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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.11.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:55
When you're in the playoffs or in contention for a playoff spot every season you're picking somewhere between 15 and 28. You don't get franchise QBs in those draft slots. They either have to have a really bad year and pick in the top 5 or 10 or they have to trade up into the top 10 if they really like a guy.
Johnny Lightning
9:55
Were you surprised with the 3 yr extension for MT? The Tomlin haters are going to be absolutely out of their minds LOL!
Ray Fittipaldo
9:56
Yes, a bit, especially after Rooney came out so strong in January about the lack of success in the playoffs.
Lou
9:57
Hi Ray.  Lots of fans will be hot and bothered by Coach Ts extension. But the real issue is QB.  Of the last 20 superbowls, only 1 or 2 have been won by a guy who was not elite or HOF caliber.  Considering all that, don't you think fans should focus more on the QB plan?  We have Russ now, but the succession plan from Russ to the next guy should be issue numero uno!  Every coach seems like a genius when they have a Brady or Mahomes.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
You are right, but it is possible to win a playoff game or two with an average QB. Blake Bortles walked into Pittsburgh and beat a Steelers team that was 13-3 during the regular season in 2017. He almost beat the Patriots the following weeks in the AFC championship game. I can come up with more examples of mediocre QBs winning in the playoffs with the right system and the right defense behind them. Heck, how about Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee. Arthur Smith knows how to do it.
Gus in Alaska
9:59
Of the players from Arthur Smith’s past teams, which one will have the biggest impact and most playing time this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:00
That's a good question. I'm guessing Cordarrelle Patterson because of his dual role as a returner and a likely role as a RB/WR in the offense.
Andrew
10:00
There does not seem to be a lot of buzz around him, but it seems Keeanu Benton is primed for a breakout campaign.  What is the feeling around the team about Benton this coming year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
There is a lot of optimism about Benton's future, but it can't be a one-man show up front. You need more than one quality defensive lineman.
10:03
According to spotrac they have a little more than $15 million in cap space right now.
Mickey
10:04
Ray, I think you might agree with me that this is a make or break season for Leal.  How has he looked to you so far?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
I agree, but OTAs don't matter. It's all about how he looks in camp and the preseason games. He needs to be a bigger factor this year.
TVC15
10:05
Hi Ray,  I don't know what to make of the crazy long 3 year extension for Tomlin. Surely it can't be based on his 3 playoff wins in the past 13 seasons .... most of them with a Hall of Fame quarterback. Are we doomed to 11 consecutive seasons without a playoff win?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:05
I think that depends on Russell Wilson.
Walter Sobchak
10:07
Lots of conversation about Arthur Smith instilling a new offense. How much of that offense is actually new? Does the terminology remain the same or is a total new learning experience for all involved.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
It's his offense so the Steelers are learning it in his terminology.
Lou
10:07
Hey Ray. One more. Is the biggest overall issue with the Steelers toooo much loyalty?  The 2008 D was AMAZING. Then they got old and slow and didn’t revamp quickly enough. Ben had to hop to score 40 pts to win games. Perhaps we saw this with Ben’s last 2 years too. And Matt Canada too.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Maybe. Will be interesting to see what they do with Heyward in that light.
Yogi in Jersey
10:08
Do you get the sense that Austin is a secret weapon they were just unable to maximize under Canada? Maybe he's a big reason why they've been so deliberate in bringing in a big name vet WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
I don't get that sense. With his size, he might be more of a gadget player than anything.
wiscoken
10:09
Assuming that the Steelers are not able to land a strong #2 WR between now and start of the season, do you think this factors at all into Smith's offensive scheme and what we could see (eg... could we see even more 2TE looks... RB's split out etc..)?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
Yes and I think Smith is creative enough and has enough savvy that he can make it work. I still think you need a quality No. 2 in the event Pickens gets injured.
10:12
OK that's it for today. I have to get to minicamp practice on the South Side. I'm on vacation next week, but I'll be back for another chat on Tuesday June 25.
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