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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.09.22
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Guest
2:26
Hi Ray, Dreaming of a much better Steelers defense this season--is there any chance they would consider acquiring Roquan Smith from the Bears? He's an All-Pro, injury-free, and only 25. He could replace Bush and we'd have a far more formidable defense and be set for years to come in the LB corps...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
He's going to be making a lot of money soon. Not sure that's in their plans after signing Myles Jack toa $16 million deal over two years.
Guest
2:27
ray, why does ben go on talk shows and throw his teammates under the bus, does he want the spot light or what ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
He went on DVE to clarify his quotes from a column Ron Cook penned for the Post-Gazette. To my knowledge, that's the first interview he gave since retiring. He was asked a question and gave an answer. Maybe he should have been more careful with his words, but I don't think there was any bad intent on his part.
PghFNinCali
2:29
Hi Ray. Enjoy your chats. TY!!!  Living on the west coast I don't get much Steelers training camp info. How are the QBs looking? what do you think of the defense secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
QB play has been up and down. Lots of skill guys in and out of the lineup on offense, which I am sure has contributed to the QB issues. But overall not bad. Some good moments and some bad moments. The secondary has looked OK. Levi Wallace is back after missing about a week with an illness.
Mercury
2:31
I haven’t seen or heard anything about DeMarvin Leal so far in training camp. How is he doing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
He's learning. I watched him in 1-on-1s versus the O-line last week and he did well. Now it's about consistency.
Sherry
2:31
Some fans were hopeful that Pickett could start the season as QB, your impressions so far of him in camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
He's not ready to start, but I'm not down on him. He's a rookie and learning the ropes.
Krugerrand
2:32
How would you rank the following QB's:
Mason Rudolph
Jacoby Brissett
Joshua Dobbs
Josh Rosen
Any chance the Browns would want Rudolph for Dobbs and some draft capital?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Brissett probably the best and most experienced of that bunch. And I doubt the Browns would make that deal.
ev
2:32
Hi Ray, I am intrigued by all the young RBs:  Durant, Warren and now Teague. I've heard plenty on Warren, is there anything noteworthy of the other two so far?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Not really. Durant is injured now. But before he went down, Warren was and is the best of the rookie RBs.
Retire21
2:33
Is the full week off between the last preseason game and opener new and if so how do think it could affect late roster juggling?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I think there was a similar schedule last year. It just give the guys who get claimed more time to adjust with their new team. That's about it.
J$Money
2:34
GM Ray, would you trade Claypool and Bush for Roqaun Smith or a 6th round pick for Teven Jenkins? Omar wants to know!!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Depends if I had a sign and trade agreement in place, but as I mentioned earlier Roquan Smith is going to be expensive.
Mercury
2:35
Will Tomlin’s “great and dominant” defense comments rank up there with his “unleash hell in December” if the D fails to improve significantly?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Or his quotes about Belichick to Tony Dungy. Yeah those definitely came to mind when I heard about the 'great and dominant' defense.
wallace82@comcast.net
2:36
Hi, Ray. What do you expect from Trubiski and Pickens Saturdat night?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
They've had a lot of time to work together this summer so they should have some nice chemistry.
pdxJaxon
2:37
Hey Ray. Thanks for the Chats.
Question about DJ's Extension. Conflicting reports on whether it's for 2 years or 3. Can you shed light on that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
It's a new three-year deal worth $39.5 million.
MD
2:37
Ray: on the podcast last week you claimed that Diontae's deal made sense for the team at $13m per year.  Shouldn't you just be considering the new money of $18.4m per year?  How would you have felt about giving him a 2 year, $36.8m deal after this season assuming the same level of performance?  With being able to move cap dollars forward or backwards, an extra year to blend down the average really shouldn't matter or do you have a rationale for why it does?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I'm not sure why this is so difficult for some to understand. Johnson signed a deal through 2024. So he's under contract for '22, '23 and '24. That's three years. The dollar amount is $39.5 million. I don't get the confusion.
wallace82@comcast.net
2:39
Has Big Ben been in camp, does he impact the salary cap in 23?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
He has not been here. I think there is dead money around $10 or million or so.
Turk in MD
2:40
Hi Ray. Can Mason really win the starters spot or is this talk of him having a good camp just window dress
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Rudolph has had a nice camp, but Trubisky is the starter unless he falls on his face in the preseason games.
Steeltown
2:40
Ray, I’m loving this receiving group. Pickens, Johnson, Claypoll, Freiermuth, Austin III, not to mention Najee out of the backfield. So many weapons. I think this offense could be special “even” with a slightly above average QB. Am I way off base?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I like the skill position players, too. But this is a QB league. You need a good one to have success as an offense. I'm also a little worried about the offensive line.
Steeltown
2:41
Ray, I’m most concerned about the o-line, specifically run blocking. How well are they opening up holes in camp (albeit against the worst rated run def. last year)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Better this week, but there are times when the defense dominates them, too.
Gene Takovic
2:42
Ray, I have read conflicting reports on Kendrick Green. In your opinion how has he looked at Guard? Who do you see winning that battle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Kevin Dotson injured his ankle Monday. He did not practice today. That's always been his problem. He can't stay healthy. Green hasn't looked great, but he has an edge because Dotson is banged up now.
Mark
2:43
Re: Johnson's signing.  The PG beat writers were generally skeptical that DJ & the Steelers would come to an agreement.  I've read the analysis' of the signing, the reasons it happened and what was good for both sides, etc.  But this signing seemed to come out of the blue and I haven't seen the timing of it addressed--any insight on exactly what triggered the signing to happen when it did?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
The Steelers had an offer on the table, Johnson accepted the offer. It did not change.
Jacque Strap
2:45
They've been looking at a lot of options at backup RB. Any of these guys have a chance to supplant Snell/McFarland?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Jaylen Warren has a chance. I can also see them scouring the waiver wire after final cut-downs.
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