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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.10.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:39
Let's get the chat started.
Artie Bridge
1:41
Ray, Open-ended questions:  what's your biggest positive take-away from the Dallas game?  What's your major concern?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:42
It was the first preseason game so I don't want to read too much into it either way. I liked what I saw out of Najee Harris. Maybe we'll get a chance to see Pat Freiermuth against the Eagles Thursday night. I want to keep seeing the new guys.
KN
1:42
Hello.  Thank you as always for the chat. After watching more than half of the training camp and the HOF game, do you think that Steelers have a good solution to the slot corner ( other than Sutton) and the back up safety spot or are they better served going outside for someone like Jags CB Anderson or the free agent S Tre Boston ?  Thank you very much.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:44
Probably too early to tell. Antoine Brooks did some good things in the Dallas game and has been playing OK in practice. I just go back to what Teryl Austin told us the first week of camp. He's not in a hurry to make a decision on the No. 3 CB. He'd be fine taking it up to the first week. They're going to let this play out.
Paul from Sacramento
1:44
Hi Ray, Thanks for the chats and podcasts with Brian. Do you think there is anything to Washington's absence and (I guess) his wish to be traded?  What is your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:44
Tomlin said he's going to be out a day or two with an injury. That's it. Not sure if he'll play against the Eagles, but the injury isn't a long-term one.
Ghollywoodg
1:45
Any word on TJ Watt’s contract ?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:46
It's their No. 1 priority. But it's going to be a monster deal so I am not sure there will be a conclusion soon. Tomlin didn't seem too concerned about Watt missing practices when he was asked about it today.
Chuck from Michigan
1:46
Ray, not a fan of Eric Ebron since he came in to the league with the Lions.  Will Steelers dress three TE's this season, given Kevin Rader is a good special teams contributor and/or Zach Gentry is a big blocking body?  Need some variety in the offense with three TE packages!  Hoping this is the last year for  Eric Ebron and his "stone" hands!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:47
They'll definitely dress three TEs. Not sure about four although you correctly point out Rader showed he can be a quality special teams player late last season.
Kool-Aid
1:47
Hi Ray, Do you feel it would be best for Steelers to grant Haden an extension as per his request?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:49
That's not a front burner issue for them in camp. Watt is the first priority. Haden is 32 and entering the final year of his deal.
Methuselah Thõempkrësharh
1:49
Hey Ray, My wife & I enjoyed many of the HoF speeches this past weekend. Humor, poignant messages to famlies... but as the attempt to gaslight the world is in full swing, it was edyfying to hear Donnie Shell & Isaac Bruce speak Truth of scripture. Appreciate you guy!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:50
It was a great weekend in Canton. I enjoyed covering the game and the enshrinement ceremonies.
Guest
1:50
hey ray thanks for taking my question, do you in your heart of hearts believe ben can lead the steelers to a super bowl this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:51
If they can get into the tournament they'll have a chance. But it's going to be tough to make the playoffs this year given the strength of the division and the first-place schedule they have to play.
Kool-Aid
1:51
Ray, Do you prefer covering training camp at St. Vincent College or from Heinz Field?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
I enjoy the charm of Saint Vincent to an extent, but logistically it's much easier to cover at Heinz Field.
fredward
1:52
What are the chances Dotson isn't starting Week 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
I'd be shocked if Dotson was not the starter in Buffalo.
Scuba Steve
1:53
At what point with Watt stop pouting in the corner like a five-year old and come to grips with the fact this is NOT how you negotiate with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
If the Steelers don't have a problem with Watt sitting out practices then why do you? Did you ever think the Steelers don't want him practicing for the same reason. They don't want him to get hurt.
TP Hunter
1:54
Hi Ray, thanks for the chat. Should we be disturbed that the best-performing Steeler QB in the Hall of Fame game was Dobbs, the so-called fourth-stringer?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
I wouldn't read too much into those performances. If Chase Claypool catches that third-down pass we might be talking about a Mason Rudolph-led TD drive instead of him not leading the offense to any points.
Jim
1:55
I was encouraged by how the young DB's looked last Thurs, what did you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
There were a few good moments. The Cowboys did have a lot of passing yards so there were some negative moments too. There are three more preseason games. Lots of time to evaluate.
Ryan
1:56
Good afternoon Ray what did you think about the play of Jamir Jones In the hall of fame game he looked pretty good i thinks he makes practice squad what do you think
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
He's looked pretty good in practice too. I think he might be one of the guys they try to get onto the practice squad.
Joe
1:57
Given the massive contracts across the NFL & NBA over the last few weeks, does this put the Steelers in an adverse position if TJ wants to "reset" the market?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
I haven't heard anything about Watt wanting to "reset" the market. But he undoubtedly will be one of, if not the highest-paid edge rusher when this is all over.
Marcellus Wallace
1:58
Steelers are currently at 8.5 on the over/under. Advise me.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
That's a good number. I'd say under because I am unsure of the offensive line. I am thinking 8-9 right about now. But if the O-line jells and the run game is decent they have a chance to be better.
Joe
1:59
Do you see the Steelers using their $12m balance to shore up positions before the regular season starts or go with who they have and keep this free in case of injuries during the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I think they're evaluating their depth at ILB and defensive back. I could see them making a move if they're not happy with the depth at those spots.
AZ Stiller
2:00
Did you feel that McFarland had an extra burst when he played in the HOF game? I'm a Terp Alumni so I am a bit biased but I get the impression having a training camp is benefiting him quite a bit. Could he be our number two RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
They are looking at him in different spots this camp so it would appear they have plans for him. Not sure he'll be No. 2. If Snell gets healthy he has the most experience.
Joe
2:02
I could not overlook the irony of James Harrison listening to Troy's HoF speach that was focused on team, commitment, personal integrity - knowing he forced his way out of town to get another shot at the playoffs.  Man over team to me.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I saw Harrison attended, but that thought didn't cross my mind. The Steelers seem to have forgiven him for any missteps he took so I don't spend a lot of time rehashing what took place in 2017.
Pistol
2:03
Did you think Rudolph played particularly bad ? I think the handoff was on Claypool and then he dropped another one on 3rd down when they were driving? Do people just love to hate the guy ?
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