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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.01.23
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Watt is your problem
12:21
What are your thoughts on Sean Payton dissing Nathanial Hackett and his coaching job last season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Insubordinate...and churlish
Bones from Iowa
12:22
I know he had little chance of making the team, but I was surprised about the Pottebaum news.  Did he just quit or were there other things/injuries going on?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
You never know what's going on with a player's personal life or why they make decisions. I haven't heard a reason for Pottebaum's retirement.
fredward
12:23
Hi Ray, that roster breakdown tool is so cool! How does Kwon Alexander fit into this year's plans? Is his signing bad news for Robinson or one of the special team hopefuls like Kwiatkowski or Muse?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Probably more Kwiatkowski or Muse. I think they want to continue to develop Robinson. They just don't think he's ready for a top backup role right now.
Mike from DC
12:24
Ray, you said Kwon was the final piece… Do you not think the Steelers will add to the slot cb position before the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Depends on what happens in the preseason with player performance and injuries.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:25
Hi Ray thanks for the chats! Can the Steelers compete long term with the big boys like the Chiefs, Bills, Bengals with this conservative game plan of running the ball and being selective throwing down field? I say no as a great offense usually beats a great defense lately. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
They can win games playing a more conservative brand of football, but in order to compete with the AFC's heavyweights in the playoffs they're going to have to score more points.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:26
Do you think the inside linebacker room is markedly better than the last few years or will it be more of the same with the backers getting pushed backward on running plays like last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I'm in wait-and-see mode there.
Guest
12:27
I don't understand how the steelers aren't predicted by most to get 10 wins. Improved roster, easier schedule, 2nd year for KP, etc.... what am I missing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Their over-under number is 8.5. They're last in the AFC North in Super Bowls odds, division odds and their odds to make the playoffs. I think the people who set the odds look at the Steelers have a second-year QB and an offense that scored 18 points a game last season. The Steelers can change opinions if Pickett and the offense take a step forward.
Steeltown
12:29
Hi Ray, I know it’s early in camp, but what wide receivers do you see making the final 53.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Johnson, Pickens and Robinson are locks. Austin should be the No. 4. They could keep five or six so then you're looking at Gunner Olszewski, Cody White, Miles Boykin, Hakeem Butler and Dez Fitzpatrick as the others competing for those roles.
62 Stack Monster
12:30
Hi Ray, I have a question about hydration.  Which do the Steelers use more often: water or some electrolyte mixture?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
They offer both on the field. Usually, they'll ask players to drink two waters for every Gatorade.
Ed in Carrick
12:31
Does McFarland basically have the #3 RB role locked up based on how the RB room looks now.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Right now? yes...if they keep three RBs. What if they only kept Harris, Warren and Heyward? Heyward can play FB and be the emergency halfback in the unlikely event Harris and Warren are injured in the same game.
Ryan
12:33
Good Afternoon Ray who is winning the punter battle so far i saw both Mann and harvin have looked good Go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Too early to tell.
Rick
12:33
Good Afternoon. Although it is a short sample size, what has been your impression of Broderick Jones so far in camp? Will he be the guy at left tackle?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Good impression so far, but the pads come on today. The real evaluating begins in earnest in a couple of hours.
AK
12:34
Which rookie do you think has the most unrealistic fan expectations on questions you get in the chats?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Washington.
Yogi
12:35
Hey Ray. Not looking as though Mark Robinson will be making people my age forget Jack Lambert anytime soon. Will he even be getting a helmet on Sundays?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
That's to be determined. He'd have to be a contributor on special teams to get a helmet.
JaxSteelerFan
12:36
Have the "experts" EVER been high on the Steelers? I remember just after we won our very first SB, The Sporting News writer said about the Steelers,  they're good but don't expect a dynasty. Oops 6 years and 4 Super Bowls later....
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I get why the Bengals are favored ahead of them. I have a harder time figuring how the Ravens and Browns have better odds. I suppose it has to do with the QBs, but I think the Steelers can be a second-place team in the division this year.
Debbie
12:38
Hi Ray.  Could you explain exactly what a route tree is?  I hear receivers adding on to their pass routes upon entering the league or sometimes in their second year.  Is the college route tree that much different from the pro route tree?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
So when people talk about George Pickens being utilized in more ways than running go patterns, that's what they mean. Can Pickens run intermedia routes with effectiveness? Shorter routes, etc.
Guest
12:40
If the Steelers want to run the ball, control the clock and win with good defense... shouldn't they have a full time fullback ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
This isn't 1995 anymore. While I think FBs can have a place in the NFL in 2023 it's certainly not a prerequisite for a good offense.
Eli in Orlando
12:41
With all high powered offense in the league do you think are gambling too much on conservative type football. Can this offense score more than 21 points a game .
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
If they want to be considered a legit threat in the AFC they'll have to be more explosive. That doesn't mean they have to score 30 points a game, but they'll need to make big plays on a more consistent basis than they did in 2022.
JPinIndy
12:42
Ray thanks for the chat! What's the over/under on punter questions before the regular season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Wait 'til Harvin shanks one in the first preseason game!
Rford
12:43
Will Jon Kolb and L.C. Ever make it inti the HOF??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Greenwood has a better shot, but the veteran's committee will have to vote him in.
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