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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.21.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:56
Good morning. Post your Steelers questions and we'll get started soon.
Jim_Bow_Dean
9:57
Can you explain the different skill sets required for slot CB vs. outside CB that make it so some players are only one or the other?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:58
Typically, slot corners are shorter and don't have the length or the long speed to cover the bigger and faster WRs in the NFL. But they have to be quick to cover some of the shifty slot WRs across the league, and many slot CBs are good around the line of scrimmage and have an ability to play well versus the run or blitz off the edge.
Alan in Alabama
9:59
Good morning, Ray. I’m sure that you’ll get a ton of Cam questions and remarks. I for one feel the Steelers are playing this perfectly. I wouldn’t mind if they extended him maybe one year, but at a much lower cap number for next year. That being said, the smart move is clearing his BIG cap this year so they don’t have to live with a huge debt for what MIGHT be an unproductive player down the road. BTW, I’m extremely disappointed in the way that Cam is handling this. He owes them nothing, but they have gone above and beyond in my mind. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:02
I get what you're saying about the cap hit, but the Steelers did not address his contract in March and are now in position to absorb the $22 million cap hit and then be free of any future cap hits if Heyward does not have a bounceback season. He's 35 and coming off a core muscle injury that ruined his 2023 season. I think the play here for the Steelers is to see how he plays and then sign him after the season if his play merits another contract. I'm not sure what benefit it is to the team to sign the oldest player on the team to a contract extension when he's coming off offseason surgery.
Brad
10:02
Ray, I am perplexed that the Steelers did not exercise Najee Harris’ option.  The guy has produced behind some poor offensive line play.  Now that the OL is bolstered, they insult Najee?  Looks foolish to me.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
I was surprised, too, but he does share time with Jaylen Warren. They might not think paying $7 million to a player who plays half the offensive snaps is good business. I disagree, but I do see their side. Many teams believe they can cycle through cheap running backs and their offense won't suffer. We'll see how this plays out for the Steelers.
J D
10:04
Ray, what do you think are the Steeler's weakest offensive and defensive positions?  Which one will they upgrade before camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
WR and CB. Not sure about before training camp, but they'll have players in place at those positions by the time the regular season rolls around.
Bill
10:05
Hi Ray. Always look forward to your chats. Do you think there is a chance Wilson has the tools to surprise the league and be the next Puka Nacua?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Wilson entered the league with a little more fanfare. He was drafted in the third round while Nucua was a fifth-round pick. I just looked at his old NFL.com draft profile and Lance Zierlein had him as a sixth- or seventh-round prospect. I think a lot of it has to do with what team drafted you and the coach who is running the offense. Obviously, Sean McVay is one of the bright offensive minds in the league today. He knew what kind of WR he was looking for and Nucua came in and delivered right away. His 2023 season reminded me of JuJu Smith-Schuster's 2017 rookie season although Nucua obviously had more production in terms of yardage. But like Smith-Schuster, Nucua had a really good No. 1 opposite him and he took advantage of that.
Guest
10:08
I don't understand what Cam is thinking.  He is getting severely overpaid this season.  He doesn't have many good seasons left.  This might be it.  He is not representing himself as a captain at all.  What is he trying to gain?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
Well, he's trying to gain a new contract. I never begrudge a player who tries to get the most out of his earning power. And let's not bring his captaincy into this. Plenty of captains and leaders seek better paydays. What people have to realize about this contract situation is the Steelers don't have to do anything. Heyward is under contract. If he doesn't play he doesn't make his $16 million in salary.
Mats
10:11
Thanks for the chats Ray, which of this year draft class would be your “dark horse”
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
He's received his fair share of publicity, but probably Payton Wilson for me. He was a compensatory third-round pick, mostly due to a problematic injury history. The talent is there for him to make an impact if he can stay healthy.
TX Pressure
10:12
The Cam thing isn't a big deal YET but you know Cam wants something since this would be his last deal and insurance against injury this year - but at what price?  The Steelers didn't ask for a paycut, taking the full hit and coming off an injury and his age I'm sure they want to see how this plays out before giving ANY type of extension offer.  Cam has no leverage, no team is going to pay him anything to what he's looking for the closest comp would be Calais Campbell who played all 17 games last year and had 6.5 sacks and made $7 mill + $3 mill signing bonus.  That would probably be around the offer in the extension which Cam would find insulting but it's reality.  I just don't see anything getting done, how do you see this playing out?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
I agree with you. There is no incentive for the Steelers to give him any new money now before seeing how he rebounds from his injury-riddled 2023 season.
TX Pressure
10:14
As we get ready for this new offense a question came to mind - what is Matt Canada up to?  I mean if you are a hot commodity and have expertise then teams will be clamoring for your services even in a consultant role but it's been radio silent.  Think he is just chillin with an IC Light and hoping this offense or Kenny Pickett still looks terrible and say Hey this wasn't on me!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:15
I haven't heard of Canada landing anywhere. Last I heard he left town and moved to his second home down south.
