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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.04.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we will get started soon.
Lloyd have Mercy
1:54
Hi Ray and thank you for the chat. Based on the Pandemic and possible positve tests do you think any team is thinking about adding a place kicker and Punter or one that can do both to the practice Squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
This is a good question. Ideally, yes, a player like that would be valuable this season. However, players that can punt and kick don't grow on trees. And the players don't have a player like that on their 80-man camp roster. The more likely scenario is finding an emergency kicker and punter in case of a positive test on game day. Back in the day, James Harrison was the emergency long snapper. And he once got to do it in a game (unsuccessfully). Emergency kickers and punters will be a thing this year. Or maybe teams will just throw caution to the wind and go for 2 after TDs if their kicker falls ill.
Krugerrand
1:57
Ray, I hear that the new folks are most at risk to get cut with the league not having preseason games.  But, since that is true for all teams, where do you see opportunity to pick up a player or two that gets prematurely cut from another team?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
I think you just have to fall back on your scouting process and look at players that you had highly rated in the spring. That's what they always do to an extent. They have a ranking system and when guys become available they bring them in for tryouts, etc.
RJT
1:58
The Steelers have a crowded running back room. Who is going to be the odd man out?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Lots of time for that to play out. Wendell Smallwood was added a week or so ago. He was with the Washington Football Club last year. He's a smaller back with some return ability. Then you have Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte behind Conner. One of two of those guys won't be around when the season starts, but there will be a 16-man practice squad this year so stocking the PS with RBs could be an option if they like a player that doesn't make the roster.
Jana
2:00
Was Claypool included in any of Ben’s off season workouts with receivers ??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Yes he mentioned earlier this week he took part in the workouts at Robert Morris University earlier this summer.
pozone
2:01
Ray when do you think the Steelers make a few signings like Hayward?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Really hard to say. The Steelers don't negotiate player contracts once the season starts so if it's going to happen it's going to happen between now and the opener against the Giants. Of course, this is a wild year so maybe the Steelers buck tradition and negotiate in-season if it makes sense for them. All options should be on the table. I don't see why they would limit a window during COVID-19, but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
IndySteel
2:02
Hello Ray...  Will any past Steelers players ever have a chance at coaching for the team? Why or why not? 

James Harrison - Strength Coach
Jerome Bettis - RB Coach
Rod Woodson - CB/S Coach
Hines Ward - WR Coach
Alan Feneca - OL Coach
James Farrior - ILB Coach
Heath Miller - TE Coach
Brett Keisel - DL Coach

These players had great character, great leadership and a knack for winning. Would they be a good fit?  What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Of those you mentioned, Woodson, Ward and Faneca have been at training camp as interns. Woodson has coached with the Raiders in the past. So he has experience. Ward is with the Jets. Obviously, if the Steelers wanted to hire him they would have this year. They've had four WRs coaches in four yars and haven't hired him, so... With the other guys, it's probably more about if they want to coach. As far as I know they've all gotten on with their life's work, and coaching isn't what they're pursuing now.
Steeler Stripes
2:05
With practice being so limited, the small details and special teams could be overlooked easily. I don't think of special teams with the Steelers being anymore than average, at best. How will the limited practice allow them to improve in this area?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
All teams are in the same boat. Fewer reps on the field is not ideal. The coaches don't like the disruption of their normal routine. But the good teams will find a way.
Nessa
2:06
Hey Ray.  Just wondering if you could explain how the virus situation affects the nfl rosters.  Unless rosters are expanded, it seems later round draft picks and undrafted free agents will have little or no chance of making a team.  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
That is correct. It's a bad year to be a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent. Rosters still at 53, but there will be 16 spots on the practice squad. And there are less stringent rules on who can be on the PS. In years past, it was mostly rookies and first- and second-year players. But veterans can be on the PS this year. Also, players can be recalled from the PS up to 90 minutes before a game this year if it's a COVID reason. In years past, that move would have to be made by 4 p.m. Saturday.
