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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.03.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Welcome. Let's get started.
TSH
12:29
Hi Ray - thank you for making time for this chat! I see many starters on O Line and Defense not practicing this past week.  Is Coach Tomlin viewing this week as a bonus week and allocating the majority of the time to the rookies and other non-starters to "jump start" there experience and evaluation moreover then injury being the cause  for so many O Line & defense starters to not practice?  If so; I like the idea & its hard to believe there are so many injuries yet players are not on crutches, wearing slings or braces etc.  Can you share what you have observed?  Thanks Much!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Yes he is viewing the HOF game as a bonus game of sorts. And I think it's a smart strategy for his defense. The veterans such as TJ Watt and Stephon Tuitt don't need to be out here now, and they're not. They'll ramp it up soon. I have a feeling Tomlin would have liked a different approach for his offensive line if they had all been healthy. But they're not and some of those guys are starting to get closer. I think you'll see Banner, Okorafor and Dotson more involved when they return to practice after the HOF game. And that will be important because the line needs reps together.
21-58-66
12:31
Ray - Do you think we will see any of the new wrinkle offense on Thursday night or will that stay in the garage until the regular season?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Tomlin said they're going to keep in basic. They just want to roll the ball out and see who can play. And no, Matt Canada will not show his hand in the preseason.
Ed k
12:32
Haskins seems to be outplaying mason and Dobbs by a good bit.  Will he be the backup?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I don't think so. Unless there is an injury to Rudolph, or Rudolph has a wretched preseason, Haskins is competing for the No. 3 job, not the No. 2.
Gene
12:33
How much do you think Harris plays during pre season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Tomlin said he will play in all four games. How much? We don't know, but Tomlin believes getting reps in the preseason is important for rookies so they can get comfortable.
pdxJaxon
12:34
Ray, Seeing reports of D Johnson continuing to drop passes in Practice. Are we seeing the next Limas Sweed  here?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Diontae Johnson has had two very productive seasons in his first two NFL seasons. He is arguably the Steelers' top receiver. There should be no comparison to Limas Sweed. Did Johnson have issues with drops last season? Absolutely. But he also made a lot of plays for the offense.
ENTMD
12:35
Hey Ray, any thoughts on O-line outlook?  Of the guys healthy and taking reps, anybody making an impression- good or bad?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Hard to say when the projected starting five has yet to play together. Have to wait until everyone is healthy to make a determination on that.
Steelguy
12:36
Is Najee Harris done with the yellow wristband?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
He no longer wears in it practice, but that does not necessarily mean he is fully vaccinated.
Bernard
12:37
Lot's of Haskins chatter.  Is this just the typical "back up QBs make interesting preseason stories b/c Ben isn't taking reps" or has he shown real progress?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Both. I think they've been pleasantly surprised with Haskins' development. Tomlin said today he's grown by "leaps and bounds" since arriving in January. But don't read too much into that. I don't think they're down on Rudolph or anything like that.
Bernard
12:39
My weekly Devin Bush question - how's he looking?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
He's out there but not doing much in team periods. Still being brought along slowly.
Donna
12:40
Hi Ray, any thoughts on Wolfley joining the Steelers’ broadcast booth and Starks becoming a sideline reporter?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Starks was always pretty good in interviews when he was with the Steelers so not really surprised he's doing radio work. And Wolf has been doing this for a long time. He should make a seamless transition to color commentator from sideline reporter.
Carl in Carrick
12:41
Ray, have you heard if Troy will be attending the HOF induction ceremony and do you think Hines should be in considered for the Hall of Fame?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
David Baker of the Pro Football Hall of Fame said this morning on the NFL Network that the HOF has been in constant communication with him and there is hope he can travel and take part in the enshrinement ceremony.
Yuri
12:42
Hello Ray.  How have the punters looked in camp?  As of now, which one do you see making the team?  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Good competition so far between Berry and Harvin. There is a live punting competition in practice today so it's another good day for the coaches to evaluate them.
JerseySteel
12:44
Hi Ray - anyone taking the reins on the slot corner job?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
It's a good competition with Arthur Maulet and Antonie Brooks. And they know they have Cam Sutton if neither of those guys distinguishes themselves in the preseason.
Joe
12:45
It appears from the articles that Pierre may be the best outside CB next to Haden. Do the coaches see this already and will try to use Sutton inside?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
I don't think they want to do that. They like Sutton as an outside corner too. That's why he's starting ahead of Pierre. It all comes down to the Brooks-Maulet competition. They'd like one of those guys to step up and be the guy.
Joe
12:46
It blows my mind how people are so down on this Oline that hasn't played a snap yet when the past 2 years that Oline that had pro bowlers, HOF players, and they just stunk! I believe this line will be just fine this year. fresh, new blood. Your thought?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
It might turn out that way, but that's a lot of faith in some guys who have never played together.
Ryan
12:47
Good afternoon Ray how has Jamir Jones looked so far in practice go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Impressive in backs on backers. Hasn't stood out as much in team periods, but overall he's been noticeable.
Big Mike C
12:47
Is it true that Watt is holding out for a contract.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
He's at practice every day and conditioning on the side. If he was holding out he wouldn't be here at all.
Steeler in Virginia
12:48
How much time are Green and Roethlisberger getting together so far in practice with all the switches? Do you think they are gelling well?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Roethlisberger is on his usual limited throwing schedule so not as much as a starting QB and center normally would in the preseason. But they've worked together enough I think for there not to be any issues with snaps, etc. At least there shouldn't be.
David Howell Evans
12:52
Let’s suppose there was a coach draft rather than a player draft one year. You have the number one pick and can select any current NFL coach. Who ya got?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Gotta be Belichick, right? He's got the hardware.
SMF
12:52
Hi Ray:  Why is there no chemistry between Mason Rudolph and J Washington?  When they drafted JW all his video came from MR throwing to him.  There were dozens of acrobatic throws and catches easy to see on the net.  I don’t get it.  Is it the Steeler coaches fault for not developing this?
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