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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.25.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Let's get started.
BB
1:55
Ray - Thanks for taking the time for these chats. Any observations from watching practice so far as to who may have the inside track for replacing the Mark Barron role?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Yes. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler pretty much came out and said today that it will be Cameron Sutton. Not much of a surprise because the Steelers have said all along they were going to lean on their most experienced players. Sutton is one of the more experienced and versatile reserve defensive backs. He's entering his fourth season and has played every role there is in the secondary. Obviously, Sutton is a trained cornerback so how they deploy him will be key. They might be susceptible against the run on occasion when he's in there, but I think the Steelers will figure it out. Eventually, I could see Terrell Edmunds sliding down and playing dime LB and Sutton playing safety.
Oscar
1:58
Is Chase Claypool really making waves like everyone is reporting and does he have a shot at legit playing time this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Just about every coach and player asked about him has given rave reviews. First, it was Joe Haden, who was victimized by the rookie in a red-zone drill one week ago. Mike Tomlin isn't one to heap praise upon rookies, but he has been very complimentary of Claypool and the work he has done. He mentioned yesterday how Claypool is going against veterans and holding his own. That certainly points to the Steelers being able to use him in games. If he's producing against a very talented Steelers secondary, chances are he'll be able to do the same against the other teams in the league. How big of a role? That's to be determined, but I do think he'll be a contributor.
Mike
2:01
As a long-time season ticket holder who did not opt out, any ideas when the team will make a decision regarding fans at home opener since it's only a little over 3 weeks away?  Seems like a logistical nightmare from their side, but at some point they have to make a decision.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Other teams have let their fans know. The Chiefs, for example, are allowing 22,000 fans per game in Arrowhead. Other teams such as Baltimore and Philadelphia have said they will start the season without fans. I think a lot of it has to do with local government, what they'll allow and so forth. It could be the Steelers are still waiting to hear from the city and the county before making their decision known to fans.
Tom in Dallas
2:03
I've heard people question whether the defense might be as good as last year.  I think it will be better.  Tuitt is back, and young players like Bush and Fitz will have another year of experience.  And many of the rest are in their primes or just entering into their primes (Watt, Bud, Joe, Cam).  They might not equal their takeaways from last year, but should be an even stronger unit.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I tend to agree, but they have to go out there and prove it. Your points are good, and in theory, yes they should be even better. I wrote about the defense today. Injuries and a lack of depth at certain positions are about the only weaknesses I see. It will be important for some young guys to step up if injuries do occur. And they will. They always do. Here is the story: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/08/25/Steelers-defen...
Tom in Dallas
2:06
Across the NFL, not just Steelers, have there been many reported Covid cases amongst players or staff?  Just curious if they are seeing any significant numbers.  Assuming the biggest fear is having a St. Louis Cards situation where one team has an outbreak and can't field a team.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
The NFL has done a very good job so far with the number of positive cases. They have shown it's possible to keep COVID away in training camps. The trick will be doing the same once camp is over and players have more free time. Plus, the travel will be a concern, but overall the NFL has done well so far.
Alex B.
2:08
In your opinon who do you think will be the 3rd outside Linebacker behind Dupree and Watt ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
All signs seem to point toward Alex Highsmith, the rookie third-round pick out of Charlotte. Ola Adeniyi is in the mix too, but every time we ask about Highsmith the coaches and other players say he's ready to take on that role. Keith Butler said today he feels comfortable with him playing in that role.
Alex B.
2:09
Any Idea how the inside Linebacker postion is shaping up ? Gilbert ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
The Steelers are set with their starters in Devin Bush and Vince Williams. The concern is with the depth. Robert Spillane and Ulysses Gilbert are the top two reserves and neither has ever started an NFL game. The Steelers went out and got Curtis Riley to serve as an experienced safety behind Fitzpatrick and Edmunds. Don't be surprised if they do the same with a veteran inside linebacker before it's all said and done. Nothing against Spillane and Gilbert, but they don't have track records.
Vince
2:11
Hey Ray...what’s your gut feeling as to who will start at right tackle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
My gut tells me Chuks Okorafor will win the job, but the fact that he missed Monday with a groin injury and is listed as "day-to-day" is concerning. If that ends up being an injury that keeps him out for any significant period of time then Zach Banner will vault ahead of him.
