Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.01.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Zac from Thailand
12:01
What is the biggest difference between the early OTAs and Minicamp in terms of player evaluation?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
This is my first exposure to a McCarthy minicamp so I cannot fully answer your questions. Tomorrow is the first practice. Typically, it's a different tempo. But overall, it's not that much different. Back in the day, minicamp practices were in full pads but those days are long gone.
Charlie Knoll
12:02
Hey Ray Chuck Knoll here remember me? Anyhow Vegas says 8.5 o/u for the year.  What you taking? Same as last year by the way so not really much improvement.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
If Mike Tomlin was still coach I'd say take the over. He always found a way to stay above .500. New coach, new era. There is some reason for optimism with the moves they've made, but I haven't seen McCarthy coach over the course of a 17-game season. Lots of unknowns for me when it comes to predicting what will happen this season.
Bama Steve
12:04
How much can coaches work with Allar if he gets a mysteroius injury and goes on IR like Howard?  Can he work on his mechainics with coaches or is he probibited from doing anything per NFL rules?  It would be a wasted year of development if he cannot work on any if this while on IR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
While on IR players cannot be on the practice field, but they are allowed to be in meetings and do everything else with the team. Really, the only thing that's missed are the reps in practice. Obviously, that's important, but they are allowed to do everything else the rest of the team does.
Ryan
12:06
Good afternoon Ray how has max Hurleman looked during Otas was a big fan of his during preseason last Year
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
He's looked really good. They have a lot of guys like him so I'm not sure where he fits, but they kept him on the practice squad all year last season for a reason. We'll see if they new staff likes him as much.
Chris M.
12:07
Everyone talks about what McCarthy does better than Tomlin. What has he done that's worse than what Tomlin has done? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
You won't hear me talking or writing about how McCarthy has done things better than Tomlin. Myself and others have not how his practices are different. And that's a good thing. Anytime there is a coaching change you want different so things don't get stale. I think in the final years of Tomlin things got stale. Tomlin pretty much admitted to that when he did his interview on NBC a while back.
Serra Eagle
12:09
What's your most anticipated/favorite road game this year beside France?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Anytime you have trips to Florida it's a nice change from Pittsburgh falls and winters. So those trips to Tampa and Jacksonville in October and December will be nice. Tennessee in December will be nice too, but I'm always a big fan of Baltimore and Cincy trips.
West Coast Danno
12:11
Is Ju Ju Smith-Schuster on the Steelers radar? Or other FA WR’s? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
OTAs and minicamp are a good time for evaluating what they have. I think they'll huddle in mid-June after they're over and discuss if they need to add another veteran. If they decide they need some help I think JuJu would be a good fit. He's a pro and wouldn't have any issues fitting in as a No. 3 o4 No. 4 in the rotation.
STEEL72
12:16
Ray, which new player (or vet) excites you the most, both on paper and from what you've seen, as their skill set applies to an area we've needed to improve?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I sound like a broken record because I give the same answer on this subject all the time, but I just think Germie Bernard is a really good fit for this offense. He looks good so far. Obviously, training camp and the preseason games are a bigger part of the evaluation, but he's off to a good start. I also think skill players pop more in these settings than linemen do. It's hard for OL or DL to impress when they're out there is helmets and shorts.
Chill Dave
12:19
Hi Ray, I think many of us saw TJ's sack numbers fall precipitously last year and assumed that is a trend that will continue.  But do you think a new coordinator and potential improvement on the D line could easily lead to a bounce back year?  Or did you think he's lost some amount of necessary speed to beat guys off the edge?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I think they days of Watt getting 18-22 sacks a season are gone, but I would not be surprised at all if he rebounded with a double-digit sack season. I do think a new voice and a new way of doing things can spark something in the pass rush. It wasn't terrible last season, but the sack numbers were down overall compared to what they were in previous years. He's 32 years old. He's not going to be the player he was at 27, but I still think he's one of the best edge rushers in the game.
