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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.18.20
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Jeff
2:23
If there is one thing Rudolph needs to improve upon to be a Neal Odonnell like QB what would it be
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I'd say pocket awareness, timing and just getting a better feel for the speed of the NFL game.
Jeff M
2:24
Hi Ray, Do you know how long it takes to get results back for the COVID-19 testing? If it takes days then wouldn't it already be too late? The player that tests positive would have already been around the team and very possible already passed it along. Not questioning whether they should test or not, they should. Just have doubts that the daily testing can prevent a team outbreak.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Apparently the NBA and its players association funded a study that produced a saliva test that can be read in mere hours. So not sure if the NFL has that type of test, but they are testing and doing rather well when it comes to positive cases.
Mercury
2:26
Obviously everyone wants to know how Ben looks, but how does Mason look? He had a pretty serious injury, too.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
He was out there yesterday and looked good to me.
A-town Steelers fan
2:27
Anyone stand out good or bad?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I thought the rookies had a nice first practice.
Kool-Aid
2:29
Hi Ray, Who in your opinion is the opening day RT?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
My gut tells me Okorafor, but he has to prove he can handle the job.
Buster
2:30
What are the rules this year for putting veterans on the taxi squad? And why is it called the taxi squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Taxi-squad is an older team. It's called the practice squad. Teams can have up to six veterans on their 16-man practices squads this year due to the pandemic.
mrbig
2:32
I've learned via watching Mason that the elite QB's will throw in anticipation... before the cut. I don't think MR has it in him... your thoughts??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
You have to remember in college Rudolph was basically just reading one side of the field. So any hesitation you might have picked up last season could have been due to uncertainty with his reads. Throwing before WRs get out of their cuts is a pretty standard thing all NFL Qbs do.
Gina
2:38
Hi Ray...chances DeCastro and Pouncey make the Hall of Fame?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I think DeCastro needs a couple of more All-Pro selections. I think he has two first-team All-Pro nods. Pouncey, as I mentioned earlier, has all the accolades.
BENZADO
2:39
Love these chats; thank you! When Haden terms rookie CLAYPOOL as "a problem," should PG readers interpret that literally, as in Claypool will be a problem in the lockeroom like Young Money Crew of yester-year? Or was it intended in the modern/urban sense - like he will be a problem for opponents on the field? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I would hope my loyal PG readers would click on the story and read it to find out!
Buster
2:41
if someone like, say, Switzer is going to be be among the team’s last cuts will he be put on the practice squad this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
He would be eligible for the practice squad, yes.
Teresa
2:45
Ray, enjoy your work. How did you get the job covering the Steelers?  Does the sports editor make the assignment or did you have to apply for the job when it became available?  Other?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
I started at the Post-Gazette in 1997. I covered high schools for a few years and then Penn State football before moving on to Pitt basketball. Around 2012, I was asked to join the Steelers beat. Back when I started, that was how all young reporters came up through the ranks.
GG
2:47
Ray, as a Penn State alum I'm a Marcus Allen fan. What has led to his stalled development so much so that the 6th round pick from Maryland seems to be equally likely to fill that dime role?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Hard to put a finger on it. I don't think he's a great cover safety. He's more of a box safety. That's probably the biggest factor. This remains a passing league for the most part. And it's never a great sign when you spend most of your second season on the practice squad. Hopefully, for his sake, he takes a step in his development this year.
Nitro
2:48
Hi Ray - Please break down the strengths and weaknesses of Banner and Okafur.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Okorafor is a rangier athlete, long arms, has all the tools to be a good pass protector. Banner is a thicker guy, showed he can run block effectively as the third tight end last year. I'd like to see how he holds up in pass pro at practices. That's what I'm most curious about with him.
2:51
Ok that's it for today's chat. Let's do it again next week.
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