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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.12.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions. We will get started soon.
Steeler Dan
11:56
First of all, condolences go out to the Drake family and the Steelers on the death of Darryl Drake.  He touched so many lives in a very positive way.  I know it may be too early for this question, but will the Steelers hire a replacement or will someone in house take over coaching the WRs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
They will hire someone to replace him. The Steelers are mourning Darryl's loss, but they will be back at practice Tuesday. They'll find a way to move on without him. The Steelers have a few options. Hines Ward spent a lot of time with the Steelers during the 2017 season. He was a training camp intern and also visited practices throughout that season. Some believed Hines might get the job after Richard Mann retired, but Mike Tomlin hired Drake instead. Hines is now a camp intern with the Jets. Ray Sherman has been at camp this summer with the Steelers. He was the OC here in 1998. He was a receivers coach in the league from 2000 until 2015. He is 67. The young assistants are Blaine Stewart and Matt Symmes. Will Gay, who played for the Steelers from 2007-11 and again from 2013-17, is a camp intern this summer and has been working with the receivers.
Ken
12:01
Does Antonio Brown have a point?  If a player wants to use a piece of equipment that they feel is safe and will sign off on a document relieving the NFL of any liability, then why not allow him to use it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Because the NFL just settled a nearly $1 billion settlement with former players a few years ago on the concussion issue. The NFL and NFLPA worked together on this issue and they're trying to do what's right.
JerseySteel
12:03
Hi Ray - some of the more heralded young players clearly had a good game on Friday - James Washington and Devin Bush. I also thought that Ulyses Gilbert and Tuzar Skipper flashed as well. What did you think of their performance and do you think either have a chance to make the roster or practice squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I agree with you on Gilbert and Skipper. The Steelers kept five ILBs last year to begin the year. Matthew Thomas made the 53-man roster after Ola Adeniyi got hurt. So if they keep five this year Gilbert would certainly be in the running behind Bush (lock), Barron (lock) Willliams (lock) and Matakevich, who also looked good Friday night. Skipper is an interesting player. I'm not sure if there is room for him at OLB with Dupree, Watt, Ola and Chickillo, but the practice squad is definitely a possibility.
CoalportKid
12:05
How did Sutton Smith do in the first preseason game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
He was injured and did not play.
CoalportKid
12:05
If Mason Rudolph wins the backup job, is there really any reason to keep Josh Dobbs instead of trade him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I think so. He's a good teammate and certainly brings running ability to the table. He's also on a cheap rookie contract so unless he can be flipped for a significant pick then I keep him. By the way, Rudolph still has a ways to go before unseating him. Rudolph looked good Friday night, but I thought Dobbs was fine, too. That long scramble is something the other Qbs in camp just can't do.
Joe G
12:07
What do you make of Layne channeling his best Artie Burns performance on Friday?  At what point do our defensive coaches realize that 10-12 yard cushions are just not a good idea?  The more space a corner gives the harder it is to play with aggressive confidence?  We’ve seen the movie so many times before...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
It was his first NFL game, and it was not good.  But let's not label him anything just yet. The Steelers are not grooming him for a role this year. It should be a redshirt year for him unless there are injuries.
Joe G
12:08
We need to find a third veteran corner who can play, and compete!!!, in the event Hayden or Nelson gets hurt.  This seems like a bigger priority than TE or FS.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
That's why they're keeping Artie Burns around. They're evaluating him this summer. They paid him a $800,000 roster bonus at the beginning of camp. That doesn't mean he'll be the third CB, but they want to see if he can bounce back. If he can't be the third CB they'll adjust. Cameron Sutton is having a very good camp. He could be that guy.
Frank Pollard
12:09
not sure I liked the Snell football, did people buy into this thing too early? Was his performance mostly the line, or him or both - two yards and a cloud of dust?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Another so-so debut. He tried to bounce one outside when it clearly called for him to get up the field. I think he'll learn from it. Also, he was playing behind mostly guys who won;t be on the 53-man roster. Let's take that into consideration. Of the starting five OL only Matt Feiler dressed, and he played out of position at guard.
Joe G
12:11
Bush, Baron, and Gilbert add real speed and athleticism to the middle of the D.  Make the roles for Williams and Dirty Red much more defined to their strengths.  Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I do agree. Williams is the thumper, the run-stopper in the middle of the defense. He's a very effective blitzer too. Matakevich can be his backup if they keep him. Then you have Bush, Barron and Gilbert, all of whom are the mordern-day ILB, the fast, rangy defender that can go sideline to sideline, disrupt plays with their speed and play in coverage.
