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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.20.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
i can assure the players do not care about "bad optics."
Javi
2:12
Hello Ray. Considering many people viewed Tomlin winning SB with Cowhers team how will he be remembered if he coaches out this contract extension without winning another one? Assuming this will be his last deal..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
That's a lot of assumptions. Let's see how things play out over the next couple of years.
MG
2:13
How will the NFL Draft be conducted? Is everyone on Zoom again this year? More views inside GM's living rooms?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
It will be similar, yes.
FoolBack
2:13
Ray, will TJ Watt's future asking price possibly place him out of the Steelers long term plans?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
No they want to keep him, and they will. And they know it will be an expensive deal.
Jeff
2:14
Thanks for the chats Ray.  Good for Tomlin.  Guy takes way too much crap from the fans and we are lucky to have the stability we have.  How shocked would you be if we dont go OL/C/RB the first round?  Seems like we have to if we are all in for Bens last year
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I'd be mildly surprised if it was an OL or RB. Never shocked. It's the draft. They have more information these players than we do!
iowasteelersfan
2:14
Who do you think will go into camp as the #1 ILB with Bush - Williams or Spillane?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Spillane, but I think they'll have a role in mind for Williams.
PhilFromCanada
2:15
Hi Ray - Do you think Darrisaw, Jenkins or Cosmi are better options than Chuks Okorafor at Left Tackle for the 2021 season? I feel like Chuks has been solid enough probably outplays any of those guys at left tackle this year.

I'd rather we go Little in the 3rd round, and focus on CB, C, and RT in the first two rounds.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
You might be onto something, but you can't go into Round 3 hoping Little will be there. You have to know Little or other players you desire will be there. But to your point about getting a developmental prospect, it makes sense given their roster composition and depth at tackle. They need a long-term starter, but with Okorafor they don't necessarily need for him to play a lot as a rookie.
Tom from VA
2:17
Good Afternoon Ray - Gotta be o-line next week right?  Can you make a better case for it to be a RB?  Unless you see a dark horse candidate/position?  Thanks for the time and the chats!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I can probably make a better case for RB knowing the premier left tackles likely will be gone by 24.
iowasteelersfan
2:18
What are your thoughts on the potential future with the Steelers for Henry Mondeaux?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
He'll battle for a roster spot again.
574 Fan
2:18
Highsmith, Chuks (if he replaces AV), and either Pierre or Layne have some pretty big shoes to fill next year.  Which one(s) do you see making us forget about their predecessors?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Hmmm, that's a tough question. The Steelers have had good fortune developing OLBs in the past so it's between Highsmith and Okorafor for me. I think Okorafor might be decent at LT.
DaquidoBazzini
2:19
Do you think Tevin Jenkins can be a LT or just strictly a RT?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
He played mostly the right side at Oklahoma State. He said he could play the left side but prefers the right. If I'm GMKC I'm not banking on him playing the left side. Some guys just prefer to be on certain sides and there is no way of knowing until you get him on your team.
HT
2:21
Ray....Arians...Haley...Fichner...Sarrett...Mike Tomlin three more years! Any early prediction on who the next fall guy will be when this team implodes again?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
You left off the new OC. The OC always gets the blame! Where've you been?
Mike
2:21
What are you hearing about the chances of Al Villanueva returning to the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Not much at all right now. He's visiting the Ravens this week apparently.
Lenny from NY
2:22
Afternoon Ray. I can’t believe they extended Tomlin. I thought he was on the hot seat. There downfall from 11-0 is totally in him. He has been there too long. The players I feel are not buying his spiel any more. His O line never bought into his get tougher philosophy last year. I think it was a big mistake extending him. What are you thoughts?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I think it's fair to be critical of the decision, especially the term of the contract. But as I said earlier, they believe they have their guy, and they don't waver in those types of decisions.
daniel11
2:22
Do you think Najee Harris or Travis Etienne without a decent OL can improve the run game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
A little bit because they're dynamic players, but you need a quality line for a quality running game, and the Steelers didn't have a quality line last year.
Matt Venice
2:23
Would we really take Landon Dickerson at 24, given his injury history and that he would not be available until mid-season at the earliest? If Harris, Etienne, Jenkins are gone...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
All depends on the medicals. If they check out and the Steelers are convinced none of those injuries he suffered in college have long-term consequences then I could see it. But that's a big if. Dickerson had two ACLs and an ankle injury at Alabama and Florida State.
stlrwaz
2:25
Hey Ray. Any chance Javonte Williams last until #55?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Maybe but I doubt it.
Draft & What Have You
2:25
3.) ND TE Tommy Tremble - 4.) Michigan LB Cam McGrone
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Tremble could definitely help improve the running game. He lined up as a FB and H-back for the Irish as well as in-line TE for the Irish.
HartnerHitMan
2:27
Could the Steelers consider signing Eric Kasperowicz in some sort of coaching or scouting capacity?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I have no idea if you are serious or joking, but I wanted this to see the light of day regardless.
Jim
2:27
Any word on whether Big Al is really interested in the rat birds? Hard to believe.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Why, if they're offering him millions to play? Remembers, fans, it's a business to them, not a game.
AZ Steeler Fan
2:28
From where we sit today, did the Steelers make a bad decision in trading up to get Devin Bush?
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