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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.22.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I expect Mason Rudolph to have a strong camp and to wrestle the job away from Josh Dobbs.
Jud
12:37
If a deal doesn't get done for Tomlin, does that indicate he's on the hot seat or that he's thinking about stepping away for now?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
It might not be either. It could just be the Steelers want to see how he handles the team after what happened last season.
Jud
12:38
Would/could we get trade value for Dobbs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Some believed Landry Jones had some value around this time last year. He's not even in the league. I'm not saying Dobbs is Jones, but it's not like he has a track record of success.
Hate heat and crabs
12:39
Ray when a player is on the practice squad for the entire year does that count as a year accrued toward their potential pension for playing five years in the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
No, but they'd make over $100,000 if they were on the p squad all season.
VANINAL FAN
12:40
do you see justin layne getting significant playing time in the regular season if Nelson and Haden stay healthy?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Not unless he finds a role in sub-packages. And I don't see him finding a "significant" role unless there are injuries.
coach15
12:41
Why would Steelers think that DuPree will catch fire at this point of his career?   Steelers agreeing to current financial offer with Bud, is not going to make him an outstanding pass rusher--
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
It's not like the Steelers had options to replace Dupree. They decided to pick up his fifth-year option because they believe he'll continue to get better and because they don't have a player waiting in the wings to take over for him. Big year for obviously and he'll have to produce double-digit sacks and be better as a run defender in order to earn his big pay day.
Utah Jim
12:44
The players will agree to an 18-game schedule in return for guaranteed contracts.  The owners will agree to the guaranteed contracts because it’s inevitable anyway and they get their 2 more games of revenue.  It always comes down to money.  Am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
There are other ways to generate more revenue than going to an 18-game schedule.
James from Philly
12:44
Hey Ray-- Thanks for the chats. In your opinion, where does Mark Barron fit in this defense? I am sensing another Burnett situation, but with a player who has a lot more to offer. Hope he is utilized correctly!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
The nice thing is Barron is a versatile player. He can start as an ILB if needed or he can play the dime linebacker role in sub-packages. The wild card is how he handles a reduced role if it comes to that. That was a huge issue with Burnett. He was signed to be a starter and he started to cause problems when Edmunds became the starter and he was just the dime linebacker. Barron was signed to start at ILB, but then the Steelers landed Devin Bush in the draft. So that will be something to watch as the summer goes on. I specifically asked Barron about his role when he signed. He said he was signed to be a "three-down linebacker". That might not be his role now so I'll watch closely to see how he handles another role if it comes to that.
arrowhead63
12:48
Do you think it is a bit early to extend Tomlin ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
It's not early because the Steelers operate a certain way. They've always extended their head coaches with two years left on their contract. But this is a special circumstance with Tomlin coming off what many consider to be his worst season. There are plenty of good reasons to wait and let the season play out, but only Art Rooney II knows for sure what will happen.
TC in Big D
12:50
I really think the defense will step up this year given the new pieces at ILB and CB.  The talent is there but will we still be plagued by the ongoing "communication issues" that are blamed but never fixed?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Good question, but how many of those communication issues happened because Artie Burns was in the game and didn't do his job? I know they've had issues for years with that type of thing, but I think having Nelson and Haden as the starters will eliminate some of those issues.
fredward
12:52
Of all the late round picks and undrafted free agents the Steelers got this year, who you feel is most likely to stick and make an impact?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
I think Sutton Smith will find his way onto the 53-man roster, and I can see him developing into a special teams demon.
Craig
12:53
Good Afternoon Ray, What is your opinion on holding camp away from a teams home facility.  Do you see any advantage or disadvantage?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
I know Tomlin loves it. He believes being away from distractions brings his team closer together. So there are the obvious advantages that come along with being together for nearly a month before the season begins. I don't see any disadvantages in going away.
AA
12:55
Which WR would you keep, Rogers or Switzer?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
That will be a good camp battle. I think both know only one will be on the 53. I suppose I'd go with Switzer, but there's not a lot of difference between him and Eli. They're pretty much the same player.
OldSchool
12:57
I think Tomlin having a bad year was very overrated. They clearly didn't expect Bell to sit out the year or Boswell to fall apart. Either of those things being different equals a few more wins and no one's talking. People will miss being in the hunt every year when it ends. Thank God Twitter wasn't around for Cowher's bad years, which were a lot worse. do you really think in game coaching makes that big of a difference in a lot of games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Well, maybe they should have anticipated Bell skipping the season because he was on the record saying he might do it in 2017. So shame on them if they were not prepared for that. And believe me, there was much more to the collapse than Boswell's failings.
APK
12:59
Switzer is a better returner than Rogers, wouldn’t you say?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Not sure about being better. I'd say the same, but he does return kickoffs and Eli doesn't do that.
John Strange
12:59
Hi Ray,  If players could only play in 16 out of an 18 game season why not just start your best available for the first 16 and let injuries dictate who might miss a game or two? BTW I think this has  zero chance of actually happening.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
I agree. I don't think it will ever happen. But what if your QB stays healthy and plays the first 16 games and you need one win in the final two games to secure a playoff berth? That would make for some interesting game planning.
Duke
1:01
Hi Ray...I have been out of town and have not heard if K Chris Blewitt has been signed since he was released. If not, could the Steelers bring him in to compete with Boswell?  Thanks .
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
The Steelers signed former UCF kicker Matthew Wright to compete with Boswell.
Frank
1:02
In your opinion what are the top 3 position battles to watch during training camp & the preseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
1. No. 2 receiver
No. 2 Backup TE
No. 3 Backup safeties
Maybe right tackle, but I think Feiler has the inside track on the starting job
SaltyRon
1:03
With all of the new defensive additions this off-season, who do you expect to be on the field defensively for passing downs in addition to the starting 4 in the secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
Mike Hilton will be the starting slot CB. And Mark Barron is likely going to be the dime LB. Hilton usually replaces the nose tackle and the dime linebacker is usually taking the place of a two-down ILB.
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