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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.30.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Ebonheart
1:53
Odds of 4 pre-season games?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Not very good. Teams won't report until July 28. There will be some sort of ramp-up period due to the long layoff and COVID-19. My guess is they'll try to do two games -- one at home and one on the road, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there are none. Just a few weeks of camp and then start the regular season.
Steeltree
1:55
What message does the NFL send to the other 31 teams with the slap on the wrist given to the Patriots for once again blatantly break the rules with their taping of the Bengals last season.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
The message isn't to the other 31 teams. It's to the Patriots, and it says: "Keep cheating or bending the rules." In effect, that's exactly what they're doing. Fining Robert Kraft $1.1 million is like fining you or me $5. It's nothing to him. And docking a third-round pick won't deter them. It certainly hasn't in the past when they were docked first-round picks for previous offenses.
DaquidoBazzini
1:58
Hi Ray - Over the weekend, (the news was a bit hidden) the NE Pats had once again (I believe for the 3rd time) been convicted of cheating. The punishment looked pretty minimal to me. What do you think it should've been being that they are multiple-time cheaters?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
They could have suspended Belichick. Something different than fines and draft picks, that's for sure.
DaquidoBazzini
1:59
If there is a season, I'm a bit concerned about the losses (and lack of gains) the Steeler defense took in the off-season. As you know, they were run on as last year moved on. Tuitt returning with Hargrave gone seems to be close to a wash. What's to prevent them from having deeper problems in the upcoming season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
This is true, but it's not like they were gashed on a consistent basis. There were a few games where teams did run the ball on them. They'll have to address the issues, but it might not be personnel-related. It just might be their desire to play in sub-packages in certain situations when they're almost inviting teams to run.
Indy Fan
2:00
From afar, Steelers D seems capable of being good enough to be in Super Bowl. Do you agree? But offense not so sure. Big Ben rusty? OLine good enough? WR & TEs talented enough?  Thoughts there? Thx
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Let's see if they can repeat what they did in 2019. If they can then yes, they have the makings of a Super Bowl-caliber defense. Offensively, they have to be better. No doubt about it. Ben Roethlisberger's return should help in that regard. If he is healthy, the passing game will improve and the running game as well. They don't have to have a top-5 offense to be a Super Bowl contender. Maybe not even top-10. They just have to be effective in the red zone, score when opportunities are presented and lean on that defense to come through at the end of games.
Tim
2:03
Asked Brian and Gerry in their most recent chats and was interested in your opinion as well.  Better draft day front office move?  Moving up considerably in first round to select Troy or draft day trade with the Rams for The Bus?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I would say the trade-up to land Polamalu. He was a generational defender and will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the NFL defensive player of the year and key component on three Super Bowl teams, including two that won it. Bettis is a Hall of Famer too, and he was so important to those teams in the late 90s and early 2000s. But the Steelers only won one Super Bowl with Bettis, and he wasn't even the starter then. For that reason, Polamalu is my choice.
steelmann58
2:06
Hey Ray who do you thinks wins the potential battle for RT.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
My guess is Okorafor if he is ready. If not, I can see them moving Feiler back to RT and then inserting Wisniewski at LG.
steelmann58
2:07
Hi Ray possible early record with the Steelers schedule.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I said 11-5 after the schedule was released. I'll stick with that prediction.
steelmann58
2:07
Hi Ray what kind of numbers can we expect from a healthy BEN
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Good question. In 2018, his last full season, he threw for over 5,000 yards. I don't think that's likely in 2020 for a variety of reasons. I'd say if he throws for between 3,500 and 4,000 yards and has a good TD-INT ratio then it will be a strong season. Say something like 25 TD passes and 11 INTs. You definitely don't want a repeat of 2018 in terms of the INTs when he led the league with 18. That number has to be cut down.
dr dog sht
2:09
What up? Do you think the nose guard will get more than 25% snaps on defense ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Right around there. They've been somewhere between 25 and 33% the past few years. No reason for that to change all that much this year although I do acknowledge they play the Ravens twice plus the Titans and a few other run-oriented teams.
