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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.10.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I addressed this earlier. I do not think he played poorly. You mentioned the two key plays that thwarted those early drives. A QB needs help and he didn't get much on those first two drives.
Ghollywoodg
2:04
Been hearing a lot about Zack gentry and saw him play a little bit the other night…. What has been his biggest overall area of improvement ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
He is bigger and strong and just looks more confident. We'll have to see how it plays out, but he's been solid so far in camp.
Joe
2:05
Has Kalen Ballage emerged as Harris's primary backup?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
He's in the running. Tomlin seems to like him a lot.
Brad in Seattle
2:06
Has Highsmith bulked up noticeably this year? He really did more resemble Woodley in that 56 jersey in this first preseason game...well, at least closer to Dupree's size. I just seem to recall Highsmith being "lankier" last year. Am I remembering wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
That's a good observation. He looks confident and played like it against the Cowboys.
Mikey D
2:06
Although the HOF game had a lot of pre-snap motion etc. how much of Canada's offense will they really show before week 1?  also, do you expect to see a lot more play action with Ben under center?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
That's the plan, but you know play-action only works with an effective running game. That's the first thing that has to happen before we see the entire Matt Canada playbook.
Jason
2:07
Hi Ray! I’ve read predictions anywhere from 5-12 to 12-5. Why do you think there is so much disagreement between sports writers? Is it the O-L or Ben or the D that’s causing them to be all over the board?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I haven't seen too many 5-12 predictions. I think most people like me see them as a fringe playoff team, right around .500. And yes, for me, the issue is the offensive line. I just don't have a good feel for how they're going to play.
Steeler in Virginia
2:09
I remember a few years ago stories about how Ben didn’t throw an INT all camp. This year we’ve heard about a handful of INTs. Cause for concern? Good sign for the defense? Or just playing loose at camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
The new playbook probably has something to do with it. Minkah Fitzpatrick does too. He's pretty good.
Jim
2:10
I like that Najee runs hard, but I also would like to see the lanes a little more open, only one game, hopefully the line can start opening some holes that he can hit. Do you think he can take the pounding of a full season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
That's why they drafted him. They like workhorse running backs.
lawrence
2:11
I think it was a mistake to draft an undersized Green. NFL is a different beast and the Steelers should not have passed on Humphrey and Dickerson. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Time will tell, but he hasn't been overmatched from what I've seen. I too think his size could be an issue, but he's scrappy and athletic so those two qualities should help him.
JS
2:12
Who is looking better in camp, Snell or Ballage?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Ballage.
Lamberts missing tooth
2:12
Thoughts on Bundage?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
He's been noticeable. He's athletic. If he can continue to play well on play special teams he'll give himself a chance.
Phil
2:15
Hello Ray…at the HOF ceremony, it seemed that Art Rooney, II and Coach Cowher did not acknowledge Coach LeBeau while Troy was praising and thanking him for his efforts.  Are there still hard feelings between the parties?  Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Not at all. It's hard to mention every person who had a positive impact for you in a six-minutes speech.
Mercury
2:16
If it comes down to Hines Ward or Andre Johnson for the HOF next year, who gets in?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
My gut says Andre Johnson. He has 62 more receptions and more than 2,000 yards more than Ward. It's not that Johnson is more deserving than Ward, but I think stats play a role in how these guys are viewed by the selector. Ward impacted the game in so many ways beyond stats, but how many selectors understand that? I have my doubts.
Cannonball Butler
2:19
The Steeler running backs after Harris look to be a problem in waiting. Any sense they will bring in a "somewhat" big name?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I think RB depth is the least of their concerns. They don't have anyone close to Harris' ability, but Ballage and Snell could fill in fine on a short-term basis.
AZ Stiller
2:20
What is your understanding of Washington's request for a trade? Here's a thought that maybe Dulac would appreciate more....want more playing time? EARN IT.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Adam Schefter reported it. Not sure of his source, but the Steelers said it never happened. Maybe they're lying. Who knows? I do know Dez Bryant was tweeting about Washington before this report surfaced so someone in his camp wanted that out there.
AZ Stiller
2:21
What in the world is going on with Devin Bush? Call if fan PTSD but he sure is giving me Lev Bell and AB vibes. What is your sense here? Just generational nonsense that old farts like me can't stand?
Methuselah Thõempkrësharh
2:23
How many SB rings, SB MVPs and... ACLs does Andre Johnson have?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Good point, but he's not a QB. WRs, for better or worse, are not judged in that manner.
Donna
2:24
Hi Ray.  With Mike Lange’s retirement, I was wondering if you ever had a chance to meet him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I did but just in passing. A long time ago, someone I know got a 00 Penguins sweater with Lange's name on the back. He met him before the game and Lange called him Lance. He thought the name on the back of the sweater was Lance. Ha ha.
Methuselah Thõempkrësharh
2:25
Minkah is really good at Ints but can't or wont tackle... That Buffalo game was a snap shot of his season, not a bad game 1 off. Yet he's  All Pro. OK... but is he going to change the tackling problem this season or do we just appreciate he's  the only DB that seems to be able to catch And... get YAC?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
He didn't tackle well last year. I didn't think there were major issues.in 2019.
Outside of the Box
2:27
Hi, Ray...understanding it is still early in the preseason, but from what you know and have seen, where would you put the percentage chances that the Steelers end up signing an ILB for vet depth, ala Mel Ingram at OLB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
From what I've seen to this point, better than 50-50.
lawrence
2:28
Can we trade TJ to Arizonal for 2 1st and 1 3rd so that he can be united with JJ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Sure if you'd like to see Kevin Colbert fired.
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