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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.01.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Let's get the chat started.
Guest
1:59
It's been so long since the Steelers needed a starting QB.  Do you think the Steelers will start over by drafting a rookie QB, next year, or trading for a veteran, like Aaron Rogers.  It appears that they have cap room to take on a veteran salary in 2022.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
They will have cap space, but I don't think they know right now what the plan is. Ben Roethlisberger is back from presumably one final season. Mason Rudolph is signed thru the 2022 season, and they're going to take a long look at Dwayne Haskins this spring and summer. A lot can happen between now and January. I'm sure they'll have a plan by then, but I think they're going to let some things play out in the interim.
Bucco Bil
2:00
Thoughts on Ben's health heading into 2021 season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Roethlisberger said today his arm "feels great." He talked at length about the difference between being six months removed from elbow surgery and 18 months. He believes he'll be better in 2021.
Bucco Bil
2:01
In regards to bringing in free agents, where do you think Steelers should prioritize on defense ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Reserve OLB and corner assuming no one stands out and takes a firm grasp of their opportunity in camp.
CoveSteel
2:02
Besides lack of depth in a lot of places, My 3 biggest areas of concern will be Chuks playing on the left, the growth of Alex Highsmith, and slot cornerback.  What are your 3?   Thanks and have a great day.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
You pretty much nailed it. The issue at OLB isn't just Highsmith. It's the lack of depth behind him. At least at CB, you know Cam Sutton is capable of playing in the slot and could move inside in the nickel and dime. That means outside CB is maybe a bigger concern because you'd need James Pierre or Justin Layne to take on that role and neither has any meaningful NFL experience.
Chris Dolbow
2:04
Ray- thanks for the chats. What’s the latest on TJ’s contract extension- any posturing from either side about the likelihood of getting it done before the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I'd expect that to heat up in August and September. They usually sign guys a week or two before the regular season begins.
Guest
2:05
In an era of large WR and TE, Steelers are habitually 6', 225lbs in the middle LB spots.  What is the resistance to tall LB's that can shut down throwing lanes for the opposing QBs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I don't think there is a resistance to acquiring those types of players, but they just haven't become available when the Steelers picked. Tampa had the No. 5 pick in the 2019 draft and took Devin White. The Steelers, at No. 10, got Devin Bush, who happens to be much smaller (though still capable in a three-down ILB role). The other thing is if you're a taller LB you're almost always going to be heavier and it's hard to find bigger ILBs who can be three-down LBs.
Steve
2:07
Chris Wormley was an ascending DE coming to the Steelers,  Now he is buried #4 on the depth chart behind Tuit, what is happening?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
So he was ascending when the Ravens decided to trade him before his rookie deal expired? I think he can be a rotational player for the Steelers and might hold some value, but I think you're off on your assessment that he was this big acquisition for the defense. He was acquired to be a depth player and that's what he is.
Guest
2:09
Will Haskins be the week one starter in 2022?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Roethlisberger did say today Haskins can "throw a ball through a car wash." but there is no way to make a reliable prediction on that. I'd say Mason Rudolph because they committed to him through the 2022 season, but as I mentioned earlier, much can happen between now and September of 2022.
MD
2:10
If Dotson could not beat out a banged up and ineffective Feiler coming off of a multi-week injury at the end of last year, is it really possible that he will be an upgrade in 2021?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I think so. He's already a better run blocker than Feiler. And he said last week he's working to get more comfortable at left guard. Knowing he'll be on one side this year should help him. And sometimes coaches are slow to make changes when the team is having success. I'm not sure when there was an opportune time to replace Feiler with Dotson. For all their struggles near the end of the season, they finished as the No. 3 seed in the AFC. Right or wrong, I'm just telling you coaches don't like to make changes to their starting lineup when the team is in good position.
Chuck
2:13
Fans in Latrobe this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Full capacity at indoor NHL playoff games right now. I have a hard time seeing why fans can't sit on the hillside and watch outdoor football practices. But nothing has been finalized yet in terms of camp at Latrobe.
Ryan
2:14
Do you see any trades in the near future or is the roster set for now through training camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Not before camp, but anything is possible during camp.
Steve
2:15
Hi Ray, thanks for the chats! Always informative. Anything stand out as a big surprise during OTAs? Looking for something that made you do a double take, good or bad.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Can't be specific due to their rules, but I've been watching the offensive line a lot. There are doing things in different ways than previous years. (As one might expect when you finish last in the NFL in rushing)
Gene
2:17
It seems like we improved the offense but we still need a few players to add on defense. Your thoughts please.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I assumed you mean the addition of Najee Harris, Pet Freiermuth and Kendrick Green through the draft. Everyone always thinks the draft will improve their team. We'll see about that. They have potential, but they're rookies. The offense also lost Maurkice Pouncey, Al VIllanueva, Matt Feiler and James Conner. It might have been time for all of them to move on, but there is uncertainty at the positions they vacated (except for Harris at RB. I think almost everyone thinks that will be an upgrade.)
Jud
2:19
Seems Ben is adjusting to Canada's system, do we have any idea how different from Fichtner's it will be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Different verbiage. In listening to Roethlisberger's interview today I think that's the biggest challenge for him. He's learning new terminology in his 18th season. That's not something he's used to doing.
Javi
2:20
Hey Ray. Is the RB Ballege going to push out one of the other RBs on roster? Dont know much about him. Who is odd man out if he makes team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
My guess is Jaylen Samuels, if that happens.
Guest
2:20
Do you think the O-line will actually be better this year than last? Everyone and everything is saying otherwise, which is why it feels possible.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I like Dotson and think he might be an upgrade over Feiler. Not as certain about Kendrick Green taking over at center or Chuks taking over at left tackle for Villanueva. Center and left tackle are very important positions on your offense and those guys have much to prove.
Paul M.
2:22
Do you see the Steelers making a run at an edge FA? Specifically Melvin Ingram or Justin Houston?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I could see them making a move in August if they're not happy with the depth on the roster during camp.
Don Keedic
2:22
Steelers look set at IOL, but what on earth are they going to do at OT? Banner has shown to lack lateral quickness, and Chuks was so-so at RT. Can the A&M kid be more than just a swing tackle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I think they're going to see what they have in Banner and Chuks in camp and then make some determinations after that.
Newman
2:24
Has anyone ever asked why Tomlin - a Tampa 2 guy coming up the ranks - has always stayed with the 3-4?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
The Steelers are a 3-4 base defensive team. But that's only for maybe 10-15 snaps every game. They are in sub-packages 75% of the time and plenty of those sub-packages feature more 4-3 like defenses than 3-4 like defenses if you know what I mean.
Guest
2:25
What is Devin Bush's status - cleared to play?
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