JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.17.21

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.17.21

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Ray Fittipaldo

12:53

The big difference is Watt is present at camp. He is in the meetings. He is at practice. He conditions on the side at practice. He even does some individual drills. When it's time to play he'll be ready. When Bell held out he was not present. He refused to come. So please don't tell me it's a similar situation. It's not really close.

Displaced Steeler fan

12:53

Where is Devin Bush in his recovery? Are the Steelers concerned about his availability in the short term? Seems to me that the acquisition of Schobert suggests the Steelers may be feeling uncomfortable with where Bush is right now.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:55

Bush did not start camp on PUP so they were pleased with his progress from the ACL surgery. They have worked him in slowly. I don't view the Schobert deal as having anything to do with Bush's health. I just think they believe Schobert can improve the defense.

Leon

12:55

Ray, great chat as always. This new LB, do you think they consider him a long term addition or a one year rental?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:56

Good question. They can get out of the deal for nothing at the end of the year. So it'll depend on how he plays. There are some big numbers on the final three years of the deal. The other solution is to sign him to a new deal at a lower number if he wants to stay.

Daniel

12:56

Do you think James Washington is a luxury for the Steelers? Why not trade him and develop one of young WRs such as Bussey, Johnson or Sexton?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:57

Those guys can develop on the practice squad. I want an experienced WR like Washington on the roster. He has a resume. Those other guys don't.

Jeffrey P.

12:57

As a former OL, how hard is it to be able to play on both sides of the line? Is it as complicated coordination wise as a switch hitter in baseball or not really that big of a deal? I would think having to learn different job assignments for each side of the line for all of the plays is complicated too.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:59

I went back and forth without too much of a problem, but I do know others struggle with it. It takes reps. You're putting the opposite hand down and the footwork is the opposite. There are some guys who just are more comfortable on one side than the other.

Ray,

12:59

Is Allen eligible for the practice squad, if Steelers decide to keep both Roche and Jones, sacrificing an ILB for an OLB?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:59

Yes Marcus Allen is eligible for the practice squad.

LivinTheDream

1:00

Ray,Here is a prediction. Sometime this year Sutton will be starting at slot and Mark Gilbert will be starting on the outside. What say you?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:00

I was with you until you wrote Mark Gilbert. How about James Pierre?

Brenda

1:00

Hi Ray, I enjoy your chats. Are Derek Watt making the team and T.J. Watt signing an extension related? Thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:00

Jeff

1:01

I am due for another jersey. Safest bet to play our the rest of their career in Pittsburgh...Watt, Minkah, clayppool or Najee?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:02

That's a good question. I'd go with Watt or Fitzpatrick.

Ray,

1:02

Has Layne merited a position on the 53 or does being a 3rd round choice protect him for another year?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:03

He needed to show something, and he did by getting that INT versus the Eagles. It was thrown right to him, but at least he caught it. But he's not really competing with Pierre. I think Pierre is ahead of him.

Ryan

1:03

Good afternoon Ray with the game that Jamir Jones had last week does he make the 53 or practice squad go Steelers

Ray Fittipaldo

1:03

Right now I have him on the 53, but there is a long way to go. Two more games and some important practices.

Nate from Fort Wayne

1:04

How do you feel about the NFL wanting to crack down more on taunting penalties? I'd hate to see more of those called if they can't even see that huge non-call on the hold on Sutton during that 79 td pass by the Eagles.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:05

I don't like it. Call the egregious ones. The one from the colts-Lions game was terrible. I know officials are asked to make these new rules points of emphases during the preseason so I hope they have enough common sense to call the ones that are only necessary during the regular season.

1984 Steelers

1:06

Why did they hire Adrian Klein if he was party to last year’s atrocious line play? Still don’t follow.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:06

He interviewed well and convinced Mike Tomlin he had a plan to improve the running game.

1:07

Probably the backup place kicker and some fourth-stringers. No one of note.

21-58-66

1:07

Ray - Thanks for the chats. Who do you think will be released today to get down to 85?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:07

Question to previous answer

Jim Bob

1:07

How is Snell a better option than Jaylen Samuels? I just don't see what he brings to the table that isn't available with Harris and Ballage.

Ray Fittipaldo

1:08

Snell is probably a better short-yardage back; Samuels likely the better pass catcher. I think Snell makes it over Samuels, but it's close.

Krugerrand

1:10

Is Dobbs eligible for the practice squad?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:10

Four of your 16 on the P squad can be of any experience level so yes Dobbs is eligible

1984 Steelers

1:10

Has Bush been passed over for Scobert with respect to the green dot on the helmet or is it having to do with the height issue?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:11

My guess is he's not a good matchup for bigger TEs. They think Schobert will be a better matchup. We'll see, but covering TEs has been a problem over the years for this defense.

1:12

Nelson was good in 2019. I didn't think he was as good last season. They like Sutton, but this is his first opportunity to start. Let's see how he does. The Steelers believe he'll be fine.

Guest

1:12

Do you think there will be a noticeable drop off from Nelson to Sutton? Nelson was lights out and underrated!

Ray Fittipaldo

1:12

Question to previous answer

Rod

1:13

On a scale of one to ten, where do you see the offensive line at the opening of 2021 season?

Ray Fittipaldo

1:13

Tom in Dallas