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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.24.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
OK let's get the chat going.
Carl in Carrick
1:58
Hi Ray.  The GM interview process is apparently over.  What, if anything are you hearing about who will succeed Kevin Colbert?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
The final six are Brandon Hunt, Omar Khan, Andy Weidl, Doug Whaley, John Spytek and Ryan Cowden. Hunt and Khan are in-house candidates. Weidl and Whaley previously worked for the Steelers. I suspect we'll find out soon. I would think Art Rooney II would like to have this process completed in the next couple of weeks.
Mercury
2:00
Are there any notable absences from OTAs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Two notable ones. Cam Heyward and Tyson Alualu spoke in the locker room about Stephon Tuitt not being present. I'm writing about that and will have a story up on post-gazette.com a little later this afternoon. The other notable absence was by a player who is in a contract year. But I wouldn't read much into OTA absences. They're voluntary. I'm writing about Tuitt because he's been absent for almost a year now. It's different from anyone else who is not at OTAs.
Mercury
2:02
Is it known whether the Ketamine found in Haskins’ blood was legally prescribed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
That is not known. I read the Broward County medical examiner's report last night and the investigator did not say why.
Alan in Alabama
2:04
Morning! Would you think the Steelers might have any late-off-season signings like Turner/Ingram up their sleeves this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I don't get that sense. Last year was different because of the salary cap being cut and some unexpected releases/retirements, most notably David DeCastro.
Just a fan
2:05
I will get this out of the way right from the start. Did Stephon Tuitt show up?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
He did not.
574Fan
2:05
Greetings, Ray. It seems clear from the IOL FA signings that Dotson will have to outplay Green in camp to retain his spot. He had a very promising start to his career 2 years ago. He has had injuries, but there’s also been rumors of the team not being thrilled with his off season work. Is there an issue with him besides injuries?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I spoke with Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson today. Dotson said he and Green are competing for the spot at left guard.
Pittfan
2:07
Hi Ray. If the Steeler defense can hold most of their opponents to 21 points or less do you think the offense will be able to score enough to win those games? Is holding to 21 points wishful thinking with all of the elite offensive talent in the AFC?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
It might be in this conference. It's an offensive league and the AFC is populated with star QBs and offenses that can light up the scoreboard. I'd maybe put that number at 24.
artie bridge
2:07
Ray, Two qb questions: 1.  Is Mason's departure a virtual foregone conclusion, no matter what he shows in camp?  2. How realistic a shot does the So. Dakota State kid have of making the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Chris Oladokun has no shot if Rudolph isn't traded. I suppose he could make it as the No. 3 if Rudolph is traded, but I'm not even sure about that.
Darnell
2:08
Ray, there has been a lot of questions about whether Tuitt will play or not and rightfully so.  However, I would like to know if Alualu is expected to be 100% or close to it.  There hasn’t been too much talk about him.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Yep. Talked to Tyson today. He was in great spirits, talked about his rehab and the grind it took to come back from his fractured ankle. He's ready to go.
Go Stillers
2:09
Hi Ray. I have concerns about the lack of top-end talent at CB and coverage LBs.  Safety is pretty strong, but I can see talented QBs completing passes all over the yard on this team, even if they do shore up run D.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I don't know if the CBs are weak, but I've said this before and I'll say it again. I think they have a bunch of No 2s. I don't think they have a bona fide No. 1 corner on their team.
RJT
2:10
Do the Steelers like buddy Johnson?  I thought they may take an ILB earlier but they didn’t, and I wonder if that’s because they think he can develop into a good player.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I think they're still trying to find out about him. He had a slow start and when they wanted to take a look at him late in the season he got injured and went on IR.
RJT
2:11
Does Mason Rudolph actually have a chance to win the competition?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Sure, but I don't think it's a great chance.
Steelerfanstuckinthelandofcrabs
2:11
Ray, assuming the Steelers cut Tuitt post June 1, do you think the Steelers will a) try and roll the 9 million in cap savings over to next year to bolster the next disaster area b) use it to resign 9 and 39 or c) use it to sign either E. Fisher/CB King formerly of GB/or 3rd OLB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I don't think they're cutting Tuitt. Not after what I heard today from Alualu and Heyward.
Boiler G Dog
2:11
Ray: The Steelers seem to be having a lot of patience with Harvin. How much of their decision to keep him has to do with him being Boswell’s holder? I’d think that would factor into cutting bait with him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I don't think that has anything to do with it. It's not like it's in-season. They want to work with him because they believe he has potential to be a better punter than what he showed last year as a rookie.
Mercury
2:12
Can you recall any other team taking so long and interviewing so many people for their GM job?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
It has been a very deliberate process. But then again, Colbert was going to handle the draft one way or the other. He did all the scouting in the fall so he was going to see it through. It makes perfect sense for the new GM to start this summer.
Devin
2:13
Hi Ray, it’s my understanding that Kevin Colbert will still have a role with the Steelers.  Any idea what that role will be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Colbert said it will depend on whether the new GM would like to have him in a new role. If he is retained it would be as an advisor much in the same way the Ravens have used Ozzie Newsome as an advisor since he retired.
Bubbymopsupfornobody!
2:14
Was hoping you could settle a bet. I don’t remember when you said you began covering the Steelers but there were rumors circulating in the early 90s that Neil O’Donnell could benchpress nearly 500 pounds? Fact or fiction.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I believe that is fact. I recall hearing/reading the same thing.
Chitown Black and Gold
2:15
Thanks for the chats Ray. There seems to be some consensus among draft experts that the Steelers drafted the most NFL ready quarterback in part because he ran a pro style offense at Pitt. Does it seem ironic that Matt Canada’s offense with the jet sweeps is closer to a college offense? Do you think that this will hinder Pickett’s development?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
No, not really. Pickett is athletic enough to pick up what Canada would like him to do. Almost every team is using a mobile QB these days.
Ding
2:16
Do you think that the Raven's draft would have been perfect for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Love their first few picks, but it's obvious now the Steelers wanted a QB and specifically I think they wanted Pickett.
Guest
2:17
Ray, Of the 4 outside candidates for GM Spytek is the only one with a SB ring. There is nothing like past performance to evaluate future performance. He gets my vote. Who would get your vote?
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