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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.05.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
Welcome to the chat. Post your questions. We will get started soon.
Buzzard Bill
11:55
Hi Ray,  it appears that different states may open gym facilities at different times based on the virus situation.  Does this include the NFL facilities?  If not, will the more open states provide early opportunities for teams to get their players working out again?  And maybe evaluating their draftees?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Yes it does seem inevitable that some team facilities will open before others. For example, I would anticipate the Jets and the Giants to be among the last to open because they are based in New Jersey. It might make for some competitive advantages for teams that do open earlier than others, but coaches will be champing at the bit to get some work with their rookies later this summer. As for the Steelers, with southwestern Pa. still being stuck on red (hopefully yellow soon) I don't think we will see anything with the Steelers this month. Best-case scenario for the Steelers would be some work with rookies in June.
Puddintain
11:58
What will it take for the Steelers to go smash mouth FB RB up the middle more often?  They have too, too many 3 and out!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
As much as I'd like to see that infused into their offense I'm not quite sure they're built for that despite the additions of Derek Watt, Stefen Wisniewski and Kevin Dotson. This line was built to pass protect for Ben Roethlisberger. It wasn't built to be a smash-mouth type of offense. Art Rooney Ii came out and said after last season ended that he'd like to see a more consistent running game. That doesn't necessarily mean more smash-mouth play is ahead.
Guest
12:01
i seen an article about every single QB that has been drafted since 2000. It’s not in a team’s favor for it to work out. Can’t understand why the media and fans just assume that because a team drafts a QB he is going to work out. I think Pittsburgh is going to go through a few rough years before and even if they find a replacement for BR. What say you Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
That's the way it works for most teams although the Steelers made some playoff runs with Neil O'Donnel, Mike Tomczak and Kordell Stewart as their QBs in the mid 1990s. I don't think any of those guys were "franchise QBs." The same can be said of many other teams that aren't lucky enough to have great QB play. The Titans made the AFC title game with Ryan Tannehill. If you want to go back a few years the Ravens won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer and the Buccaneers with Brad Johnson. It's difficult but not impossible to win without a franchise QB. That's why it's important for the Steelers to continue to build up that defense and keep it strong for the coming years.
Gene
12:04
Hi Ray do you think any of the XLF and UDFA players have a chance to make an impact this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
No offseason program, OTAs, minicamp and likely a normal training camp won't help any of those guys. But it seems like one or two undrafted guys always find a way to stick.
Doyle37
12:04
Any chance the Steelers look into Malik Hooker as a FA next year ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
That would depend upon the development of Terrell Edmunds first and foremost. If Edmunds doesn't play well in 2020 the Steelers will have a big decision ahead of them. It also would depend upon the play of Hooker and perhaps more importantly his health. He hasn't played a full season yet in his short time in the league.
Dave
12:06
Ray - Hope all is well and thanks for conducting these chats to get our minds off the rest of the daily news.  Anyway something I always wanted to know.  Do players have any input before or during the draft?  More specficially do you think Big Ben was on speed dial during the draft or did he already provide his laundry list to Tomlin & Colbert?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Ben certainly wasn't on speed dial. Kevin Colbert makes those decisions after consultation with Mike Tomlin and his scouts. But they all know what the offense needs. Ben knows what the offense needs. So I am sure there are conversations in exit meetings and whatnot about team needs though not specifically in the lead-up to the draft.
Florida Steeler
12:10
Don’t you think it’s time to get a QB that can run and pass? That’s what the league is now.🤔
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
That's the flavor now. Until some of those guys get hurt. Then it'll be back to the pro-style QB. Honestly, it's just a matter of what the college game is providing from year to year. Sometimes the choices teams make are based on what's available and not necessarily how they would prefer to build their team.
Buzz
12:11
I have a hard time believing that there is so little to report that Antonio Brown's rantings are always written about. Maybe he would just go away if did not get any attention.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
That sounds like a grand idea.
steelmann58
12:11
Hi Ray. so the draft is over what are the still the Steelers biggest needs and  who might they Target?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Well, they remain thin at safety and ILB. Not sure what their plan is for replacing Mark Barron. I guess we'll get some news on that in the coming weeks.