Major Rick
10:15
Good morning, Ray. Will the Steelers make a move on Cam Sutton? Are they waiting until the legal and league process plays out?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
I think they're waiting to see how his legal situation unfolds and how the NFL handles it. He could face a suspension, and the Steelers, or any other team, would want to know how long he might miss before they sign him. Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan remained unsigned so they are options for the Steelers secondary too.
Paul from Colorado
10:17
I read many people complaining about how the back end of the schedule is stacked. With the possibility of three new starters on the Offensive Line , a new  quarterback and a new system, I think this could be an advantage of time to learn and gell before the conference games start. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:19
Probably two new starters on the line, but nonetheless they need to play well early. I don't care how manageable or easy the first half of the season looks, it's the NFL. The Steelers need to get off to a good start if they want to make the playoffs. The back end of the schedule is tremendously difficult so it will be tougher to make up ground late in the season.
Martin
10:19
Hi Ray, do you think the Steelers have any concerns about the effort Najee will give because of his contract situation?  I could see him playing hard to get more money be it here or somewhere else.  However, he could also feel sorry for himself and not play up to his capabilities.  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
It's a contract year for him so he'll be motivated to earn a second contract whether it's in Pittsburgh or somewhere else.
G Money
10:21
Why would the Steelers, who are paying Cam his full salary, considering adding years to the contract?  I would have only brought him back on a team friendly only deal. There was a way to do this so everyone comes out looking great.  Not this distraction.  Cam hasn't won anything here.  Everyone says what a great leader he is, but I don't see any championships---The locker room has been one distraction after another over the years.  They get blown out in playoff games they barely make.  And now he's 35 years old, coming off injury. Is he getting horrible advice? He's won one playoff game in 13 years.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:24
I've mentioned this before. I do not think he's getting good advice from his agents. Cam has been a really good player for a long time. But what did Branch Rickey tell Ralph Kiner when he wanted a new contract? "We can finished in last place with you, we can finish in last place without you." The Steelers haven't finished in last place, but to your point they haven't exactly been a threat in the AFC during Heyward's tenure with the team.
Major Rick
10:25
Good morning, Ray. Is there anything in particular that you will watching for during OTAs?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:25
The rookies for the most part although some guys second-year guys like Corey Trice will be worth keeping an eye on too.
Mark Bruener Fan 2
10:26
Ray, Aiyuk and the 49ers are reportedly far apart on a deal. Do you think if the compensation required to land his services no longer commands a 1st rounder, Omar Khan will make that call?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:27
The 49ers shut down trade talks earlier this spring, but they could heat up again if it becomes obvious they can't re-sign him. And yes, the price will go down, especially if Aiyuk holds out or becomes difficult. Teams don't want distractions right before the season, especially teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
Xavier J.
10:29
Thanks for these chats.  I learn a lot from them.  Do you think the dead or dormant receiver trade talks with 49ers may be revived after June 1st?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:29
I wouldn't be surprised at all.
Steely Dan
10:29
What is the likelihood of a Fields extension? It’s been floated around that they would do a Jordan Love-type of team friendly deal, but hard to imagine they would do that given that they don’t yet know what they have in Russ OR Fields
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
Yes, it's a tricky situation for sure. It's probably good for Fields to have a reset year and for him to sit back and learn. But how many QBs want to reset for two years? Or three years? This will be up to Fields. The Steelers didn't exercise his fifth-year option so he can become a free agent next March.
Steely Dan
10:31
Ray, what are the chances the Steelers make a move for a WR still? Do you really think they’ll go into camp with this WR room? Do they think Van Jefferson is a WR2?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
They might go into camp with this WRs room, but it's doubtful they'll go into the season with this WRs room.
Ray/OC
10:32
Hi Ray: As to Heyward, the team is doing right by him, by not cutting him or asking him to take a pay cut.  Cam, show up you are a Captain, set the example.  If not maybe it is time for him to get on with his life's work?? Seems to me the team has always done right by him..  Thx..
Ray Fittipaldo
10:35
The Steelers cut Franco Harris and Troy Polamalu. They had Ben Roethlisberger, a future HOF QB, take a pay cut to return for one final season. Cam is from Pittsburgh. He is aware of those star players leaving with some bad blood. He wants to play for a few more years he says. If he takes a hard-line stance he has to be prepared for those final seasons to be somewhere else. Franco finished his career with the Seattle Seahawks. James Harrison played for the Bengals and Patriots. It doesn't always have a storybook ending.
Arty Smiff
10:36
Ray, of all the WRs on the trade market, who do you think is the best SYSTEM FIT?
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