Jeff
2:10
Thanks for the chats.  The Ben haters need to watch a few more games other than super bowl repeats.  Watched the 2005 afc championship last night and he was beyond great.  Great QBs have average days, Ben is no different.  We dont win it all that year without him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
You are right. He was fantastic against the Broncos in that AFC title game. And don't forget he was very good against the Bengals and Colts in the weeks before that game. He got the Steelers out to a 21-3 in Indianapolis with his throwing. He threw two early touchdowns to Heath Miller and Antwaan Randle El that got the Steelers out to an early lead in that game. Some people will always bring up his Super Bowl performance. It wasn't good, but he settled down enough to get the win. That's all that matters.
Mark in VA Beach
2:12
Great chat Ray. Thanks for doing it. In regard to the Steelers defense giving up more running yardage later in the season, how much of that do you think could be attributed to the problems on offense with Ben out? The defense was asked to hold everything up with out him. Seems if he's healthy this year and the offense rebounds as it should, the defense should be even stronger than last year given they should be on the field less.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Yes that is a big part of it too. That defense had a lot put on its shoulders last season. With a competent offense the defense should be even stronger and won't be put in so many situations where they have to save the day.
Devin
2:13
The Patriots now have Cam, Stidham and Hoyer.  The Steelers have Ben, Mason and Duck.  All things being equal, I think the Pats have the edge at quarterback.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
How so? I'd take Roethlisberger over Newton any day of the week. I have no idea about Stidham and Hoyer is an OK reserve. The Steelers backup situation isn't great, but just having Roethlisberger is enough for me to give them the edge over the Patriots.
Dave
2:15
Any idea if Cam Newton was ever in the running as a back up for Ben this year?  Why does New England always seem to be a step ahead of the rest of the NFL in terms of talent acquisition?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
No. The Steelers are committed to Mason Rudolph as their backup for the 2020 season. Newton might be a good option for the Patriots, who were going to start Jarrett Stidham. But I don't think he would have been a good fit here. He'll have a chance to compete and be the starter in New England. He'd never get that opportunity with the Steelers unless Roethlisberger was injured.
Bob in TN
2:17
Do you know if Bens injury is a wear and tear injury or a "hit" type injury?

The reason I ask is I was watching the NO game from 2018 and Ben took a shot on that right elbow.  He got up holding it like he did in Seattle.  It was a helmet shot to that elbow.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
The Steelers and Roethlisberger have not disclosed a lot of information about the injury or the nature of the surgery. But in most cases with elbow injuries it's wear and tear. Direct hits to joints cause pain and perhaps bruises or broken bones. But they usually contribute to torn or frayed ligaments.
Donna
2:19
Hi Ray.  Hope all is well with you and your family.   If and when the NFL season starts, how comfortable do you think you will feel walking into theDo you have any reservations or anticipate having any reservations?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
We don't have any guidelines yet for how we will cover the team. But whatever they are we will follow them and try to bring you the same coverage of the team we always have. It's going to be different. There might not be as much access. But we'll bring you the stories during the season. And then, hopefully, there is a vaccine next year, and we can get back to some semblance of normal.
steelmann58
2:22
Hi Ray do you think that Snell will have a bigger impact this season. Which WR Washington or Johnson or JU JU will put up bigger numbers
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I think Diontae Johnson will thrive with Ben Roethlisberger. I think he can have 70 catches and 1,000 yards. As for Snell, I don't expect his role to grow all that much. Conner is still the starter and feature back. He'll get the bulk of the carries, and Snell, Jaylen Samuels and McFarland will get the rest.
steelmann58
2:24
Hi Ray do you feel any addition will come at the LB spot or safety spot.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Maybe after final cut-downs. You might seem them add someone then. But I don't think it will be before camp opens.
Doyle37
2:24
Are forfeits a possibility or will the league shut down the season if multiple teams have trouble fielding healthy squads ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I do not believe the league has addressed any scenarios if teams aren't able to field a team. There has been discussion of expanded rosters and practice squads to help in that regard, but I have read nothing about forfeits.
Guest
2:26
Ray, thank you for the chat. Who do you see as our most critical piece on defense - Minkah, TJ, or someone else? And do you see Minkah being even better in Year 2?
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