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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.14.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Welcome. Let's get started.
Dom
1:55
Who do you expect to be the starting slot corner on game one?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I don't think that player is on the roster right now. It could be Cam Sutton. It could be Patrick Peterson. It could be Chandon Sullivan. Or maybe someone who is cut just before the season. They'll have options.
Tampa Too
1:56
Ray. Other than QB which (in your opinion) is the hardest position to  transition to going from college to the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
I think that changes over time. Right now it's really hard for ILBs to transition into the NFL. That's reflected in where they're drafted. Teams don't have confidence they can develop college LBs into pro ILBs. The game is different in the NFL.
Jeff M
1:57
Why are Steeler’s fans so anxious to get Cam to take a pay cut? Steelers have plenty of cap room and can create a lot more if needed. You would think its their money.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
I think people look back on other business decisions and wonder why Heyward is being treated in a different manner.   I also think fans are still hoping for a trade for a No. 1 or No. 2 WR that would come in to help the offense. And obviously, the Steelers would need to pay up for a player like that.
Change of Environment
1:59
Hey Ray.  It seems like many of the Steelers that have left have benefitted from a change of environment and culture, as well as a change in coaching staff.  We have seen that with Dotson, Witherspoon, Maulet, Nelson, etc..  Who do you think will be the one player from last year that will benefit from leaving town?  I would guess Johnson.  If he is coached up and given more discipline I think he will perform better than he did.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I agree with you on Dotson. Not sure about the others. It's not like Arthur Maulet turned into an All-Pro in Baltimore. He was just on a better team that had more success. As for Johnson, I think he brought on a lot of his problems. If he doesn't change then I don't expect his production to change either. Plus, his QB is Bryce Young, who may or may not be better than Kenny Pickett or MItch Trubiksy.
Forever a Diva
2:01
How do you see things playing out with Pickens being a #1?  He will likely get double teamed, which will likely cause him to throw temper tantrums and show the selfish, immature player that he is.  I think it is a disaster in the making.  There has been talk that he might grow up, but have you ever seen any of the problem children grow up under Tomlin?  I would argue that they only get worse the more he enables them.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
If you're a No. 1 WR of course you are going to be double-teamed. It's up to the OC to scheme him open and it's up to the other WRs to make plays in those situations. It's the NFL. If a coach wants to take you out of the game he can do it. It's just a matter of the OC and the other players stepping up and taking advantage of those decisions.
GMJoe
2:03
The Steelers have an enviable 2025 cap situation with no dead money and the fourth most money available. Of course, part of that is due to fewer roster commitments. How do you see this $80M+ being allocated?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Maybe half or more to a QB. They'll likely extend Watt and they might need to sign a big ticket DL. There. It's all gone. Happy?
Jeff M
2:04
Why do so many people keep talking about Fautanu being able to transition to RT easier because he had a left-handed QB in college? Does a tackles technique really change based on what hand the QB throws the ball with?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
No, it doesn't.
Big Sid
2:05
Given the new OC’s utilization of TEs, are we overblowing the need for another WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Whether it's a WR or a TE, someone has to be able to produce if Pickens is taken out of the game.
Dennis
2:05
Will the Steelers open on the road this year?  The Pirates play at home the opening NFL season. AND the Pirates play at home the seconf
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Certainly seems that way unless they open with a Monday night game.
Mel
2:06
I saw a report of how courtland Sutton is still on the trade block. But just a couple weeks ago the reporter said he is off the trade block. So, somebody is lying there.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
What's going to happen when Sutton or Aiyuk or Samuel doesn't report to training camp? Or they hold in until they get what they want? The players hold the power in these situations. If they want to get moved they can do things to speed up the process. Or maybe those teams will pony up and pay them the $$$ they seek.
Mike from Erie,PA
2:08
Hi Ray, Do you think our old and inferior DL will be able to hold up against our new young OL in Camp ?  ...without injuries ?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
If it was anything like last camp the young OL won't ever get Heyward or Ogunjobi for a rep. Heyward sat out all of camp last summer with his core muscle injury.
Serra
2:10
Aside from Big Ben's draft. Have you ever seen more excitement for a rookie position group after the draft than the O-line this year? I would include Pickett's draft but not everyone was sold him when he was drafted. Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Probably not although that 2017 class with JuJu in Round 2 and James Conner in Round 3 was pretty productive.
Pittfan
2:11
Hi Ray. Arthur Moats just recently said Leal has Tuitt traits. He obviously isn't comparing size. Do you see it? Can he be that disruptive?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
It's not about traits. Everyone in the NFL has measurables, traits, etc. Tuitt was a much better player in his first two seasons. Leal regressed in his second season. Tuitt was ascending.
Mack
2:13
Given what you know, from 0-100 what % chance is Cam Sutton a Steelers Week1?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Hard to say because I don't have all the details the NFL and Steelers might have about his legal situation, but I'll say 58%.
Michael
2:15
Ray, I believe Sutton (Den) will be a Steeler before Aug.  if so,  what position is the biggest concern going into the season - DL; S, TE, QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
DL
Easley
2:16
Maybe it's too small a sample size to say for sure, but do you think it's a trend or coincidence that in these two Khan/Weidl drafts, every pick, other than Mason McCormick, played for a Power 5 program? Not even a MAC guy in the pack!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
But that was a trend under Kevin Colbert too except for the 2019 draft class. Go back and look at Colbert's last 10 years. They were littered with players from the major conferences.
Vico Bradshaw
2:18
Hi Ray! Do you think we need another CB?, or we are fine with the people we already have.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Methinks they need more than one.
Francis
2:20
Ray, can you tell us why Pat F is a slam dunk for an extension this year? I mean his first two years were okay (60ish receptions), last year he was hurt (30ish receptions), and he's a liability as a blocker...what's the difference between him and Jesse James?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Freiermuth is much better than Jesse James, but you make a few good points. He has an injury history and his production has waned since Roethlisberger retired. Maybe it is all on the QB, but maybe there are some thingd Freiermuth can do to help as well.
Takoma Tom
2:22
Why not sign Bill Belichick as a defensive specialist? It would be similar to Brian Flores role.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I believe he is working for the University of Washington in some capacity. At least he was in spring practice. His son got a job that coaching staff.
GeneMingo
2:23
Tomlin’s forte is defense. Smith is a competent OC but not a QB guru. Pickett did not develop under Sully’s tutelage. I know nothing of the new QB coach. With that in mind are you confident they can turn Fields into a top QB?
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