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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.29.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Bones from Iowa
11:55
Good morning Ray, thanks for chatting.  I was wondering how these cuts work.  Does the standard waiver order take place, or is it the wild west as far as any team can sign any player.  If so, do you see any other position signings other than CB depth?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Vested veterans are not subject to the waiver wire. Vested veterans have four or more years of NFL experience. All other players with three years or fewer experience are subject to the waiver wire. The NFL uses the draft order from the previous year for the waiver wire claims in August. Later in the season they'll use this year's records, but for tomorrow's claims it's the same order as this year's draft. So the Steelers will be 17th in line for claims. I think CB is the No. 1 position where they can make a claim. I don't see any others that lack quality depth, but you never know. They might really like a player another team cuts and make that claim.
fredward
11:59
Hi Ray, as the Steelers cut down their roster, does Dylan Cook seem like a possibility as the fourth tackle, or is he practice squad bound?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
My guess is practice squad, but he could be in the mix after the Kevin Dotson trade. He can play guard and tackle, which is attractive to coaches. Just don't know if there is room on the 53 if they keep Spencer Anderson. He also can play guard, tackle (and center).
Tom Q
12:00
Hello Ray, against top tier teams should there be concern with how Steelers cornerback play matches up?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Yes. Teams like the Bengals with three really good WRs will present some challenges. That's why the pass rush better be back to great.
Steeler Joe
12:01
After that preseason, I'm trying to decide if starting at home for the first two games is really best. Obviously, it's rare, and it's welcome. But if the offense doesn't come out blazing, and the defense falters a little early, I think that home crowd could turn a little surly and impatient.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Not sure why the doomsday outlook about the first two games. The 49ers played in the NFC title game last year. If they split with them and the Browns I think that would be OK. But to your larger point about a fast start, they have six of their first nine at home. They had better be a couple of games over .500 at the midway point because the second half of the schedule is much more difficult and backloaded with road games.
Carl in Carrick
12:02
Hi Ray.  Do you think Kevin Dotson was traded strictly to better the team or is it because he was reportedly in Tomlin’s doghouse?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
With Nate Herbig as the top backup at guard and center, Dotson didn't have a lot of value to the Steelers. He basically was their No. 3 guard. And obviously they felt better about how some of their young players might develop than Dotson, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Amos Zeroue
12:05
Thanks for the chat, Ray! All the offseason talk was about the commitment to the running game, but we never really heard much about it in camp and saw little of it in preseason games. Will this team be run-heavy per the early talk, and what does that even mean in terms of ratio in today's NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
We saw the running game get going a little bit in the preseason finale at Atlanta. They had three TD runs and Anthony McFarland had 55 yards on 10 carries. As for the pass-run ratio I think ideally they would be somewhere in the 52-48 or 53-47 range in terms of passing versus running, but game situations certainly dictate how those numbers play out over the course of a season.
Big Sid
12:06
If you had to grade the Dotson trade, what would you give it?  A knock on our depth, but I love picking up a 4th (albeit for a 5th).
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Only risk is if a starting guard and Herbig get hurt. Then the remaining depth is tested. But again, I don't think they make this move unless they had some certainty that guys like Spencer Anderson could handle a role if need be. And hey, fourth-round picks are good to have. That's where the Steelers got Nick Herbig.
Donna
12:08
Hi Ray, what’s your gut feeling as to whether Green makes the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I don't think he played well enough to be on the 53, but I couldn't help but notice he started at guard against the Falcons. Maybe the coaches wanted one final extended look before moving on to some younger players. I don't know. My guess is he doesn't make it, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does.
ssa'76
12:09
Every time the other team completed a meaningful pass, it seemed like James Pierre was there. Will he make the final roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
You noticed that too? He might because they don't have anyone better, but watch for a trade or waiver wire claim to upgrade the CB depth even if Pierre does make the initial 53-man roster.
Jay
12:11
Hello Ray, always appreciate and enjoy your work.  How lucky are Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to have Brock Purdy?  Both would have been fired and never to be seen again for the way they set the 49ers back.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
That was a major swing and miss with Trey Lance, but they obviously have a pretty good feel for other positions on that roster. They made it to the NFC title game with Purdy, who was Mr. Irrelevant. Shanahan is really good with the running game and Lynch has put together a very good defense, too. Mistakes happen all the time in draft rooms. Drafting Lance will hurt, but only if Purdy isn't a QB capable of leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl. In the end, what does it matter if he was drafted No. 1 overall or the final pick in the draft? If he's a Super Bowl QB it doesn't matter.
Big Sid
12:14
Are there any slot corners that the Steelers are contemplating adding?  It seems like there were some notable veterans that were released yesterday.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
It's always possible if they believe they can upgrade a position. Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley split the duties this summer. Both had INTs.
Brah
12:17
Pickens looks great at high point and spectacular catches but I have noticed he never has any separation. Love watching the highlight reel plays but isn't a WR primary job to get open amd create separation? I love the talent and am excited to watch him this year but IMO DJ is the #1 on this team hands down. I would be surprised in Pickens hit 1K. What say you Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Pickens had 800 yards as a rookie in a conservative offense. If he stays healthy I think a 1,000-yard season is quite realistic. That's only 60 yards per game over the course of a 17-game season. And while it's true he doesn't always get great separation on corners his win rate in 50-50 balls is probably better than most WRs in the league. You have to factor that into the equation.
Guest
12:19
Ray, thanks for the chats.  Do you find it odd that Josh Dobbs garnered more trade interest than Mason Rudolph? Rudolph has more experience and his statistics are much better. Is there something that we are missing?  I know Dobbs' coach from Cleveland went to Arizona but still, I'm baffled.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Dobbs is more mobile too. I think Rudolph's lack of mobility hurts him the way NFL offenses are today. The pocket passers in the mold of Peyton Manning are a thing of the past.
Guest
12:21
Hi Ray..Is there a consensus among the PG writers on where they forecast the Steelers will finish in the division?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Our NFL preview comes out Sunday Sept. 10. All of our predictions for the season will be included.
Gene
12:22
Do you think the Steelers keep MCFarland on the 53 man roster and if so will he get a hat on game days?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Yes and no.
Colin from philly
12:23
What are your thoughts on Joey Porter Jr. starting day 1? Do you think he has the tools to be a successful lock down corner in this league? Personally I think he can really play. I am a bit worried about Peterson’s age showing and asking too much from the rookie too soon.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
DC Teryl Austin spoke on that subject earlier this week. He was asked about Porter and Keeanu Benton starting. He basically said he's not sure either got enough reps this summer to start Day 1 but he said both got enough reps to be contributors. Things can certainly change, but Porter and Benton had injuries that forced them to miss some time in camp. I think both will become starters as rookies, but I don't know that either starts Week 1 versus the 49ers.
Coach15
12:25
What is the biggest concern with overall team, or a significant position of personnel grouping, going into week 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Secondary, specifically the depth at CB.
Paul
12:26
Can Riley or Sullivan be trusted as #4 outside corners? Would they be more capable than Pierre ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Both players are in the slot for a reason.
John
12:26
Hi Ray.  Mad props for the work you do. What is your best guess as to when the Steelers will win their next playoff game: This season? 2024? 2025? 2026? 2027? Not within the next 5 years?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
This season or 2024.
Tom
12:27
The Steelers seemed to start tayloring their gameday roster to specific teams last year. Especially towards running teams in the AFC North, with Robinson replacing Bush. Could you see Fehoko making the teams because of that or will the new linebackers make up for that?
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