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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.06.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:52
Good morning. Let's chat about the Steelers.
Lou
9:52
Hi Ray. If the Ayuk trade happens, is a 2 in 2025 and 3 in 2025 too much?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:53
I'd be OK with a 2 for sure, but maybe the Steelers would throw in a 3 because they should be getting some comp picks next year. It all seems a moot point now though because reports out of San Francisco are saying the Steelers didn't offer enough to get Aiyuk. Of course, Aiyuk controls the whole deal. He doesn't have to go anywhere he doesn't want to go. So stay tuned.
JPinIndy
9:54
Good morning Ray and thanks for the chat! Looking ahead to the Pre-season opener ... what will you be watching most closely when we kick off this weekend?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:55
The offensive line and the play of the receivers. The offensive line has done well up here in Latrobe, but I want to see them against a different team. Same goes for the receivers. Van Jefferson has had a good camp, but let's see him against some different corners and see how he does. You can throw Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller into the conversation too. They're new to the Steelers and I'm interested to see what they can provide to the offense.
Jeff
9:55
Ray, how many other teams would play a LT (Moore) that is viewed as serviceable but certainly not considered in the top 15 in the league and stunt the growth of two No. 1 picks at their preferred positions? The Steelers aren't winning a Super Bowl with Moore at LT so why not let the young guys get all the reps to be as good as they can be as soon as they can be?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:56
That's just not the way the Steelers operate. They aren't going to hand over a starting job to a rookie two weeks into training camp. They've never done that under Tomlin. Once he earns their trust he'll be in the starting lineup. He's done well so far and if he continues on the same trajectory I think he'll be a starter soon, but it's not going to happen in early August.
X Yunzer
9:57
Ray - thanks as always for your input.  How do Frazier and Fautanu look at practice?  What has to happen for them to start against the Falcons?  Suppose that they decide to move on from Moore - let's say that some team needs a starting LT - what sort of compensation could he fetch?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:58
We're a month away from the opener against the Falcons so be patient. As for speculative compensation for Dan Moore I'd say a fourth- or a fifth-round pick if a team is in desperate need of a left tackle before the season begins. But there would probably have to be an injury in order to fetch that much for him.
DCSteelers
9:58
Thought it was great that the new WR coach got on Pickens the other day.  I was even slightly encouraged by how Pickens answered questions about it.  If the new coach works out in the long run, Tomlin of course deserves credit, but why don’t we see Tomlin himself come down harder on players for poor performance?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
He does every once in a while on the practice field, mostly with the rookies. But I am sure he does a lot more behind closed doors when fans and media are not witness to it.
Jim_Bow_Dean
9:59
In your 53-man projection you have them keeping three QBs. However, there was a rule change that allows the emergency QB to be on the practice squad. Could that roster spot be best used elsewhere?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
That rule was in place last year and they kept three. I don't see that changing.
Marc from Germany
10:00
Hi Ray! Is Fautanu really that good that early or did TJ go easy on him? I remember last year at this time nobody could block TJ in camp. 'Cause if that's real...ALTER FALTER (old folder) as we say in Germany.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
It's not in Watt's nature to give up a rep to anyone in practice. If he's practicing he's trying to win the rep. It's not a game, but Fautanu won two of three against him. I'm sure the next time they go up against one another Watt will have something new up his sleeve.
Bubbymopsupfornobody!
10:01
Is is likely down to Dylan Cook and Spencer Anderson for the last OL spot? Does Anderson’s position flexibility give him an edge over others?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
I think so yes. Anderson has played mostly left guard this camp, but he played tackle and guard last camp. That versatility is key when you're picking a 53-man roster and more importantly a 46-man gameday roster.
Carl in Carrick
10:02
Good morning Ray.  More rumors about the Steelers trading for Aiyuk.  Should we take this rumor more seriously than previously?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
No. As I said earlier, the ball is in Aiyuk's court. If he really wants to go to the Steelers he can decline those other deals and wait for the 49ers to cave.
RWoodson
10:03
Ray, thanks for your great chats!  Do you think our D-line will be significantly better this year with Benton and some of the younger players developing?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
As long as they're healthy I like the starters, but the depth is questionable.
Darnell
10:04
Hi Ray, if James Daniels would be part of a potential Aiyuk trade, who would you think would be most likely to replace him at guard?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
Probably Fautanu, but Anderson and McCormick have played well this summer. They would have options.
Jim
10:05
Since he's strictly a left tackle and others have position flexibility, is Moore trade bait we can use with SF for Aiyuk?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
I don't know their roster well enough, but like I said earlier Moore likely isn't valuable to another team unless they suffer an injury to a starter.
Jim
10:06
I hear the Browns are offering Cooper, wouldn't the offer of a younger Austin be a better deal for SF?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
You think Calvin Austin III, who has 17 career receptions, is more attractive than Amari Cooper, who has 667 receptions and seven 1,000-yard seasons? I knw Austin is younger, but the 49ers aren't a rebuilding team. They want to win a Super Bowl this season.
Martin
10:08
Hey Ray, are any of the running backs who are competing to back up Harris and Warren standing out to you?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
They're all doing pretty well, but I like Jonathan Ward the most out of that group.
Sal
10:09
Happy Tuesday Ray! Do you foresee Russel Wilson be recovered soon?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
We'll find out soon. They practice in about 20 minutes. They had a day off yesterday so I'm sure they reevaluated his situation. He hasn't really done any team 11-on-11 stuff yet. Obviously has to do that on a consistent basis before he plays in a preseason game, which is why I highly doubt we see him at all on Friday night against the Texans.
JoeHa
10:10
How big of an addition is Cameron Johnston to the Steelers special teams and has Presley Harvin in training camp with anybody ?  Thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
It's only practice, but I think he's going to be a big upgrade over Harvin. You just need someone who is consistent and doesn't crap the bed when you need him the most. I thought I saw Harvin signed somewhere, but not sure if he's still in anyone's camp.
Clayton G.
10:11
Ray, I’m concerned about Wilson being healthy enough to play an entire season.   Do you think Fields is capable of leading the Steelers or is it too early to tell?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
I definitely think he is. I'm not saying he's a better option than Wilson at this point. There is a reason Mike Tomlin gave him the "pole position." But Fields has been getting better each day in camp. I think Arthur Smith could make it work with him.
Jim
10:12
Last year the offense looked great in the preseason then let us down during the season. Is there a reason to believe this offense will be better than last years based on what you have seen so far?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
Yes -- for several reasons. Arthur Smith for one. The QBs for another. An improved offensive line for another.
Teddy
10:13
Are the Steelers close to an extension with either Pat Freiermuth or Cam Heyward? Do you think either gets done before opening day? Thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
10:14
I still think Freiermuth has a chance to get a new deal before the season.
MBP
10:14
Ray - Greetings from soggy Savannah.  I am having a hard time separating fact from fiction with respect to Justin Fields.  Is he an NFL-caliber quarterback?  From what you have seen, is he anything more than a gadget player?
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