Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.01.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Lab2inWhitney
12:57
Hi Ray...who are the starting Safeties in Game 1?  (I'm worried!)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Right now Jaquan Brisker and Rayshawn Jenkins. I suppose they could move Ramsey there, but I think they have other plans for him to move around.
Mike from NY
1:01
Hi Ray. Did Caleb Johnson show nothing positive where they could give him some time to prove he could be a productive player?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
I got the sense the new staff didn't believe he fit into the scheme. They never really gave him a ton of opportunities, and when they did, he didn't take advantage of them. I thought he was OK between the tackles, but he can't get to the edge. That was painfully clear. And he wasn't making that one guy miss.
Tampa Too
1:02
Ray. What was your biggest surprise about the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Heidenreich and Jobity for sure. I don't think anyone had them on the 53-man roster. I get Heidenreich in a sense if they believe he's ready to play on special teams. He basically took that role from Homer, who is now on the practice squad.
LarryG from Punxy
1:03
We you surprised by any of the players we kept or let go?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
Little bit surprised they're only keeping four inside backers. Even though Roberts signed late in the process I figured he would make it because he played well in the final two preseason games. At least I thought he did. The way Omar Khan put it, they were impressed with the development of Carson Bruener, but I'm guessing if Queen or Wilson get injured for any length of time they'll try to bring Roberts back.
Nick in Athens
1:05
What do you think about the Steelers signing all 10 of their draft picks (plus the undrafted DL)?  The team is always talked about as being ancient, but now it looks like there is young blood throughout all of the position groups and I'm excited about it.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
They have to be good players and contribute if this is going to work out. They had two players who drew interest from other teams and traded both. But no one they released was picked up by another team. I think shows you the other 31 teams weren't all that interested in anyone the Steelers cut.
Jim
1:07
I know there’s been a lot of discussion about the reason Roberts is not on the roster. Is it possible with Herbig getting his big contract along with Watt and Highsmith, that those three will be on the field together more than we expect and thus there’s less need for Roberts or additional inside backers?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
Yes that is part of it I'm sure, but what if there is an injury to Herbig, Watt or Highsmith. Then that 3-OLB package maybe gets scrapped unless they think Sawyer is deserving of those reps.
Alan in North Carolina
1:09
Hey Ray! I’m often accused of being too much of a Steelers optimist but when it comes to this O-line, I’m wondering if things are NOT as far along as they planned. What I thought was going to be a strength just might be the opposite. I feel as though outside of center, there’s not ONE spot that I feel 100% comfortable with. What are your thoughts outside of the old “gel” thing?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
I'm with you although I think Fautanu will settle in at left tackle. He didn't look completely comfortable in camp, but he's played on the left side so I don't think it will be an issue.
Bob
1:10
Ray, I strongly believe that Howard would have cleared waivers to get on the practice squad. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
I'm not so sure. Did you see what happened in Miami? The Dolphins cut everyone behind Willis and went out and signed or traded for others. Howard might have been of interest to them.
Charlie Knoll
1:12
What's you thoughts on hurleman?  He looked great throughout the preseason.  I think he showed enough to make the 53.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:13
He was fine, but I think with Wetjen and Skowronek on the roster due to special teams hurt him. So I'm not surprised.
Daniel
1:13
Thanks for doing the chats.  Should we pick up Joe Milton now that he is available?  Just kidding.  Your best guess do all 4 QB's remain on the roster the whole season?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:14
So hard to predict because injuries will factor in. I'm guessing no, but I think if everything goes perfect they want to keep Howard on all season.
Gene
1:15
I understand trading Jones but if there are injuries to our tackles who will step up to fill that role.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
They kept Driscoll so I think they have confidence in him.
Rocky,
1:16
Hi Ray,  thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us.  Is DeShon Elliott expected to come back this year?  What type of injury does he have?   Thanks!!!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
Khan said they are being cautious by putting him on IR, but something doesn't add up there. Clearly, he didn't respond well to playing against the Jets. Khan said he didn't have a setback, but something had to happen.
574 Fan
1:17
Good afternoon, Ray.  Chances Max starts at RT within the first month of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
I'd say there is a pretty good chance of that.
Tin Cup
1:18
Ray, did Tomlin ruin Broderick Jones? They drafted him to play LT then did nothing to groom him for that spot. I don't think he received any first team practice reps at LT until Moore was gone.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
No. I put this on whoever had the final say in drafting him. This is one everyone from Khan to Weidl to Tomlin. He was a redshirt sophomore and only had 17 starts in college. All this right to left and left to right stuff isn't to blame. If you are a No. 1 pick you should be able to go from side to side without any problem.
Bill Cowher
1:19
Ray, thanks for the chats. Which practice squad player is elevated to the the roster first?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
I'll say Homer.
Tom88
1:20
Hi Ray, Do you think it is a good idea to keep Howard on the 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
I understand why, yes. Three other teams also kept four QBs. So maybe it's a bit of a trend. In the end for the Steelers, Rodgers and Rudolph are not under contract beyond this season so I understand they want to have options going forward.
FB in Bologna
1:21
Will cutting Elandon Roberts come back to haunt the Steelers? Or are the Steelers assuming he will be available if/when they need him?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
Well, no one picked him up so they can just go out and sign him. And I will point out no one else wanted else wanted him before the Steelers signed him. Listen, I think Roberts brings value as a run stopper and he's a good guy in the locker room, but are the other 31 teams wrong on this as well? Some food for thought.
Tampa Too
1:23
Ray. What’s your take on how the Joey Porter saga is going to end? Do you think he is signed? Do you think they franchise tag him next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:24
If he is not signed yes I think they will franchise him assuming he doesn't hold out into the season. Which I don't think he'll do. I still think he ends up signing, but that will be up to him. I think the Steelers have a number in mind and won't be moving far off that number in negotiations.
Let’s go Mountaineers
1:25
Hey Ray, Steelers are looking very thin at safety. If I remember correctly the jets acquired Minkah for a late round pick and are obviously rebuilding. Any chance we try and send a late round pick to NY to bring him back?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:25
Fitzpatrick cannot come back to the Steelers this season unless he's cut. He could be traded for next season, but there is an NFL rule against reacquiring a player soon after trading him.
Uncle Leo
1:26
Hello Ray! Can Howard play safety? Not only did we pass on the Oregon kid, but we’ve forsaken the position entirely. What’s the plan? Thanks -
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