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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.19.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Welcomes to today's Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started in a few minutes.
Nicholas O'Neal From AVON,NC
1:57
Ray love your chats. My question is how do you think our defense did against KC? I know its preseason but Arite Burns looks like he's gained confidence back. He did very well against T. HIll. Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I agree with you. I thought Burns played well. He came up and tackled receivers after the catch and did a pretty good job of running with them down the field as well. I thought overall it was a pretty good effort. I know Patrick Mahomes only played two series, but for the most part the first-team D played OK. Bud Dupree had two sacks. TJ Watt was applying consistent pressure. The starters should play about a half again this week so it will be anther good test vs. Tennessee.
jdkmoose in Indiana Istate)
1:59
Hey Ray...Ok, I still believe Rudolph should be our back-up QB !  I thought so last year,  and from I've seen so far, I still choose M.Rudolph over Dobbs.   I'm just not up with Dobbs, he doesn't do anything that makes me feel safe with him stepping in if Ben goes down.  I was really impressed with the way Mason drove all the way down the field ( chewing up time) and scored.   Also, Hodges didn't look too shabby either, maybe working him into 3rd even over Dobbs.    What say you ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I thought Rudolph did OK after a slow start. And I don;t think the slow start was necessarily his fault. The Steelers clearly wanted to work on the run game early, and they did that. Once Rudolph got into a rhythm he was much better. The long drive was impressive. But Dobbs is playing pretty well, too. It's not like Rudolph is running away with the competition. I think he has a slight edge at this point, but that's because Dobbs has played well, too.
Paul
2:01
We have a surplus of so many decent WR's. Hate to lose Eli Rogers, Tevin, D. Spencer. Can't keep them all right?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
No, they certainly can't keep them all. Spencer looked good as a punt returner, but I don't know if they can carry him on the 53-man roster just for that. If Tevin Jones makes it, it will be because of special teams. And we discuss this every week, but Switzer and Rogers are very similar in terms of their abilities as slot receivers. They're competent returners, but they're not very explosive. JuJu, Washington, Diontae Johnson and Donte Moncrief have the team made. Now it's whether they keep five or six and who fills those spots.
RealityMan
2:04
I know Dunbar likes to rotate his D Linemen but is there a chance Hargrave can spell Cam and  Tuitt sometimes at end? He is clearly one of the top three linemen and it would be worthwhile to find a way to increase his snaps.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Yes, he actually did that last season. Hargrave played about 45-50 percent of the defensive snaps. He was the base 3-4 nose about 25 percent of the time and bumped out to end in some sub-packages.
Scott in Dallas
2:05
Good Day Sir
If Bud finally puts together an above the line season (10+ sacks) do the Steelers give him the big contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
For as much criticism as Dupree gets I should note the head coach and GM have always been in his corner. At least publicly, they've always voiced support for him. But there is a reason they didn't approach him about a long-term deal. He has to prove he is worth a long-term commitment from the team. Now if he gets double digit sacks and plays well, then yes the Steelers will be interested in keeping him for the right price. But he'll be an unrestricted free agent and pass rushers with those types of numbers usually command big money. And I'm not sure how much money the Steelers would want to commit to him.
DaquidoBazzini
2:09
Hi, Ray. I'm very curious as to why Devin Bush sat out the game on Saturday eve. Injury? Or are they that confident in him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Tomlin said after the game Saturday night that Bush was held out for precautionary reasons. He was back at practice today.
jdkmoose in Indiana Istate)
2:09
Ray, I know Hines Ward is interning with Jet's, but is there any chance he could take over Drakes position coaching....or is someone already in mind from the front office ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Tomlin has not addressed Drake's replacement other than last Tuesday when he said there is a plan in place. He did not want to discuss the plan out of respect to Drake. What I can tell you is Ray Sherman has been working as the WRs coach since Drake's passing. It appears that is their short-term and possibly long-term plan. But there has not been an official announcement yet.
