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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.03.24
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Tom in Dallas
2:24
On the opening series on Sunday, do we try to establish the run, or do we air out a ball or two to send the message that we are not afraid to throw it beyond the sticks?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Given the state of the offensive line I think they'll do everything they can to get the run game going and make sure they're not in very man second- and third-long situations.
Bud
2:25
Hello Ray. Are both of the Steelers top 2 RB’s free agents after this season? If so, you guess the Steelers resign one, and draft another RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Najee Harris will be unrestricted, but the Steelers control Jaylen Warren. He'll be a restricted free agent, and the Steelers will keep him.
the real guest
2:26
Ray, So according to Bleacher Report the Steelers are going to trade 88 to the Giants for a fifth rd pick in 2025. How does such garbage get printed? There can't be a single person including the writer who thinks that is going to happen.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I wasn't aware Bleacher Report was still around. And yes, that's outlandish.
David
2:28
Please give us something, anything, to be excited about on the offensive side of the ball heading into week 1. The OL is in shambles, we have a new OC, a new QB who saw hardly any preseason work with his new team, a mediocre WR group...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
George Pickens.
Yates
2:29
Seems unlikely that Roman Wilson gets PT this week given how much time he has missed. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Correct. He almost certainly will be inactive.
Kalamazoo Dave
2:29
Hi Ray, is Warren still projected to play in the Atlanta Game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Warren said on Monday he will be ready. They're being careful with his hamstring injury this week.
Kalamazoo Dave
2:30
Ray, Which position do you feel has the least depth?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Corners
Andrew
2:30
Ray, does Justin Fields play more or less than 5 plays on Sunday vs. ATL?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I'll take the under.
Mikey C
2:32
Were you surprised that they didn’t sign Dez Fitzpatrick to the practice squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
A little bit. I thought he had a good camp.
Jim B.
2:32
George Pickens is unquestionably very talented. However, his maturity level has been concerning--have you seen any growth in that area?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Actually after butting heads with new WRs coach Zach Azzanni early in camp, he's been a model citizen on the practice field. He gives good effort, no outbursts or anything of that sort.
Homer
2:34
Ray, if you had to bet the farm on whom will ultimately have the better career, you taking BJ or TF? And I'm assuming that the brass does not decide to try BJ at wideout.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Hmmm Broderick Jones or Troy Fautanu? I think both will be good players, but I think Fautanu has a chance to be exceptional.
>Yogi in Yonkers
2:36
Is Beanie the next Mike Hilton?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
They like Beanie. He has some Hilton-like qualities, but at his news conference today Tomlin wouldn't even commit to him being a starter even though he's the only slot CB on the 53-man roster. That's probably Tomlin keeping him hungry, but he has a ways to go before he's considered in Hilton's realm.
Florence Fan
2:39
Hi Ray!  I look at the NFL rankings and the Steelers are rated higher than Atlanta.  I look at Sunday's predictions and the experts are picking the Falcons to win.  Does that make sense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Not sure which rankings you are looking at, but the Falcons have a higher win total in Vegas and many believe they will win the NFC South. Now the NFL South isn't great, but they signed Kirk Cousins to be their QB and he undoubtedly has talented playmakers around him. As Tomlin noted today he has three top-10 draft picks in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
AK
2:42
Do you think the Dionte Johnson trade was a good one?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Time will tell. But as I mentioned earlier, Tomlin said there are all kinds of good WRs available every year in the draft and free agency.
Zell
2:43
I think our D is gonna be top 5.  What do u think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
They should be if they stay healthy, but that's been their issue over the years. Every team has to deal with injuries. I would argue the Steelers didn't have enough good depth to absorb some of those injuries the past few years.
2:44
Thank you for taking part in the chat this week. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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