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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.18.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I think the running game must be better. I won't go as far to say they have to become a ball control team to save the defense. The defense has been plenty good the past few years.
Scott
2:26
Has Canada ever been known to use the FB much? I am still trying to figure out why they paid Derek Watt as much as they have/will.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
He used a FB at Pitt. Not sure if that guy was just a really good player, and he made it work, but I am sure Derek Watt will get a look if he can help the offense.
FredSmith
2:27
Does Jaylen Samuels have a future in this Matt Canada offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
If he's on the roster he's probably the No. 3 RB. That's not a big role. I just don't see him being in the mix unless there are injuries.
TexStill
2:28
I see you are in the 9 win camp, what are their 8 losses. I will give you Buffalo(A), Green Bay(A), Cleveland(A), Ravens(A) and KC(A).
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I also have them losing at the LA Chargers, at the Vikings on Thursday night and I believe I had them losing to the Seahawks. It's all archived on the North Shore podcast. Give it a listen. https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...
Jesse
2:31
I was really excited when we picked Our TE @ 55, i really think then & now it was great value, I remember before his injury in the season prior to the pandemic one, he was kind of rated Ist Rd value.. and think he is very good really .. We missed some kind of Heath Miller (on of my all time favorites no doubt in every way, a true Pro on & off for sure) so what are your thoughts on Freiermuth? Thanks for your great chats!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
I like the pick. I think he adds immediate value as a receiver, and the thought is he can become a good in-line blocker in the run game. Not sure that happens right away, but he'll stick his nose in there.
Luis
2:32
I think 2 ex Colts would provide next depth. Justin Houston, Malik Hooker. Thoughts Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
I've often wondered why Hooker has struggled to make his mark. I know injuries are part of the reason. As for Houston, he's older, but if he filled a role for a year I wouldn't have a problem with it.
Jay
2:33
Hi Ray.  First series, 3rd and 7, down a TD. Which 5 are the steelers lining up?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Which five receiving options? I'd say Claypool, Johnson, JuJu, Ebron and Harris.
7 to 86
2:34
Since OTAs are still "football in shorts," what do you find useful to learn about the team? Jobs are not being won and lost here, right? Sorry two questions but thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Who is lining up where, stuff like that. Little things you can pick up on with new coaches, etc.
Methuselah Thõempkrësharh
2:35
Reverses, double reverses, triple reverses, jet sweeps, have been woefully ineffective going back even before Finctner... Other than 'motion' to force a D to show itself, it seems the opponents, as Chuck Noll once said, aren't  "fooled" very often. Is all the Canada Jet Sweep talk the picture of 2021 to come.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
There is more to his offense than jet sweeps. He likes to use motion to identify things within the defense. He makes them declare and then goes for a mismatch. This is a staple of most coordinators now. We'll see how effective he is in his first NFL gig.
TexStill
2:37
For all the huff about the Steelers schedule, Browns is not easy and Ravens is just as brutal, with a tougher end than the Steelers. What record wins this division? 11-6? 10-7 on a tiebreaker?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
11-6 might be a good call. Maybe 12-5. I'd be surprised if any team got to 13 wins this year.
Steeler1974
2:38
Ray I’m not sure where all the doom and gloom over Ben has come from. I understand the 4 ints in the playoff game however we were down so far Ben had no choice but to gunsling. He did get us to within 11. The defense was failing us in that game. So obvious the the handcuffs were put on him wit the dunk and dunk. He looked pretty good in the Indy game when the defense helped out. Shouldn’t there be a little more optimism now that he has more help ie the draft picks?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
It's hard to forget about the playoff game and all those other late-season games besides the Colts. It was a disaster versus the Ravens, Bengals and WFT.
Methuselah Thõempkrësharh
2:39
It appeared that Cam Heyward was live from Steeler HQs today, on GMF, for a bit of self promotion. Is that a bit hypocritical considering his Union rep stance?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I didn't see the interview so I don't know where Heyward taped it. Cam has been outspoken about players not going to the voluntary workouts this year. Not sure if taping a TV appearance is doing his union dirty.
Jeff
2:41
Guess I am not on the Browns/Bengals bandwagon.   Browns didnt win that game last year, we lost it and the Bengals still always manage to have holes and find ways to lose.  You with me or do we expect 3 playoff teams from the north?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I think it's going to be hard for three teams from the AFC North to make the playoffs because the schedules are so decidedly harder than other AFC divisions. I think two make it.
kevin in Punxsy
2:41
Hi Ray.  Relative to Loudermilk, I remember one of the people involved in the draft (could have been Colbert) said that they were hoping to get him in the sixth, but found out another team was going to take him in the 5th.  In addition, Colbert said that giving up a 4th for him wouldn't hurt, as he thought that they would get a 4th round compensatory pick next draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I don't think Colbert was that specific about a team wanting to take him in the fifth or sixth before the Steelers could, but he was obviously concerned it would happen because he made that deal.
Ed
2:43
When the Steelers were trying to get under the cap I did not see any mention of restructing Decastro. Why not?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
He's entering the final year of his deal. If they did anything with his contract they would have extended him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
With Devin Bush and Spillane coming off of knee injuries and Vince back as a one year helping hand,  I am thinking Buddy Johnson may have biggest impact of defensive rookies. Am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
He was the first defensive player the Steelers drafted so it's not that far fetched. I just think if the Steelers are healthy inside Johnson gets his feet wet as a rookie and plays mostly on special teams.
AK
2:47
Do you see the Steelers signing a FA CB or S, or both?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
I think they'll see what they have in camp and then reassess. So if they make a move at one of those two positions I am thinking it comes in August or September.
Bernard
2:48
How would you compare Bush to Shazier regarding talent level, etc?  Is Bush a Pro Bowl level player?  Can he be a leader on defense?  I'm just not sold on the kid but maybe comparing him to Shazier isn't fair.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Different body types. I think Shazier threw his body around a little more in the run game. Bush is more of a run and chase ILB. Shazier was good as a pass defender too. Bush hasn't demonstrated that to date.
AK
2:49
Do you think the Steelers will cut one of their four QBs, either Haskins or Dobbs and sign them to the practice squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Not sure if Dobbs would be eligible for the practice squad. But yes one of the four QBs will be cut, and Haskins could be the odd man out unless he really impresses in the next few months.
J$Money
2:50
Given the new Matt Canada offense, do you see it necessary for Ben to take more snaps than usual in preseason games or is that something he can perfect in practice?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
I think he'll play the usual amount in the preseason. And that's been a series or two in one games and that's it.
2:53
I'm sure he'll learn if he didn't do it at Georgia Tech.
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