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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.17.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:14
Cuts have not been announced yet. 4 p.m. is the deadline to let the NFL know.
Phil
1:14
With the addition of Schobert, do you expect a lot more Nickel defense instead of dime in order to keep both Schobert and Bush on the field at the same time?  I think they played a lot of dime last year because of the injury to Bush and the lack of coverage linebackers.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
I think that's definitely a possibility, but there will be times when you have to play six DBs due to certain matchups. But your point is a good one. More nickel could be in play this year.
kevin in Punxsy
1:16
Ray, if Bush can't cover TE's, why did the Steelers take him at #10?  Was it a bad Reach?  Will Schobert and Bush have to trade positions if Schobert is the "Cover" guy instead of Bush?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
They were desperate for a three-down ILB. They believed it was the missing ingredient to their defense. Hey, maybe he's not that guy, but he can still be a big-time contributor, especially if he's not put in situations where he has to cover guys that are taller and longer then he is.
Trevor
1:17
Hi Ray…can you compare the good points and bad points of Samuels and D. Watt?  Personally, I think Samuels has more to offer if it comes down to one of them being cut.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
You're forgetting about special teams. Watt is one of their top special teamers. You need guys like that on your team.
Davefromsc
1:18
Is Zack banner a liability in pass protection? Seems like a great young man but I worry about him protecting Big Ben.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
We're going to find out. They like Banner, but he hasn't played much. I do think he'll help the run game improve.
1984 Steelers
1:19
Vic Fangio the Denver coach who authorized the trade down out of #10 can be quoted to the effect that Bush was too short and a reach
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
Where do we find that quote?
Pat
1:20
Hi Ray, I realize it’s only practice but how does Ben’s arm look from your vantage point? Do you see any issues or concerns?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
I do not. But I didn't see any issues in camp last year. Ben said he feels really good, but it's all about how he feels late in the season. That's when his play deteriorated last year.
Jim
1:21
With the cap room we have now, it seems like we made a bonehead move releasing Nelson, I think we would be a much better team with him there, do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:22
Let's see how Sutton does. The market was not big for Nelson. He signed for $4 million over one year, not all guaranteed. The Steelers signed Sutton for $4.5 million a year. I think they believe he's the better player in the short- and long-term.
Displaced Steeler fan
1:23
Ray...rating the O line as a 2 is a bit frightening, but also realistic given that none of them have played together as a unit.  My question is how realistic will it be for the line to grow this year into a 4 or 5 grade?  And is there any way you can have a winning NFL football team with a line that poor?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:24
Yes there is. I answered the questions as honestly as I could. We haven't seen them play together. Some of these guys are coming off injuries. Maybe Trai Turner rediscovers his Pro Bowl days and maybe Zach Banner plays well after his ACL surgery. And maybe Kendrick Green is good as a rookie. For me, there are just too many ifs to believe they'll be an asset, but maybe they'll prove me and a lot of other people wrong.
Danno
1:25
Based on what you have heard is it looking like Ballage is the front runner for being the top backup for Harris?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:27
Tomlin likes Ballage. I can see him being the backup. Not sure what that would mean for Snell, who is a good special teams player. Maybe that's Snell's role this year if he's on the roster.
1984 Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
1:29
I posted your link, but in now way did Fangio say he was a liability in coverage.
OK time to watch some football practice. We'll chat again next Tuesday.
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