Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.10.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
OK let's get the chat started.
DIO 🤘
12:00
Ray, McCarthy had Micah in his 1st two years when he was still a hybrid LB and was extraordinarily destructive.  Could the signing of Herbig be an indication that the new staff will give hom
sorry hit return too soon.  Will the new staff try to unleash Herbig to roam more and make plays… similar to how Big Mike used Micah Parsons in year 1 and 2 with Cowboys?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Different defensive coordinator. Patrick Graham will have his own ideas on how to utilize his three talented OLBs. I am sure McCarthy has told Graham about working with Parsons, but I would expect Graham to have ownership of the defense and how he deploys the players.
No 4 QBs
12:02
I have heard people say that the Steelers kept 4 QBs in Kordell Stewart's rookie year and think they will do it again.  This is a totally different situation, since none of their QBs have the athleticism and position flexibility that Stewart had?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
You are correct. By the end of the 1995 season you could make the argument Kordell Stewart was among their top three receivers. Certainly, in their top four. He took snaps from center, but they were designed runs or gimmick passes off play-action (for the most part). They were not asking him to play quarterback in a traditional kind of way. And of course, Stewart was much more athletic than Howard, Allar or Rudolph.
Realist
12:04
Why do you think the Steelers haven't been able to win in Cleveland in their last 5 games there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I'd have to go back and look at all the box scores from the past half decade or so to give you a complete answer, but my gut feeling having been there for all of those games is the quarterback play and offense fell short in most, if not all, of those games. The game last year was a great example of that. The offense was pathetic without Metcalf. The year before was the snow game when Jameis Winston outplayed Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. There was that controversial call when Fields tried to throw on fourth down. So I think it's been a combination of poor offensive play and probably some poor coaching decisions.
Steeler Joe
12:06
Hey, Ray -- thanks for the chat. It doesn't seem like the Steelers have anywhere near the cap space they'd need to sign JPJ to an extension at this point. Is he just the odd man out? Will they rejuggle contracts to clear $20 million in cap space? Or is the new regime okay with letting him play out that contract and making a decision in 2027 -- sign him, tag him, let him walk?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
They can easily create cap space by restructuring Metcalf's deal. They can do the same with Watt's deal he signed last summer. Omar Khan and Cole Marcoux are two of the best in the business when it comes to manipulating the cap and making it work. I don't think it will be a problem for them this year. They'll be able to sign JPJ if they can agree on terms.
Richard Coastal Bend
12:08
Good morning Ray, If the details and communication are a big improvement with the new coaches what are the chances that this roster will be able to put together a real playoff run this year
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Obviously, it would greatly improve their chances of winning, or even competing in a playoff game, something they haven't done since the 2016 season. Those are two areas where the new coaches want to be better than the previous staff. Doesn't mean they will be, or that they'll win more games, but it's been a real focus this spring. And I expect that to be the case this summer at training camp as well.
Realist
12:10
What do you say to the negative fans who say Watt is washed up?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I think he's poised to have a bounce-back season. I think he can be a 12-15 sack guy again. But he's also playing in a new defense that will ask more of him. He might have to drop more. He might have to align in different spots on the defense. Maybe his production won't be what the fans have to come to expect, but it very well might help the defense improve. And I think we can all agree the defense has plenty of room for improvement after watching them perform last season. Other than creating turnovers and some timely stops in the red zone this defense was below the line in almost every other area.
Realist
12:12
Who is the best run blocker on the Steelers' OL and who's the best pass blocker?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Frazier and McCormick probably get that distinction right now.
As for pass blocker I'm going with Fautanu
Realist
12:13
I remember when the Dolphins ran a zero blitz against the Steelers on 3rd & 20 of all downs and it resulted in a TD.
12:14
My question was sent prematurely.  It was the zero blitz question.  Do the Steelers ever use a zero blitz?  Is it common in the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
It's not all that common because of the inherent risk in playing without deep coverage, but some defensive coordinators will do it to young quarterbacks who can't handle the pressure (physical and mental) of that situation.
Bob G.
12:15
I have this sickening feeling that Khan is going to resign Benton to a ridiculous contract and somehow blow it with JPJ, what do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
If they re-sign Benton it won't be for a ridiculous amount of money. The most sacks he's ever had in a season is 5.5. And whether they sign Benton has no bearing on JPJ. They can afford to sign both.
epiballo
12:17
Hey Ray - thanks for the chats! Contract extensions with the Steelers has been surprising this offseason. How do you see the Porter extension unfolding? Do you think it will be a problem that ultimately ends in Porter being given a tag twice and then he is gone? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
It will be the biggest number so I think it might take a while to get done.
