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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.03.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Commissioner
1:57
I’m very surprised Steelers aren’t bringing in another cornerback. No knock against Beanie Bishop, but that’s a tough spot to put an undrafted rookie in plus our outside corner depth isn’t great. Are you surprised?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I am a bit surprised, but I think this signals a youth movement. I asked Teryl Austin a couple of weeks ago about the young CBs and how he knows when he can trust them. He basically said the Steelers are betting they'll get better as the season goes on. I think they know there will be some mistakes, but they're willing to live with them because they expect all of these guys to better in November and December. So they easily could have signed Patrick Peterson and used him, but they knew what that looked like last year. Guys like Bishop and Cory Trice and Darius Rush on the outside are faster and have more upside. Yes they don't have experience, but I guess there is only way way to get experience -- and that's to play in games.
Paul
2:00
Hi Ray, welcome to the 2024-2025 season! Can you please explain the logic behind wanting to extend Cam Heyward. Unless it's charity or payment for past results doesn't seem best use of resources. They need to get younger quick at DL.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
If they did -- and I'm not convinced they will -- it would be done because Heyward comes back on a team-friendly deal. I'm not sure what it looks like, but I'm sure it would be for significantly less than the $16 million a year deal he's currently playing on. But you are right. Eventually they need to get younger on the defensive line. The good news is DeMarvin Leal had a good camp and appears ready to turn the corner in his career. That's terrific timing for him and the Steelers.
Joe
2:03
You expecting Fautanu to play on Sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I don't think he'll start because he hasn't practiced in more than three weeks. That's a tough ask of a rookie who would be making his first NFL start. I could see a scenario where he dresses as a backup. They're already down one lineman in Isaac Seumalo. They'll dress seven or eight, and Fautanu could be one of them depending upon how he progresses through the week with his knee injury.
Steelers2024
2:04
Hi Ray - is there a receiver out there you’d like to trade for or otherwise acquire? Don’t you think we need one more legit WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
A lot of people think that, but Mike Tomlin is not one of them. He said today he is comfortable with that group. He said the professionalism of Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller changed his mind about that subject because in the spring he was not convinced about that group.
Peter H
2:06
Thanks for your time Ray. I had high hopes for Payton Wilson, however, when I watched him in game he looked tentative a bit lost.  Rookie learning curve or real problem? Your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Every rookie is going to go through growing pains. I don't care who you are. Sometimes you just have to throw them out there and see if they sink or swim. The nice thing for the Steelers is they can gradually work Wilson into the lineup because they have Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts as starters.
Steve
2:08
Hi Ray, I appreciate the sincerity of your answers in these forums...Knowing we need to win the early portion of the schedule this season I'm a little more nervous now than I was at the start of camp due to injuries and shuffling of positions across the OL.  My question is this: given what you
Continued:  Given what you've seen in practice is the offense well coached enough to overcome the lack of continuity in offensive personnel early in the year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Yes, Arthur Smith is a good coach and they will be ready, but it's hard to ignore how the injuries affected this offense. The line has been hit hard, and they've had to change some plans. I think it could be a struggle, but that's why you have a veteran defense with lots of playmakers. They might have to carry the team for a bit until the line can find its footing.
Vincent LaGuardia Gambini
2:11
How many weeks would you guess it is until Fautanu starts? When he does, is it Jones or Moore to the bench? A month ago I would have laughed at the prospect of Moore starting at LT, but he actually played better than Jones in the preseason. But I'd still start Jones, he's the future.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Sometimes these things work themselves out. Maybe Moore has a bad game, and it happens next week. You are correct about Jones being the future, but he's banged up too. Maybe he's the guy who goes out for a bit because he'd be changing sides too.
Steelers Nation Jersey Chapter
2:13
Hey Ray, what rookie do you expect to make the most impact in the first game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Zach Frazier. I expect he's the only one who will be starting.
Benito
2:14
Ray, the dude from Bobby Mo with the great interception and the broken hand.  Can we sign him up for slot corner?  Can't be much worse than the other available options, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
The most overblown catch I've seen. He could have caught it with two hands, stayed on his feet and made a return.
AK
2:14
Since Boykin is a free agent, would the Steelers consider bringing him back to be a special teams gunner?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I think they would have done that last week if they were going to do it.
Tampa Too
2:15
Ray, what is your prediction for wins and losses this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Our official predictions will run in our NFL preview section later in the week, but I expect them to go over the Vegas line.
Turk in MD
2:15
Hi Ray.  Does the team need to find a backup option for Beanie Bishop at slot CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Thomas Graham is on the practice squad. I think they feel like they can get out of a game if Bishop is injured with one of their outside corners or safeties filling in that role.
Bud
2:16
Hello Ray. I’ve seen it mentioned the thought of trading OLB Highsmith because of the emergence/ potential of Herbig. Trade for a #2 WR if guess. Your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Pass rushers are much harder to come by today than receivers. Did you hear Mike Tomlin talk about receivers today at his press conference. It's almost like he thinks of them like the rest of the league thinks about running backs.
Bud
2:18
Hello Ray. It’s common for some TE’s to get the catches that a #2 receiver used to. I’m assuming the Steelers are in line with that thought this season. If the Steelers don’t bring in another WR for the # receiver spot, and Pat F. gets injured, aren’t the Steelers much too thin in the receiving corps to compete?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I agree an injury to Freiermuth would hit the offense hard because they don't have another TE like him. At that point, they'd have to get more out of Jefferson, Miller and the other WRs because Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt and Darnell Washington aren't in Freiermuth's category of receiving TEs.
Bud
2:19
Hello Ray. I believe the Steelers ILB’s group is much better this year. But I’m not sure how much better the Steelers will be against the run. It’s be a problem for many years. The defensive line is still an issue against the run I believe. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Maybe not if Heyward and Benton and Ogunjobi are healthy all season.
Emilio
2:20
Hi Ray, Last year there was a lot of excitment around Darnelle Washingthon potential, after 1 year of tape, what are reasonable expectations about his contributions to the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
To continue to be a good run blocker? I hate to say that's all he is, but he's not going to catch 40 balls or anything like that.
Mark in Buffalo
2:21
How effective is the Practice Squad at developing players?  What's your feel for what % of PS players develop into significant contributors on any 53 roster?  Any notable Steelers emerge from the PS to be such contributors?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
It happens all the time especially with offensive linemen. Off the top of my head, Matt Feiler is one who readily comes to mind. This year, Ryan McCollum is on the 53-man roster. He spent the past two years on the Steelers' practice squad.
Tom in Dallas
2:22
If Anderson struggles at LG, how long is the rope and who would replace him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Mason McCormick in-game. As a side note, Tomlin said today Isaac Seumalo won't be out much longer.
Tom in Dallas
2:23
It is prediction time: will this offense, in the first four games of the season, be better, about the same, or score less points than the 2023 version?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
More points.
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