Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.14.26
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br in conway
11:00
hi RAY , MY QUESTION IS, WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE , WHY DID THRY NOT IMPROVE THE MIDDLE LINE BACKERS
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
Well, they brought in quite a few for pre-draft visits, but they decided not to select one in the draft. Sometimes that happens. You have to stick with your board. I agree they need help at the position, but it's more for next season than this season. Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison and Cole Holcomb are all entering the final years of their deals.
BeaverFallsKid
11:02
Bill Cower believed in using the pass early to set up a successful running game later in the game. Will HCMM and AR deploy the same strategy? Reports say HCMM passes a lot on first down to create short yardage on downs 2 and 3.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:03
Yes I think you could see that happen. The past few seasons with Matt Canada and Arthur Smith as OCs you saw a lot of running on early downs and that led to a lot of third-and-longs if they weren't running the ball well. If you get 5-7 yards on a first-down pass, it's a lot easier to run on second and third downs.
jim
11:04
Ray, I'm not anticipating it but let's just say the Steelers get an outstanding offer for Highsmith.  Do they trade him for a high draft choice next year (2nd round) or do they ask for a player for this year and what position would that be?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
The Steelers are built for winning this season, and Highsmith is set to be a big part of their defense. They have to address the situation after the season for sure, but I don't think they're looking to move him now. But I understand your hypothetical, so I'll answer. In that scenario, since the Steelers want to contend I think they'd want a player in return too. Maybe a WR or an ILB.
jim
11:06
Ray, do you think the Steelers use any 4 wide out formations this year assuming Bernard and Wilso prove their worth in the pre season, and I don't just mean on 3rd down?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
Not early, but if those guys prove themselves then sure. In 1995, when the Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XXX, they didn't plan on five-wide being their best package, but by the end of the season it was. These things develop over the course of a season.
TVC15
11:09
Hi Ray,  I have always wondered about how Pro Bowl appearances are credited. If you get named to the Pro Bowl fine. That goes on your resume. But what if you only appear in a Pro Bowl because 3 people ahead of you turned it down?  Do you still get credited for a Pro Bowl appearance? And what about the 3 people ahead of you? Do all 3 get credited with a Pro Bowl on their resume?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe everyone is credited with an appearance. I just googled Tyler Huntley, who infamously was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 after a series of other QBs declined. On Huntley's Wiki page it says he's a Pro Bowler in 2022. And if Wiki says it's true then it's true. ha ha.
Len
11:10
good morning Ray. Do you think that the new D Line coach will be a significant upgrade over Dunbar?  Really didn’t think that Dunbar got it as far as coaching to his personnel’s strength. Thanks for taking my question.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
You know how I always said things got stale under Tomlin for the past few seasons? Well, I think the same can be applied to his assistant coaches, especially those who had been around a while like Dunbar.
Steeler Joe
11:11
Hey, Ray -- thanks for the chats. I've been wondering whether the transition to an entirely new offense might change the usual plan to sit Aaron Rodgers for pretty much all of training camp. There might be some benefit to him getting some in-game time with new receivers, no? Or is his familiarity with the West Coast offense that McCarthy will bring in strong enough that he can stay on the sidelines, stay healthy and let Rudolph, Allar and Howard get all the preseason action? It seems more important, in some ways, for them to see the field this summer.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
Rodgers likes to get his work with his receivers in practices. He does not like playing in preseason games so unless Mike McCarthy insists he makes a change this season you'll see a lot of Will Howard, Mason Rudolph and Drew Allar in the preseason games.
Mike from Erie PA
11:12
If HCMM can improve Howard and Allar,  isn’t it possible that he could do the same for Rudolph ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
I suppose, but I think he has a rather low ceiling. He's been in the league for a while now. He's been on different teams and played under different coaches, and he hasn't ascended to become a starter. We do not yet know the ceilings of Howard and Allar.
