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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.03.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Welcome and let's get started.
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus
1:59
Why do you think the Steelers passed on Skyy Moore and opted for George Pickens? I understand Pickens likely has a higher ceiling, but also a much lower floor than Moore.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
In talking to Tomlin, Colbert and Frisman Jackson they love Pickens. They had him very highly rated. And once he proved at his pro day the injury wasn't going to be a factor they were sold. The hometown story is nice with Moore, but if you believe in another prospect you take the player you think will be best for your organization.
MD
2:01
Are the Steelers massively over-rating their CB position?  Hard for me to believe that they didn't address this anywhere in the draft?  Sutton on last year of his deal, plus two relatively low cost journeymen, a bust in Layne, and still a ? in Pierre.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
They have numbers there, but I'm with you. I don't know if there is a true No. 1 corner. Seems like they have a bunch of Nos. 2s. Maybe one of those guys will step up.
MD
2:02
Interesting article by Peter King talking about how the Ravens tried to accumulate mid-round picks this year because Covid made it an overloaded class given the players, like Pickett, that took the extra year.  The Steelers did the opposite by trading a 4th rounder this year to take Loudermilk in the 5th last year.  How does that decision look now?  Neil Farrell or Damarion Williams would have been good picks with that original 4th round pick, but Loudermilk looked decent last year as well.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Every team has different philosophies. I know going back to last year Colbert remarked how you have a hard time finding guys of Loudermilk's size in the draft. They believed in him and went up and got him. So it depends on the evaluation.
MD
2:03
The Steelers have not traded down in the 1st round since 2001.  Is this a set "philosophy" now like not negotiating contracts in season?  2018 in particular was a missed opportunity here as Edmunds could have been had much later.  This year was probably another example.  Do they just become so enamored with their top choice that they don't see the value in adding other picks?  On a team with so many needs, it seems like a missed opportunity.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
We don't know exactly what goes on in draft rooms, but I am sure the Steelers have tried to trade down since then, and it just hasn't worked out. You also have to remember they've consistently drafted in the 20s. I think it's easier to trade down when you're higher in the draft order.
Tom
2:05
Did the Steelers improve any positions with the draft or just replace what they have?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Not much of a difference with free agency the way it is. They restocked the WRs room and took a QB to replace Big Ben. But every team does that. The Steelers filled some holes in free agency and others through the draft.
Tom
2:07
With the craziness that has become WR salaries, how bad does it look that we let JuJu walk for a mere $3 million?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I get the feeling they thought they maximized what they could get out of JuJu. Don't get me wrong. He was good when Antonio Brown was here. He took full advantage of that. But in the past few years he was a possession receiver and didn't offer as much value as he did in his first two seasons in the league. In Pickens and Austin they drafted two players who are faster than JuJu and bring a different dynamic to the offense.
Bumbaclot
2:08
I was hoping for lineman.  Instead, we got offensive playmakers.  Where are the lineman??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
They signed Daniels and Cole in free agency and re-signed Chuks. All told, they spent over $60 million to shore up a position that has been troublesome.
SteelcityFaithful
2:10
Hey Ray

We all know the story of D. Bush's rookie year and then struggles since returning from injury. I don't feel like we've heard enough about Bush as a leader, how he fits in with the locker room, etc. I remember a few flare ups and Cam putting him in his place, but curious if you think the Steelers declining his 5th year optionis more to do with culture fit vs production/knee?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
It's everything. The knee didn't respond as they had hoped. He's not the QB of the defense. And, as you mentioned, there have been some issues with his maturity.
Guest
2:11
Ray, what is your take away with respect to the Steelers failure to address the hole in the center of the D-line in the draft and FA. Are we supposed to believe the hole is not there or maybe they will give Cam some magic dust he can throw at the hole while he is fighting on the end.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
They better hope Tyson Alualu stays healthy.
Guest
2:11
Ray let’s be honest the Steelers were last in run defense last year and yet never addressed the interior DL in the draft. We now have 2 Mitches, Rudolph and the wasted seventh pick on the team. But we still have a major hole in the interior DL
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I agree with you. It's the biggest issue I have with their draft.
Mark
2:12
How long before the Steelers name a new GM
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Not soon. Art Rooney II and Mike Tomlin will conduct the second round of interviews with select candidates. I would imagine they'll want the new GM in place by training camp, but I don't get the idea they're in a hurry to get it done.
Jerry
2:13
I think the Steelers are making a mistake by depending on a aging and coming off a major injury in Alualu.They’ve gotta get a good backup. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
They like Montravius Adams, but as I've pointed out whether it was Adams, Mondeaux or anyone else they tried at the nose, it didn't work out very well. So, to me, this season could hinge on the health of a 35-year old defensive lineman.
Gene from Southlake, Tx
2:14
What is your opinion of the FB and QB picks in rounds 6 & 7? Do these picks indicate Watt and Rudolph might be cut or traded?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Maybe. Connor Heyward has some good skills. He's an H-back but can play fullback, too Maybe he's a No. 3 TE/FB and Watt keeps his spot. As for Rudolph, I think they'll try to deal him for a late-round pick, but we'll see what happens.
3riversoflove
2:15
Any fun stories about Ed Bouchette you'd care to share?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Lots of great times on the road. Long car rides, dinners in different cities. Ed was the best at what he did, but he's just a regular guy, too.
BPOS
2:17
Colbert had a round 1 grade on Rudolf, which makes me wonder just how competent they are in analyzing QB's considering how Willis fell to RD 3 and I believe they would have taken had Pickett not been there. Are they smarter than everyone else or are they blinded by their belief they had to take a QB RD1.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I do think they were determined to take a QB.
The Ville
2:17
Ray - can you see the team adding a vet RB to compliment Najee? It so
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
No. Keep an eye on the RB from Oklahoma State who signed as an undrafted free agent. My OK St. source tells me he's legit.
The Ville
2:18
Ray - do you see Joe Haden returning to add more depth to the CB room?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't see how he fits in. They have Sutton, Wallace and Witherspoon all under contract. One of those guys wouldn't play if Haden came back. And they're all making $ 4 million or more.
Alan
2:20
Hi Ray. Can you explain the apparent difference in opinion between the Steelers and many of the supposed experts on the Pickett selection? When I hear Colbert talk, it sounded like this was a slam dunk no brainer pick  when he was still there at #20 but there seems to be a lot of doubt among others outside the organization. What’s your take on that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
They're always going to go overboard in praise of the No. 1 pick. But they do like him. They certainly had enough time and opportunity to scout him. With Pickett, they just have to make sure he's surrounded by talented skill players. If they do that I think he'll be solid.
Guest
2:21
Ray, The Steelers can save 4.5mil in cash and 2.7 mil in cap hit by replacing Derek Watt with Connor Hayward. Me thinks Connor has a very real opportunity to make the team  as FB and special team player. What say you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I would agree.
jeffe
2:22
I still don't understand taking a QB in round 7 - was it that they were hoping for another Tom Brady or was it that they just started picking names out of a hat.
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