. No one would have thought twice if Art II wanted to see how things went this year before making a long-term commitment. But the Steelers like stability within their organization. They like having Tomlin as the head coach and they signed him to a long-term deal. It's obvious they believe he can steer the team through the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.
ALB
1:53
Ray, there are a lot of running backs in this draft and the Steelers’ RB room is pretty thin. What are the chances that, even if they take one with the first pick, they take another one within the next few picks?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Slim and none. They'll take an RB but only one. They have depth with Snell, McFarland and Samuels under contract. We can debate the quality of that depth, but there is depth.
Jud
1:54
Do the Steelers have their starting Center on the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
For 2021? It's probably BJ Finney unless they draft one high and he proves ready to play as a rookie. For the long-term? No. I don't think they view Finney as anything more than a stop-gap.
J$Money
1:55
Hi Ray! If you were drafting purely by position need combined with the strength of that position in this draft, in what order would you take the Steelers first 5 picks? I would go running back, center, tackle, cornerback and tight end. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I think that's pretty spot on. Could maybe make an argument TE should be higher, but I wouldn't change a thing.
Krugerrand
1:55
Ray, one of the knocks on Tomlin is that he doesn't do enough with the talent he has at hand.  Does that overlook the role he plays in assembling the talent?  Which leads to my next question ... could you see Tomlin moving into a GM role at some point?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Other coaches have both roles. But Tomlin has worked well with GM Kevin Colbert. I don't think there have been any issues there. And I assume he'll get along with Brandon Hunt or whoever the next GM is. My bet is on Hunt. And they've known each other for years, so my assumption is they would have a similar working dynamic.
Steeler fan in AL.
1:57
Hey Ray. Love the chats. I don't think the Steelers should spend a first round pick on a RB. What are your thoughts on drafting the best available center or left tackle in round 1 then going with Trey Sermon in round 2. Do you think he can be the 3 down feature back the Steelers need. Thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
With so many holes I'd rather go BPA at C, T, CB, TE, OLB, ILB...You get my point? Don't reach for a player. There are a lot of holes to fill so build a quality roster and fill the holes in as needed. If there is a T or C at 24 and there is an equal grade with OLB or ILB, then I obviously would take the C or the T. But don't limit yourself to certain positions in the first round, especially in a year when the needs are many.
V. Fontaine
1:59
Is Mike Tomlin the de facto general manager now with this extension? Seeing that Kevin Colbert is year to year at this point, Tomlin would seem to exert more influence on scouting, drafting and roster composition than before.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Even if that does turn out to be the case -- and I don't have any indication it's headed in that direction -- you still need someone like Hunt to oversee the scouting department and prepare for the draft during the season. A top talent evaluator is needed regardless of titles.
Chase from NC
2:00
Hey Ray thanks for doing this as always.  Let's say you are Colbert and 24 rolls around.  Jenkens and Humphrey are off the board while Harris and Etienne are there.  Do you take a top back at 24 or are you in favor of trying to trade back and land a running back and linemen in the 2nd or 3rd?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
If I can get an extra pick and still get the RB I want in the second round then I trade down. If not, I take the RB or other BPA on my board.
Fuamatu-Maʻafala
2:01
If the NFL has one of those drunk first rounds, and a generational talent like Fields starts falling towards 20, would the Steelers have to call an audible and try to move to get him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
It would be tempting, but I wouldn't count on that happening.
Jacob
2:02
How do we win a Super Bowl in 2021?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Don't crap the bed in your home playoff games.
PCO 911
2:02
Ray, In your opinion which of the 3 Top RBs fit best with the Steelers and who would you select?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I would go with Najee Harris.
Ctsteeler
2:03
Ray, if the Big 3 RBs are all gone when Pitt picks, do you think they'd sign a FA RB like Gurley, Petersen or even LeVeon on a 1 year deal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Anything is possible, but I think they'd try to get a prospect in the draft first before exploring any of those options.
Bernard
2:03
Straight to the point - does the timing of the extension make sense and was it a good move by the Rooney's?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I've been trying to figure out the timing and haven't heard a good answer yet. Tomlin usually signs his extensions around training camp. Not sure why this year is different. Maybe it's just a desire to get it out of the way now because there will be more pressing concerns to deal with over the summer. But I am trying to get an answer on that and I don't have a good one now... As for this being a good move by the Rooneys, we'll have to wait and see. They turned out to be right when they extended Bill Cowher when he was going trough some struggles from 1998-2000. Can Tomlin turn it around the way Cowher did?
Bernard
2:06
Listening to national media, there are 5 QBs with first round grades.  If, hypothetically, a player like Fields drops to them do they take him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
If they had a high grade on him they'd have to think long and hard about it. It's the single most important position on a football team.
574 Fan
2:07
Ray - I know you are ok with, perhaps even in favor of, a 1st rd rb.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
You are correct. I'd be OK with it.
Ryan
2:07
I was leaning the team going OL in round 1 but now I'm really leaning towards RB, what are you thinking?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Nine days out? I'm still thinking RB or OL. And you know they don't know how the draft will unfold either. That's why they put together their board.
ralph
2:08
What happened to the Rooney's wait and see posture on renewing Mike Tomlin"s contract?  It seems everything they say  they ultimately backtrack. Not one year not two but three year, I know they are opposed to change , but seemed to have backed themselves into a corner. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
You say 'back into a corner' and they say 'we believe in Mike Tomlin.'
Marnie
2:09
I think it's damned if you pick a RB at # 24 because RBs are undervalued compared to other positions, and damned if you don't, as unlikely one of the top 3 lasts to pick 55 in round 2.  My guess is Steelers draft RB in round 1 to a chorus of "reach, reach, reach" but it seems more of a risk to hope one falls to 55.  Is there any RB not named Harris, Williams, or Etienne worth a pick at # 55?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Sermon is a second- or third-round type. There are others too like Michael Carter of UNC.
Joel
2:10
Hi, Ray, It seems to me that the Steelers are getting set up to be squeezed on draft day: the true impact O-line guys are likely to be gone based on the various mocks I've seen and taking a running back in Round 1 is generally not advised. Is there any possibility that they will trade up to get an OL? Or draft a linebacker who is better value at #24?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
The Steelers will not reach for a player in Round 1. That's not how they operate. They will stay true to their board or trade down if they know one or several players they want will be available to them with tyhe pick(s) they receive in return.
Utah Jim
2:12
Given how the season ended, and the amount roster turnover, is it bad optics to skip OTAs?
Load More Messages
Connecting…