Tin Cup
11:14
Ray, did you happen to hear what Joe Haden and James Harrison had to say about the general lack of accountability under Tomlin? lIf so, what are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
I did and it's not surprising to me. I was around those teams and Tomlin had different rules for different players especially Antonio Brown.
7 in 27
11:15
Good morning, Ray. Thank you for the time and chat. In your opinion, do you see this O-line being better than last year's version by the end of the season? I think moving Fautanu and McCormick to the left side will be an improvement and I like Anderson and Cook a lot but they are a step down from Seumalo and Jones.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
I should certainly hope so. They've invested a lot of high picks into the line. Some of them have played well individually, but they haven't jelled as a good overall unit yet. That needs to happen this season.
Jebba the Hutt
11:16
Thanks for all you do, Ray! Opinions on Patrick Queen seem to be all over the place, but for my money missing too many tackles seems to be one real concern. If he cluld
Hit submit too soon… if PQ could cut his missed tackles in half, what would they do to his stock!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
Yeah that would be great. He'd have a much better grade. That's his most important job, but I will add tackling in space as an inside linebacker is really difficult. That's why when teams find a good one they like to sign and keep them.
7 in 27
11:17
Hi Ray. Have they provided any updated on the progress of B. Jones injury?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
No, but we should get an update on July 28 the day the Steelers report to camp. My guess is he starts on PUP, but Jones was hopeful he'd be cleared to practice at some point in training camp. I just have a hard time seeing them clear him to start camp when he did not do much of anything in the spring other than individual work.
Daniel
11:19
I know hard to tell at this point, but just curious your guess at this time - who do you think enters the season as their #2 QB?  What's your guy feeling?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
If Will Howard plays well in camp and the preseason games I think he'll be the backup.
Jim
11:19
Why is it so difficult for the Steelers to figure out they should get out in front and sign some of their players before other signings set the market? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
Well, sometimes you want to make sure the market doesn't get too crazy. I think there are teams that believe the corner market is a bit overpriced now. It's skyrocketed the past two years. But you are right. In the end, it's business of the NFL. As the salary cap goes up so do the salaries. The best players at their positions aren't always going to eb the highest-paid. Timing is a big part of it. And Joey Porter is hitting the market at the right time.
7 in 27
11:22
If $ is the big hang up in signing JPJ, would a 4-yr, $108M contract with $87M guaranteed be a deal both sides would/could agree to? He's not going to get cheaper and they are unlikely to find or draft someone better for the current market rate.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
Guaranteeing $87 million (basically 3 years) will not happen. They might have to go over $40 million in guaranteed money, but they won't approach what you suggest.
Dave Moody
11:23
Good morning, Ray, and as always, thanks for the insight. Can we end the suspense, and expect the JPJ contract to get completed before the season starts, seeing that they have nobody to replace him? I see no other way around it. Thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
Yes I think it will get done before the season, but I don't expect it to get done early in camp unless Porter is motivated to sign. If he's willing to hold in I think it might be a while until something happens.
Henry McAllister
11:24
Do we think that a tight end like Robert Tonyan or another will make the team? Does it depend on camp performance?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
Tonyan has a history with Rodgers so I think that's possible.
7 in 27
11:25
Any chance you saw the top 20 coaches of all time list that CBS (I think) put out. Lots of questionable selections, especially at #1.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
I did not see it. My choice would be Vince Lombardi for No. 1, but I'm guessing they went with Belichick.
Lab2inWhitney
11:26
Hi Ray...I know it's (too) early, but based on what you have seen and heard so far, how is T, Max I grasping the offense, fitting in...and possibly being able to jump in to being a contributing member of the offense (barring injury to the other guys)? Likely more a RT than a LT??
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
He's definitely more of an RT than LT, and he did fine in the spring. I think they'll bring him along slowly.
George T
11:27
Ray, I haven’t seen Drew  Allan has signed his contract yet. What’s the holdup or does he want to go into next year’s draft.
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