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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.20.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I'm with you. Why now? It might be good for all parties to wait and see what happens.
Kryder
12:27
Do you think a wild card birth and first round loss after all the turmoil would be enough to warrant an extension for Tomlin?  Personally, i am hoping the Steelers dont extend Tomlin PERIOD!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
So that would still mean two playoff victories since 2011, right? I mean, if that's what you deem a successful head coach then go for it.
Kryder
12:28
If Steelers lose opener in NE and home opener against Seattle (not unfathomable) do you think Steeler Nation will hit panic mode?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
They'd have their fingers twitching to hit the panic button, for sure.
Kryder
12:28
Is this the year the Browns turn the tables on the Steelers and sweep both games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I'll believe it when I see it.
Bill Maloni
12:29
Is FA Safety Tre Boston a signing option for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Not at the moment. I think the Steelers are going to evaluate their safety group this spring and summer, see what they have and then go from there.
Vico
12:30
Hi Ray! Has Mike Hilton signed his contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
To my knowledge he has not. Al Villanueva did the same things a couple of years ago and ended up getting a new contract the day training camp started. He showed up for OTAs and minicamp and the organization took care of him. I don't know if things will play out the exact same way for Hilton, but he appears to be handling this contract in a professional manner.
Nittany Lyin
12:32
If Mason Rudolph becomes Roethlisberger’s backup, does Donna make the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I would think so. Who else would be No. 3?
Jw
12:32
Hey Ray thanks for your chats I really enjoy them!  Do you have any inkling as to what the middle of the d will look like as the team starts otas?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
We will find out tomorrow. In 2014, Ryan Shaizer lined up with the starters in OTAs. He was a rookie and the No. 15 overall selection in the draft. Devin Bush was the No. 10 overall selection.
AA
12:33
Do you think Matekavich’s roster spot is in jeopardy
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
If some of these fast rookies show up on special teams and prove they can pick up the defense then maybe. It's no secret they want to improve their team speed on defense and their special teams.
CoalportKid
12:34
Why is Sean Davis not a show-in for a second contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Why would he be? Listen, teams don't always extend players because they've earned. There might not be a player in the pipeline to replace Davis, and they might feel like they have to do it anyway. That could happen. I'm just saying he hasn't performed up to expectations for a second-round pick. I expect more turnovers and splash plays from safeties, and he hasn't provided them. That doesn't mean I think he's a bad player. I just wouldn't extend him if I was GMKC.
The Standard
12:36
If Artie can't make it at outside corner, could he try inside...is that easier?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
No, it's not easier especially for someone with Burns' build.
Kiwi Jimmy
12:36
Will the Steelers play a regular season game in London or Mexico City first? They seem to have a bigger following south of the border.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I would imagine Mexico. They just played in London in 2013.
Kryder
12:37
Experts always surmise that old generation stars like Lambert and such wouldn’t be able to play todays game because they weren’t as big and fast as todays players.  There might be some truth to that but what do you think about todays players playing in that era?  I think these primadonnas today could never withstand the pounding and fierceness of the way the game was played back then.  I could see Mel Blount crushing guys like AB or Odell...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
That would have been interesting. Blount would have to get his hands on AB first, but if he did it wouldn't have ended well for AB. It's such a different game now. It's like that for almost every position on the field. Back in the 1970s, you have offensive linemen that weighed 270 or 280. Now you're "small" if you're a 300-pound offensive lineman.
CoalportKid
12:39
Are they avoiding signing free agents right now for fear of losing a comp pick given only James, Bell & Fort were picked up?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
No. At this time of the year the comp formula does not matter.
Ron
12:40
Just out of curiosity, would you prefer Locke or Askew-Henry on the 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Let's see who plays better this summer. And maybe it will be someone else. Those two are getting a lot of publicity now, but that's only because the Steelers didn't select a safety in the draft. They have to play well in camp to earn a job. If they don't they won't be on the team.
DaquidoBazzini
12:41
Hi, Ray- Any idea who the WR’s were that went down to Ben’s place in Georgia?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
I saw a video one of the players put on social media. I saw Switzer, Moncrief, JuJu, Grimble... I'm sure there were others.
P6brit
12:42
What is the requirement for 'Hard Knocks'?  Will the Steelers eventually have to be featured in that show?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
If the Steelers miss the playoffs this year they could be eligible. Have to miss the playoffs two years in a row I believe.
Stiller fan
12:43
Why are people so quick to call the Browns the AFC North favorites?  Just because they have a new head coach and a new WR?!  They've had similar combinations every year for the last 20 along with numerous 1st pics, and they have to go through the Steelers and the Ravens.  I'm confused by the hype.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
Star power and the way they ended the season have something to do with it. There is no disputing they have talent. Baker Mayfield proved he can play a little. O'Dell Beckham is really good when he's right. David Njoku is a good young tight end. They have good RBs and a decent offensive line. The talent is there. I can't pretend to know how they'll handle the pressure and all that, but they have enough talent to win the division. However, as Steelers fans know, much more than talent plays into teams winning and losing.
CoalportKid
12:45
Do the Steelers employ analytics staff, dedicated to crunching numbers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Yes they have an analytics department. Karim Kassam handles a lot of their projects. I wrote about him a few years ago: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/08/23/Karim-Kassam-P...
John K
12:47
Hey Ray....who do you think is a Steelers player from the 80's (not named Rod Woodson or Dermontti Dawson, that you think gets overlooked?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Brian Hinkle was a really good player on some average or bad teams.
Professor Flush
12:48
Thanks for the chat. How many days does OTAs last? Are pads involved, or would that be a shouldergate violation and loss of a draft pick (Thanks John Clayton!)
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