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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.02.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Carlo
1:52
Hi Ray, do you think Herbig is the answer to our OLB depth or with the team look at a vet free agent?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
I wrote about that very subject today. I think they'll give Herbig a shot to earn that No. 3 role, but that's a big role for a fourth-round pick. I think they'll evaluate his progress and make a decision later in the summer. Lots of free agent edge rushers still out there https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/05/02/pittsburgh-ste...
Aloha Randy
1:53
What do you think the team’s plan is for Kendrick Green?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
I'm not sure he's in their plans to be honest with you.
Chris from Grandin
1:53
Ray, will the Steelers finally have first game of the season at home ?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Probably depends on the Pirates schedule.
obxandy
1:54
When will 2023 NFL schedules be announced? I have seen speculation about May 11. Thanks for your chats which I read every week.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Yes it's May 11. I think it's on NFL Network at 8 p.m.
Ed in Carrick
1:55
Does Trice have a path to the 53 or is he destined for the practice squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
He'll have to perform well. I don't think it was a good sign for James Pierre or Ahkello Witherspoon when Trice was a pick in Round 7. You know Peterson, Porter and Wallace are on the roster, probably Maulet too. That's four. Whether it's Trice or Pierre or Witherspoon you had better play special teams if you want to be active on gamedays.
Steve
1:56
Afternoon, Ray.  Thanks as always.  What's your way to early of roster for the OL and DL come Week 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
LT Broderick Jones (if he's ready), LF Isaac Seumalo, C Mason Cole, RG James Daniels, RT Chuks Okorafor. Dan Moore is the swing tackle and Nate Herbig the top interior backup. Maybe Dotson still makes it as an extra guard... DL -- Heyward, Benton and Ogujobi.
Chris from Grandin
1:58
Are there any real injury concerns for D Washington
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Yes but not enough for the Steelers to turn their back on him at pick 93. They saw it as good value and a good risk.
Chris from Grandin
1:58
The draft was good on paper, what were they thinking with the last pick ?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
It's Pennsylvania law. The Steelers have to pick a player from Maryland every year.
Guest
1:59
Ray with all the off season moves and a successful draft would you say the ball is in Matt Canada’s court? Produce this year or else.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
This is the NFL. That's been his job description for the past two seasons as well. I agree he has more in his arsenal now, but good coaches always make the most of who they have at their disposal.
Hi Ray
2:01
Can you recall any other players selected outside the first two rounds who have such an intriguing upside as our new TE from Georgia.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
This tends to happen every year. Wasn't it last year the Eagles got Nakobe Dean in the third round for injury concerns too? I don't know how Dean will pan out. I don't know how Washington will pan out, but I know this: you can't teach size. If he's healthy, Washington will be a big help in the running game.
Hi Ray
2:02
Good article on what is still needed to address weaknesses.  Do you have favorite FA’s you’d like to see signed?  Have any visited with the Steelers so far this offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I haven't heard of any guys visiting, but there's time for that. These remaining free agents might wait to see if there any injuries this spring or in training camp before they sign. They'd have more leverage than they do now.
Lambert Lunatic
2:03
Hey Ray, Watt is listed at 251 lbs. Harrison was 243 and Joey Porter Sr was 248. Herbig is now 241. He’ll probably add a few but even if he stays there, is 5 maybe 10 lbs really not gonna allow him to be as impactful as some are suggesting?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I think he'd be fine at 250ish. He needs to hold up in the run game and set the edge and he has to be able to disengage from tackles with much longer wingspans when he rushes. I like him, but a lot of the plays he made in college were because he's relentless. In the NFL, you need a rush plan. They'll teach him that. It will take some time.
the real guest
2:05
Ray, I know it's early but, given FA and the draft, I think who makes the final 53 this year is shaping up to be painful for more than a few Steeler veterans in the OL,DL,TE and CB rooms. Not just starters but backups whose window is about to close. Your thoughts.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I agree. They have assembled much more depth at some positions than they've had in years. Omar Khan said he wanted competition and he'll have that at those positions you mentioned.
Ryan S.
2:05
Hey Ray! Thanks for the chats. Any reason the Steelers never posted the calls with Tomlin on draft night? I think we're all suckers for them, kind of shocked they never came out.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I was wondering the same thing. Maybe they'll debut it soon.
Hi Ray
2:06
Given Daniels is much larger than Cole, and he had a good year at center in Chicago before he was signed, any thoughts on moving him over - have Cole be the backup C/G, and let some combination of Moore/Herbig/Dotson/Geeen compete for RG slot.  Chuck’s stays at RT unless he craps his pant in camp.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Why mess with Daniels when he had a decent year? It's not easy bouncing from position to position. Guys want to find a home sometimes.
Hi Ray
2:07
Boykin is never given much love as a receiver.  He is a big body who should be able to provide some level of depth.  However, we only hear about him on special teams.  Is there more there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
No.
Matt
2:07
Trading Pick 80 for 93 and 132 (Washington and Herbig) better than staying put and taking Trenton Simpson(Ravens)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
We'll find out. I like getting that 4th back. They needed an OLB and got one in Herbig.
Adam T
2:08
Hi Ray, there are some other Steelers beat reporters (and fans) who still don't think the Steelers pretty much tell everyone their draft plan in March and early April. This is the 14th year in a row where the Steelers GM was at the pro day of our 1st round pick. 13 of those 14 years also saw Mike Tomlin there with him (DeCastro being the lone exception, I believe). The Steelers also really stuck to their visitors list, with Jones, Porter Jr., Benton and Washington all coming in for visits. There were no smokescreens. There are never any smokescreens. Why do some writers and fans still not get this?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
That's why we track the top-30 visits the way we do. They tell a story. Even if they don't draft these guys you get an idea of the positions they are targeting. They had more offensive linemen in than any other position. They drafted OL first. Next was CBs. They took a CB second and next was DL third and they took a DL with their third pick. Of their seven picks four were in for visits -- their first four picks.
the real guest
2:10
Ray, if you are up against a mobile QB and your pass rush is 3 DLs and 1 OLB such as Watt or Highsmith wouldn't it make sense for your 2nd OLB to be a smaller and faster guy like Herbig who contains/spies rather than rushes? It just seems mobile QBs are picking up a lot of yards and first downs with their legs rather than their arms.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
There are all kinds of game plans for mobile QBs, but it's easier said than done. Lamar Jackson runs much faster than Nick Herbig so he'd always have the advantage in a 1-on-1 scenario in the open field. There are some special athletes that can spy just about anyone but they are few and far between.
Hi Ray
2:12
Is there a rationale to resign Myles Jack.  Pride and philosophy aside, they have little at ILB and Jack was reasonably effective there.  I’m not sure how he fit in the locker room and be willing to be a rotation player at this point.  To me, not a horrible idea if he’s sign for short money.
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