Ryan in VT
12:17
Hey Ray. Thanks for the chats! Do you think there is a chance that either Watt or Highsmith are traded before the season starts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I don't think the Steelers want to do that, but if a player requests a trade they might feel obligated to find out their value. And I'm not suggesting Watt or Highsmith will request a trade. Just saying in those circumstances they could make some phone calls to find out what their value is.
Mr Rooney
12:19
Hello Ray. The O-line moves are all very interesting for the upcoming season. Any chance we see more hands in the dirt under the new coach/scheme? Personally feel it's an advantage for shooting out on run-blocking in particular. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Yeah I'm not a big fan of guards trying to run block out of two-point stances. I know there are offensive line coaches who aren't fans of it either. Not sure how James Campen will teach that. We won't see their true run game until the pads come on in camp. I understand getting in a three-point stance telegraphs a run in today's NFL, but there is absolutely no reason why NFL players cannot pass set out of a three-point stance either, especially guards. I get why tackles do it. They're facing elite athletes on almost every single play.
dpreble001
12:22
Ray, Herbig was evaluated  as an inside lb in draft evaluations, could  the Steelers use him inside as well as outside as getting the best talent  on the field  is the goal?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
McCarthy was asked that question last week. He said Herbig could play inside linebacker, but I didn't read much into his answer. He was merely acknowledging he could do it if he was asked. He's an elite edge rushers. I'm not sure the Steelers should be trying to reinvent the wheel with him. He might have to align in the middle on occasion when they deploy the three-OLB package, but he's proven he's a great pass rusher off the edge.
SteelSködt
12:24
Also, you mentioned the 1995 team on your podcast this a.m. .... isn't it conventional wisdom the switch from Earhardt's style of offense to the wide open sets was Cowher unofficially promoting Chan Gailey & demoting Ron Earhardt?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Yep that's exactly what happened. In the NFL Films video from Super Bowl XXX you can feel the tension between Cowher and Earhardt. Cowher asked Chan Gailey over the headsets if they should go four-wide late in the game when they were trailing. Earhardt asked if that was the right move, and Cowher basically said that's what got them to the Super Bowl so he was going to go down fighting with that formation. It didn't end well because Corey Holiday didn't run the right route on a blitz, but it's hard to argue with Cowher and Gailey. They were a much more explosive offense with Charles Johnson, Ernie Mills, Kordell Stewart and Andre Hastings on the field.
Sean Larocque
12:27
Hey Ray, Is will Howard attending this last week and if so, does there seem to be any real competition between him and Drew Allar, or is the gap to bod between him and. Will Howard?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Yes, Howard was at practice yesterday. Sure, there is competition, but Allar is a rookie. I don't think the coaches expect him to be a challenger to Howard right now. In time, yes. But right now they're just trying to develop his skills and make sure he knows the offense
Josh
12:28
McCarthy is a heavily uses 11 personnel on offense, but do you think with the Washington extension he will implement more 12 personnel looks into his offense just due to what he has at his disposal in Darnell and Pat?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
McCarthy said he was excited about getting back to a 1990s-style offense with Washington under contract. He meant more running formations and things he can do off those formations if the run game is successful. He'll work with his personnel. I think the WR corps is much improved, but their No. 3 is a rookie in Germie Bernard. Hard to rely on a rookie right out of the gates if you wanted to heavy with 11 personnel. I think in time that could be their identity, but probably not right away.
Scott S
12:31
How can a team with SB aspirations go into a season with 2 back up QBs with zero NFL experience? I am confident MR will be. #2 QB and someone else ends up on IR. Odds this happens?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
McCarthy will go with the best quarterback. Experience is nice, but it's not everything. I could make an argument Rudolph's best days as a backup are behind him. I thought he played OK in Chicago last year, but they didn't win the game. McCarthy simply wants in  backup someone who can execute the offense and make plays. We all now what Rudolph can do after almost a decade in the league. I think they'd like to find out what Howard can do.
Ryan
12:35
Ray how did Dontae Kent look during Otas it will be interesting to watch him during the preseason and during training camp
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Yes Kent had a rough go of it as a rookie. He was injured twice. Once in camp and then again when he was trying to come back. Long road back for him, but there is some talent there if he can stay healthy.
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