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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.29.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
Buggs was picked in the sixth round, a round higher than Frazier. I think Buggs can compete for a roster spot and even push Dan McCullers to be the No. 5 DL. There's not a lot of depth there. LT Walton was a sixth round pick and made the team as a rookie. There is no reason Buggs can't do the same.
AK
12:53
I don’t see Grimble as a #2 TE.  Do you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
Grimble will have to be much improved to be the top backup. He hasn't played well enough in his limited opportunities to show me that he's ready for that role.
Dude_From_Cali
12:55
Ray, James Wash' is expected to have a improved 2nd season. Besides being in the weight room, cardio, what's involved a HIGHLY drafted WR's second year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
Just his comfort level, knowledge of the offense, etc.
DS
12:55
With lighter and faster backers, pass coverage should be better, but  how do they help stop the opposing running game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
This is a great question. Everyone in the NFL saw what the Patriots did last season when teams trotted out light linebackers when they played against them. The Pats ran their way to another Super Bowl. Will other teams commit to doing the same? It's going to be a story line this fall. Mark my words. That's the logical adjustment for these offensive coordinators to make.
Dude_From_Cali
12:56
Ray, you football knowledge and professionalism is immense. How many years have you been in the sports reporting biz? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
My first year at the Post-Gazette was 1997. I have been covering the Steelers on a full-time basis since 2012.
Cleansed
12:57
is our prospective  #2 tight end now on the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Good question. We'll find out during camp and the preseason games.
SteelBone925
12:58
Ray, do you think the pickup of Snell in the 4th round means more of a running back by committee approach or is this insurance for Connor and Samuels?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Probably for depth reasons. There has not been any indication they're going to a rotation of backs. They like to have a full-time starter and that guy gets most of the work.
GV
12:59
With all this talk about smaller faster backers, isn't that just a cop-out for teams that didn't draft big, strong & fast backers?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
There aren't that many big, fast linebackers in college either. That's why Devin White was the No. 5 overall pick. Those guys are few and far between.
Ed Bouchette Jr.
1:00
Ray, I think one FA signing that isn't getting enough attention is WR Donte Moncrief. I think he will be a better Martavis Bryant in this offense and will start opposite of JuJu. He has the size and speed at WR in this offense that no one else has. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
Not sure he'll start over Washington, but he has speed and can be a deep threat for Ben. He's another player I'm anxious to see in camp and the preseason.
Steve
1:01
Bengals would have taken Bush - correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
That's obviously what the Steelers thought. They took Jonah Williams next. He's a good OL, but they probably had a bigger need at ILB.
Dude_From_Cali
1:02
Ray, ( please clear up this pt ) your earlier post stated with lighter LB's against the Patriots, the OC called running plays, cuz 300 lb OL would eat up these light LB's... right?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
What's to clear up? The Pats went heavy against light defensive sets. That's how they managed their offense after Josh Gordon was suspended and Gronk was injured. It worked for them. Surely other teams will see that and try to copy it. Maybe not all teams have the personnel to do what the Patriots did, but it's clearly on the radar of teams after the success the Pats had.
1:04
Ok that's all the time I have for today. Join me again next week for my next chat. Have a good week.
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