Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.26.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Other teams have similar issues. Those old-school noses aren't as versatile as the hybrids in today's game. So I think teams give away a little run defense in exchange for some versatility and the ability to play in sub-packages.
LorenzoSC
12:34
Hey Ray,

Curious your thoughts on Eli Heidenreich making the roster. Feels like it's going to be difficult. What's the most viable path?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
special teams. And yes, he has an uphill climb.
Jebba the Hutt
12:34
Is it safe to assume Kaden Wetjen will be considered for both punt and kick returns? Danny S. seemed to prefer not to have one person do both. Does Danny C. approach it differently?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
I would not assume that. Those plays are not all that similar. I think that's why you see some bugger guys have success on the kickoff returns. There is not a lot of room on kickoff returns and the bigger guys who can elude one guy and then put their head down for a few extra yards are the ones who put up some pretty good numbers.
Joe
12:36
A lot of questions on offense, but how are Dean and Brisker fitting into the defense?  I think both of those moves could really help.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Only one week in, but I like what I see from Brisker so far. He seems pretty versatile.
Jeremy
12:37
Ray it's weird to me that the Steeers didn't draft a true nose tackle (Yahya isn't that) because they don't want to use up a roster spot. But they drafted a guy in the 4th round who seems exclusively like a kick returner.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
If Wetjen dresses they'll have some packages for him on offense. Doesn't mean he'll get a lot of touches, but he'll have to do more than just return punts if he's going to be up on game days.
Yates
12:38
Ray-  With Bats moving over to the Team site what will be the new/revised chat schedule at the PG?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
For now, I think it will be the same as it has been. I'm on Tuesday, Gerry on on Wednesday and I believe Chris usually does his Friday. We might tweak things once the regular season gets here though.
Roger Mattheson
12:39
Will the Steelers ease Germie Bernard into the system? Maybe a set package of plays for him? Or will he be thrown into the fire?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
They might have to throw him into the fire. And I don't think that's a bad thing.
Dr Dooms Time Machine
12:39
Ray any idea if Terrel Austin was hired by another team? Seemed to have underachieved based on D's high cap $.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
He is with the Cardinals, but not as DC. He's an assistant coach.
Amanda B.
12:40
Ray, over the years, the number of regular season games have continued to increase. If the trend continues, do see the exhibition games being reduced or possibly eliminated altogether?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Yes, if they go to 18 you'll see the preseason reduced to two, etc.
Epiballo
12:41
When a player is placed on IR, is the ‘injury’ medically verified? It sounds like a player (Aller) can be so designated as a planned course of action. Is the NFL okay with this, if so?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Unless the player tells the NFL they're not injured how would the league find out? They don't have independent doctors going from city to city to verify injuries. And what rookie who is trying to make his way in the league is going to make noise about something like that?
Dr. K.
12:42
Hi Ray.  Can you please tell us what is going on with Darnell Savage?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
He might sign later in the summer.
Erick Tobias
12:43
Love the chats, Ray! How will Daylen Everette fare in such a crowded secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
That's a good question. The fact that he's versatile helps. He might be a backup at a few spots as a rookie. I don't see him on the field much unless there are injuries.
Gruff
12:44
Hey Ray, we've all been hearing about the defense communication issues, but never what the nature of them was. Was it coaches not getting points across to players, players not understanding schemes, coverages etc?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
I think what you saw over the years was everyone relaxing a little bit when it came to communication. Players from different generations came in and new was being meshed with old. Tomlin understood because he spanned the generations, but I think sometimes things got lost in the shuffle.
Gus da bus
12:49
There have been some rumors that Dowdell will take early down work and Jaylen then takes more 3rd down and a passing role. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
I think it's just people like me reading the tea leaves. People seem to forget how productive Warren was a third-down back before Gainwell arrived. He was very good. And he was very good when gives opportunities last year as a pass catcher. So while I don't see Dowdle exclusively as the first- and second-down back, I certainly could see thing trending that way as the season goes on. They're making about the same amount of money. Their touches will be close to equal. Just a matter of how they divide the labor.
12:53
OK thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do another one next Tuesday.
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