KN
2:12
Hello Ray.  Thank you as always for the chat. I look forward to it every week. Couple of questions. 1) Have you seen the 7th round pick , DT Carlos Davis in the practice and how has he looked in the practice so far? 2) Have you seen any improvement from Mason Rudolph , compared to the last year in the camp and does he give any hope to be heir to BR at some point in the future ?  Thank you very much.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Mason looks like he is playing with confidence in camp, but you and I both know he will be judged on his performance in games. And that's how it should be. I haven't had a chance to watch Carlos Davis very much. I suspect they'll try to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Daniel McCullers
2:14
Hi Ray, I've been with the team for six years, 43 total tackles total. Do you think I've done enough to earn a roster a spot in 2020?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Sounds like it, Big Dan. Keith Butler said it's a "make-or-break" year for him.
THE NARCISSIST
2:15
I would sign Dupree before I would sign Cam. Cam isn’t going to get any better at his age. Why not spend the money on Dupree instead of Cam?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Cam Heyward is a two-time All-Pro. Dupree is very good, but he's never even made a Pro Bowl. If I'm GM Kevin Colbert I'm trying to sign Heyward even though he's older. I still think he has a lot of juice left in his game.
ALB
2:17
I realize preseason game plans are always vanilla, but how will opponents not seeing any team or individual tendencies at all before the start of the season effect things?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Coaches will just go off tendencies from previous seasons. It might be a big harder when there is a new QB or a new coordinator on some teams, but every team is in the same boat for the opener.
Greg
2:18
Hey Ray thanks for the chats! Shouldn't any NFL backup quarterback understand when to audible at the line of scrimmage? Don't recall if Mason would audible, but Hodges appeared like he couldn't (as the running play went for no gain into an 8 man front). Was it a lack of permission by the coaching staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
You have to realize neither of those guys had ever played in an NFL game before Roethlisberger was injured last year. So I am sure there were some situations when they didn't know what to do. And I am sure the coaches put some restrictions on them in terms of what they could do at the line of scrimmage so as to not get into a bad play.
Chris
2:20
Any qualms about covering the games in person or are you satisfied with the planned safety precautions?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
We cover practices in person and I am comfortable with the setup. I would imagine it will be similar for games.
DaquidoBazzini
2:21
Hi Ray- Any word if Bill Hillgrove is announcing Steeler games on radio this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I haven't heard one way or the other, which leads me to believe Hillgrove will be back.
DaquidoBazzini
2:21
I’ve read good things about LB Ulysses Gilbert in camp. What are your thoughts and what was his season ending injury mid season last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
He'll have to be the top backup to Devin Bush. He's the only ILB on the roster with a similar skill set. It doesn't appear they're comfortable with moving him into the dime LB role, but that's to be expected. He doesn't have any experience in the defense. He played seven games last season and all of his snaps came on special teams.
Zack B
2:23
Safety depth is an issue.  Think they look at waiver wire or sign someone?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Perhaps, but they seem to like Curtis Riley. They signed him in July. He has experience, which is something they needed because Jordan Dangerfield, Marcus Allen and Antoine Brooks don't have much at all.
Nitro
2:24
Hi Ray -  From my perspective as a fan, it seems like the Zoom calls involving players and coaches are yielding more insightful info than was the case during "normal' training camp interviews?  Am I just a fan starved for some football or do you or others in the media agree with this assessment?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I can tell you we do not share the same sentiment. We are used to getting some one-on-one interviews with players and writing some unique stories that everyone else doesn't have. With the zoom calls, every reporter has access to the same interviews. I'm glad you're reading everything we write, but I look forward to the days when I can go into the locker room and get some unique insights from players.
Guest
2:26
I read last weeks article about Devin Bush. From your observation what is the likelihood he makes “the leap” this year and becomes a star?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I don't know about leaping to become a "star" in year 2. T.J. Watt didn't make All-Pro until his third year. Cam Heyward didn;t make All-Pro until his seventh year in the league. Sometimes it takes time to become that type of player. But I do expect Bush to be better. He has a better command of the defense and should be able to play faster.
Guest
2:27
Hello from humid South Carolina. In the division is it time to worry about the Browns?
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