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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.13.19
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Drew
12:29
What do you think the Steelers run-pass ratio will be this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I don't have the exact numbers, but the Steelers were the most lopsided team in the NFL last year. They threw the ball 40 more times than any other team. If they're in position to run late that means they'll have the lead. They didn't have the lead often enough in the fourth quarter last season.
Carrie
12:31
Will Xavier Grimble be the backup tight end or will they sign a cut player in the preseason? I can't believe he's still on the team after the stunt he pulled at the goal line versus .denver last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Grimble likely has first shot to claim the backup TE job. He'll be watched closely in training camp.
Kyle
12:31
Who win the backup qb job this year, Dobbs or Rudolph?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Have to think it's Rudolph's time to shine. He entering his second season, had a year to learn. Lots of people will question that pick if he doesn't earn the job this summer.
Rico
12:32
I've seen a lot of chatter about why Diontae Johnson did not participate in team drills last weekend.  Any ideas why?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I can only assume he had an injury. Unless I missed it, Mike Tomlin did not address the issue during his brief presser Saturday.
Rico
12:33
Why is Artie Burns still with the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Because he's a former first-round pick.
Rico
12:33
Is Jerald Hawkins healthy?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
We'll see next week when OTAs begin. I think he's expected to be in the mix at right tackle with Okorafor and Feiler. Obviously lots of ground for him to make up because he's been injured in each of his first two seasons.
Z B
12:34
What was Zach Banner's status with the team last season? Practice squad or 53-man?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Banner was on the 53-man roster. Didn't dress much, but he remained on the 53.
SteelHeart
12:35
Hi Ray.. Thanks for doing this.   It looks like a great draft, but do you think Tomlin a.) will use RB by committee and stop running Conner into the ground, and b.) will use an Offensive philosophy that makes better use of the running game ?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
We'll have those questions answered this summer. The acquisition of Benny Snell has people thinking there could be a change of philosophy, but no one in the organization has come out and said that. I'll believe it when I see it. This offense has flourished with one dominant back. Conner, like Bell before him, doesn't have to come off the field because he can catch and block. That hasn't changed. So the only way Snell or Jaylen Samuels sees more time is if the Steelers coaches draw up a new plan for the distribution of the workload.
interesting idea
12:38
Ray, did you know that Robert Spillane is the grandson of Heisman Winner Johnny Lattner? He might be from before your time, but he was a terrific ball player for some great Notre Dame teams and was drafted by the Steelers. That could be an interesting article to write about Lattner and Spillane and all that. We used to call Johnny Lattner the ol bread and butter ball carrier! Thank you, Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Thanks for the info. I did not know that. Spillane took part in rookie minicamp over the weekend.
Dan
12:38
Peter King has the Steelers at 18 on his power rankings and brings up that it will be hard to replace the production of Antonio Brown. I am intrigued by how you think the Steelers offense plans to distribute the 100 plus catches they were used to Antonio having?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Lots of throws to JuJu and Vance McDonald is my best guess. Maybe James Washington will have a bigger role. Maybe Dionta Johnson will surprise. Maybe Donte Moncrief will have a role. That's a lot of maybes... And I think that's why some in the media are taking a wait-and-see approach with the Steelers.
CanadianSteelersFan
12:40
Most are worried with Safety depth, but I feel that Marcus  Allen will have a productive training camp now that he is healthy. Edmunds could be very good, Sean Davis is okay and everyone seems to disregard Dangerfield, but the guy is a thumper and a suitable backup in my opinion. I feel confident with those 4 safeties on the roster. Hey, it’s not Troy and Ryan back there, but very serviceable. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Dangerfield is a special teams player and a box safety. He's not really cut out to play against the pass. And Allen has to prove he can play. He has two NFL games on his resume and only a few snaps of action. Any way you slice it, that's a lack of quality depth. Sure, Allen might step up. And sure, PJ Lokce or Dravon Henry might step up. But we don;t know that in May.
Pete
12:42
Why would the Steelers consider extending Tomlin now? It should be a wait and see on this coming year. He has no excuses now. He has his ILB, he got rid of his headaches, he's upgraded his DBs. Now let's see if he can right the ship first.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
I agree with you. No one said the Steelers will extend him this summer. It's simply the time they have extended him in the past -- with 2 years left on his deal. Circumstances change. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he enters the 2019 season on his current contract.
steelers fan in PA
12:43
Ray, I was sad to see that Doris Day died today. I know she was born in Cincinnati, but do you know if she was a Bengals fan? Even if she was, I won't hold it against her. She was a lovely actress and nice woman. RIP
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
This is why I look forward to Mondays.
Professor Flush
12:44
Why cut McCrane at this time? Was he a numbers casualty?  He intended to build up leg strength, so why not see if he improved during the past few months?  Need I remind you that he is the most accurate kicker in Steelers history, with a perfect percentage rate!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
I just don't think they wanted three place kickers on the 90-man roster. They probably wanted more competition at other positions.
Alan in Nashville
12:44
With camp coming up, I'm intrigued by the backup QB race. When they drafted Mason, I thought it was the best pick in years because it would motivate Ben, who I thought was in a rut. Ben all of a sudden wanted 3-5 more years, got in better shape and no more talk of retiring or whining about injuries. I think the Steelers had purpose with the pick, going as far as saying they had him as a #1. I love Ben but I think he needed it. Am I crazy? If Mason never plays a down, in my mind it was a good pick.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
Maybe, but I still don't think it will be viewed as a good pick if he doesn't ascend to at least backup status. He was a mid-third round pick. Those guys are expected to contribute.
RVA Steeler
12:46
Where does Jaylen Samuels fit in, with Benny Snell getting picked in the 4th?  I saw Samuels as the heir apparent to Bell eventually, with his ability in the passing game and open field.  His 172 Yds against the Patriots convinced me that he would eventually overtake Connor as the # 1 back.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
That was a nice performance, but it was only one game. He's entering his second NFL season. He's still learning how to be a full-time RB. I think he did well under the circumstances as a rookie. And he's versatile enough that he can contribute as a reserve.
RVA Steeler
12:47
Vance McDonald gets banged up and needs to miss a few games.  Does Grimble have what it takes to fill that spot?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
My Magic 8-ball says... NOT LIKELY.
k dot
12:48
Were you surprised that the Bush deal got done so fast?  Also, why wasn't the deal worth more, just curious
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
There is a rookie wage scale thanks to the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.
757Dude
12:48
Ray, I feel that the Steelers still have a pretty big hole to fill at Slot CB. What do you envision the team has planned to address this before the season starts? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Mike Hilton is the slot CB. Has been for two years. Since they didn't draft a slot CB I'm guessing he hangs onto that job. Maybe Cam Sutton can push him a little, but Hilton has fended him off the past two years...
Black Jack Bill
12:50
I didn't know that US Grant was so fast. Do you think he can contribute more than special teams play this year?  His speed could help handle some of the TE problems the defense had last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Ulysees Gilbert has to make the 53-man roster first and foremost, and he'll do that by making plays on special teams. They drafted Devin Bush to solve many of their defensive deficiencies, not US Gilbert.
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