JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.12.20

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.12.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

1:51

Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and let's go.

Tom in Dallas

1:52

Watching the Senate hearing this morning and Dr Fauci, and remembering his interview over the weekend, if one member on a team or staff (such as coach, trainer, equipment, or anyone that is in contact with the players during the week and on the sidelines on game day), if someone tests positive in the days prior to a game, how can they move forward and play that game? Based on contact tracing, would all involved need to self quarantine for 7-14 days?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:56

In an interview with Peter King for his Football Night in America column this week, Dr. Fauci was presented with that scenario. He seemed to indicate if one player came down with the virus -- he called it an "outlier" -- then a game might be played. However, if four or five got the virus then he indicated the league would have to "shut it down." In other words, postponed game, players quarantined for two weeks, etc. Everything we are seeing now. I was surprised when I saw the study the MLB players took part in. Less than 1 percent of the MLB players that took part in the study have antibodies for the virus. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting more than that. It would appear large swaths of the population have not been infected with COVID-19. That makes starting up again a bit more challenging in my opinion. The NFL is hopeful for a season, and I hope they're right. But you'd be naive if you didn't think there might be some hiccups along the way.

Questfor7

1:57

I was on Batko’s chat yesterday. A lot of pessimism on but for this years Steelers team. Someone oredicted a 7-9 record or take the under regarding 9 wins. I don’t get it. They were 8-8 last year with one of the worst offenses of al time. They get back a HOF QB, a healthy Conner and Juju, add Ebron, add speed and size with MacFarland and Claypool and return just about everyone from one of the best defenses in the league. I see 11 or 12 wins this year. What’s your prediction?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:59

Brian and I picked the schedule on our widely popular podcast -- The North Shore Drive -- last week. Check it out: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-.... Like you, I picked the Steelers to go 11-5. Brian was a bit more pessimistic. Perhaps with good reason. However, I might be more in your line of thinking. As long as Roethlisberger remains healthy I think anything less than 10 wins would be a bit of a disappointment.

George in OKC

2:00

What do you make of the strength of schedule predictions? I think people read to much into it before the season starts. Going by what teams did last year and predicting that the same teams will be just as good or just as bad is almost impossible. What say you Ray?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:03

I think there is something to it, but of course things change from year to year. There is free agency, the draft, injuries, players declining. There are a lot of factors involved, but I'd be lying to you if I said I thought the Steelers schedule was difficult this year. The Giants and Redskins struggled last season. The Jaguars did too. The Texans appear to be in some kind of rebuilding mode though I don't know exactly what to call it. I look at the schedule and just don't think it's all that hard. Not saying it's going to be easy, but the Steelers should do very well if they stay healthy.

Steeltowntim@aol.com

2:04

Ray, I think you chats are great esp. with the State of sports. If someone could invent a mouth piece which would filter out the virus it may be a way to help the players not infect each other. It looks like they might be testing players weekly if not sooner.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:06

I think the players would have to be tested multiple times each week. Probably the night before or the morning of the game and then again early the next week. Perhaps more than that. They are going to need millions of tests. I was watching some of the testimony today with Dr. Fauci and the others in front of Congress. One of the scientists said testing has to increase 5-10 fold by the fall in order for schools to reopen. That's a lot of work in front of us in terms of testing. The NFL would be smart to secure and buy their own so the general public does not feel like they are hoarding them from people who need them.

Jacque Strap

2:06

Thoughts on the schedule? Lots of 1 pm starts, which I know the writers like.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:07

Yes and also a sign that maybe the some of the shine is off the Steelers are consecutive years missing the playoffs.

Ryan

2:07

Who do you project to be the opening game starters at left guard and right tackle on the O-Line?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:09

Right now I'm leaning Wisnieswki at LG and Feiler at RT. And the longer we go without an offseason and without practices the more likely I think that is. They'd keep continuity by keeping Feiler at RT and know they'd have a solid vet to insert at LG. Any other scenario wold require more moving parts and that's just less likely if camp and the preseason is shortened.

Tim

2:09

Now that Big Red and to some extent, Rosie Nix have taken their talents elsewhere, who do you see emerging as our Special Teams leader this year?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:09

Well, Derek Watt for one. They still have some other core special teams guys that remain on the roster such as Jordan Dangerfield and others.

