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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.13.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
MrSamsonite
1:56
Good afternoon Ray. Who is going to wear the green dot on defense? Do either of the 2 new free agent ILBs have experience calling the defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
That has not been determined yet, but Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb both have experience with the green dot.
Tampa Too
1:57
Ray. Who is your most intriguing free agent or draft pick this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
By intriguing I am guessing you mean later round picks or undrafted free agents. In that case, I would say Cory Trice, the seventh-round CB who has been impressive in OTAs.
Craig
1:58
As Pickett's progress goes, so too will the 2023 season for the Steelers.  We all know this.  What is your feeling on how that progress will play out? Thanks for the chats.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
A lot of that is up to Mike Tomlin and Matt Canada and how much trust they have in Pickett. Pickett said a few weeks ago, he is much more comfortable this year when compared to last year when he was a rookie. And I think all players make a big jump from year 1 to year 2. But again, is he going to have the keys to the car? Or will the coaches hold his hand again?
Nick
1:59
Hi Ray, I enjoy reading your chats. Is Tyson Alualu still under contract? If not, would steelers sign him for another year? He is not washed up with injuries, is he?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Alualu is not under contract. And I doubt he is asked back unless there are a few injuries. They signed Breiden Fehoko and Armon Watts to improve their depth up front.
DALTER
2:00
Hi Ray,  It seems like the inside linebacker room is still up for grabs with all the people they are bringing in for tryouts.  Is it possible that Roberts or Holcombs job might be in jepordy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Nope. They're the starters.
Ed in Carrick
2:01
How does it work for the draftees,particularly udfa when it comes to housing and meals during OTAs and mandatory minicamp?  Do they have to rent their own hotel rooms and buy their own food?  Do they get an allowance?  It seems it would be hard for some to afford a few weeks of this.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
They are fed at the facility and they get an offseason salary each week. I don't know exactly what it is, but it was negotiated by the NFLPA with the owners. They use that money on temporary housing, etc. and the Steelers help them find housing.
Gene
2:03
If the season started today who is the backup center?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Nate Herbig even though Kendrick Green is getting snaps there again.
D
2:04
Could you tell us a favorite Stan Savran memory?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Stan was on Channel 4 when I was a kid. He also had a sports talk radio show on WTAE. He was on TV in the house and on the radio when we were in the car. Then I got to know him for the past 25 years I've been in the business. I don't have one particular story, but I can assure everything you are reading about Stan is true. He was a humble, down-to-earth genuine guy. He was great to me when I first started and I enjoyed being on his show.
AK
2:06
Is there MAYBE too high of expectations for Austin in the offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I didn't know there were high expectations for Austin. He's battling to be the No. 4 WR. If he wins that job he might play 30% of the offensive snaps. I think he can do well, but he's like a rookie again because he missed so much time last year.
Ryan S.
2:07
Thanks for the chats, Ray. In your opinion, by the middle of this season, who will be the 2 starting ILBs? I think Robinson will eventually be there next to Holcomb
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I don't get that sense. Teryl Austin said today he likes Robinson, but they brought Roberts in for a reason. They didn't feel like Robinson was ready to be a starter. Austin did say the hope is Robinson is ready to challenge for a starting role in 2024.
Bob
2:08
Hi Ray, What do you think Najee Harris needs to do this season for the Steelers to pick up his 5th year option?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
If he stays healthy and can get 1,700 yards from scrimmage I think the Steelers won't have any problem picking up the option. When you draft a RB in the first round the plan is to get five years (at least) out of him.
Matt
2:09
Would you consider trading Dotson or Moore for Chase Young?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I'm not denying Chase Young can be really good again if he's healthy, but I have a hard time understanding how he fits into the Steelers defense and most importantly their salary cap structure.
Frenchy
2:10
Ray, does Najee get a second contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Too early to say.
Tom
2:11
Hello Ray from Porto Portugal.  Any gut feeling on Chase Young?  Or just more chatter nonsense ?  Thank. You
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Nonsense
fredward
2:11
Do you think we'll see more three tight end sets or 4 wide lineups from the Steelers this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Four wides. I think you'll see plenty of two tight ends sets, but I'm not sure how much three tight sets you'll see.
Hart
2:12
Hey Ray, lots of talk about Cory Trice's skill set.  With a couple of CBs in front of him, wondering if he might make a good safety?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
The Steelers acknowledged that the night they drafted him. But for right now he's in the CBs room and doing well I might add.
Ed in Carrick
2:13
The numbers suggest Freiermuth can be a top 3 TE in this league. KP just needs to continue to keep relying on him. Do you think PF has a ceiling or can he become one of the greats?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I think he's already a top 10 TE. Top 3? I don't know. There are still some really good tight ends going although Kelce might be hitting the back end of his career soon.
Guest
2:14
Will some of the busts from the draft two years finally be released (Harvin, Green, Loudermilk)?  Is the only reason they still have jobs because Tomlin drafted them and feels he knows better than everyone else?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Green has a tough path to the 53-man roster. And the Steelers brought in lots of bodies on the DL so Loudermilk is in a make-or-break camp too.
AZ Steeler
2:15
Do you think the Steelers will re-sign Highsmith? If so, when do you see that happening? If not, are we headed for another Dupress / franchise tag situation?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Highsmith said today he hopes he can get a deal done before training camp. He reported today for mandatory minicamp and is with the team.
Psu
2:16
Hey Ray,  porter outside Peterson in the slot gets the 3 best corners on the field.  Seems obvious
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