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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.08.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:49
OK let's get this going. Fire away with your questions!
Jeff
11:50
So much is beingsaid in regards to the initial depth chart. In your years of covering the Steelers, can you elaborate on how much or how little it really means? I'd think depth charts are a very fluid thing on an NFLroster.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
Here's a little secret. The NFL requires all teams to release a depth chart the week of their first preseason game. When we speak with Mike Tomlin after practice today, or more likely tomorrow at his pregame news conference, he'll tell us not to read into it very much. The three preseason games will determine who makes the 53-man roster so take Tomlin's advice and read the depth chart with a grain of salt.
Ed in Carrick
11:52
Are the refs that the team uses at camp NFL refs or are they from the college/high school ranks?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
NFL officials were at camp last week. They come every year and work practices. It's beneficial for the players and the officials. The officials speak with the players go over any new rules and emphases and the players and coaches benefit from the on-field feedback. The Steelers do use college and high school officials during the season at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. They usually work practices once a week or so.
Ed in Carrick
11:53
Pickens’ top five WR list looked great until number 5. Michael Crabtree was a curious selection. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Yeah I saw that too. Maybe he knows him or something like that, but he was definitely out of left field on that list.
Ham & Eggs
11:54
How has J Peazy Jr looked in camp?  Is he NFL-ready yet?  Week #1 starter?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Joey Porter Jr. is having a nice camp. He is being challenged every day by George Pickens. That's a matchup Tomlin hand-picked. He wins some and he loses some, but he'll be hardened by the time the regular season gets here. As for JPJ starting, we'll have to wait and see but regardless of where he is on the depth chart I think he's poised to see a lot of early playing time.
the real guest
11:56
Ray, If you use the NT on less than a third of your D snaps you do not keep 3 NTs on your squad yet MT is giving serious consideration to keeping 3 NTs on the team. What is your take on that? Is it possible that a real (in more than name only) 3 -4 D is coming to town?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
That's a good question. Any nose tackle has to provide some position flexibility. They have so many defensive linemen with NFL experience in camp, and some of those guys will be cut. Playing different spots on the line will definitely help any of those DL batting for a job.
Mtsteel
11:57
Hi Ray and thanks for your time. With the loss of Trice, do you see the Steelers adding another corner, possibly via trade? Or decent free agent pick up?. Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
I think they'll wait to see how some of these other guys play in the preseason.
Yuri
11:58
Hello Ray…is McFarland the clear cut front runner (no pun intended) to be the third running back behind Harris and Warren?  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
If they keep three, yes I think McFarland is probably that guy. But they haven't felt the need to dress him very often when he's been on the active roster the past three years. He doesn't really add any special teams value. Maybe they'll just keep their No. 3 RB on the practice squad this year, if they can. Will be interesting to see how that goes on cut-down day.
Lou
12:00
how’s Kenny looking?  Hopefully equal to or better than the end of last season.  Think he will play at least a couple series on Friday?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Tomlin will let us know tomorrow how much Pickett will or will not play. It won't be a lot if he does play. They now use the second preseason game as the dress rehearsal so I think the home game is when you'll see him for an extended period.
stud cantrell
12:01
Does Cody White have a realistic chance of making the 53 man final roster with a solid preseason. Appears to
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Cody White has had a nice camp. If the Steelers are keeping five or six he'd be one of them based on his performance as a receiver. But that's not always how it works. The fifth and sixth receivers a lot of times usually have to have roles on special teams.
Nate from Fort Wayne
12:03
Morning, Ray. Saw the Steelers just signed Jalen Elliot to help out with the Safety position. Are the Steelers using Elijah Riley as a Safety this year like previous years or using him in more of a CB role this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
They've been taking a long look at Riley as a slot CB, but he has safety versatility.
Bones from Iowa
12:03
Does the Elliott signing reflect some injury issue with Kazee or Neal?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Just that they won't be playing very much or at all on Friday in Tampa.
Troy
12:04
Hi Ray! Do you remember an era where the Steelers were so average at inside linebacker?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
No, but inside linebacker is probably the hardest position to play in the NFL. You have to be able to stop the run and cover in the passing game. It's just hard to find guys who can do both at a high level.
KAAAAHHNNN!!!
12:06
Hello Ray...thanks for the chat. which/how many of the following players do you predict make this team preimarily due to special team skills?
Gunner, Killibrew, Muse, Boykin???
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Killebrew and I think Muse too. If Boykin makes the team it's solely due to special teams. Gunner is another interesting decision. He's probably outperformed Boykin as a receiver, but his value has been decreased due to the new rules on kickoffs. Plus, Austin is probably going to get first shot at return duties anyway.
AZ Steeler
12:08
Have you seen anything that would suggest we are going to have a different punter this season??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Mann has been fairly consistent this summer. Harvin probably has the stronger leg, but he's still inconsistent at times. I'm leaning Mann, but the preseason games will definitely be important in the decision-making process.
AZ Steeler
12:10
Who has been returning punts / kicks most frequently in camp? Sounds like Austin could be the speed demon we need there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Austin is No. 1 right now, but Gunner is returning kicks and punts too along with some others like Dez Fitzpatrick.
AZ Steeler
12:10
Do you foresee Kendrick actually playing fullback during the regular season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Yes I can see that happening. They don't have a traditional fullback on the roster. If they want a true fullback to ram his head into the LOS or kick out a linebacker it's going to be Green. You're not going to ask Connor Heyward to do that kind of dirty work very often. Don't get me wrong. He could do it in a pinch and likely will in some formations, but he's not built like that. He's more valuable as a receiver than he is a lead blocker.
Yogi
12:12
How would you rate Ogunjobi compared to Stephon Tuitt?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
When healthy, Tuitt was the better player -- and probably by a decent margin. But Ogunjobi is a good player, and they're hoping he's better than he was last season when he played the season with some lingering foot issues.
Gm
12:15
What are you looking forward to in Fridays game?  Personally I want to see Benton and Herbig ball out
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Yeah obviously we all want to see the rookie draft picks. That's where my eyes will be. Also some bottom-of-the-roster type guys who have played well in practice. I want to see if there is carryover into games.
Carl in Carrick
12:17
Hey Ray.  I’ve been hearing the Steelers like the offensive lineman Spencer Anderson.  Do you feel the same?  What are his chances of making the team? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
He is a versatile player and I think he's been good for a rookie. If he's not on the 53-man roster I think they'll sign him to the practice squad.
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