WI’s Biggest Steeler Fan

2:10

Ray Ray.....Yes I was excited about the WR picked in the 1st Rd at first, but know looking at what they already had at that position, couldn’t the Steelers have upgraded a position of higher need?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:11

Chase Claypool was selected in the middle of the second round. And I think the Steelers believe a deep threat will help all aspects of the offense. You can make the argument a RB could have done the same thing, but they decided the liked Claypool more than the RBs that were on the board when they picked.

WI’s Biggest Steeler Fan

2:11

If Conner DOES stay healthy that’d be great however he seems a tad undersized and prone to injury. Whom on their CURRENT roster could “shoulder” the load if need be other than JC? Anyone?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:12

They have plenty of options. Benn Snell, Jaylen Samuels and Anthony McFarland to name a few. Whether any of them are feature backs capable of shouldering the load Conner is used to carrying remains to be seen.

Guest

2:12

HI Ray what your thought of having Football with empty stadiums?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:13

If it's that or no games at all, I'm 100% on board. And then hopefully, if there is a vaccine by January or February then they might let fans back in for the playoffs and Super Bowl. And yes, I know that's ambitious for a vaccine.

Guest

2:13

HI Ray Seems ED Bouchette thinks that JU JU ,Connor and AV will not be getting a contract after their current ones expire. What your take

Ray Fittipaldo

2:15

I agree with him on Conner and Villanueva. They could franchise JuJu, which technically would be another contract, albeit in a one-year one. Let's face it: what they do with JuJu might come down to how he performs this season. Remember, JuJu is young and talented. If he produces like he did in 2018 I think the Steelers will make a strong push to re-sign him.

Guest

2:15

do you think the steelers will still be on the lookout for players at this point or wait till hopefully their a Training camp.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:15

Yes they are still thin at a few positions.

Guest

2:16

HI RAY. what you Thoughts about Deon Cain making the Group of WR's. He looks like he fast and can get deep and seems to have good hands think Ben will like that skill set.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:16

Perhaps, but Ben also seems to like Switzer's skill set, too. I don't see a scenario where both are on the roster.

2:28

Sorry had to take a call to do an interview for a story I'm working on. Let's get back to it.

Alan in Nashville

2:29

Hi Ray, I hope all is well. I’m pretty happy with the Steelers roster except the middle of the defense. I just can’t see Bince (LOL) being the answer this year when they clearly were moving away from him last year. I see Bush as a plus but the team looks vulnerable to some teams just bashing them with the run game all day long. Any word on if they’re considering any other moves there?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:30

I think they'll look around. They could sign someone if it's an upgrade. In the meantime, it seems like they'll take a long look at Marcus Allen to see if he's ready for a bigger role. That seems like a big leap of faith for me considering his experience, or lack of it. We shall see.

Dr. Jay

2:30

Ray, why are other reporters referring to Ben as having Tommy John surgery? Are they just misinformed of his injury or is there a cover-up actually taking place?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:31

We were told pretty much from the beginning that it was not Tommy John surgery. We were never told exactly what it was. To my knowledge, Ben never actually came out and said what type of surgery it was. Not sure why it's such a well-kept secret, but that's the way they've approached it.

Shawn

2:32

Hi ray, thanks for taking the time. I know it's already been ruled out this year, and I know you guys , understandably, won't speculate on Ryan shazier's future. But, as far as you know, is it still his stated goal to play football again, or has he hinted at the probability that that goal may be unattainable?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:32

You'd have to ask Ryan that question. I think it's been a year or more since he's done an interview. I know he's always maintained that playing is the goal.

Greg

2:32

Would you trade our defense for Baltimore’s at this point, including taking depth into consideration?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

That's interesting how you phrased that, "taking depth into consideration." The Ravens did improve in the draft I think. It will be interesting to see if they ask those rookies to play right away. There are some growing pains if they do that. So I'll take the Steelers because of that.

2:34

Any QB's from next years draft you think might be a fit for the Steeler's?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

Trevor Lawrence!

WhoNu

2:34

If no fans in the stands will piped in fake crowd reactions be allowed?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

Only if you're Robert Irsay.

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