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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.26.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:47
Welcome. Let's get started a little early. The players have started to trickle in, but I'll be happy to take some of your questions before I head up to get some interviews.
C.B.
11:47
Ray, what major changes if any, do you see with the Steelers now that Colbert has retired and Tomlin has more power?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
Colbert and Tomlin worked well together. I would imagine the goal is for Tomlin and Khan to have a similar relationship. Tomlin has always had some input in the drafting process and player personnel. Will he have more power or influence now? Perhaps, but I don't think he's going to be Bill Belichick or anything. They hired Khan for a reason. If they wanted Tomlin to be the HC/GM they would have done that.
ev
11:52
Ray, Is there any link between the OL coaching departures (Klemm, then Morgan) and the OC?  Was there dissatisfaction or friction with Canada?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
I think that's safe to assume. How often do you see a coach leave an NFL team in the middle of a season? It doesn't happen very often, and you're on the right track with your thinking.
paul from sacramento
11:53
Hi Ray, Love your chats and insights.. also looking forward to your return to to the podcasts with Brian.  I think it has been mentioned that last year as the offense faltered in the 4th quarter, Ben would resort back to his old ways (2 minute drill - which seemed effective) and away from the Canada offense.  Do you think it was Ben's unwillingness to run it, his unfamiliarity to run it, or it's ineffectiveness to be run? Where do lean to??
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Ben would draw it up when the offense wasn't working.
MrSamsonite
11:54
Good morning Ray! With the addition of Kazee, do you think we’ll see formations with 3 safeties or will he be used as a backup?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
They have some formations with three safeties, most on the goal line, but for the most part when they go to nickel or dime they're looking to get more cover guys on the field and most of the time those players are corners rather than safeties.
Tom in Dallas
11:56
Looking ahead at the schedule, with the exception of the Jets, five of the first six games could all be challenges.  With the exception of the Ravens, the late season appears easier than the first half.  What is you assessment.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
I agree with you. It's also a good time to make a change at QB if the first half of the season doesn't go very well.
Jessica
11:57
Hello.  Do you see Derek Watt and Conner Hayward both making the Steelers?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
I think that could very well happen. While Heyward started his career as a running back at Michigan State he finished it as a tight end. He's an undersized tight so he's looking at an H-back role in the NFL, but there is room for a fullback and a third tight end. You're basically asking me if Heyward can beat out Kevin Rader for the final roster spot among tight ends, and yes I think he can.
JerseySteel
11:58
Hi Ray - with Trey Edmunds being released, does that foretell a veteran RB will be added to be Najee's backup?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
They signed Jeremy McNichols about an hour ago.
11:59
Not that I think he's going to be the backup, but he's another body in the running backs room with some versatility.
Andrew from Johnstown
11:59
When will Kenny Pickett start his first game with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Could happen anytime if there is an injury or ineffective play from Trubisky, but my best guess is after the bye week.
Gregg from Shaler
12:00
Who is the favorite to return kicks and punts in the post-Ray Ray era?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Calvin Austin is an intriguing option, but they also signed Gunner Olszewski as a free agent so he probably has the inside track on punt returns for now. Kick returner could be any number of players.
Ryan
12:01
good afternoon Ray who do you think wins the guard battle between Dotson and green i think Dotson wins
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I think Dotson has an edge because he has more experience. As long as he stays healthy -- and that's a big if with him -- I think he'll lock that down. But Kendrick Green was a guards at Illinois. He's undersized, but there are people who believe that's his best position. So they'll let it play out in camp. It's one of the few position battles in camp that's truly up for grabs.
Sunner in Orlando
12:03
Do you believe the QB battle is Mitch's to lose? Do the Steelers hold on to Mason through camp and wait for a QB injury to another team that would enhance his trade value? If so, does that take valuable reps away from Kenny?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Trubisky ran with the 1s in OTAs and minicamp so yes he has the inside track on the starting job. I think Pickett eventually ascends to the backup role, but I don't think they're going to rush him. When that happens Rudolph becomes expendable. They can shop him a week or two before the season starts to a QB-needy team in search of a backup.
Yuri
12:04
Hello Ray.  Now that Mr. Ed Bouchette has retired, who gets his proxy for voting for the Hall of Fame?  Would that be you by any chance!  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I haven't heard anything about that. There are plenty of qualified candidates among the local reporters.
Mountain Gus
12:05
Great job, Ray.  It seems like the offense will be a work-in-progress with the opportunity to improve as the season goes.  Early success will depend on the "elite" defense stepping up.  Is the D capable of keeping the ship afloat for the first half of the season?  They couldn't stop a running back last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
They better be because like you I think the offense will be a work in progress. The pieces are in place. They have three All-Pros. They have other players with experience at other key spots. They have gobs of money invested in the unit. It has to perform well.
Jenny and Ben
12:07
Hi Ray, no questions for you.  Just want to thank you for doing these chats.  We always learn something new.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Thanks!. Good to be back at it after a nice vacation.
Hugh
12:08
Kyler Murray’s contract requires him to study film four hours per game.  Have you ever heard of any other player having such or similar requirement?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I have not. I am sure other teams over the years have been concerned about their quarterback's work habits. The name JaMarcus Russell comes to mind. But having something written into a contract is taking it to another level. It's obviously an issue for the Cardinals front office if they wanted it in writing.
Donna
12:09
Good morning.  Has there been any talk about what the Steelers will do when the the current stadium needs to be replaced?  Would they modify the current stadium or look to build a new one?  Any thoughts on where a new stadium could be located?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I think the stadium is in a great spot now. Over the summer I visited Boston and New York, and the city of Pittsburgh has a great setup with the baseball and football stadiums on the North Shore. I went to Fenway Park when I was in Boston. They don't have the development the Steelers and Pirates have around their parks. I went to Citi Field. Nice stadium, but it's terrible if you walk anywhere off the stadium site. Whatever the Steelers and the city should do whatever they can to reinvest in the North Shore. Not every city is lucky enough to have what the Steelers and Pirates have.
Guest
12:13
I hope we did enough upgrade on the O line in the off season. Everything goes through the trenches. Defense can keep us in games if the run D is better. What say u?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
They certainly invested in the offensive line. The additions of James Daniels and Mason Cole along with with re-signing Chuks Okorafor cost them around $70 million over the course of those three contracts. We'll see how much they improve the unit, but the front office obviously thought they needed some major upgrades so they wwent out and got two new starters.
MitchT
12:15
I find it ironic the comments made by Ben about the younger guys having a “me first” attitude.  Didn’t Ben have a “me first” attitude the first half of his career??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
If he did I think his point was the buy-in that's needed to win as a team. Ben always speaks glowingly of the culture of those teams from 2004-10. Guys like Bettis, Farrior, Harrison and others were established leaders. The team always came first. Ben pointed out a difference in players who have come into the league in the last decade or so. And I'm sure 90% of his teammates the past few years were team-first guys. But there were some notable personalities who ultimately sabotaged the team with their behavior. And I think those were the guys he was pointing out. Ben had great respect for most of his teammates.
Coach15
12:18
What changed, or what was the reason/benefit to release T Edumunds on eve of camp, & sign McNichols to fulfill the 90th spot?  Seems like Steelers r really grasping for straws to find backup to Harris-
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Not to disparage Edmunds, but the guy played in two games last season. He spent most of the season on the practice squad. I have no idea if McNichols will make an impact. He's bounced around some, but hey, maybe he'll do well here.
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