Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.12.26
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epiballo
12:35
Given the offseason changes, how would you stack the AFC North from top to bottom? Who makes the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I think it's a really good division. I could see the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals all finishing with 9 or 10 wins. I don't see any of these teams falling way off unless there is an injury to a QB. And the Browns have a solid roster. I just don't think their QB or coaching staff is very good.
Arthur not Art
12:38
Hi Ray. Were you surprised with who they passed on and with the round some of the picks were taken? Would Thieneman, Bernard, Orange, Pregnon, and Muhammad (or Allar if they really wanted him) have projected as better fits for need and offered a higher chance for long term team development? Also, do you know if other teams had Wetjen ranked as a 4th rounder? I thought he was projected as a 6th or 7th rounder by the "experts". I don't think it was a terrible draft, just think it was the worst of the Kahn/Weidl era and that the rest of the division had a stronger class. Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Wetjen was the best punt returner in college football the past few seasons. I think fourth or fifth round was about where he would go. I know some people thought he was over-drafted, but he has a special skill set. It will be interesting to see if it all translates to the NFL. And I get what you tried to do by replacing Thieneman for Iheanachor, but once you start doing that, it gets really confusing because the entire draft changes for everyone. I will say this: after not getting Lemon on Thursday night I thought they rebounded and had a very solid draft. And I think Iheanachor can be good too. It just might take a little time.
Pittfan
12:40
Hi Ray. You have said it and I agree Tomlin may have done some of best coaching post Ben. I do however regret, as a fan, that we may have been cheated from some significant wins during the Killer Bs era. His defenses let us down multiple times. How many times have we heard defensive players complain about communication and recently Slay referred to the defense as being backwards. Will his failures be considered during the HOF voting?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
When I look at that 2014-17 era I think of an aging defense that had to be rebuilt. Look at how many first-round picks they invested in the defense in those years (and before and after). Many of those picks did not work out and that certainly played a part in those teams not doing more in the playoffs. Injuries were huge in those years too. Bell missed the 2014 playoff game against the Ravens. Bell and Browns missed the divisional round game in Denver in 2015. Bell could not play more than a snap or two in the AFC title game in 2016. In 2017... well Ben and Co. just played terribly early in the game, and they could never climb out of that 21-0 hole.
Arthur not Art
12:44
Hi Ray. Any notable differences between an MT and MM rookie minicamp?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
The obvious sign was McCarthy being so hands on with Allar. But that was expected.
Mike
12:45
Hey Ray.  Sorry but not sorry.  I think last year was nice story and all.  But i don't want any part of Aaron Rodgers coming back.  He is afraid to be hit.  And No longer has his legs.  It's time to move on.  See what we have with the 3 we have now.  What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
Well, I think he's coming back, but if not, it certainly would be a good year to find out about the other QBs. I don't think fans would be thrilled with the record.
JeffINmars
12:46
Do you realistically see the team carrying 4 QBs if Rodgers returns?  If not does it automatically make Rudolph the odd man out?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Either that or an injury lands Allar or someone else on IR for the first month of the season.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:47
Ray:  Do you expect to see big improvements to the defense this year with better/different schemes or do you expect the continued decline of Watt and the possible start to the decline of Heyward to cancel out any schematic improvements?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
I'm excited to see what Patrick Graham can do with his personnel and his schemes. Under Tomlin, things became stale. That won't be the case this year. The players will be challenged. It's a completely different environment, and I think that's going to be a good thing for players like Watt. Sometimes you need that.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:48
Ray: did you see Darius Slay's criticisms about how the Steelers gave up inside leverage to WRs too frequently?  Any thoughts on this?  Did Tomlin ascribe his unwillingness to throw to the middle of the field to other teams?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
I did see that. He certainly didn't hold back, and his comments did not paint a very good picture of Tomlin utilizing his personnel in the best way. But you have to take into account that Slay was cut at midseason. I'm sure he didn't like that. In addition, he was an Austin guy having played for him in Detroit. He seemed to absolve Austin of a lot of blame, which kind of jives with everything we've reported over the years. It was Tomlin's defense.
Andy
12:51
Good day Ray,  What is your take on the Steelers Inside Linebacker situation?  Do you think Queen can fix some of his issues under the new regime with new coaching? How much might have been scheme working against him last year (terrible PFF metrics for what they are worth) versus him as a player. I think he thrived with the Ravens because Roquan Smith allowed him to play "Robin" and not "Batman". Not sure Queen can fill the Batman shoes, but the Steelers did nothing to address the position in the draft which was shocking to me (but I do like the Holcomb re-signing because I feel like he still has a lot to offer and last year was a "getting back to it" season.)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
I think the Steelers are committed to having him be their three-down ILB this year, but they're probably open to a new chapter with their ILBs in 2027.
Dave Moody
12:52
Good morning, Ray, and congratulations on the extension for the PG. My question is simple: In regards to AR, should the Steelers cut bait, or keep fishing. What would you do after last weekend's fiasco?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
It's not an extension. It's a new contract (ha ha). As for Rodgers, as long as he indicates he wants to play in 2026 they're going to be interested...unless this drags into late June.
West Coast Danno
12:54
With a new wife and who knows, maybe even a new family member in the works, do you think AR was in town to simply arrange his housing situation? Seems likely to me. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
He had a house here last year...and still does.
Biggs from Dormont
12:54
Why is the big concern when AR signs.  Does it really make a difference if sign in May or the day before training camp.  Relax
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
Well, he does have to work with Pittman and Bernard. That's important, but he can do that in minicamp and by bringing the WRs out to Malibu for a week in late June or early July.
Steelers Nation Jersey Chapter
12:55
Ray what is your take on Rubio after the rookie minicamp.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
McCarthy was right. He is a big man. Lots of competition at D-line, but he'll have a chance to make an impression at training camp.
George T
12:56
Ray, I see the Steelers will have 6 OTA,s then the 3 day mandatory mini camp then 4 more OTA,s. In the past they had all the OTA,s before the mini camp. Do see the reason for this and do you it’s better this way.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
That's the way McCarthy structures his offseason. He explained why a while back, but his explanation wasn't earth-shattering. It's just the way he does things.
Cdub
12:57
Which QB, Howard or Allar, would have the best chance of sticking on the practice squad and not being poached by another team?  Why?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Howard I suppose, but they won't expose either to the waiver wire this summer.
Free Agent
12:58
How many if any of the rookie free agent invitees were signed ? I assume Tecza didn't make the team. Oh well
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
They signed a center and that's it. It was interesting. I saw the coaches watching him closely in one drill, and they all looked impressed. Sure enough, they signed him a day or two later.
cal from nh in sc
1:00
why don't people talk about moving mccormick to left guard and putting dunker on the right? that seems easier as we have seen mccormick is capable on the left, and dunker player college at right tackle I believe which must be easier to transfer to the right side.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
You might see that this spring. They seem committed to trying players in different spots. And yes, McCormick did play LG in college.
MikeM65 in Florida
1:02
Why wasn't Howard at the rookie minicamp?  I know he isn't a rookie but I thought one-year players could attend.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Vets can attend, but McCarthy was up front about wanting all of his attention on Allar at rookie minicamp. That won't be the case from now on.
Ryan
1:03
Good afternoon Ray with Boswell signing a new contract yesterday who will be next Joey Porter Jr or someone else
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
Porter's contract will be the biggest so I'm not sure he'll be next. I think that one could take a while.
Dennis
1:05
Are the Steelers really prepared to just hand the RT position to Icheanhor?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
No, I wouldn't make that assumption.
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