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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.16.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
OK, let's get started.
DaquidoBazzini
1:55
Hi Ray - In your article yesterday about the two new Steeler minority owners, you listed them and others (like Thomas Tull) as silent minority owners.
Does Tull (in particular) have any input? And how did this work in general?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Silent investors means they have no input into day-to-day operations of the team. The Rooney family has controlling interest and runs the team on a day-to-day basis. Art Rooney II is the team president. So basically, these investors buy a stake in the club and reap dividends. That's it.
TomnIsolation
1:58
Reason and implications of new < 5% Steelers owners? Thanks Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
It's not clear if the 5% share Harris and Blitzer bought are new shares that became available or were the shares previously held by David Tepper, who had to give his up when he bought the Carolina Panthers. We reported in December that Tepper's 5% share was bought by two investors. Rooney put out a statement yesterday, but it shed no light on whose shares were bought.
Bryan
2:00
Hi Ray.....It seems Big Ben has a trusted on-the-field connection with Switzer, which is similar in some ways to the one that Sid has with D. Simon.  Ben's comfort level with Switzer makes me think that he will be on the 53-man roster, even though there is deeper WR talent this year.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
It will be harder for Switzer to make the roster this year because they have a proven punt returner in Diontae Johnson. That means Switzer's only worth to the team would be as a slot receiver. I think it will come down to Switzer or Deon Cain for the final spot.
Jay
2:03
Hi Ray, I am from a minority military family and I hate the kneeling.  The answer has always been "you are not listening and its not about the flag" but can athletes find a different way to protest?  I just want sports to be sports and can they comprehend it may be offensive to some people?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I think they acknowledge it will offend some, but I think people in power in the league are realizing that black players have to have their voices heard. Dan Quinn, the coach of the Falcons, said he would kneel with his players. He is a veteran. I'm quite sure veterans are split on this matter. It won't make what happens in the fall any less controversial, but if people realize there are differing opinions they can at least have an adult discussion on these matters.
GSMP
2:05
Could training camp in Pittsburgh become permanent?  Across the league, the trend seemed to be to get away from going away for camp. I know the tradition with St. Vincent's but the team may find advantages to training at home.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
You are right. Most teams train at their facilities now. The Steelers like going away and have already committed to returning to Saint Vincent in 2021. They like the team-building aspect of camp. It's not something they can recreate at the South Side facility.
Blitzburgh31
2:07
How cool would it be if the NFL Network did a special on NFL Rivals. I'd love to see a 1970's Steelers vs Raiders historical breakdown with interviews from the players, Would make for a great series. Two great teams loaded with HOFers.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
NFL Films has done various pieces over the years on the Immaculate Reception and those playoff games though I don't know if any of them were done solely to recount the rivalry. But I agree with you. Those were some great games -- both in the regular season and the playoffs. The Raiders finally beat the Steelers in the playoffs after the 1976 season, and it was the only Super Bowl title for HOF coach John Madden. Not sure he makes it into the HOF without a Super Bowl win.
ALB
2:09
NFL coaching staffs have always prided themselves on working from very early in the morning to late at night. Do you get the feeling they are putting in anywhere near those kinds of hours In the current environment?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
It's hard to say with everyone working from home, but I would hope some creative coaches out there used the time to their benefit and put some new twists into their game plans.
Kgkftz
2:10
Do you feel most Steeler fans (and even some of media) are painting Terrell Edmunds as a bust too early and unrealistically.  The biggest issue is that he perhaps is not living up to 1st round perigee... and even this could be debated if he continues to progress in his third season.  A 28 pick... I do 10-15 spots down, and the optics would be different, as he  Is developing into a viable nfl starter, and it is still early in his career. Perhaps the weakest link to a strong defense... but I don
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I agree with you on the point that he's being judged harshly because he's a first-round pick. If he was a second- or a third-round pick I don't think you'd hear the criticism as much. Remember, many draft analysts had Edmunds as a second- or third-round pick. But that's what happens when you are drafted in the first round. There are lofty expectations.
