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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.05.23
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Big Sid
2:27
Any word on if Gentry signed with another team?  If not, could we sneak him on the practice squad?  I wish we could have had monster three TE sets!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I just heard a report he was signing with the Bengals practice squad.
Wiscoken
2:28
Hi Ray, anything to read into the decision of Najee not retaining captaincy? Historically, not sure how often captaincy is taken away from a player.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Tomlin addressed it today. He said Pickett's growth likely led to the offense having just one captain. He said it did not reflect on Harris losing any credibility with his teammates or anything like that. I just think when you have an established QB there is not a need for a second offensive captain.
Jim
2:30
Are you buying the talk that Warren should get more touches than Najee? I'm not.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
No, but I think Warren has earned the right for a similar role or slightly bigger role than he had last season as a rookie.
Tin Cup
2:30
Ray, Who will be the Rookie Of The Year? It seems like there is no obvious front runner this season.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
You mean for the Steelers? Tough because no one in the rookie class is starting right now, but it could be Porter, Benton, Washington or Herbig.
Longtime fan
2:31
Is it possible we could see Broderick Jones in this Sunday's game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Yes on field goals and PATs.
Ron
2:32
To follow up on the above Herbig question...Maybe they'd eventually consider Herbig in the middle of the defense because he proves too good to sit on the bench and they may want he and Highsmith on the field at the same time? I agree to develop him outside first and foremost...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Down the road at some point? Sure I could see something like that, but probably not anytime soon. You try to get your best players on the field. If they truly felt like Herbig had that type of versatility as a rookie they would not have signed Kwon Alexander when they did.
Ed in Maine
2:33
Robinson seems the better choice at slot receiver than Austin. How many snaps do you seeAustin getting a game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
I agree. Robinson is the clear No. 3 among the WRs. Depends on opponents and matchups, of course, but Austin should get 10-15 snaps a game.
chris in Denver
2:34
Thank you for the chat today. How concerned are you about the Steeler depth/talent in defensive backfield, Seems like it could get exposed. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
That's probably the biggest concern on defense. They do have a good pass rush though so they won't have to cover for very long if things go as expected up front.
Tom Wexford
2:34
Hi Ray!  The Bengals just signed TE Zach Gentry to their Practice Squad.  Do you think that Gentry was ever in the Steelers future plans to return at some point?  Thanks...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
If he is they can just sign him off the Bengals practice squad.
Mt. Airy Fan
2:35
Everyone seems pretty psyched about the possibilities. As someone who’s watched this develop, what’s the biggest thing that gives you hope that the D is the real deal? Edge depth? ILB’s? Chess pieces in the backfield?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
All of the above, but if I had to pick one thing it's the edge depth. You certainly hope Watt and Highsmith stay healthy, but they are much better prepared to play without them this season if something happens.
Dana
2:36
Mr. Weidl helped put together a pretty good team in Philly.  It seems like he's giving it the ol college try here too.  How long before he has his own team and is no longer an assistant?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Depends on how things go here, of course, but he's a well-known and well-respected evaluator. I guess the good thing for the Steelers is he's a Pittsburgh guy, and he's probably not itching to take any GM job that comes up. I would think he'd be selective in where he goes and which owner he works for.
Longtime fan
2:37
Is it fair to say Connor Heyward was a great draft pick, possible factor in the offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I wouldn't go as far to say great, but for a sixth-round pick he looks like a solid contributor. He plays on special teams and can play a variety of positions on offense.
Myrtle Beach Steeler
2:38
What would it take for Kenny Pickett to be a top ten QB by season's end?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Lead the Steelers to at least one playoff victory.
ZO
2:39
Who do you see coming off the bench first to give Watt and Highsmith that first breather?  Will it Golden or Herbig?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
They'll rotate. They trust both players.
Ken
2:39
Thank you for your time with these chats. Biggest advantage of Steelers schedule in my opinion is the first two games being at home, especially with the young iffense. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Absolutely, but they had better take care of business. It wouldn't be the end of the world if they started 1-1, but they can't start 0-2. The second half of the schedule is brutal with road games at Cincy, Baltimore and Seattle late in the season.
Tampa too
2:40
Ray. What has been your biggest surprise in the preseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
On the whole, it would have to be the offense. I don't know that anyone saw that coming. Small sample size for sure, but Pickett and everyone else looked sharp.
Ryan
2:41
Good afternoon Ray What do you think About Gunner making the team i was hoping someone else took his spot
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Not surprised. He's a team player. He'll do whatever is asked of him. Despite his size, he's a willing and good blocker. He knows what he's doing. He knows every WR position, and he can return punts and kicks if need be.
Ron
2:42
Do you see the Steelers drafting a running back next year within the first four rounds and because Najeh will seek more value and engage in the overall fight for his fellow RBs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
No. Harris has one more year beyond this season on his rookie contract. Why cut him?
Greg
2:43
Do you think it's better for the Steelers to start off at home or on the road? I'm trying to think pros/cons of each - but I can't really think of the pro to start the season on the road.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
They have an opportunity to get off to a great start. They play their first two and six of their first nine at home.
Ed in Maine
2:44
Seriously, Ollison?  Couldn’t they find anyone younger. Nothing against the guy but we have Harris and Warren and they are younger. That position isn’t opening until he is approaching 30
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
It's the practice squad. He's literally fourth or fifth on the depth chart.
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