Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.01.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:27
Jenkins for a month and then I think they're hoping Elliott is good to go coming off IR. He is a veteran with lots of experience. Maybe they can get by for a four-game stretch, but this obviously was not the plan. They didn't even sign Jenkins until the first week of August. And like Elandon Roberts, he was a street free agent.
QuestioningLeadership
1:28
I'm sure you are getting lots of question on JPJ Jr.  Are the Steelers holding on to all the old traditions that arent good? Like they arent keeping on with winning playoff games but they are holding on to no negotiations during the season ever.  Should they be?  It just seems like the front office could use an innovation infusion.  Do you agree in any way?   We just seem stale and old...like a bureaucratic institution whose own biggest competitor is themselves.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:30
I don't have a big issue with not negotiating during the season. There have been plenty of instances in other cities where negotiations go bad and there are hard feelings, the player get distracted, etc. They've had eight months to get something done. What's another day, week or month going to do? If it's doable they'll get it done. If not, he'll play out his rookie deal and then deal with the tag after the season.
QuestioningLeadership
1:30
Odds that Broderick Jones becomes a good to very good RT in Dallas.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:30
7%
QuestioningLeadership
1:30
Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Browns - in that order at years end. No playoffs for Steelers.  Agree or do you lean better or worse?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:31
Bengals, Ravens, Steelers Browns. No playoffs. That's my prediction. (Subject to change if Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson are injured in the next two weeks!)
Krut
1:31
Will JPJ practice now that he is off the PUP list?  Is that what is holding up the contract talks?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:32
They have a walk thru today that we are not allowed to watch. We do get to talk to McCarthy and players in a little bit so maybe we'll have an answer today. If not, we get a viewing window in practice tomorrow so we should definitely know by then.
Epiballo
1:32
Porter had one good year out of three - will the Steelers cave, trade him, or hope he plays well enough for a compensatory pick? I’m fine with Samuels playing CB.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:33
Play him and tag him is my bet...unless Porter holds out. All bets are off if that happens.
Sparky in AZ
1:33
Hi Ray.   I feel they jerked Elandon Roberts around.  They screwed with a good mans' health and livelihood. Putting him on the field for So many plays, with no intent to keep him. It all seems bush league to me. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:35
You know, Roberts was under no obligations to sign. He wanted to come back and I'm sure he was told there were no guarantees. I honestly don't know why so many fans are up in arms about this. He was a street free agent. No one else wanted him since last season ended. It's not like they cut Jack Lambert in his prime. And I say this in all due respect to Roberts. He's a good guy and a good player. I thought he played well, but they decided to ride with four ILBs. We'll see if that was the right move.
Michael D
1:36
Man really thought this would be Lew Nichols year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:36
He's on the practice squad. If anyone gets injured I'm sure he'll get a callup.
Steve S
1:36
Hi Ray, Great job covering the Steelers. Some good players were cut, Roberts,Nichols,etc. It seems like a good thing in that the roster should improve. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:37
If the young guys are ready to contribute, sure. But that's yet to be determined.
Turk in MD
1:37
Hi Ray! At least half the blame is on the player, but how would you describe the failure of the team to successfully develop Broderick Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:38
I think we'll find out soon if it was the Steelers or Jones. If the Cowboys can't fix him then Jones would have failed under three offensive line coaches in four seasons. Do you really think it's not the player if that happens?
MikeM65 in Florida
1:38
Two things surprised me:  Roberts didn't make the team and Heidenreich over Homer and Nichols.  Does Heidenreich offer special teams help like Homer?  Do you think he is a better back than Nichols.  Nichols had two nice preseasons now and I'm surprised he can't make a roster as a third string back.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:40
I'm not sure he's a better back right now than Nchols, but they seem to have kept a lot of guys with potential. Heidenreich tested really well at the combine. I think everyone by now has seen the comps to Christian McCaffrey in terms of the combine numbers. That doesn't mean squat unless Heidenreich actually plays well, but I point that out because this staff really seems to be focused on testing numbers. Look at the Robert Spears-Jennings pick. Look at the decision to keep Kevin Jobity. They're betting on them developing.
Turk in MD
1:41
Since Cook has taken the most starter reps at RT (of the remaining OL in the room) are you penciling him in as the starter for at least a few games until Max is ready?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:41
We should find out this week.
NY Steel
1:42
What injuries do Brisker and Elliott have?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:43
Elliott is coming off hamstring surgery. Brisker has not been disclosed.
ABNormalville
1:43
Is the Kaleb Johnson trade a win for the Steelers and the player who gets a change of scenery?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:44
Not sure how you can call it a win when he was a third-round pick and all they got in return was a sixth.
Vinegar Bend
1:44
Can you help me understand the events that prompted the Steelers to give up on Kaleb Johnson as a running back? I know the kick off mistake last year took him off of return responsibilities. Was there any issue with player "attitude" that may have influenced with them cut ting ties?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:45
Maybe he was overdrafted. It happens.
Pit2FLJohn
1:45
Do you think the Steelers will circle back to Roberts or was there more to his being cut. Thanks for the informative chats!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:45
I would not be surprised at all if there was an injury.
Y-town Steeler
1:45
Since he is a seasoned vet, Do you think E-Rob will be back after some roster moves?  I don’t know how they don’t bring him back.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:46
Let's see how things play out, but I don't think that is their initial plan.
NM Steeler
1:46
Hello Ray, Why does the official roster found on Steelers.com list Ramsey on the active PUP list? I thought he was cleared to practice?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:46
That's a mistake on their part.
ENTMD
1:47
Hey Ray, if JPJ is not signed, do you feel he will sit out?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:48
He hasn't talked since the spring so I'm not sure what he's thinking. He'd be getting bad advice if he did though.
jewelsongs
1:49
Ray, I keep hearing that the punt protector is a very important position.  Can you give me an overview of what all that entails?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:49
He gets everyone aligned and sets the protection.
Bill in SF
1:49
Are the Steelers practicing today and is Porter participating?
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