AK
2:12
Do you think the Steelers will hold off on extending any contracts until they know what the new cap will be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Good question. I wrote about that last week. (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/06/11/cam-heyward-co...). Most agents are anticipating a flat cap in 2021, or worse a cap that decreases. That's bad news for the Steelers, who would like to sign Heyward to a long-term deal. But it's hard not knowing how much money owners will lose if no fans can attend games this fall. It's a tricky situation.
AK
2:15
Cam Sutton seems to be too small to play ILB alongside Bush, doesn’t he?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Well yes because he is a cornerback. He's only played dime LB in a pinch and it was more of a situation where they were using six or seven defensive backs rather than playing with a traditional "dime linebacker."
JwandBurgh
2:16
Ray, with the speculation that only 2 preseason games will be played is it likely HOF game is postponed and first two weeks of preseason games Then just play two games with one each home and road.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
The NFL has not announced any changes to the preseason schedule, but they have discussed a truncated schedule. I would imagine they would come to a decision on the HOF game by early July. It's scheduled for early August.
steelmann58
2:17
Hi Ray  I was curious will they try Chucks as the backup for AV ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
If you're on the 53-man roster you can play right and left tackle. Chuks practices quite a bit at right and left during the season. All backups do.
steelmann58
2:18
Hi Ray do you think Cain might make this year team ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Might make it as the fifth receiver. Either Cain or Switzer.
steelmann58
2:18
Hi Ray do you feel that Matt might also get an extension even if he just signed his tender?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I think they'd like to take care of Heyward first, but certainly I could see an extension for Feiler down the line. It's just too murky with COVID-19 to project how they'll handle guys like him in contract negotiations.
Retire21
2:19
If Kevin Colbert retires soon, would Mike T be a candidate to replace him? Mike’s reaching close to Cowher’s tenure and could even become a broadcast guy like BC.?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Mike does enjoy the scouting aspect of the job when he can sink his teeth into it from February through April, but I'm not quite sure that's on his agenda. He seems to like being a head coach. Plus, he's pretty good at it.
Sunner in the sunshine
2:21
If the Steelers signed Kaepernick, would it be too much of a distraction or would it galvanize the team and the city and be a plus in the long run? He would be at the very least an upgrade over Lynch and Hodges.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
You do realize the Steelers didn't sign Jameis Winston for $1 million on a one-year deal, and he's been in the league for the past four years. Kaepernick has been out of the league for four years. I'm not connecting the dots with him and the Steelers, especially with the GM and head coach standing firmly behind Mason Rudolph as the backup. Now if something happened to Rudolph in camp then all bets are off. But I just can't see the Steelers signing Kaepernick now.
Laura
2:24
Ray people talk about our defense looking great, however our offense is loaded With more depth all over.. There is no excuse not tô reach at léast AFC championship game or this will be a failure season again.. thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Well for a team that missed the playoffs the past two years those are some high expectations. But I do agree the Steelers have a high ceiling if Ben Roethlisberger can stay healthy.
Questfor7
2:25
I’m really excited about the additions to the skill positions for this upcoming year - Claypool, Macfarland and Ebron. It seemed we had too many of the same type of guy last year. Claypool brings size and speed. Macfarland brings speed and shiftiness (30 lbs heavier than Rainey and Archer) and Ebron is big and fast. I’m just concerned about how quickly all 3 will pick up the offense without mini camps etc. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Yes that is a big concern. In a normal year they'd all have 10-15 practices under their belts by now. They'd have that classroom time with coaches and teammates and more importantly that time on the field to see things in action. Now it's going to have to be done on the run. That's certainly not ideal for a team that struggled so mightily on offense in 2019.
Ron C
2:27
No question, just an observation. I think not having fans at football games will affect the quality of play. Emotion is such an integral part of football and I believe the crowd induced passion will be missing.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I agree with you, but everyone will be in the same boat. Players will have to manufacture their own emotions.
Jakester
2:29
What is the ideal position for Cam Sutton?  I feel like they've moved him around and people keep talking about him as a dime backer, or a slot corner, or an outside corner.....  What is he best suited for based on his skillset and athleticism?
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