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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.07.22
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Guest
1:00
Any chance Coach Flores could be the next Defense Corrdinator?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
I think he's likely to find another head coaching job first, but he's well-respected and should be a nice addition to the staff this year.
CoalportKid
1:01
Steelers gave JuJu's old number 19 to someone expected to make the team. Does how they hand out the numbers quickly - or not so quickly - say something about the relationship the team had with the player? Heath's 83 was not used for years, whereas Harrison's 92 was given out right away after his exit.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
I don't think they think too hard about it. Obviously, they're not going to give out No. 7 just like they don't give out 12 or 32. But they can't retire every number. And as much as I like JuJu, he was only here for five years.
fredward
1:02
Do you think Leal can crack the DL rotation and maybe even start at DE later in the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
He might get an opportunity sooner now that Tuitt decided to retire, but I think Wormley and Loudermilk will be counted on more, at least early in the season until Leal proves he is worthy of playing time.
Tom from NC
1:03
Hey Ray… what do you make of hiring two guys to replace Colbert? Does Khan have any personnel experience at all? I know he’s been the cap guy!!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
He's been involved in a lot of meetings over the years when those personnel decisions are made. He doesn't have a personnel background per se, but he's been with the Steelers for two decades so I'm sure he's picked up on a few things over the years
AZSteel
1:04
Hi Ray, love your insights on the Steelers. I like Kenny Picket and am surprised and glad he fell to us at 20. My biggest concerns for this year are both lines. Did we do enough to shore up the run D and enough to have an adequate if not solid o-line? Last year wasn’t good enough on both sides of the ball. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
Not knowing about Tuitt in March certainly hurt them. If they had known he wasn't going to play then they could have addressed the position in free agency. Now it's going to be on guys like Wormley and Loudermilk and maybe Leal to step up. As for the offensive line, they spent lots of money to sign Mason Cole and James Daniels. They're banking on those guys being an upgrade over what they had last year at center and right guard.
Jack
1:06
Everyone has an opinion on Johnson here, but are the steelers trying to sign him to a new deal?   Can they get him and Minkah done before camp starts in July?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
They haven't begun negotiations yet with Johnson. They won't do that until training camp and likely not until August. They're never in a hurry to get those deals done. They often bump up against the start of the season. The same goes for Minkah. He's the first priority, but nothing is imminent.
AZSteel
1:07
Who has a better year, Pickens or Claypool.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
I'll say Claypool because of his experience, but Pickens will have an opportunity to play early I think
Tom in Dallas
1:08
There have many comments about the impact of Tuitt's retirement.  We played 18 games last year w/o him.  And I understand there was always the hope he might return late in the season, or come back for this year.  But the fact is, we  played w/o him last year and it's now official  he won't play in 2022.  I would argue, the impact is nothing.  Unlike the DeCastro situation, where we ended the season thinking he was our starting guard, then he is released.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
The impact is nothing? They were last in the NFL in run defense without him. If he came back they had a chance to improve there.
Leon
1:09
hi Ray, great chat as always! Are the Steelers playing the long game with the cap savings from Tuitt? Seems like that isn't their M/O and they'd sign someone like Suh to replace him for this year.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
I think they want to see what they gave in these other guys before they make a move like that.
Jay Daven
1:10
Ray, do you think the Steelers were less concerned about Tuitt's retirement because they believe their bench is deep enough to absorb his loss?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
Depth is not the issue. You are right. What we don't know is if talent is an issue.
Steeltowntim
1:11
Ray, Do teams have scouts in other teams camps to get ready to snatch players when roster cuts start?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
Not in camps per se, but they have a list of guys so when there are cuts they know who they want.
Western Mass Fan
1:12
Hey Ray- thanks for the chats and awesome podcasts! What’s up with Joe Haden? Is he overvaluing himself or do you think he’s just being particular about where he plays next year? It doesn’t make sense that a talented guy like him hasn’t been signed. Thanks Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
He's probably waiting to see if his value increases. How does his value increase? Injuries.
kevin in Punxsy
1:14
Ray, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't all/most of the receivers who cashed in, already on their 2nd contract.  DJ is still on his rookie contract thru the end of the 22-23 season. Isn't he jumping the gun??  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
Jumping the gun? If he's going to get a second deal with the Steelers it's going to be in the next two months. Otherwise, it will be in March when he hits unrestricted free agency. One way or the other, he's going to get paid.
Steeltown
1:15
Ray, I am in the camp of letting Trubisky play it out this year and Pickett be an understudy. Rudolph can serve as  number three some team is desperate for a quarterback and maybe we can get a fifth or sixth round draft choice for him. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:16
I think they will evaluate the QBs in camp and develop a short- and long-term plan. I can tell you this: they didn't use their first-round pick on Pickett to have him sit the bench long.
Sunner in Orlando
1:17
Hi Ray thanks for the chats! I see the Dionte Johnson contract situation not ending well. He wants max money more than 20 mil per but as he says the film don't lie! He had more drops than anyone and is not worthy of 20 mil per per the film study. We may have his replacement right now in Pickens so I would not go above 15 mil per if I were the Steelers. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
I don't think the Steelers will, either, but they should be prepared to move past him if that's the case because someone will pay him $15 million a year in free agency.
RD
1:18
Do you think the Steelers front office knew that Tuitt intended to retire based on the timing (June 1st). Not necessarily before the draft, but prior to the deadline?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
The front office knew it was a possibility, but they didn't know for sure until last week.
Mark
1:19
Are there any planned pressers with Flores this week?  (I thought I read somewhere Assts are available to media this week).
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
He'll talk tomorrow.
Alan
1:19
Do you think Loudermilk has a chance to start?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
I think he does. Wormley is a vet and will get first crack at it, but Loudermilk is younger and has more potential.
James Ryan
1:19
Do you see a legitimate competition at SS between Edmunds and Kazee? Or is it pretty much Edmunds job to lose?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
Edmunds seems to think the job is his, but it is nice to have someone with experience behind him in case of an injury.
Brandon
1:21
Who has a better year, D Bush fully healed from his ACL vs Myles Jack with a change of scenery?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
Jack is my guess,
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