Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.26.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
DaquidoBazzini
11:56
Hi Ray…Would Troy Fautanu be a little short height wise for an NFL LT?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Yes he would be, but he's athletic and has really good footwork. That makes up for whatever he lacks in height and/or wingspan. There is a reason many scouts believed he would be a great guard in the NFL. He has that type of a build more than a tackle build.
Lou
11:58
Hello Ray! Last year Rodgers didn’t seem to have much time to throw as the OL wasn’t so great in pass protection. From what you’ve seen in practice, is the OL improved enough to give more time so the upgraded WR group can get open?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
The starting offensive line did well for the most part in the 1-on-1s against the defense in camp. Same with team drills. There was more good than bad. But then they get into games and there are some struggles. That's not good. They all say they're confident and they'll be much better when they can game plan for opponents. That might be some of it, but the linemen -- all of them -- have to start playing better in games.
BPOS
12:01
How on earth can you have the arrogance to want to be the highest paid CB when you've not made a pro-bowls and not considered to even be in the top 10 at the position by those who study this stuff. Good for the Steelers for not caving to silly demands and if JPJ sits out, so be it. Ask Le'Veon Bell how that worked out for him. So the question, is this more his lack of awareness or his agents?  Surely his agent has to know this ask is a deal breaker and advising him to be realistic in his demands no?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I think you make a good point with the agent. Andre Odom is the agent for both Joey Porter Jr. and Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots corner who also is looking for an extension before the season starts. He seems to be driving a lot of this. Doesn't it make sense for Porter to go first before Gonzalez? That way, Porter can set the market and then Gonzalez can reset with a bigger deal. He was a first-round pick and drafted 16 spots before Porter. He also is the better corner. I'm not sure how this is going to play out for Porter, but I'm not sure having the same agent as Gonzalez is working in his favor.
SoCalSteelers
12:05
I’ve heard McCarthy’s offensive concepts may be dated? Do you buy this? Kinda feels like this year will be the first in many years that we’ve had a top end offensive mind. Would love your thoughts, Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
If I've learned one thing over the years it's that young coaches are not reinventing the wheel. They might have some new twists with motion or alignment, but they plays are basically the same. Look at how many teams in the NFL run the west coast offense. Sure, there have been offshoots from the original playbook, but the basics remain. So the notion that McCarthy and his ideas are dated might be a bit off, but I will be watching to see if he can create mismatches with some of the new twists that are populating the game. Every good coach incorporates new ideas.
Dan in Cowboyland
12:08
Hi Ray!  Who do you see as the Steeler’s biggest competition for the AFC North Crown?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I'm picking the Bengals to win the division because I think Joe Burrow is the best QB in the division and Ja'Marr Chase is the best WR. But I think the Ravens will be right there too. I think you might see all three in a race in the final few weeks of the season.
BPOS
12:09
Tell me why we wouldn't see more red zone plays where we send the giant Washington to the corner of the endzone and let Rogers chuck it high enough and let him go get it. It's a clear height and weight advantage to any DB in the league and Washington would win most of not all of those battles no?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
You have to be able to elevate and high point the ball too. I'm not selling Washington short in that area, but that's not really his game. He's more like a bulldozer in a construction yard rather than a guy who's going to win contested catches in the end zone.
Scott via Louisville Ky
12:10
Is it becoming clearer the Allar is at least our backup going forward? With Rogers we are a slightly better than average team. Without him we are done. Do you think we just let Allar get some experience if we need him and further clarify weather he is our franchise qb before next years draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I like what I've seen from Allar, but I recognize he's played against mostly second- and third-teamers in his first two NFL games. There is much more to NFL quarterbacking than what he's accomplished in those two outings against the Packers and Jets. He has to develop a lot more, but he's off to a good start.
Gene
12:13
Who will be the starting RT Cook Jones or Max to start the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Great question. I get into that very subject in a story that just published on the website. It appears to me the coaches are leaving the door open for Iheanachor to win the job based on Cook's usage in the preseason games and practices. I still think Cook has the edge in the battle, but I think Iheanachor remains in the race.