Joe G
12:13
Could we move an OL or two to shore up weakness elsewhere or hold in the event of injury?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
You need depth along the offensive line. The Steelers have a franchise QB to protect so they won't make any rash decisions to deplete that depth. Just look back at last season. Marcus Gilbert missed 10 games. Matt Feiler stepped in and started for him and did very well. There was the Ramon Foster scare in training camp. BJ Finney filled in until he came back. It's nice to have quality depth at a position, especially one that is so important to a team that passes as much as the Steelers.
Utah Jim
12:15
On Washington’s long catch from Dobbs he stops running and jumps for the ball. Could he have caught it in full stride or was the ball under thrown a bit?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I thought it was a bit underthrown. I think he needed to come back for that one a bit.
Steeltowntim@aol.com
12:15
D. Spencer looks good for returns I think he might push Eli for 6th receiver spot not sure Rodgers ever fully recovered.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
We'll see. Eli has been looking pretty good running routes. The issue is this: do you need him because Ryan Switzer is basically the same player, even in terms of what he provides on special teams. The same holds true for Spencer. The sixth receiver last season was Darrius Heyward-Bey. So maybe a guy like Johnny Holton gets a look. He's a gunner, and they need gunners.
eric
12:18
Ray, thanks for the chat - did we learn anything about the fringe players, those fighting for roster or practice squad spots?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I think we learned a little. We'll learn a lot more over the next three weeks. He was mentioned earlier, but Ulysees GIlbert took a step forward. He flashed more in that game than he has in camp. Johnny Holton is another guy that flashed more in the game than he had at camp. He had been in and out of practice with injuries. Three more opportunities ahead for all the young guys.
Professor Flush
12:19
Were you happy with the increased "speed" of the defensive side of the line Sat nite?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
It was certainly noticeable. Let's see how it translates in the regular season, but yeah it was pretty obvious.
BlackJack Bill
12:20
Why dont season ticket holders give their preseason tickets to youth football teams, church groups, etc if they dont want to attend the game. The attendance at Heinz Field was pitiful....Just Sayin'.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I agree with you. The preseason games are a great time to get young kids that otherwise wouldn't be able to go to games to see what it's like.
AR20
12:21
Really curious why with Dobb's speed and intellect SOMONE hasn't suggested a "SLASH" role for him.  The fear of injury should be negated by having Randolph handy if needed.  I was a huge fan of Kordell's "SLASH" career...somone should show Tomlin the tape!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Dobbs can run, but he's not Kordell Stewart.
James from Philly
12:22
Hay Ray.. Thanks for the chats.  I think BJ Finney is a lot higher priority than people realize. You think he gets a decent extension?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
If they wanted to extend Finney they would have done so in the spring. Instead they decided to sign Ramon Foster to a two-year deal while signing Finney as an RFA. It doesn't appear the Steelers view him as a long-term starter. So my guess is he'll enter free agency and look for a contract that will pay him like a starter over the course of a long-term deal.
BlackJack Bill
12:23
Your thoughts on Johnny Holton.....can he make the team and play on special teams?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
He was practically in the lap on Tampa's punt returner on one occasion. I couldn't believe he got down there so fast. He could make it on special teams. The Steelers have kept guys that strictly play special teams in the past. Heyward-Bey is one. Nat Berhe is another before he was injured last season. Robert Golden was in that mold although he did develop into a competent reserve at safety.
Guest
12:25
Ray, Looks like the Patriots just acquired Eric Saubert from the Falcons for a conditional 7th rd. draft pick. He's a 3rd year TE who played in all the Falcon's games last year. Why don't the Steelers get more aggressive in addressing their TE needs? This guy sounds better than any TE on our roster save Mac...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
They still have time to make a move if they want. They did keep Jesse James as a rookie in 2015 when he didn't dress until November. I imagine they'll do the same with Gentry this year.  The issue is the backup. Is Xavier Grimble trustworthy enough to perform in that role?
KJ
12:26
I agree with your assessment of Benny Snell - he seemed to lack the burst of speed to get through some holes on Friday night.  Did that seem apparrent to you as well, Ray? I hope that running behind the starting line will fix that.
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