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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.06.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Well, Teryl Austin said he's going to start his career as an outside CB. We'll have to wait and see how it goes for him. His size and athleticism make him a nice matchup piece in the secondary if he can ever put it all together.
pdxJaxon
12:27
Ray,
May be a silly question but Im a silly guy.
Any chance we use Jaylen Samuels in limited fashion at TE ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Certainly that's a possibility in passing situations. I can see him lining up as an H-back or big slot and being effective. But they also were encouraged by how well he picked things up as a full-time RB. I think they'd like to see him develop there, but I won't close the door on a more expanded role in the passing game this year even when Conner is in the game at RB.
P6brit
12:29
If Patrick Peterson shakes loose from the upheaval in Arizona, do you think the Steelers would be interested or could afford him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
It would be tough to afford him now. They're up against the cap pretty tight.
Chuck
12:30
Without AB will Ben's int rate drop?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
It could because he demanded the ball so often. I'm sure that will be a story line if indeed that does happen.
Knoxville Stlr
12:31
Hi Ray -- since the Raiders and Steelers have some trade history and the Raiders seem to have a safety (Joseph) that they felt did not merit a 5th year option and signed Joyner and drafted Abram; do you think they would consider trading him to the Steelers (for Burns and a pick perhaps)?  As I recall the Steelers had an interest in him and I think a change of scenery would do wonders for Burns
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Maybe, but I have no idea how Joseph has played in Oakland. I'm not familiar with how he was used, how he played there, etc.
Tprod
12:32
Hard to see Switzer and Rogers both making the club. Who has the best chance to stay?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
My gut tells me Switzer, but I don't discount that Rogers and Ben Roethlisberger have always had a certain chemistry from the day Rogers arrived.
Definition of Insanity
12:33
Butler actually said that 5th year, 1st round pick, Bust DuPree can "become a good player" & ""just a few minute things" to fix... Coach speak allowance noted... I find that insulting.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
They believe it. I don't think it's coachspeak. That's why it's going to be so fascinating to see how the year develops for Dupree. Almost no one outside the organization seems to be as high on him as the people inside.
Ryno
12:34
What made the difference in Devin White being a better draft choice than Devin Bush, your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
He's about an inch taller and a few pounds heavier. He's also slightly faster, like a hundredth of a second faster. However, by the end of the predraft process, Bush had closed the gap on him. There are a lot of people who feel like they're pretty close in terms of ability and athleticism.
Tprod
12:36
Do the Steelers make a serious move for another TE. Thought they would have gone TE then RB in the draft. Concerned about Connor staying healthy? McDonald not exactly an example for staying out of the trainer’s room.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I wouldn't be surprised if the backup TE when the season starts is on another team right now.
Brice
12:37
Ray, do you ever speak with any of the national media talking heads? I ask because I am curious to know if you have any insight into their attack on Ben. Watched Dominique Foxworth bad mouth Ben and Colbert again on Friday, wish they would let it go.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I don't even know who Dominique Foxworth is.
P6brit
12:39
Do you see other teams keying of the Steelers linebacker configuration to decide whether to run vs throw? (i.e. depending on whether Williams is in the game or not)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
yes good coaches will look at the personnel on the field and attack any perceived weakness.
12:40
I wouldn't put Rashaan Evans in the same category as the other four. I think the other four have a chance to be really good. I think Evans an be OK.
Ike Steelheart
12:40
Ray, if Devin Bush and Devin White were in the same draft as Roquan Smith, Leighton Vander Esch and Rashaan Evans, how would you rank them? Do you think the Steelers drafted a better ILB this year than if they were drafting one of those three on 2018?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Question to previous answer.
Ny steelr
12:41
Has there been any word from teammates about Rudolph’s long term potential?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
We haven't had access to any veteran players since the day after the season ended. Stay tuned later this month when OTAs start.
stiller fan
12:42
I'm excited about Sutton Smith, but I was even more excited for Ola... Who beats out Chickillo for the backup or even a starter role?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
I think Ola has a chance to have a bigger role this year. Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin wanted to create more competition for the reserve spots behind Watt and Dupree. I think they did that with the addition of Smith. They'll push Chickillo this summer, especially Ola.
Duke
12:44
Any idea why TE Bucky Hodges was released?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
No, but I find it curious that people are viewing it as a major loss. If he was any good he would have been called up to the 53-man roster last year, right?
Livinthe dream
12:46
Ray, Ron Cook has a funny article today re replay. Unfortunately he compares 3 or 4 failures with one absolutely correct and courageous call. Max Sec fouled at least two horses and deserved to be disqualified. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
I'm not much of a horse racing person, but the consensus among those who follow the sport closely believe there was a foul and that the DQ was Ok to call.
Tprod
12:47
Seems like depth at Safety and TE are the two biggest holes in the roster right now. McDonald and/or Edmonds/Davis are lost for an extended period, Steelers have no real answers. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
My thoughts are they need to add some better depth at one or both positions, but at this late stage that's not likely to happen until after teams make their final cuts in September. Some better players will become available then.
Qustion
12:48
How about McCullers as a extra lineman on goal to go, inside the 2? He can't be stopped North/South... put Snell on his hip?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
McCullers doesn't move well enough to be effective as an extra O lineman.
1st Thoughts
12:49
When I hear Barron & Nelson, I recall the LAR vs KC game last season... not good.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
What was the final score of that game? 53-50 or something like that? Aaron Donald played in that game too. Sometimes it's about one or two matchups that other teams don't have answers for.
Kevin Cramer
12:50
Ray, I have not seen where it was mentioned but If the Steelers had told the Broncos "No" on Munch making a lateral move do you think the trade happens?  I've got to believe the way the Steelers handled that situation helped.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
I was led to believe Munchak's contract was up so he was free to pursue any jobs.
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