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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.31.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:57
Good morning. Early chat today due to OTAs. Get your questions in now.
Dave
9:58
Out of the new Rookie class of players, who do you expect to have the greatest impact this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
Too early to predict. Check back with me in late August and I'll give you my opinion. They are practicing in shorts now. They won't put pads on until training camp. That's where players open eyes.
Jana
9:59
Is Calvin Austin participating fully in OTAs without limitations???
Ray Fittipaldo
10:00
Austin told us last week he is healthy and being a full participant.
J$Money
10:00
Do you think the Steelers are content with their inside linebackers coverage skills or might they still want to add someone? The fact that they brought in Kwon Alexander for a visit leads me to believe it’s a possibility. Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
Cole Holcomb was signed to be their three-down ILB for this season. He is still recovering from offseason foot surgery, but he'll be the main ILB on the field in all situations if everything goes as planned. The Kwon Alexanders of the world will be depth players, if they sign.
ALtoona1
10:02
Is this a big year Najee
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
He wasn't healthy to start last season and didn't come into his own until the second half of the season. The hope is he can pick up where he left off.
MikeM65
10:03
I've read where Joey Porter Jr. is expected be a starter in 2023, what do you think the probability of that is?   I mean Troy P didn't start his rookie season.  Is it that JP had a better college career than TP, cornerback is easier than safety to learn, at the NFL level
or some other reason?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
Polamalu was a rookie in 2003. That was a different era. The expectation now is for first- and second-round picks to play early. And I think Porter will end up starting.
MikeM65
10:05
Claypool had a good enough rookie season to earn the Mapletron nickname that compared him to one of the best receivers of all time. Well, the Mapletron name went away real fast and we were lucky to get the 32nd pick for him. My question is what guarantee is there that the same thing won't happen with Pickens?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Pickens has more physical gifts. He has better hands and is much better at making plays for his quarterback. Claypool, despite his height and athleticism, never developed a knack for football. In other words, not all good athletes are good football players. I think George Pickens is and will be a good football player.
Ric1951
10:06
Any chance Jon Kolb or LC get into the HOF in the near future???
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
It will be up to the veterans committee and I think LC Greenwood has a better chance than Jon Kolb.
MikeM65
10:07
Reading Le'Veon Bell's recent comments got me thinking about the Steelers' unofficial retired numbers. I believe numbers 43, 47, 58, 59, and maybe even 68 (I'm just listing defense players) have never been reassigned. I know 26 has been issued at least a few times, so why isn't Woodson in a category with the guys whose numbers haven't been reassigned?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
There are only so many numbers to go around and Woodson never won a Super Bowl with the Steelers. Even great players who won Super Bowls with the Steelers have their numbers issued. I'm thinking of 82 and 88 right off the top of my head. And they've issued 47 in the past. It's not one of those numbers.
Ryan
10:09
Ray how has Washington Porter and the other rookies looked so far in otas
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
Good but it's football in shorts. Real football arrives in late July at Saint Vincent's College in Latrobe.
Jay Daven
10:11
Ray, the Steelers often start the season slowly.  How have the coaches tried to improve upon this, if at all, or is it a matter of the limited pre-season games and limited contact?   seems to go through this, exept the Patriot's
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
The Steelers have more padded practices in training camp than most teams. That can be a double-edged sword. It can prepare players for the rigors of the season, or players can get injured. We saw last season how Najee Harris' LisFranc injury affected his running. Some teams just want their players healthy for the regular season and are willing to let them find their rhythm in the first month of the season. It's a delicate balance.
Joe
10:13
Ray who ultimately do you think ends up starting at slot corner? Thanks for the chat.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
I'd like to see how Chandon Sullivan does in camp and the preseason games before I make any predictions. RIght now, he's about their only option.
SteelersDave
10:14
In 1981 the 9ers won the first of their Super Bowls with three rookies starting in the defensive backfield.  Can we hope that JPJ and Trice learn that quickly?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:15
I think JPJ has a good chance to start, but I don't know about Trice having a big role as a rookie. He's a seventh round pick.
G Money
10:16
Ray I like Levi Wallace and think he's had an underrated tenure here.  Consistent, gets to the ball.  If Porter starts does he turn into a backup?  Not sure he's earned a demotion from Peterson or JPJ.  Plus the CB from Purdue I like.  Solid depth. What are your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
Wallace would be a good No. 3. You need good depth.
BenB
10:17
Finally gutted the ILB room which was long overdue…do you see what we have now as an upgrade? No way it cant be right Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
Stay tuned. They've been gutting the ILB room almost every year and they haven't gotten it right yet.
G Money
10:19
Steelers Dave brought up a great point re: 49ers.  Last year the KC Chiefs started 3 rookie DBs.  Is not written in stone that Rookies can't contribute to a championship team
Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
That's true. It happens from time to time, but there are plenty of other instances where rookie DBs struggle too. It all depends on what kind of team you have. The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes and the 49ers had Joe Montana.
62 Stack Monster
10:22
Hi Ray, a comment on your comment:  "..In other words, not all good athletes are good football players..."  That's spot on! I couldn't agree more.
Ed R Ohio
10:22
Any ideas on the expectations for the season and  what would you  consider a high mark success?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:23
10-7 and a playoff win is what I'm thinking.
Backwards Johnson
10:23
If you had to pick a surprise player to step up this year and provide quite a jolt to the quality of this team, who would it be? Austin, Mark Robinson, Corey Trice? Assuming the top 3 draft picks wouldn't be much of a surprise...
Ray Fittipaldo
10:24
I would lean toward Austin or Robinson because they've been here for a year. Maybe Austin because he might have a bigger role. Best-case scenario for Robinson is he's the top backup ILB. Austin could be the No. 4 WR so he'd get some snaps to make a difference.
Thomas
10:25
Do the Steelers have any intentions for Isiah Simmons, making a trade for him?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:25
Maybe the Cardinals will just cut him like they do with their other players.
Thomas
10:25
Can you tell if Robinson is more comfortable in the defense?   More well versed in assignments and what not.   Can he get meaningful minutes this year(barring injuries)?    He seems like an excellent athlete with aggressive traits.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:26
I like Robinson, but they signed Holcomb and Roberts to start so unless there are injuries I'm not sure how much he can contribute.
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