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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.10.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
The Broncos defense is good. They controlled that game against the Seahawks into the third quarter. Their offense just couldn't sustain anything, and the Seahawks offense finally broke through to pull away. I don't think it will be an easy game, but this is a game the Steelers should win. They're going against a QB making his second NFL start. They need to find a way to win this one even though they haven't won in Denver since 2009.
Blam Morris
2:24
Listened to the Tomlin presser today -- Coach was given two or three chances to say Russ is the starter when fully healthy, but he didn't do it. Is this a case of MT falling in love with Fields and his mobility, or is he just keeping other coaches guessing as long as possible?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
It's just Mike being Mike. I wouldn't read too much into it. Having said that, I know all the national shows will run with that answer.
charles demarr
2:25
Will Fautanu crack the lineup when healthy and up to speed?  Or will they stick with Moore at LT for now?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
One has nothing to do with the other. Fautanu will play right tackle and Moore can only play left tackle. So whenever that move is made Broderick Jones will be the starting left tackle and bump Moore to the bench, or Jones will be on the bench until he can supplant Moore.
charles demarr
2:26
How close is Roman Wilson to returning?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Tomlin said he will practice more this week. He hasn't done much since spraining his ankle in the first week of camp.
TVC15
2:26
Did Wilson retrain his calf last week doing the Oklahoma drill against the starting defense as a conditioning test?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
They had him do "Bull in the Ring."
charles demarr
2:27
Do we have our next stud center?  Frazier looked dominant in Atlanta.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I don't know about dominant, but I thought he was really solid. I didn't see any glaring mistakes other than the fumbled center-QB exchanges, and I don't know they were his fault.
Bud
2:28
Hello Ray. Najee might not be spectacular, but he’s been a consistent workhorse. Do you think he can be resigned, or probably he’d go to the best offer after this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
It would have to be for less than $6 million a year. They declined to pick up his $6.7 fifth-year option. I guess it depends on what kind of year he has, but I'm thinking he can do better than $6 million a year elsewhere.
charles demarr
2:29
Where does Edmunds fit in?  Strictly depth?  Or is there an injury we haven't heard about?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Depth
Bud
2:29
Hello Ray. Would you guess Pickens new contract will command over $30 million per year, and would you expect that to be taken care of before next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
It depends on how he plays the rest of the year, but that's the top-tier receivers. He'd come in somewhere just below that I think.
Paul
2:30
Based on how Tomlin spoke about QB participation this week, do you get the feeling Fields will get the start in Denver? He seemed to acknowledge Wilson's calf is getting better and would still have "pole position" when healthy, but he also seems smitten by Fields and his athleticism.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
I get the idea Fields will start because Wilson probably won't practice full in the next couple of days. I think Tomlin wants to see him completely healthy before starting him.
Paul
2:32
Do you think Khan and company are still working the phones to bring in another receiver? Two catches for under 10 yards by all WR's not named Pickens in week 1 doesn't seem like a sustainable model, even for a run-first offense.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Probably not. I guess the hope is Jefferson can be more productive. He needs to be if he's going to play that many snaps again.
Smokey the Bear
2:33
Did you hear the sigh of relief in Pittsburgh when they signed Waitman and not P Harvin III? Are you suprised at that decision?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
That's what they should have done when Waitman was their punter for the playoff game in KC. Instead, they went back to Harvin for no good reason.
Paul
2:34
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you, Brian, Gerry and company for providing these opportunities to chat with you and share our questions! We know you're all busy this time of year, and we appreciate your time!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Thanks Paul!
Alan
2:34
Ray, J Fields taking heat for not throwing over the middle, this has become a Steeler offensive trait since Ben R retirement. Does HCMT prefer passing game lean to outside to minimize turnovers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I think that's accurate. He knows the middle of the field is a high traffic area where turnovers are more likely.
Alan
2:34
Ray, it seemed to be fools gold for talking heads to believe, rusty 36yr old Cousins to out fight a very good Steeler defense. I never though Falcons would win. Were you surprised?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I picked the Falcons because of all the injuries the Steelers had on offense. I just thought they'd build a better game plan around Cousins than they did.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:35
What grade do you give Leal for the ATL game? His name keeps coming up as a guy ready to make a jump.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
He only played five snaps. Isaiahh Loudermilk played more.
Oregon is Steelers Country
2:36
Why the reverse to Pickens ? shouldn’t that have been a play for Austin III to get the ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Pickens is fast so the play call is fine. He just can't run backwards after the play sniffed out.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:37
A lot of opinions on this subject, but yours is the one I value. Why so conservative with the offense? When are Steeler games going to be entertaining again?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
You might have to wait a while for that. But they can win with the current approach. At least they can against the mediocre and bad teams in the league.
Francis
2:38
Thanks for chatting, Ray. Re the Freiermuth extension, $12mil a year for what will most likely be 40-50 catches and 500 yards a season? Seems like they could have paid Jesse James 1/10th of that and gotten similar production, do you think they're overpaying ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
No. He's a good player. That's the going rate for a TE of his caliber. And I expect he'll do better than 50 catches and 500 yards this season if he plays all 17 games.
Hendershot
2:40
Thanks for all the coverage Ray. I just want to say that it is embarrassing for the NFL to have named someone besides TJ Watt NFL DPOY last season. The man is so dominant. I watched the player from Cleveland last season and also this past Sunday. There is no obvious argument in comparison.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
There was no comparison last year either. Methinks Watt is playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Colonel
2:41
If the Steelers don't win a playoff game this season is Mike Tomlin still head coach next season?
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