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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.06.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:30
Good morning and here we go...
Mike P
9:30
What are your three top camp battles you’re looking forward to watching play out?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:32
Well, there is the Dan Moore-Broderick Jones battle at left tackle and the Joey Porter, Jr.-Levi Wallace battle at CB2. I think the expectation is the rookies will start at some point this season. It's just a matter of when they are ready. You also have Keanu Neal and Damonte Kazee at strong safety, but both will have roles in the defense. I don't think it really matters all that much who is designated the starter there. And then you have slot CB. Chandon Sullivan is there, but you also have Patrick Peterson taking some reps there.
dlbeggs
9:33
Ray, with all the new members to the defense, how much better will we be than last year? Middle linebacker is a concern.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:34
Anytime you have All-Pros like TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward on your defense that's a good start. Sure there is going to be a transition period for the secondary. They have three new pieces. That's going to take some time. And your point about the inside linebackers is true. Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are new to the defense, too. It will take some time for them to get comfortable. The good news is they're veterans and good leaders so that should make things a bit easier.
dlbeggs
9:34
Ray, will our defense be better at stopping the run this year? Will the new additions to the dline be better?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:36
The new additions on the defensive line will improve the depth. That's what they were lacking last year. And in time I think Keeanu Benton will be an upgrade over Montravius Adams. He's the No. 49 overall pick and the team has some high expectations for him once he settles in.
Bill
9:36
Who do you predict will be the Steelers RB3 come September?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:37
It's up for grabs. Anthony McFarland probably has a leg up in the competition because he's been on the practice squad or active roster the past few years, but any of those new guys could win it with a good camp.
surly in sheraden
9:37
If Pickett has a mediocre to subpar year, is there any way that he can be fairly evaluated on his performance, given the unanimous (other than Tomlin) understanding that the OC is below par?  If this occurs, it feels like this could be wasted year in terms of assessing if Pickett is a franchise QB.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:39
Perhaps, but at some point it's the players not the play. Kenny Pickett said that himself last month. But I know what you mean. This is a big year for Canada. Tomlin bet on Canada and he'll look bad if he has to fire him after the season.
Zamo
9:39
When Petersen signed and reading the comments, I believe he signed to play inside not outside.  With the addition of JP Jr, I envision Levi and Joey playing outside and PP inside the majority of the time. At this stage in his career, it appears he “wants” this and likes his eyes on the QB. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:40
He's taken some reps there in OTAs. I think he can play there on occasion when certain matchups dictate, but I don't think he's a full-time slot CB.
AK
9:41
Does it seem to you that Steelers fan’s expectations of Trice are ridiculously high for a 7th round pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:41
Yes. He looks good so far, but it's only OTAs.
Bill
9:41
In your opinion, given there are very few small QBs who have been successful in the NFL, what are the chances that 5’10” Bryce Young turns out to be a bust?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:43
All first-round QBs are 50-50 propositions. Just look at pro football reference the draft history at the position. I think he's good enough, but a lot will depend on the team, coaching and the talent surrounding him. The good news for Young is Frank Reich is Carolina's head coach. That helps him.
South Florida Steelers Fan
9:43
Ray, good morning and thanks for the chats!  They are the best part of the sports section!  I love the Steelers off season moves.  It seems like there are a lot of quality free agents still on the market and the Steelers have plenty of cap space.  Do you think they will make a play to possibly bring back Myles Jack at a veteran minimum or close to it.  He wasn’t great last year but he did lead the team in tackles.  Seems like a nice insurance piece in case of injury or if the new guys don’t work out as expected.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:44
Jack has some injury concerns. That's why they cut him. I could still seem the adding a veteran ILB. Kwon Alexander and Kyle van Noy are still available I believe. But I think they'll assess where they are with Mark Robinson after minicamp next week and then decide what they're going to do at the position.
artie bridge
9:45
Ray, Is Cory Trice the real deal?  Could he win a starting spot in the secondary?  If so, I revise my earlier assertion that Darnell Washington is the steal of this draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:45
Hold your horses, Artie. They haven't even put the pads on yet.
God body wit rubber grip black shotty
9:45
What up Ray!  Can Steelers win division in ur opinion??
Ray Fittipaldo
9:46
Sure they can, but I still have the Bengals as the big favorite. After the Bengals, it's either the Ravens or the Steelers for second place and then the Browns, who aren't bad.
Football Fan
9:47
Hi Ray, with the large number of changes in personnel on defense, do you see any significant changes in defensive strategy, especially in the secondary, to fit the newcomers' skills or will it be a case of force fitting them into past schemes and methods?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:47
Maybe more press man with Porter, who has the size to make it happen on the outside. But I don't think you'll see any major changes.
Fish
9:48
Good morning Ray.  In your opinion how does our running game stack up to the the rest of the AFC North?  I know it's a pass driven league.......until you need to run the ball late in the year!  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
9:49
The Ravens and the Browns have very good rushing attacks. That's how they built their offenses. I know the Ravens have a new OC and they could change a bit. The Browns would be smart to lean on Nick Chubb more. The Bengals are OK in the running game, but they're built to pass with Joe Burrow, who is a top 3 QB in the league in my opinion.
Chuck in MD
9:49
I understand it's the players not the play...but doesn't the OC scheme to put the players in the best match ups or situations?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:50
You are right. That's why I said it's a big year for Canada and Tomlin. I'm not underestimating that aspect of the offense. The Steelers need Canada to be better for sure.
Retire21
9:50
Ray, do you remember what you thought or wrote about Devin Bush's rookie year. He did have some 100 tackles, 9 for loss, 2 INTs and 4 fumble recoveries. Then the injury. Is he a Jarvis Jones bust or something more like a sad story?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:51
Probably somewhere in between. I don't know that he was ever going to be a Pro Bowler or anything like that, but he definitely never was the same after the knee injury. He was tentative after the knee surgery.
dlbeggs
9:52
Ray, what will be the biggest surprise for the Steelers this season? Who is your star break out player?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:52
Would George Pickens qualify as a breakout player? He had 800 yards and four Tds as a rookie. I think he can get over 1,000 and have 8 Tds this year.
AK
9:53
Are there any free agents available who are worth signing, or are they still available for a good reason?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:53
Some of the remaining UFAs are likely waiting until training camp to sign after there are injuries or teams become more desperate.
AB
9:54
Ray, what was my greatest strength as a WR, not a diva. The hands? The separation? The initial burst off the line? The route running? And don’t say all of it? Gracias.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:54
Hands.
SteelersDave
9:54
I know we haven't even opened camp for this season, but I'm looking at the Bengals after this season having to let Tee Higgins go because of the money they'll already have invested in Ja'Marr Chase.  How far ahead do GM's and player personnel guys look?  I remember people projecting Trevor Lawrence as a #1 pick when still in high school.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:55
All GMs have to look ahead and project the roster/salary cap. Look back to 2020. The Steelers drafted Alex Highsmith in the third round because they knew they wouldn't be able to keep Bud Dupree long term. The best GMs are the ones who can proactively fill those holes in the draft rather than relying on other means.
Jim_Bow_Dean
9:57
If ILB is so hard to play, why is the position on the low end of salaries?
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