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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.26.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Artie Bridge
1:54
Ray, What rb's are on the opening day roster?  And can newly drafted McFarland be practice squaded if he doesn't make the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
McFarland, barring injury, will be on the opening day roster, but yes, he and any other rookie are eligible for the practice squad. McFarland is a fourth-round pick. The previous time they cut a fourth-round pick during his first camp was Fred Gibson, I believe. It just doesn't happen very often.
Realist
1:56
Rumor is Steelers will be fulfilling season tix only partially.  group A gets select games, group B gets other games etc.  can you confirm this?  Really stinks as work obligations always prevent me from attending a game or two per year, and , what if those are games I am arbitrarily assigned?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
The Steelers have yet to publicly detail any contingency plans for the season. Last week they did say they held back 50% of the tickets for individual sale, which of course means they are making adjustments in case full capacity is not allowed. The Steelers have said they will refund people for any games that are canceled, but I'm sure there will be plenty of people in your shoes. My advice would be to line up potential buyers for games in the event you cannot go.
AK
1:59
Do you think Lynch has a decent chance of beating out Hodges for the 3rd string QB job?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Sure, but he was here for most of last season and didn't get any playing time. I understand he missed OTAs, minicamp and training camp. But that QB situation was pretty dire by the end of the season. Not going to Lynch tells me they just weren't comfortable with him yet.
seferg
2:00
As it stands now, what and when are the next projected Steelers activities?  Im assuming no mini camps so it would be players report?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
The NFL just started to allow some personnel back into their buildings last week. I would imagine they will begin to allow coaches and players back in relatively soon. At first, they'll just use the facilities for weight training and small group workouts I would imagine. At some point, I could see them having a short minicamp before training camp, but the league has not yet detailed any plans for a return.
Guest
2:04
Ray thanks for the chats.  The naysayers refrain is - what happens if Ben gets hurt or his arm isn’t healthy?  Well what lap pens if Maholnes or Jackson or Wilson or any other franchise QB gets hurt? Very few teams have a Charlie Batch waiting in the wings to hold down the fort for a month or more.  I for one think Rudolph is at least as good an option as 80-90% of back up QBs are. What say you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I agree for the most part. There are very few teams in the league with great situations at backup QB. You hope your backup can get you out of a game or maybe hold down the fort for a game or two. You saw last season with the Steelers, once they learned Ben was gone for the year, they knew they had to change the way the tried to win games. They knew they had to win with defense and changed the way the game planned on offense. I think most teams are like that.
Desert Vic
2:06
What steps can the league and players association take to combat the states that will not permit NFL teams to gather for training or playing? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I just saw today the New Jersey governor green lighted all sports training camps were on OK in his state. I don't think that's going to be an issue.
GirthTheDestroyer
2:07
Sup ray, who is the steelers starting oline this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Sup. Feiler, DeCastro, Pouncey, Wisniewski and Villanueva to start the season.
David
2:08
Ray, based on your article, you're obviously in favor of the 4th & 15. My concern is it's setting up even more controversial calls that decide games, like a ticky-tack PI or illegal contact call. You think the positives outweigh those potential negatives?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I just think the onside kick has jumped the shark. And I understand why. The rules were changed so it's much more difficult to execute them. When safety forces changes to the game you have to adapt. I just think the owners would forward thinking if they passed this rule. As for pass interference penalties, we have those now. There is a separate rule proposal for a sky judge that could help replay review and things of that nature.
Waxman
2:10
Ray... do you think that empty stadiums could have an even great adverse effect on Steelers? Not to overplay the impact of Steeler Nation, but one intangible strength of the Steelers is how well they travel, and how this can often mitigate an opposing teams home field advantage when it comes to crowd noise.  While I realize every team must deal with it... it does seem to be a greater disadvantage for the Steelers due to the fact that not all teams travel like the black + gold.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Good point. It would level the playing field to a certain extent. But I would point out the Steelers haven't had a great home-field advantage in recent years. So if it's not an advantage with 65,000 fans then really how much of an advantage is it with 25, 000 or 30,000 in a visiting venue?
