Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.10.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Many do, but I don't.
James Ryan
12:28
Thanks for the chats, Ray. If you had to predict, when do you think Max Iheanachor will be starting at RT? Also, how does it play out if D. Cook is more than serviceable? Could it lead to them loosening the leash a bit?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
A lot of it does depend on how well Cook plays. But if I had to guess I'll say late September or early October.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:30
Ray: One thing I have noticed about many of the highest paid CBs is that they play on really good defenses (Houston, New England, Denver, Seattle, even Cleveland).  I am still amazed by that Warren Sharp stat in which the Steelers 2025 defense was 826th out of 830 teams this century in 4th quarter stop rate.  If they had an elite corner shutting off one top WR, shouldn't the coaches that they wanted to bring back have been able to roll the rest of the coverage to other areas to prevent such a disastrous performance?  So either they didn't have an elite CB or they were clueless.  Before they pay Porter $30m a year, shouldn't they decide which?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
The new coaching staff definitely would have preferred to see Porter practice and play in preseason games. They are unfamiliar with his game. As for the fourth quarter collapses, I don't recall Porter being picked on all that much in some of those games. I'm sure there were instances when he was beaten in coverage, but there are 10 other guys involved in that stat too. And corners, a lot of the time, are on an island and have little to do with how the rest of the play unfolds.
Yates
12:32
Please project % of snaps for 90 vs, 56 vs. 51 this year assuming all healthy.  If it were your call would you start Max game 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
McCarthy spoke about the OLB rotation yesterday. He hinted at a more liberal rotation. So I'll say 65% for Watt and let's say 60% for Highsmith and Herbig. Then Sawyer gets whatever is left. I'm bad at math but you get the point. Expect the top three to play a lot.
Daniel
12:34
Do you think they'll be more downfield passing this year or do you think that'll depend on how the offensive line plays?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
The line play definitely plays into that. They're not going to have Rodgers taking a lot of deep drops if the pass pro isn't holding up.
Bob
12:35
If Porter is going to play games can we get a first rounder for him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I'd say a first-rounder and another pick. He's still young, on his first contract. He's big and hasn't allowed a TD pass in two seasons. He has trade value. (Again, I don't think they're there yet, but he does have value)
Epiballo
12:37
A lot of interest is seeing Watt move around the D-line this season. Did you see much of this during this seasons’ practices? Do you expect to see him do it much?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
A little bit, but they weren't going to show a lot in camp practices. They'll unveil their real defense Sunday afternoon.
Mountain Gus
12:38
Which player would a long-term injury be most devasting to the Steeler's season?  Wisdom says QB1, but is that the case with this crew?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Yes still is the case with this team and almost every NFL team. If I had to pick a non-QB I'd say DK Metcalf. The depth behind him is inexperienced and unproven.
Wreck
12:39
Going back to a previous answer, you said that the Steelers are unfamiliar with Porter's game, which made it harder for them to pay him; If that's the case, why did they pony up so much money to Benton, Herbig, and Washington? Thanks for all these
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Washington ad Benton practiced before they signed their deals. And Herbig signed so early he only missed a few OTAs, if that. Porter has not practiced at all. Not in the spring. Not in the summer. And even now, he's still in what Mike McCarthy refers to as "ramp up" mode.
Epiballo
12:41
Aaron Rodger’s ability to read defenses and deliver the ball gives the Steelers a chance to be in and win any game this season. If the defense finally plays as paid, of course. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Yes but there are other components to the team that have to perform. The WRs have to get open. The line has to block, etc. As for the defense, yes of course a stingier defense would give the Steelers more hope, especially in the playoffs. We'll have to wait and see how they play for Patrick Graham. I'm somewhat optimistic, but they have to do it on the field.
12:43
That's it for today's chat. Have to get back out to practice. We'll do another one next Thursday.
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