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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.25.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
No.
Jeff
2:27
Thanks for the chats Ray.  Is it me or a lot of people writing off the Pats this year?  Dont get me wrong I am happy to see Brady go but if Cam is old Cam isn't there a possibility they could be even better?  Seems we talk Ravens and Chiefs a lot but I dont see the pats going away
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I don't know if the Pats are going away either, but their days as the lead dog in the AFC are over. Maybe they'll stay in contention for a playoff berth, but losing your six-time Super Bowl winning QB and having eight players opt out of the season seems like a lot to overcome.
Guest
2:29
The Ravens' swift parting with Earl Thomas indicates that:  (1) he was a bad teammate and a locker room problem, and/or (2) his on-field play was problematic.  Are the Ravens now thin at safety (and presumably combing the wire on cut-down day, just like our Steelers)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Thomas isn't the same player he was in Seattle. There are people in the AFC North who believed the Ravens made a bad decision when they acquired him. It turned out OK for a while because he helped them go 14-2, but I suspect those 14 wins had much more to do with Lamar Jackson and the offense than the Ravens defense. And yes it does appear he's a bad teammate. This is the same guy who shot the middle finger at Pete Carroll when he was carried off the field in Seattle. Then he punches a teammate in Baltimore. This is not normal behavior in any way, shape or form.
marty v
2:31
Sounds like Marcus Allen is finally coming around.  Your thoughts ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Sounds that way although Keith Butler pretty much came out and said today that Cam Sutton will be the dime LB. Tom Bradley did have a lot of good things to say about his development though. Maybe he's next in line if the Steelers want a different option than Sutton in certain situations.
djstickylee
2:33
He's an excerpt from a PG Steelers training camp article from one year ago: "“We’re just creating more opportunities for guys like Mason [Rudolph] and Josh [Dobbs], particularly with that two-minute drill we did today,” coach Mike Tomlin said when asked if Roethlisberger had a minor injury."
We know how that turned out...
Now Ben says he's been in pain for the past 10 years or whatever, but now he's feeling great. seems like every year he says he "feels better than ever" My question is are these guys, coaches and players just constantly lying to us? Why should we ever believe anything they say in regards to their health?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I hate to tell you, but they are lying a to us a lot. That being said, Ben didn't say he was in pain for all those years. He said there was discomfort. There is a difference.
fredward
2:35
Who emerges as Ben's favorite receiver this season? Do you think DJ has a lot of similar abilities to Brown?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Yes I do and I think Diontae Johnson is going to have a big year if he can stay healthy.
Gina
2:35
Ray, have you heard if Craig Wolfley will be in the radio broadcast booth with Hillgrove’s and Tunch?    I understand he had knee surgery and reporters will not be allowed on the sidelines this season.  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
I haven't heard, but I see Wolf at practice and he's doing reports for Steelers.com and Steelers Nation Radio.
ssa
2:46
I just remember the pro bowl when everybody else was playing pitty pat and Earl Thomas was hitting people. Jerk.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Yeah I'm sure that didn't help his rep around the league. Maybe the Bengals should sign him.
Justin
2:46
How has McFarland looked?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
I really like McFarland. I think he's got a chance to contribute. Nice burst through the hole, gives the offense a different dimension.
Nitro
2:47
HI Ray - Who do you see returning kicks on opening day?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Kerrith Whyte maybe if he's on the roster. If Whyte isn't on the 53 then they'' have to find someone. Switzer has done it in the past, too.
AZ Stiller
2:48
Do you think the newly acquired Watt will only play fullback or do you think they'll use him on special teams too? I'm excited to see what he can do to help us in either or both capacities.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Derek Watt led the NFL in special teams tackles last season. That might be the No. 1 reason they signed him. But he can help the run game, too.
Buster
2:49
Ray, how do you feel about only a few teams allowing fans in their stadiums? Should they be allowed everywhere or nowhere? Unless all us sports fans have always been totally deluded, our cheering accounts for something.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
I agree with Mike Tomlin, who was asked this very question yesterday. Nothing is going to be fair or equitable about this season. Let's get over it. If some teams have fans in attendance and others do not, so be it. Let's just be happy we're playing football.
Frank
2:50
How is Benny Snell doing in training camp? Does he look like he can potentially be a 3 down back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
Maybe but not this year. Conner is going to be the feature back as long as he is healthy.
Rico
2:51
Hi Ray thanks for your chats I enjoy your work. Question about Jalen Samuels. I’ve always felt the Steelers don’t use him to his full ability and Now from the reports I read he seems to be the odd man out. I could see him going to New England and being the second coming of James White
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
I'm not sure what happened with Samuels last season. I suspect he was affected most by Roethlisberger's injury. He's not a trained RB. He's a convert. So I think when they needed to adjust last season his skill set wasn't as valuable as the others who have more of a true RB skill set. But with Ben back, Samuels can reemerge I think. He has to make the team first, though. Lots of RBs in camp and many of them are doing well.
'Double Divot Dewey'
2:53
Any observations on Mason Rudolph's shoulder in camp so far?  I was very confident with his ability to be Ben's back-up until that shoulder injury.  I know it's not his throwing shoulder, but just curious - I've heard nothing.  Thanks Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Mason did a zoom call with us over the weekend and he said he came through his surgery and rehab in good shape. He said there are no issues with his throwing in camp.
Dylan
2:54
While understanding the limitations you and other reporters may have to talk about practice, how has Ryan Switzer looked so far? Should we expect him to make the team and if so, what kind of role for him this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
I think he'll make it as the fifth receiver. Not sure how much he'll play, but the only other guy who could beat him out is Deon Cain, and I just think Ben refers Switzer.
jay
2:55
Do you miss Latrobe at all?  If so, then what is the one thing that you miss?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Not really. I certainly don't miss the 90-minute drives to and from every day, that's for sure.
Nitro
2:56
Hi Ray -  Has Ray Ray moved ahead of Cain in your opinion - both because of value at WR and special teams?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
I have't seen enough of him since he arrived, but I do like his name.
2:57
OK that's all the time we have this week. Let's do it again next week. Only 20 days til the opener against the Giants!
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