IL Steel
12:16
Will we see the starting WRs against Buffalo? And what’s the plan at QB for the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
McCarthy was keeping playing time close to the vest yesterday when asked, but he did indicate this game will be all about the young players. So I expect to see Howard and Allar. Not sure what order. And I don't expect to see Metcalf and Pittman. Both are coming off injuries and no sense in playing them unless Aaron Rodgers plays.
12:18
Here is the link to the Cook/Iheanachor debate: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/08/26/steelers-prese...
Pittfan
12:19
Hi Ray. I'd like your opinion. I believe reserving the 53rd roster spot for the 4th QB isn't such a big deal. That spot is almost certainly a special teams player and a non helmet guy. That said, the 53rd position is usually the first one released to fill another roster need. Now it becomes the 52nd player. Can that hurt the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
It certainly can be tricky keeping four QBs, but it's probably easier than ever because of the expanded practice squads.  Having 17 players available every week gives coaches plenty of ways to maneuver their game roster from week to week. Coaches can call up practice squad players three times before having to decide if they're going to stay on the 53-man roster.
Pittfan
12:20
Hi Ray. If the 2 Navy kids end up on the practice squad how does that affect their military commitment?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
They begin serving again once their sports careers are over. There is an agreement in place that allows them to pursue sports as their career, but they must eventually serve their commitment.
George T
12:21
Hi Ray, can a player stay on the PUP list into the regular season. Who removes a player from this list, team or player.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
The team does, and yes a player can remain on PUP into the regular season. I believe if a player remains on PUP at the start of the season he must remain there for at least four games.
Turk in MD
12:22
What roster spot "pays" for QB4?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Could be any number of position groups. Maybe a running back. Maybe a receiver. Maybe a defensive back or offensive lineman.
George T
12:23
Hi Ray, when JPJ comes off the PUP list does he sit out some games and only come back to get is service time in to be a free agent next year.  With the play so far by the CB’s can you see him being the third CB for a few games.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
No, if he signs before the season he'll be the starter, unless he signs on Saturday night or something like that. In that scenario, maybe they don't start him against Atlanta.
Gene
12:24
Who will be the 3rd RB Homer or Johnson?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
This too is discussed in my story. Basically, it comes down to special teams. I think Homer has the edge for that reason.
Greenwood
12:25
On the DL, do you think starting lineup will be Heyward at RE, Black at NT, and Benton at LE?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
What about Harmon? He was the No. 1 pick last year, and they have high hopes for him. Harmon will be a starter. For now, Benton could come off the bench, but he'll play a lot regardless.
Wreck
12:26
How close is Broderick Jones to being cut? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I'm not sure Jones has played well enough to be on the 53-man roster, but there are several things at play. Most importantly, he's coming off a serious neck injury. It takes time to come back from that injury. And then there is the fact that he was Omar Khan's first ever draft pick -- the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 draft. I think they want to give him a chance to work things out, but man, he has been bad in the first two preseason games.
Marvin P
12:28
Good morning Ray.  I’ve seen many trade offers proposed in the media for Porter and I’ve seen where he supposedly wants to be the highest paid cornerback in the game.  My question is given your observation on this matter, what’s the likelihood he gets traded and what’s a fair contract for him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
$28-29 million a year with $50-60 guaranteed. And I don't think he gets traded unless he asks for a trade or Khan comes to the conclusion irreparable harm has been done to the relationship between the player and the team. (I don't think we're there yet.)
Corey
12:30
Good afternoon Mr. Fittipaldo, Thank you for all you do! I’m excited to see what this defense can do this year with all of the veteran talent and promising newcomers coupled with PG’s gameplanning and schemes. What are your thoughts, will the Steelers D return to a top 10 unit in the league this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
They have a lot of money tied up in that defense so that's the expectation. Whether they can get back to that level will depend on the play of the stars such as Watt, Herbig, HIghsmith, Heyward, Ramsey and maybe Porter. Your best players have to be the driving force. But yes, Graham's scheme and his personnel usage will be a big part of it as well.
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