The Peanut Gallery
12:14
Concussion protocol in NFL vs NHL: is it the same? I’m confused cause although now your seeing NFL players missing more than a week it still seems to be mostly players who have suffered previous ones while those with their first almost always play 7 days later in the next game. NHL players it seems always miss at least 3 weeks and usually a month. Could you please shed some light on this discrepancy for me?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I don't have any insight into the NHL's protocol, but I do know NFL players have to pass through certain tests throughout the week before they can return to play. It's a standard testing procedure that is overseen by an independent doctor. I would imagine the NHL has a similar system in place.
steelmann58
12:16
Hi Ray what you biggest suprise of the steelers draft Picks and UDFA that might Suprise because they seem to be very underwhelming
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I hesitate to say any rookie will make an impact in 2020 due to the pandemic, but if a fourth-round pick can be a surprise I think people might like Kevin Dotson, who could push for a starting job at some point in the season.
Mary Jane
12:17
Ray I think we basically had 2 second round & 2 third round picks, McFarland was a steal, if he stayed at school he is at least a second next year, Claypool at 49 was spot on, and Dotson was worth a middle 3rd in my view, Highsmith spot on. So we did very good I think.. Are you on my Train?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Time will tell, but I think this class could turn out to be just fine in a couple of years. When you don't have a first-round pick it's never going to be as exciting as other years, but they got some quality prospects at positions of need so it will be interesting to see how these guys perform in the coming years.
Guest
12:19
Could you see Claypool lining up at the tight end spot in 2 or 3 tight end sets?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
In time perhaps, but offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner seemed to indicate that Claypool will start off as an outside WR because that's where he is most comfortable. Once he learns the offense I am quite sure they will take advantage of his size and move him around. But I wouldn't get too hung up on him being a TE. He's not a TE. He might line up as a TE in time because of his size, but that will merely be a way to get him a mismatch in the passing game.
TommyZ
12:21
Ray, players need to stay in shape, however they dont have access to workout facilities.  Have you heard how players are managing this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Some are lucky enough to have home gyms. Others have to get more creative and train without weights.
Kohs
12:22
Ray...any comments on the passing of Don Shula?  Do you have any good Shula stories you can relate in the chat?   Thanks!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
He was a bit before my time as an NFL reporter. He had long since retired when I came onto the Steelers beat. I do remember his Dolphins teams of the 1980s though. Great offense that was built around Dan Marino. Yet he won Super Bowls in the 1970s by barely passing at all and leaning on Larry Cszonka to mash opponents. That's what great coaches do. They adapt with the times.
EHARTNER
12:24
HOLA! QUE PASA! In honor on CINCO DE MAYO, who, in your opinion, is the great Hispanic player to ever don Steelers' black and gold?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Daniel Sepulveda?
Jake
12:25
Ray,  Would you put Claypool as a boom or bust pick?  Hope he is not just a work out warrior. Speed on a track is one thing but eluding a defender is another.  Tenth WR taken for a reason.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Yes he was the 10th WR off the board, but the Steelers had a high grade on him. They liked him and his skill set.
Jud
12:25
Do you feel we will have a lesser product in the fall due to Coronavirus?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Impossible to say, but I know the coaches hate not being able to instruct players on the field. There is no substitute for on-field work. My best guess is the teams with veteran QBs and continuity will do very well while others with first-year QBs or new head coaches will struggle. At least at the beginning of the season.
sergio from mexico
12:27
Here is my question. I read an article from Paul last week and got the feeling he is not into Ben as an elite QB, he posted that Brees, Manning, Rodgers and Brady were well above him... I don´t get it... he has more SB victories and appearances than most of them, except Brady (but who doesn't¡) I for one am glad we have him. I think we will have a great season. Gracias y Vamos Steelers¡¡¡ Stay healthy¡¡¡
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Ben has two Super Bowls and Brees one. I think Rodgers is a different story. He's probably better than Ben at this point although to your point he has not won as many Super Bowls. I'm with you for the most part. As long as Ben is healthy I think the Steelers will do well next season.
Jud
12:31
How do you anticipate doing your job in the fall?  Masks in the pressbooth?  No fans in the stadiums?  Clubs have players sign waivers to play?
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