BigAl456
2:11
Ray, saw some good things from Bud & Burns on Saturday. Things looking a bit more promising. Mike Hilton seems to be good as somewhat of a gadget DB, but seems to struggle in coverage, especially with bigger receivers. What are the chances that they use Sutton more in the NB role for coverage moving forward? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Good question. I am writing about the secondary too. They used a lot of different personnel in different ways Saturday night. They did some things that they didn't do in practice. So it will be interesting to see what they do once the regular season starts. I was impressed with Hilton at safety. But I also know they wouldn't have taken a long look at him there unless they weren't at the very least considering using Cam Sutton more in the slot.
BeBop
2:14
Two Q's 1) Is Snell's position on the roster safe? 2) Does Ola's surgery mean he'll start the season on IR, with the ability to come back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Ola is out 2-4 weeks after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus. So it's not a sure thing he won;t be ready for the opener. Even if he's not I'm not sure they would use one of their two IR-for-return designations in someone that could come back by Week 2 or at the very latest Week 3. As for Snell, he's a fourth-round pick so I think he's safe. I don't think they would cut a fourth-round pick.
Plus, Snell looked pretty good on special teams.
RealityMan
2:16
It’s seems very likely that Colbert will have to try and sign a TE2 before the season starts, what’s the easiest way for him to increase their cap space to be able to do so?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
They always know how to work the cap if they have to make a move. That's not the concern. The concern is finding a capable No. 2 TE via the waiver wire or trade. They don't grow on trees. Maybe Xavier Grimble will play well enough over the final two preseason games that he's the guy, but that drop vs. KC didn't help him.
NC_Yinzer
2:18
Was wondering what you’re thoughts were about Hilton at Safety?  I thought he looked more than capable back there
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I thought he looked very comfortable back there. He came up and tackled, had a few passes defended. He's a good player.
Byron
2:18
Will we play Samuels w significant touches or just run the wheels of Conner?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I think Samuels will be more involved than he was last season, but I don't think james Conner's role will be all that diminished.
Alan in Nashville
2:20
Hi Ray...I really see only trouble for Eli Rodgers or Spencer making the final roster. I see JuJu, Moncrief, Washington, D. Johnson and Switzer and if they keep 6, perhaps Holton with his body type and special teams ability. I just don't see it ending well for those guys.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
You might be right although I will point out Rogers ran with the 1s in the game and continues to get a lot of reps with the 1s in practice. Watch what happens in the third preseason game. If Rogers is still with the 1s then that means they're either taking a long look at him or getting him ready for a role in the regular season.
Steeler Joe
2:21
Do the Steelers keep four RBs? Whatever your answer, who do you think is likely the top candidate for No. 4 if they do?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Trey Edmunds. He's been really good as a RB and he can play special teams. Not saying they will keep four, but if they do he's the fourth.
Steeler Joe
2:22
Where do you stand on playing time for Ben and other valuable vets this week? I can see both arguments: protect them. But at the same time, the team has come out of the gate so flat and sloppy in recent years. A little dress rehearsal might help with that...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I think a few series for Ben and maybe work into the second quarter for the offensive line and a few WRs. No need to play JuJu more than a series or two. But the others might need to get some work in with Ben. I think that would be beneficial for all considering the way last season started.
KamKelly4Ever
2:24
Just checking in for the weekly Kam Kelly question. How's he doing? Gonna be on the 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Kelly played with the 1s as a third safety in a new nickel package. They seem to like him.
Carlo
2:24
Ray, any chance Skipper makes the 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Sure, especially with Ola and Chickillo currently out with injuries. But if they're both healthy then Skipper's path to the roster is nearly impossible. Practice squad more likely in that scenario.
Lenny from NY
2:26
Afternoon Ray. Is Ola going to be another Sean Spence. It seems that he is injury prone. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Sean Spence had a major knee injury. He had nerve damage, and coming back to play in the NFL at all was a success. Ola had an injury last year that placed him on IR, but he was ready to play much earlier than when they brought him back. I'm not ready to say at this point that he's injury prone. Just some bad luck the past two summers.
Steve
2:30
Where do you put the likelihood of these names still being on the roster in a year? Haden, Hargrave, Bud, Sean Davis
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Haden and Hargrave, yes. They want to get new deals done with both of them. Bud and Davis are question marks. I would not be surprised if they're not here next year at this time.
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