West Coast Danno
12:21
When can we expect any news on extending JPJ? Do you think he could hold out/in?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I think a hold-in is likely. It's a very good negotiating ploy for players. They report to camp on time. They're in meetings, and they're at practice. The only thing they're not doing is practicing. Usually it's not a distraction like a holdout is It got a little messy last summer with Cam Heyward, but typically the two sides are able to come to an agreement and oftentimes the hold-in benefits both sides. The player doesn't put himself in harm's way and the club doesn't lose a starter in training camp practices. It's a win-win as long as it's resolved in a few weeks.
chuck Mac
12:25
I often hear of off season development going "real well" and ask you what constitutes these evaluations or observations?  Physical improvement, mental understanding, time at the complex ??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
All of the above. You notice little things, improvements here and there based on what you observed the previous season. For instance, Jaylen Warren did an interview last week and Jeff Hathhorn of KDKA radio asked Warren if he intentionally dropped weight. Warren said he did and noted why he made the change to his offseason training.
12:34
Do we have any more questions?
Peter
12:35
The ILB room is confusing to me... Are there any free agents or potential trade candidates there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I think it's a position group in transition. Both Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison are entering the final years of their deals. I haven't heard much buzz about either being re-signed. I think that's totally normal when there is a new coaching staff. It's a new regime and they'll have differing opinions on players. Big year for Payton Wilson. He's their most versatile and athletic inside linebacker. He's the one player from that group I think can play in any system.
Big Snack
12:37
Is Payton Wilson really able to handle every down responsibilities? He needs more sand in his pants to stop the run, and his coverage skills flash inconsistently.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
True about defending the run, but who me an inside linebacker that is consistently strong in coverage. Those guys are your All-Pros and Pro Bowlers. What I like about Wilson is his nose for the ball. The ball finds him and that's an important quality to have when it comes to being able to turn teams over.
yo yo
12:39
Do you find it interesting that Arth brought up Rudolph without being asked in the article?
Arth acknowledged it's still early to assess Allar's progress in the program, but that Rudolph and Howard look "fantastic."
Even Mason has had an incredible career. He's played almost a decade of football. That's pretty rare and pretty special, so he has some great experiences. Those guys have an opportunity to learn from him, as well."
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Not really. Arth is a pro and knows how to handle interviews. He said all the right things.
West Coast Danno
12:40
If the new offense uses a FB as much as Coach McCarthy did in the past what does the depth chart look like? I assume the rookie, Riley Nowakowski from IU is number 1… who else is in the FB room? Is there more than one?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Typically, it's a tight end or offensive lineman. Nowakowski might be the only true fullback on the roster and he has tight end versatility.
George T
12:42
Hi Ray, please explain why it’s not good having 4 QB on the 53 man roster. I have seen in the past we have keep a player on the 53 man roster so someone would pick him up.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
It's hard to get three QBs reps in regular-season practices so four is a near impossibility. It just comes down to development. Some teams keep a QB on the practice squad, but any QB with potential wouldn't be a practice squad. They'd be on a 53-man roster somewhere else.
TC
12:47
Hi Ray!  How is schedule parity and/or fairness determined?  I note that the Steelers play a road game in Florida (Bucs), then travel to Paris the next week, then come back for a home division/rivalry game against the Browns.  That seems to be a very challenging stretch, arguably unfair.  Do the Steelers have a preview of the schedule, before it comes out, with the opportunity to challenge (for lack of better term) the schedule.  Thanks so much for your time!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
The Steelers and other teams can submit scheduling requests. For example, they could ask for the bye after their international game. The NFL does not have to honor that request, but they take it into consideration. The stretch you note is challenging. I haven't heard how McCarthy will handle the Paris game. For the game in Dublin last year, Tomlin practiced in Pittsburgh on Thursday and the team arrived late Thursday/early Friday morning. Some coaches like to get their players acclimated earlier. But no doubt that's going to be a critical stretch for McCarthy to handle his players with caution when it comes to keeping them fresh.
Turk in MD
12:50
Hi Ray!  The chats have been alight for the past few weeks about needing a NT.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Maybe yinz changed their minds!
We'll see how it plays out, but I like having a bigger nose guard.
George T
12:51
Ray, did anyone explain why Mike is having mini camp before the last 4 OTA’s. Also I think I heard all the vets would need to come to them.
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