Wonderlic
2:12
If the games are played without spectators, will the NFL seek advice from the Colts on how to effectively pump in crowd noise into stadiums?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Ha ha we talked about that last week. I just hope they scrap that idea. I hear they're doing it with soccer in Europe, but I don't like the idea.
Jacque Strap
2:13
Hi Ray...has the NFL issued anything formal or informal regarding changes in how the media will cover a team, if/when the NFL resumes?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
No, I honestly think they're just taking it one step at a time. They just opened the buildings last week. I'm sure at some point they'll get a plan together, but I just think they're so early in the process that any plans now would be so vague it's probably not even worth it.
Frankenmason
2:14
Assuming there are preseason games do you think we will see Ben  taking more reps than normal? He has been somewhat of a slow starter the last few years he's played.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I think Ben will be on a pitch count until the regular season. He might want a little more preseason action than usual due to missing most of last season, but I don't imagine his playing time in the preseason will be extensive.
JwandBurgh
2:15
Ray, I am heard that coaches and players could.be back at training facilities as.early as next.week!. Is that a good possibility and is.it more likely training camp takes place at south side facility instead of St. Vincent?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Yes they could easily hold camp at the South Side facility. They have everything they need there to conduct a camp as they normally would.
Ryno
2:17
In your opinion, did Devin Bush show last season why he was worth what the Steelers gave up to get him, or will that value show up down the road for the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I thought Bush was very good for a rookie. And I think he'll be even better next season because he now has experience.
Ryno
2:18
Why the hesitation on a booth video official?  Seems like a beneficial no brainers to get more calls correct.  I thought it worked great in the XFL.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I tend to agree with you. The only question would be whether there are enough competent officials to use in those jobs. So would you be weakening your on-field officials if you plucked a few for those jobs? Or would you ask some officials that recently retired to take those jobs? Would they take them? I think that's what they'll be working through if the rule is passed.
ALB
2:19
Mt. Rushmore of Pittsburgh sports announcers? I have Prince, Cope and Lange, but not sure of the fourth.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
For me, I'd go Jack Fleming. He had some iconic calls in the 1970s. The Immaculate Reception, the Super Bowls, etc.
Troy P
2:20
Hi Ray and thank you for the chats. JuJu looks ripped, Washington's coming on strong and I don't think we scratched the surface with Johnson let alone the Ebron, McDonald and Claypool. I have a feeling if Ben stays healthy were a top 5 offense. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
That would be quite the transformation considering they were among the worst offensive teams in the league last year. Honestly, with that defense, they might only have to be top 10-12 and could be a Super Bowl contender.
Questfor7
2:22
I’m really excited about this year. Ben back. Speed added to the offense. Adding Tuitt to an already dominant defense. Can’t imagine the offense having as many injuries this year as last. Easy schedule. No more Brady in NE. Teams having an extra year to figure out Lamar Jackson. Im just a little concerned about backup NT, backup inside LB and backup safety. I’m thinking 12-4! You?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I said 11-5 and I'll stick with that for now. Your concerns about NT and ILB are valid. I think they have a plan for both, but we haven't learned of those detailed plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once we get to watch practice we'll be to get a better handle on how they'll approach it.
AK
2:24
What area where the Steelers need depth are they most likely to be able to pick up someone from other team’s cuts or a possible trade: ILB, safety, defensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Yeah you're pretty much right on there with your list. I think they have some options with Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert, but they could add there if neither steps up. Backup safety is a concern, too because right now the top backup is Jordan Dangerfield or the rookie out of Maryland that was drafted in the sixth round. I think they'll look to improve there if they can.
CoalportKid
2:26
Curious how the owners of all three pro teams get along? Do the Rooneys, Nutting and Burkle/Lemieux ever do anything jointly? A joint COVID response from the three would have been interesting, I could imagine many possibilities.
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