Chris
2:07
Are expectations of the Steelers being the 3rd best team in the AFC a little high? Assuming Ben is the Ben we know, are they the serious Super Bowl contender we are all assuming they will be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Who do you have ahead of the Steelers after the Chiefs and Ravens?
steelmann58
2:08
Hi Ray do you think Smallwood has a chance he is a vet who good at catching the ball and good pass protector?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Anything is possible, but I'm not sure where he fits in and at who's expense. We used to hear about all these plans for Samuels. Well, they want by the wayside when Ben was injured this year. I don't think Benny Snell is going to be cut or have his role minimized one year after he was drafted. And they drafted McFarland in the fourth round and presumably have a plan for him. So again, he's a vet with experience, but finding a place for him is hard for me unless one of those others has fallen out of favor, and we don't know about it yet.
steelmann58
2:10
HI Ray any chance the steelers still monitor the Safety position.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I think they'll take a log look at Curtis Riley to see if he's a fit. If not, they'll probably scour the waiver wire again after final cutdowns.
steelmann58
2:11
Hi Ray how is Canada going to be able to be able to figure out who be the Number 3 Hodges or Lynch?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
First off, it won't be his call. Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and Randy Fichtner will have more input into that decision than a first-year QBs coach. But the question is a fair one. Evaluating Qbs solely based on practice is hard. Maybe with expanded practice squads one can go on the PS after final cutdowns.
Guest
2:12
Hi Ray- I've seen a couple different explanations for the salary and contractual stipulations if a player opts out. Can you explain what you know about that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
My understanding is players get $150,000, but it's really a loan that will be paid back. In effect, it will be shaved off the previously negotiated contract for 2021 salary.
steelmann58
2:13
Hi Ray. do you feel like they will be any legit battles in Camp especially in the depth department
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Sure. You'll have Antoine Brooks. Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert competing for playing time in the defensive sub-packages. You'll have competition at RB too.
SteelByDesign
2:15
I'm not sure how you don't give the #3 spot to Hodges after what he did for this team last year. Sure, he's never going to be a starter but guy seemed to have a reliever's mentality when he got thrust into action. I think he could be a Batch-like career #2 guy.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Batch was a second-round pick and started for a few years with the Lions. You're selling Batch short a bit. But to your point about Duck. Yes, he was effective as a reliever. Obviously he didn't finish well, but no one on the Steelers had a great final three weeks, did they?
Barry
2:16
I was impressed with Canada’s innovative offense when he was at Pitt.  Do you think he will incorporate that type of offense into the current scheme?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Canada met with reporters today via zoom. He was asked about that and took the diplomatic approach that he's learning the Steelers offense. And that's true. The Steelers aren't implementing the Matt Canada offense. They're going to continue to run the Ben Roethlisberger offense. And Canada has to get familiar with that first before he gives his input and introduces any new ideas. But yes, he's a big pre-snap motion guy, was adept at getting mismatches in his college offenses. But we'll have to wait until practices begin Aug. 17 before we see how much input he'll have.
Chris
2:18
Was last year the ceiling for James Washington? I kind of think it was. A solid contributor but no where near being a #1 WR in the league
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't know why you would say that. I don't view him as a No. 1 either, but he certainly get better. He led the team with 735 receiving yards and made a few big plays, but I think there is more in him.
SteelByDesign
2:19
Will this team try to take some pressure off of #7 with scheme this year? Or are we going to see another 5,000 yard season (if healthy)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Ben said today they have to do whatever it takes to win. So if the elbow is healthy and they have to throw it 50 times then they'll probably do it. If it means handing the ball off to Conner 30 times then they'll do that. Ben knows what it takes to win. What they missed most last year was his ability to audible at the LOS and get the offense into the right play.
Chris
2:21
I only say that about James Washington because even in his second year he still seems tentative on the field.  A bit nervous even. He never looks aggressive.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
He definitely had a slow start to his career, but I think he can be a solid No. 2 or No. 3. Probably more of a No. 3 with the Steelers under the current configuration of the room.
DaquidoBazzini
2:22
Hi Ray - I can' see letting Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball 50 or 60 times a game anymore. What figure do you think would be a good balance for him? Obviously, improvements in the running game will help to determine that.
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