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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.20.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Who said you should be confident? It's an obvious concern, and it will be one of the main story lines of this training camp.
Ryan
2:21
Good afternoon Ray my players to watch in preseason games are Mason Haskins the rookies and harvin and Berry for punting job who are yours to watch
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
The rookies for sure, but I'll be watching the offensive line a lot. And obviously, I want to see how the coaches want to use Ingram.
Jeff
2:22
Do we have cap space to make another Haden like signing?  Not saying it has to be a corner but how about a proven OL-men
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
They do have cap space after signing Ingram, but I'm not sure about another big move like Haden, who signed for I believe $9 million a year. But they can definitely add if they'd like.
PITT 1
2:23
What's the latest on the contract for Watt?  Anyone else that you think may get a new deal or extention?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
They six weeks to get the Watt deal done. A lot of times, they end up signing players like Watt right before the season begins before of their self-imposed rule of negotiating contracts during the season. And maybe Fitzpatrick would get done, but he's not due to become a free agent for another two years.
Alan in Nashville
2:25
Hi Ray…Can you please settle this once and for all? Is Ben at the facility on Wednesday during the season getting treatment, attending meetings and “coaching” on the field as I’ve heard or is he home eating wings and drinking beer like the part-time weekend host and traffic guy on The Fan suggests (PA) along with the national guys? Or is it sometimes both? It seems as though someone is lying, exaggerating or whatever and it seems as though someone should set it straight. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Roethlisberger is present on Wednesdays. He takes part in meetings and attends practice, although he has been known to be the first player to exit the locker room on Wednesdays.
Bernard
2:26
Are Pierre or Layne legit starting options at CB?  What's your sense of their potential?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
If you consider the No. 3 CB a starter -- and many do -- then yes they are unless they prove incapable in the first few weeks of camp.
Utah Jim
2:29
Is it possible Okorafor will be a better LT than RT? I am under the impression that right tackles face opponents that are typically more stout and less athletic than those a left tackle would see, which seems a better fit for his skillset.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
That's to be determined, but I am of the opinion he has a skill set that is better suited for LT than RT.
Bernard
2:30
Follow up to the CB question, would it make more sense to keep Cam at slot and just sign a vet outside CB?  Some coaches argue it is better to deal with one weak position rather than make it two by moving players.  Not sure if Cam is natural outside CB or slot guy?  Thanks, appreciate the chats during slow off season!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
He's played both during his first four seasons with the Steelers. He's played more inside, but they felt comfortable making the move because they know he is versatile and can move back inside if need be.
Scott
2:31
I would like to point out to those concerned about Okorafor switching to LT, that was his natural position in college.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Good point. The NFL is obviously a big jump from the MAC, but he has the athleticism to make the move to the left side.
The impecable Mr.Campbell
2:33
Am I the only one excited about a new offensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I'd lean curious, but sure!
Gene
2:34
How many RB do they keep and who do you think they are?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Four or five, including FB Derek Watt. And as always, their special teams abilities will factor into that decision.
TRU
2:35
Seems to me the Steelers and Watt are not close.  It makes no sense why Steelers would not have done the deal in March and saved much needed cap space to retain Nelson and Hilton for example with $ saved in extension. If no deal is done by start of season trading him makes too much sense if the team starts 2-4.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Watt's deal is going to be so big that I'm not sure they would have created much cap space to keep guys like Nelson and Hilton.
Mercury
2:36
Bill Cowher said he’d like to make some defensive calls during the HOF game. Any chance they’ll let him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
And maybe with a little input from Dick LeBeau and Troy Polamlau, too.
2:37
Although Polamalu would probably still be lobbying to get a carry in goal line situations.
Krugerrand
2:37
Admitting concussion symptoms and having to sit out... is that putting yourself above the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
No because there is proven scientific study behind the fact that playing through concussions is bad for your healthy. Just as there is scientific proof that vaccines are good for your health.
Mean Joe
2:39
The offense was predictable and broke down in the late-season collapse. The Steelers responded by promoting from within (Canada and Klemm). What are the major changes you expect from these old, familiar faces?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
They're not all that familiar. This is Canada's second season with the Steelers and the third for Klemm. It's been well-documented how Canada hopes to change the offense. He'll use more pre-snap motion and shifts to clarify the defense. And he's a big play-action guy. Klemm is overhauling the running scheme from top to bottom. He is having his linemen use three-point stances again. He is having them come off the ball with a purpose. He is concentrating on securing the first level of the defense on double teams before advancing a lineup up to the second level. It's all about getting positive yards out of the run game and eliminating those negative runs that have been all too prevalent in the past few years.
2:47
Ok thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do it again next week at the same time. A reminder to check out post-gazette.com for all of our coverage throughout training camp. We'll have some new special features this summer.
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