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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.20.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
All right, post your Steelers questions and we'll get started soon.
Guest
1:55
Any chance we sign Malik Hooker?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Sure there is always a chance. They have the cap space and perhaps the need should they not find the right fits in the secondary in camp. But like Trai Turner and Melvin Ingram he would come with some injury baggage. But I suppose these are gambles worth taking if the price is right.
ErnieHartnerMr.305LIT
1:56
Michael Irvin said that the Cowboy's unwillingness to reach the vaccination threshold is evidence of the team's lack of commitment to winning a championship. I am not vaccinated, but I agree with Irvin's assessment. Any NFL player that is unwilling to get vaccinated is placing their own interest above the greater good of the team. It reminded me of JuJu's demand to play "outside." What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Some are making a personal choice based on their beliefs concerning vaccinations. That is fine, but those decisions come with consequences. And unvaccinated players will be putting themselves above the team. Not sure there is any other way to frame it.
Yancey
1:58
What will be the most noticeable schematic difference with Canada's offense? Hoping the talk of Ben being under C more with the PA pass game is true.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
What you said along with pre-snap motion and shifts to keep the defense honest.
Double-A ron
1:59
Any chance Dan Moore beats out chucks for the left tackle job? His attitude and demeanor (based on college scouting) is more in line with what Pittsburgh intends to do this year with an aggressive O-lone approach. I mean if Chuks wasn’t starting right tackle material end of camp last year, how is he starting left tackle material now?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I don't think they're counting on a fourth-round pick to come in and started ahead of a player like Okorafor, who has 17 games of starting NFL experience on his resume.
Too #$+ Hot in MD
2:00
With the Melvin Ingram signing is he strictly the “next guy up” and used in specific pass rush situations also spelling Highsmith and Watt for a series here or there?  Or will also be used to push/challenge Highsmith for the starting job?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I don't think those decisions have to be made on July 20. My gut tells me he plays about half the game -- some as a sub for Watt and Highsmith at OLB and other snaps as a chess piece in the middle of the defense. They can and will have packages with all three OLBs on the field. They did that last season with Highsmith as the third OLB. Dupree would line up inside on those occasions. Ingram, if healthy, can help the defense, but he3 doesn't necessarily have to be a "starter" to make that happen.
21-58-66
2:02
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  How much work do you think 22 will see in the preseason?  I am thinking they will want to get long looks at the others to see who emerges as the number 2 back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
They want to get him ready for the season, but they also want to keep him healthy so I think he'll be treated like any other offensive starter. His reps will be limited in preseason games.
CP in NYC
2:03
Surprised they addressed LB before DB in free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Not really. OLB was a need before Ingram signed. They needed a viable third guy. Nothing against Cassius Marsh, but he didn't have the track record to hold down that job. I thought they might address it later in camp, but it makes sense to get Ingram into the program now and have him prepare with his new teammates.
Joe G
2:04
Hi Ray - are the Steelers done with adding FA depth pieces at this point?  Hooker, Okung, James, Poole?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Not sure if they'll add any other free agents, but you should still keep an eye on the secondary. They can add an FA or make a trade if they don't feel like James Pierre, Justin Layne or anyone else is ready to be the third CB.
Jarvis Ragdoll Jones
2:06
Do you believe Melvin Ingram will wrestle the starting job away from Highsmith? If not, will he be used more than the previous backup OLB's were? He is obviously a much more accomplished player than say Chickillo or Highsmith as a rookie.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
You are correct. He is much more than a No. 3 OLB, but I don't necessarily think they are looking to make Highsmith a backup either. I think they'll be creative and find ways to use him. He's an effective pass rusher from the outside as well as the inside. You have to remember. He is 32 and coming off an injury. Using him for half the game might actually be smart if that means you're getting the most out of him. We'll see what Mike Tomlin has to say about his role when he talks after practice on Thursday. He might not even know for sure yet.
Nupe Cain
2:08
Ray would you say the Steelers are going all in with these recent signings? And are you ready to say they are a Super Bowl contender
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Not sure if signing Trai Turner and Melvin Ingram makes the Steelers Super Bowl contenders, but it reaffirms they are committed to trying to win in what is likely the final season for Ben Roethlisberger.
Joe G
2:10
Hi Ray - with JuJu on a one year contract and his preference to play for the highest bidder next season fairly obvious, would you consider trading him for the right value?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
If another team really wanted Smith-Schuster they would have ponied up and signed him in free agency. The Steelers wanted Smith-Schuster back, and he wanted to be back.
Joe G
2:11
Hi Ray - do you feel the extra pre-season game will really benefit the Steelers in sifting out the many unknows on the OL?  How much difference is there between these guys?  Are any roles really pre-determined at this point? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I would say Okorafor and Banner are the starting tackles and Turner and Dotson are the starting guards. There will be a competition for center. But yes, the extra game will be helpful because there will be four new starters, and they have to learn how to get on the same page. That's an overlooked aspect of offensive line play. This summer is critical for that group.
TPHunter
2:12
Would GM Ray Fittipaldo sign another free agent before camp opens to shore up the secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
No I'd wait to see how it plays out for a few weeks if I could.
Guest
2:13
Ray- Like so many Burgers who have retired to elsewhere, USA, I thoroughly enjoy your work-chats and very incisive and informative pieces.It's my lifeline to our beloved Stillers.. My sad projection-too many "ifs", so a weeping 9-8 at best. Yours?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I can see them finishing anywhere from 7-10 to 10-7. I was in your 9-8 camp until DeCastro was released. I was not expecting that or the news that he wouldn't be healthy for the season. It's just another unknown in a year there are a lot of them.
Mercury
2:14
If the Steelers aren’t going to be at Saint Vincent, wouldn’t it be a nice gesture on their part to at least continue the tradition of the Friday Night Lights practice at Latrobe HS? I know it would be much more of a hassle to get everybody and everything there from Pittsburgh.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
You answered your own question. Moving all the equipment for one practice doesn't make a whole lot of sense, although I like attending that practice. Great atmosphere.
Jeff
2:15
Welcome back Ray.  Assuming we have similar defense, Ben doesn't meltdown and the end of the season and our rushing improves to middle of the pack in the NFL are we legit SB contender?  If not, what else needs to happen?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
If all of that happens I'd say legit playoff contender. But you say assuming the defense is similar... There has been a lot of change on the defense. I still think they'll be very good, but replacing Dupree and Hilton will not be easy.
Jim Garland
2:17
While a lot of off-season focus has understandably been on the offense, I think the defense really holds the keys to the season.  In the first six games, they'll face Allen, Rodgers and Wilson, three of the top 5 QBs in the league.  What are your realistic expectations for those first 6 games?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
4-2 or 3-3. Four of those first six are at home.
Guest
2:18
Don't know much about Melvin Ingram.  Do you think he will take significant snaps vs. Highsmith? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't think significant snaps, but Ingram most definitely will have a role in the defense.
Mean Joe
2:19
Should the Steelers be worried about the defensive line? Alualu is 34, Heyward is 32 and Tuitt, still in his prime, is somewhat injury-prone. There is little depth. Is there concern that they could suffer the same steep, sudden decline as the offensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Sure there is that concern, but Heyward and Alualu have been very good and very dependable in recent years. They have long track records of staying healthy so that's a positive.
Mean Joe
2:20
The guy who lost last year's competition to start at right tackle is now the anointed starter at the all-important left side. The new right tackle is a journeyman coming off an ACL tear. Why should I be confident that this line can open holes for Najee Harris and protect the 39-year-old QB?
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