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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.09.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I doubt it. They drafted Chuks Okorafor in the third round in 2018. I think they'd like to have him step up and earn that job.
Greg
2:31
What's the chance Lynch becomes our QB3? I don't see how Duck would manage a game better than someone with a far better arm. I thought you commented last year that Lynch looked good in practice.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
I commented he has a good arm and throws a nice ball. But there is more than goes into quarterbacking. We'll see how he does this summer, but I'm not counting out Duck.
Jeff
2:32
I understand experience is important but how long is enough to see what you truly have? Minkah has the same experience as Edmunds and he seems to get it.  thinking 2 years is plenty.  If you can't get the defense game plan in 2 years maybe you aren't who we thought you were.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
As I mentioned earlier this is Year 3 for Edmunds. It's time for him to show what he can do. He was thrust into the starting lineup as a rookie because Morgan Burnett was a dud of a free agent signing. Last year he had to get used to playing with Fitzpatrick. It's a process. But I agree with you in the sense that he has to improve.
Steeltown
2:34
Any chance we use D. Watt as a traditional full-back, and run behind him along with the occasional carry for him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
He only has 19 career carries so I doubt it. I do hope they use him as a traditional fullback and have him lead the way for Conner, Snell or whoever is back there.
rman
2:35
Hi Ray....Hate asking about it but do you think there will be any problems between players that kneel and those that don't?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
I don't think so. Players respect Al Villanueva for his military background. That could be a bit of a touchy situation, but they are professionals. They are paid to do their jobs under difficult circumstances.
Sammy the Bull
2:37
Other than no crowd noise, do you see the actual TV telecast change much?  Same # of announcers, TV cameras, ETC?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
It might be the only way to provide their product to the masses so I don't think they'll cut corners.
Steeltown
2:37
Why not keep the players in the locker room and avoid the whole anthem issue?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Id' be OK with that. But do you remember what happened in Chicago a few years ago?
steelmann58
2:38
Hi Ray do you think steelers will look at cuts from other teams cuts once training camp starts.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Of course. They do every year. Doesn't mean they'll sign any of them, but they might.
Bill
2:39
Is the defense really that good?  I feel that teams played conservatively against the Steelers last year because they knew their offense could not score. They are weak at ILB next to Bush, safety next to Minkah is a question mark, the defensive line depth is suspect. If Haden or Nelson get injured they are in trouble also.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I actually think the defense will be better with a healthy Roethlisberger at quarterback. How many times did they have to take the field after three-and-outs last season? Seemed like it happened every series, and the defense still held up very well.
Greg
2:40
Do you think McFarland was drafted as Connor's eventual replacement? Seems like he's a bit undersized to add much to our game plan this year (not likely that he was put in to pass protect). Maybe coach and bulk him up for the future?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I'm sure they have a role in mind. They drafted him in the fourth round. It's not a throwaway pick. Problem is, they had a plan in mind for Dri Archer and Chris Rainey too, and it didn't work out for those guys.
Mercury
2:41
The Steelers could retain Watt for the 5th year of his rookie contract with the expectation of giving him some of Ben’s money for 2022. What happens if Ben plays great this year and next and wants to come back in 2022?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
They want Watt here no matter what. He's the type of defender you can build around.
Sammy the Bull
2:42
Do you believe DEF needs to focus on the run this season, we face tougher RB's than we do QB's on the schedule?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
They certainly have to be better against the run, but focus on it? I don't know about that. If they start playing with a nose tackle and Vince Williams at ILB then offenses will counter with four and five wide sets to take advantage of the lack of speed on the field. It's a chess game.
Bill
2:43
Which all- time steeler do you think had the best hands catching the football? How about brown and miller?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Hmmm, that's a tough question. Brown certainly had a great pair of hands. It'd be tough to argue against him.
Dave
2:46
How many years does Joe Haden have left on his deal? If he does not get extended, who is the heir apparent? Is that person on the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Haden's contract expires after the 2021 season. They drafted Justin Layne in the third round last yar, but he didn't play much and it's impossible to say now if he's the heir apparent.
Voice of Reason
2:47
I chuckle at the "kneel down revolution" crew.  Virtually no NFL fan would stop watching and supporting based on the pre-game actions of players.  As a military vet of 28 years I'm not bothered at all...and after COVID 19 I'll take the games any way I can watch them.  Full stadium empty stadium, kneel, don't kneel...Just PLAY.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Thank you for your service! And your views on the subject!
Tom
2:48
Ray, thanks for your chats. This past year aside due BR’s elbow injury, in your opinion has Tomlin “wasted away” the past 10 years of a HOF qb’s career by not even making it to another SB. And, if so why has he failed?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
I don't know if I would use the words "wasted away" but there definitely were some missed opportunities. The 2011 team was 12-4 and lost to the 8-8 Broncos in a wild card game. The 2014 team lost a home playoff game to the Ravens when Le'Veon Bell was injured. The 2015 team probably overachieved more than underachieved, but I think you can make a case for the Steelers underachieving in 2017 and 2018. Yeah they probably should have played in more Super Bowls, but you have to remember the Patriots had some good teams during the decade and beat the Steelers in the AFC title game in 2016 to reach the Super Bowl.
Dontdisrespecttheflag
2:51
I will boycott the Steelers if they kneel. Play football. We pay to watch football not be lectured by Rich Millionaire Athletes! What gives them a better perspective than we already have? If I wanted to learn something I would ask AB or Collin K! What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
I'll be happy to be covering the games when they start.
Kevin
2:52
Hi, I don't see how the season can be played .Wouldn't a player who testedpositive for Covid-19 during the season mean the players, coaches, etc  would all have to quarantine for 14 days per CDC quidelines ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Not according to Dr. Fauci. Now if four or five test positive then it could be a case where everyone has to quarantine for a time, but we don't know how the virus will act during the summer months and what things will look like in August or September.
Picksixlisberger
2:54
Ray,     Kneeling is pretty much the same as waving the Confederate Flag at NASCAR races.  What’s the big deal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
I've never watched a NASCAR race in my life. Is this actually a thing?
steelmann58
2:55
HI ray what player on offense and defense you expect to step up big time for this team
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Devin Bush on defense and Diontae Johnson on offense. I also think Jaylen Samuels bounces back and has a nice role on the offense if Ben Roethlisberger is healthy.
2:57
Thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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