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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.05.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Welcome to the chat. Let's get started.
MikeM65 in Florida
1:56
Do you think Williams for a fifth round pick is worth it?  He hasn't had a great year and I wonder if he is any better than what the Steelers have now.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
I think it makes sense in that he's a bigger target who has displayed big-play abilities in his past. After the Steelers failed to land Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adams I felt like the most logical thing to do was to find a receiver who is like George Pickens in the event Pickens gets hurt. Williams is not in Pickens' class, but he's like him. They have smaller and shiftier guys. They didn't have someone who could step in if Pickens got hurt. Also, the compensation isn't that bad. I think the Steelers are expecting to get some compensatory picks this year so I think that's why they feel comfortable doing it.
Gregg from Shaler
1:58
Is Mike Williams a significant upgrade or is he more of a quality depth move? Any last minute DL or OL depth moves coming? Thanks!!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I view it as a quality depth move. And we have two more hours until the trade deadline to stay tuned. I would not think OL but maybe DL.
marty
2:00
Is WR & special teams player Ben Skowronek coming back this year or is he done for the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Remains to be seen. Teams have to selective on who they bring back from IR because you only get eight returns from IR. He's special-teams player so they'd have to feel like he was a real difference-maker to bring him back. But we'll see. I think they've only brought one or two guys back from IR so they still have some moves in their pocket.
Dean
2:07
Hi Ray............I'm wondering if Roman Wilson will even play this year after the acquisition of Mike Williams.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I'm guessing not unless there are other injuries between now and the end of the regular season.
George T
2:07
Hi Ray,  how will Mike Williams help the Steeler passing attack and the over all offense.  Is he a will blocker an any good at it.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Williams is not known as a blocker. He's 6-4 and has had two 1,000-yard seasons, the most recent one coming in 2021. He was injured last year and limited to three games. He was with the Jets this year and had some struggles getting on the same page as Aaron Rodgers. He just turned 30 too, and it looks like the Steelers will be on the hook for only about $2 million for the remainder of the season. That's not bad for a half-season rental.
Booie
2:09
A 5th was far too steep of a price to pay for Williams….for Slayton maybe….thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I thought Williams might be had for a sixth or a seventh, but as I mentioned earlier the Steelers could be getting some comp picks.
Matt
2:11
Ray, any word on any d line depth help?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Not yet, but the trade deadline is 4 p.m.
Eric from TX
2:11
What do you see as the most important thing the team needs to do in order to beat Washington? Control the line of scrimmage? Stop Daniels? Get off the field on 3rd down? Something else?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
The Commanders' run defense is not highly ranked. If the Steelers can run the ball, control the clock and limit the possessions I think they have a good shot to win. The Commanders are one of the highest-scoring teams in the league and have a dynamic young QB in Jayden Daniels. The best way. Keep them off the field and capitalize when they get in the red zone, and the Steelers should be OK.
The Khan Man
2:13
Loved how the Steelers made it seem like they were all in on Aiyuk and Davante and that a big time WR was going to be lining up with Pickens but here we are with Mike Williams. So now with Williams, Jefferson and Austin, what is the order on the depth chart?  They cannot all be listed as WR3
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I wouldn't get caught up in where these receivers slot in. They'll all have roles. Van Jefferson has been coming on as of late and plays a lot of snaps because he blocks. The same goes for Calvin Austin although now you might see a little more of Austin in the slot in certain personnel packages. And it will take a while for Williams to find his niche. He might not be productive right away, but he could be a weapon in a few weeks. Time will tell.
epiballo
2:15
Who gets bumped off the roster to make room for Williams? What grade do you give the trade?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I'm guessing Scotty Miller or Rodney Williams. Williams is the fifth TE on the roster and that's a big number. But then again, he's a really good special teams player.
60 Prevent Slot Hook And Go
2:16
Hey Ray, always enjoy these chats so thank you. Watching the Steelers D Minkah is lined up so far back most of the time that it looks like we’re playing with 10 men out there (on screen anyway). Given his lack of splash plays recently do you feel like they’re using him to the best of his abilities?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
They're one of the NFL's top-ranked statistical defenses with Minkah in his current role. I think you'll see him freed up a bit now that Cam Sutton is back on the roster. I wrote about that a little today. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/11/05/steelers-comma...
Heeeeath
2:18
Back in my day we threw over the middle to me when we had a 3d and 5 or in goal line situations. Mooooth isn’t me but he’s pretty good. Why aren’t the Steelers using tight ends much anymore?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
They are using their tight ends. Darnell Washington has been getting more targets than last season. You also have MyCole Pruitt and Connor Heyward. I get it. No one is game-planning for Washington or those other guys, but a big part of the job description of an offensive coordinator is getting the ball to your best players. Arthur Smith has not done that enough with Pat Freiermuth.
Steelers Fan In New Orleans
2:20
This year we brought in 3 new QBs. Is it possible that the 2025 team will have 3 different QBs once again?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
No. As long as Russell Wilson continues to play at a high level and remains healthy he'll sign a new deal. And I like Kyle Allen as a reserve. He could be the No. 2 next season or 3 again if Justin Fields signs elsewhere, which I expect he'll do.
TVC15
2:21
Is Darnell Washington about to break out? He doesn't seem to drop any passes and his blocking is outstanding.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Washington is getting a few more targets in the passing game. The way Arthur Smith likes to use his tight ends we shouldn't be terribly surprised by that development. But he's a really good blocker too. That's why he plays as much as he does.
AK
2:22
Who are the pending free agents for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Off the top of my head, the big ones are Dan Moore, James Daniels, Najee Harris and Justin Fields. I'm sure there are a few more.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:23
Do you think Frazier will start or give him another week to heal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Seems like he's on the track to return. He was out there on Monday when they practiced although it was pretty much a walk-thru.
Cam
2:24
Did we at least try to call for dk Metcalf
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I'm sure Khan inquired, but why would the Seahawks trade Metcalf when they're a half-game out of first place?
Outside the Box
2:25
Any update on Cory Trice’s health and chances of coming back from IR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Tomlin said he has a chance this week. He remains on IR but they'll likely open his 21-day window tomorrow.
TheoBell
2:26
Is Mon Adams done for the year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I don't get that sense. I think he has a chance to come back.
Eyesoftheworld
2:27
Hello Ray from LA- Steelers have owned Ravens last 3 years taking 5 out of 6, defense looks confident- and Wilson has looked good in his limited showing. Is that hope I’m feeling ?!?
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