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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.15.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Texas Dan
12:01
Will the Steeler extend anyone else before the start of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
No. Alex Highsmith was their only priority this summer, and they were able to sign him before camp. The next contract extension will be Pat Freiermuth, but they won't worry about that until next spring/summer.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:03
Ray:  I thought Okorafor played poorly and gave up pressures a couple of times in his limited number of snaps.  He also had a really low PFF grade.  Why isn't there more consideration to Jones starting at LT and Moore at RT?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Okorafor was only in there for 10 snaps with the rest of the first-team offense. I'd say that's a pretty small sample size. I saw the pressures you are referring to, but he won't be judged on one short performance in a preseason game. If he does not play well during the regular season it will be considered, but they're not going to cut him. He's a $10.3 dead cap hit if they do. They're going to give him every opportunity to be the starter.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:05
Ray:  Will they stick with Roberts and Holcomb as starters just because they signed them earlier and for more money even if Alexander continues to obviously outperform them?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
The best players will play. I do think Holcomb and Roberts will begin the season as starters. It could be as simple as Alexander being involved in certain packages. Maybe he plays for Roberts sometimes and maybe he plays for Holcomb sometimes. Maybe it's a week-to-week thing depending on matchups. But he has played well in camp and was a standout in the Tampa game so I appreciate the question.
Yogi
12:07
Ray, I thought Trenton Thompson looked like a legit NFL DB on Friday. That was a nice pick he had. Did you give him any consideration when you picked your projected 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Not much. It's a crowded secondary and he'd have to leapfrog over other players who have performed well in camp.
wiscoken
12:08
Hey Ray, do you see the Steelers possibly targeting a backup center prior to the start of season as it feels like one of the bigger fall offs with regards to quality of depth. Realize the likelihood of backup talent being available is slim, but it sure feels like an area of vulnerability.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I have every expectation that Nate Herbig will be the backup center. They have used Green a lot as the second-team center in camp, but I think they're married to him being in that role once the season starts. Herbig has repped at center some in camp and there is plenty of time for him to get more as the preseason winds down.
Ryan
12:09
Good afternoon Ray the way Kenny Robinson has looked in practices and the game Friday does he make the team this year go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
I think he's under strong consideration, but it's a numbers game with him, Tre Norwood and Elijah Riley. Not sure more than one of that trio makes the 53-man roster.
Infantryman
12:10
Montravius Adams must be a Tomlin favorite. He is easily pushed around during a game and now, come.to find out, he gets pushed around in practice by one of our worst linemen, Kendrick Green. Why is Tomlin so high on this guy? Fehoko commands a double team, keeping him makes the D line deeper and stronger. Adams needs to get on with his life's work. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I don't think Adams has a roster spot locked up by any means, but he's consistently been in there with the first-team defense this summer. Keeanu Benton will take over that role in time (it could be sooner rather than later) and then the coaches must decide between Adams' versatility and Fehoko's abilities as a run-stopper. Benton's ankle injury might complicate things. They practice soon so we'll see if he's able to be out there this week and play on Saturday.
Bernard
12:12
I'm not impressed with recent HoF inductees Z Thomas and R Barber.  What former Steelers would you contend should be in the HoF?  I am prone to H Ward, LC Greenwood, and actually James Harrison given recent inductee resumes.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Of those you listed I'd say Ward first. He has the numbers and he was arguably the best blocking receiver of all-time. Harrison was a great player too. He was dominant at his position for 3 or 4-year stretch. Maybe not long enough for HOF voters, but he had a very distinguished career. Greenwood is worthy too, but the writers can vote him in now. It's up to the veteran's committee.
Doyle37
12:15
When will the NFL ditch the scrum play. Carrying or pushing a RB or QB is not football.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
They had a chance to get rid of it in the spring, but the owner's didn't vote on it.
Doyle37
12:15
The hit by Alexander was real football. When do the "suits" stop messing with the game ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I thought it was a good hit too, but DC Teryl Austin said anytime a player shows the officials the crown of his helmet he's going to be called for that. It's a new day in the NFL. I get the player safety side of it, but it's a collision sport. Soon, they'll just be putting flags on their pants.
Louis Thunder Lipps
12:17
You’ve seen a lot of the new ILBs now. Are they all better than Devin Bush looked?  If so, in what ways specifically?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
All of them.
wiscoken
12:18
Ray, in your opinion, how close are we to seeing a change at punter? Is it 50/50, or does Harvin have a commanding hold (or are we somewhere in between). Harvin has been consistently inconsistent over his first two years; hard to figure how he could finally figure it out in his third season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Mann was just OK against the Bucs. Harvin will get this next game in all likelihood. I wouldn't say Mann has been heads and shoulder above Harvin in practice so take that for what it's worth.
Weezie
12:21
I keep thinking Connor Heyward could be used as the new Hines Ward.  He's smaller than a typical TE and is tough.  Any thoughts on this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
He's similar in some ways, different in others. The common thread is they are football players first before position if you know what I mean.
Yogi
12:22
How much do you think Canada will empower Pickett to audibilize? People close to the Steelers regularly rave about his football IQ and work ethic (KP's, not MC's). Maybe he'll let the kid change some calls at the line then?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I think that will happen more this year. Pickett has talked about having more ownership of the offense. Changing the plays at the line of scrimmage is part of that. I see it in practice. If he sees something in the defense he'll change protection or the formation. It's a natural progression for a second-year QB who feels more comfortable.
Doyle37
12:24
Can Austin survive a full season? I sure hope so
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I'm sure they're crossing his fingers. He can be a weapon for them.
Yogi
12:25
Mark Robinson is intriguing. Just the way he carries himself out there- like Greg Lloyd. How did he grade out in the Tampa game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
DC Teryl Austin talked with reporters on Sunday and had some good things to say about his development. I think he has to get better in coverage, but they like his demeanor and his abilities as a run-stopper.
AK
12:26
For the fans who think Rudolph will be moved ahead of Trubisky (I don’t), can we please put that to rest.  If the Steelers thought Rudolph was better they have extended him instead.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Correct. I There was questions about moving Trubisky in a trade in this chat that I refuse to answer. They like his experience and perhaps most importantly his mobility. Rudolph is a pocket passer with much mobility at all.
Bobby in CA
12:27
Not Steelers related, but any interaction with Bill Simmons at HC?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
He was a senior when I was a freshman. I believe he did the color commentary on the college radio station for football games, but I don't think I ever had any interactions with him. He's done quite well though in this journalism thing.
AK
12:29
It seems like Green’s days are numbered.  Would they sign him to the PS when he clears waivers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I think that's a possibility especially if they value what he can do as a fullback and want to elevate him to the active roster for a game when they want to play with heavy personnel.
Big Sid
12:31
Do you remember a Steelers’ team with this much depth, especially across the O and D-lines?
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