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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.12.20
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Jud
2:34
Who do you think will be voted team MVP this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Jordan Berry.
TC
2:35
Do you think the league will require players to wear any additional equipment like masks or face shields etc. during games to protect against virus?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
That's a good question. I think it will be hard to convince guys to go to a full face shield if they've never done it before.
Chris from Vegas
2:36
hey ray, what do you make of the NT position and do you see the Steelers adding any free agents to accommodate the lack of experience and depth here?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
I think they'll roll with Alualu and McCullers to start. They're always open to adding quality players after final cut-downs so watch for that when the time comes.
Rocky B
2:37
Who would you like to see take over as MNF analyst.  They're reportedly hiring from within ESPN.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Peyton Manning although I don't know if he officially is an employee of ESPN. I know he does some work for them.
a.t.m. in johnstown
2:38
hi ray, always enjoy your insights. what responsibility does randy fitchner have for mason rudolph's development for the pro style play he is to play with the steelers? i never saw MR move out of the pocket. ever. now, some would say that is rudolph's lack of skill. yet, those of who have played sports would say it is the coach's (qb coach's) expectation to have coached that to a player who never needed to use that in college ball. this is not the 1980's. and, i realize that the ex-pitt coach is coming. thanks, ray
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I think that's a big reason why they hired Matt Canada as the QBs coach. He was hired to oversee the development of the young QBs.
pdxJaxon
2:39
Ray, any thoughts on if teams will have gathered enough tape on Lamar Jackson to maybe slow him down this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
The Steelers actually did a really good job in the game at Heinz Field. Maybe better than any other defense that faced the Ravens last year.
Jeff
2:40
Hey Ray, I thought Pauls column was dead on.  Too much has to go right to finish just above .500.  Bens arm, run blocking improvement, repeat d performance, Boswell makes every kick, Connor stays healthy, receivers make progress, etc.  Sounds like another Pittsburgh team we talk about.  I like reading all of your columns because you all have good opinions...curious what you thought of Pauls?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I think if Ben is healthy for most of the season they'll win 11 games.
Clyde
2:40
Thanks for the chats Ray, I enjoy them and learn a lot.  I enjoy sports as much as anyone, but can’t see any games being played until a vaccine is developed.  There is a question about accountability if God forbid a coach or player or staff member dies from the virus.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I think elevated testing is key. They have to catch it early, make sure it doesn't spread throughout the team and staff and have the players mitigate as much as possible when they leave the facility. I think it's doable, but as I said earlier it's going to have plenty of hurdles.
DL
2:42
i was watching some clips of Martavis Bryant last night. He made Patrick Petersen look slow! Why is there no talk of him coming back into the League?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Well he'd be 28 or 29 now. Not sure if he'd be the same player. I also don't know where he stands with the  drug policy after he left Pittsburgh. I believe he had some issues in Oakland, too.
Fan
2:43
Gerry's crystal ball has the team going 10-6 ultimately.  Care to give a look into yours and give us a way too early prediction? (assuming we have 16 games)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I saw Gerry picked them game by game yesterday on the web site. I think we were pretty similar in the games we thought they'd win. I had them beating the Ravens on Thanksgiving. He had them losing to the Ravens twice along with the Redskins (Upset special!). And he had the Steelers winning in Buffalo. I picked the Bills in that game. I think we were in agreement on all the others.
Nate
2:45
Hi Ray, Juju, Diontae, James and Claypool are/should be locks.  Do you think Steelers keep 5 WRs or 6 WRs this year?  And who do you think they'll be?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Depends if any of them can play special teams. I would guess five unless there is a Johnny Holton or Darrisu Heyward-Bey out there who makes it just because of special teams.
Dr. Mike
2:46
I recommended Malcolm Perry, USNA's qb to Kevin Colbert.  He took over 300 hits this past season, and was Navy's leading rusher and scorer.  My brother in law had him in class and can not say anything except he is of great character.  He reminded me of Julian Edleman of the Pats who was also a college qb.  Perry was drafted by Miami in the7th round.  Gil Bryant feels also that his NFL position will be a slot receiver.  He is definitely someone the Steelers should take a look at if Miami cuts him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
And academy players can do their five years of service after their playing days are over so the Steelers and other teams wouldn't have to worry about that. I watched him a few times. Undersized, but tough. Obviously, has to make the transition to WR, which won't be easy.
Mo Nongahela
2:48
Who do  you see stepping up on the d-line this year to fill the void left by Hargraves?  Cam and Tuitt, if healthy, are strong but they can't play every down.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Looks like Alualu and McCullers will play the snaps at nose. Alualu can also bump out and play end. Chris Wormley was signed to add depth at end as well.
Questfor7
2:49
The more and more reps I watch, the more I believe that MacFarland can be our every down back in his second year. At 208 lbs, he is nearly 30 lbs heavier than Rainey and Archer. He is very fast, breaks a ton of tackles and can pass catch. He’d just have to get better at pass pro. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
And stay healthy. He had an ankle injury that bothered him for much of his final college season. I guess that's always going to be a concern with a smaller player. Really, it's a concern will all RBs because they touch the ball so often. Let's see how he does this year before we make him the next feature back.
Swiss steelers fan
2:50
What is your view on Eric Ebron’s fit given tight end was weakness in past
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
If he's healthy and engaged it will be a good fit. If not, then based on his past in Indy it could be a bit of a concern.
fredward
2:51
Even if Conner is the bell cow this year, do you anticipate the Steelers going more running back by committee this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
That will be an interesting development to watch this season. That's never been something Tomlin has done, but maybe it's something he'll explore given Conner's injury history.
Ralph LA
2:52
When a player gets cut, do sports agents play matchmaker and shop their clients around to different teams?  Does that happen with the UDFAs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
Yes. For undrafted free agents, it's the responsibility of the agents to know the depth charts of every team and how their client might fit there. That's part of the reason players hire them.
Travis
2:53
Any word how ESPN’s McShay is doing since getting the Covid virus?  Have you heard if any other sports media have contracted it?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
My understanding is he's done pretty well with it. And no, I haven't heard of any other sports media people contracting the virus.
Ryno
2:53
Do you expect to see Gentry get much playing time in 2020?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
Not unless there is an injury to Ebron or McDonald.
WI’s Biggest Steeler Fan
2:54
Why is LC Greenwood not in the HOF????
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Greenwood was always mentioned for the seniors committee a while back. Unfortunately, right around the time he passed away, much of the sentiment shifted to Donnie Shell, who was inducted in February. It's s shame. I think they both deserve to be in.
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