JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.22.19

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.22.19

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

My guess is probably not. Overcoming a 1-4 start in the NFL is tough to do.

ALB

2:35

Hi, Ray. With Rudolph returning what will they do with Lynch?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

My guess is he gets cuts and then re-signed to the practice squad.

Tom in Dallas

2:36

AB torches his relationship with us and the Raiders. Gets cut by Pats and sticks them with dead money. Says he's going to retire, doesn't need the NFL. Then weeks later, floats the idea about playing again this year. Are there any owners/GMs that would take a chance based on what has transpired in the past 10 months with him? And if yes, who?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

Never underestimate a desperate NFL GM or owner. A contender in need of a WR could pull the trigger on Brown, but remember, the league is investigating several of his off-field incidents. As soon as he signs he could be suspended. So buyer beware.

574 Fan

2:38

Your thoughts on the fate of Moncrief? Too thin at that position to cut him to try to save the comp pick? Or do they move on feeling that he's no more reliable than someone they could pick up off of the street?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:39

Well, the Ravens just cut a really good special teams player to ensure they'll get a comp pick. Moncrief doesn't play on special teams and barely plays on offense when everyone is healthy. And we all know how much the Steelers value draft picks especially in a year they traded away their first-round pick. A third-round comp pick would look nice.

2:40

I’m amazed at the number of people who think that Hodges should start the next game. I could understand if he made some big time throws in the game but he really didn’t. Who do you think should start?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

Rudolph, of course.

2:40

Do you think the Steelers are overpaying for Chickillo?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

I do, but I should point out the Steelers can cut him and save about $3 million next season. They'd have a little over $1 million in a dead cap hit, but they might not think that's a big deal.

Ralph

2:41

It appears Emanual Sanders is available for a trade. The Steelers really need a dependable receiver to help Rudolph with downfield throws and to take pressure off JuJu. If they are serious about this year this is the right move.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

After what he's said about Ben Roethlisberger in the past? No way.

574 Fan

2:42

OLB depth looks thin - are there any of the ILBs who can move outside, Sutton Smith available?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

Vince Williams is a pretty versatile player, but right now he has to play inside due to the injury to Mark Barron.

Ryan

2:42

Good afternoon Ray is Rosie Nix coming back on Monday night football

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

It sounded like that was a strong possibility yesterday when he spoke with reporters.

Shaun L

2:43

I get that they're working with a #2 QB, but if offense continues to sputter, what % chance do you give Steelers moving on from Randy F at end of the year? If they do, who would you put on your list of top targets?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

Randy was hired in part because he has a strong relationship with Roethlisberger. I really don't think the Steelers want to start over with a new OC when Ben is 38 and has two years remaining on his deal.

Doug from Raleigh

2:45

It's been said that Ben's injury had been a few days or weeks in the making. Still, was it the result of one throw without proper warmup, or is it likely the usual wear-and-tear (literally) that goes with thousands of passes, which would mean his return next year could be brief and Bradshaw-like?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

There are only so many throws in any arm. It's wear and tear.

Tom

2:46

Ray, If NIx is healthy to go, other than special teams how much does it really help? Never used him in short yardage anyhow. Maybe blitz pickup I guess.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

I think, given the circumstances now, they'd used Rosie Nix more than previous years. It's a different team than the one with Ben and AB and Bell. This team could benefit greatly from a running game.

Delaware

2:46

Do you think the Ravens will upset the Patriots ? That could seal the deal for division title.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:48

Who knows? There's a reason the 1972 Miami Dolphins remain relevant. It's hard to go undefeated over 16 games. I'm not convinced the Ravens will be the team to do it, but Lamar Jackson certainly is a different look at quarterback.

P6brit

2:48

Do you think Ola can stay healthy with the apparent increase in playing time due to Chickillo's incident?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:48

He might have to. Right now he's the only OLB reserve on the roster.

T. Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop

2:48

Ray, any reasons to be concerned about the secondary this week? Nelson, Haden, Hilton all nicked up.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:49

Nelson will be good to go. I think Haden will be OK too. Not sure about Hilton at this point, but Cam Sutton is capable of steeping in a slot CB. I don't think there would be much of a drop-off.

Michael Charlotte, NC

2:50

Seems to me that the Steelers have a favorable schedule the rest of the way and the Ravens schedule get tougher. Possibilities that the last game is for the Division? I think it's pretty high.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:51

Not nearly as high as it would have been if the Seahawks didn't lose to the Ravens at home.

Mtsteel

2:51

Hi Ray, in your opinion, what are the chances the Steelers release Moncrief to maintain that 3rd round compensatory pick?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:51

Better than 50-50 in my opinion especially if he continues to play sparingly the next couple of weeks.

Jack Lambert's tooth

2:51

If Colbert retired or left would the Steelers promote from within?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:52

They have some in-house candidates, but I don't think Art Rooney II wold limit himself to those candidates. Kevin Colbert was hired away from the Lions.

Steeler in Virginia

2:52

With the Dolphins being truly terrible, would you be tempted at all to rest guys like Watt and Haden who are hampered by injury but would be key to any chance of getting a wildcard spot down the stretch?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:52

No. If you're healthy enough to play, you play. This is the NFL. Anything can happen on any given week.

Minkah F.

2:53

Am I going to make a splash play against my former team on MNF?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:53

My crystal ball says... Yes!

Jon Snow

2:53

Who at this point of the season would be your Steeler MVP.