JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.31.19

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.31.19

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Ray Fittipaldo

1:58

Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.

Django

2:00

Is it time to admit the Steelers should have drafted WR AJ Brown?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:02

Brown is looking like a second-round steal by the Titans, but he was the No. 51 overall pick. The Steelers didn't have a second-round pick because they used it to trade up for Devin Bush. So unless you want to say Bush was a bad pick then there is no basis to say it. But I agree with you on Brown. I liked him before the draft. I had him as one of the top WRs in the draft, and he's proving me right with the year he's having in Tennessee.

Paul from Sacramento

2:02

Hi Ray, Love your chats and insights. With the injury to Mason being more serious than thought, and Ben's unsure status.. do you think the Steelers use their first pick (2nd round) for a QB? Or what do you think is the biggest need (assuming the keep Bud DuPree) ?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:03

Assuming they tag Dupree, I would say OL and TE and/or WR are their biggest draft needs. After that, RB and DL. If they add a QB this year I think it will be through free agency.

zipman

2:03

The biggest concern I have for 2020 (besides Big Ben's health) is the offensive line. Any chance the Steelers look at Free agents? It must be a top priority at the draft for sure.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:05

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they draft an offensive lineman with their first pick if the right one is available. They'll be in a position to select the best player available at a few positions such as OL, TE and WR. If they have a high grade on a guard in the second round, don't be surprised if they take one. They have to start rebuilding the line.

DaquidoBazzini

2:05

Hi, Ray. Thanks for all of your great coverage this season. Is DC Keith Butler's contract up? If so, do you think it's completely definite he continues at his position with the Steelers?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:06

I'd be surprised if they made a move because the defense finally started to come into its own. But Teryl Austin is sort of the DC in waiting so I guess anything is possible with Butler.

Anujdjango

2:06

Instead of Devin Bush, a player like AJ Brown or Metcalf or Fant would have served the Steelers well in the first round, correct? Offense moves the meter in today's NFL, Ray...

Ray Fittipaldo

2:08

A.J. Brown wouldn't have made Duck Hodges or Mason Rudolph that much better. And remember, the WR the Steelers did take a few picks later was Diontae Johnson. He had a very good rookie season, and I think he's going to be even better with Ben Roethlisberger.

Thom

2:08

Ray, Great job on your chats. Taking Ben out of the equation would you still retain Randy Fichtner as the OC? Game strategy in utilizing what he had to work with seemed lacking. Thank you and Happy New Year.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:10

Tomlin talked today about evaluating the "schematics" of what they did on offense. I'm sure they'll make some tweaks over the offseason. Clearly, the decision not to tweak in-season turned out to be a mistake. It would have been a big gamble to change your offense, but maybe they should have looking back. Then again, I don't think they had the personnel to become a running team. They can begin to change that in the draft and free agency. I think it would be smart to develop more of a run mentality with a 38-year old QB. Especially one who is coming off major elbow surgery. That seems like a no-brainer.

Mrbig

2:10

I like the defensive game plan to take advantage of the run-option rules. You think jackson was relieved to not be out there sunday?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:11

Probably, but did it matter that they knocked RGIII to the ground after every read option? The Ravens rushed for 223 yards. Clearly, it's something they have to work on over the offseason.

Mrbig

2:11

Do you think Vance was injured?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:11

Yes, but injuries are part of the game. Unfortunately for Vance, he's dealt with them a lot throughout his career.

2:12

Ray - Thanks for the chats Happy New Year to you! What do you read in the tea leaves with the Skipper signing for two years?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:13

Good question. They rarely sign guys to two-year contracts immediately after the season. Skipper was going to be an exclusive rights free agent so they could have gone year to year with him and paid him only about $700,000 next season. I think it probably spells the end for Anthony Chickillo. I'm writing about that later this week. So stay tuned.

Retire21

2:13

Jordan Berry showed a number of times late this year that he is a fish out of water as a football player. Odds they move on?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:14

Better than previous offseasons when I thought they should have moved on from him. But for some reason they continue to bring him back.

2:14

Ray - what do you think has to happen with the O line going into the 2020 season? I somewhat buy they weren't built for run blocking, but they had Duck running for his life on a lot of passing downs as well....thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:18

Mike Tomlin defended the line and shifted blame to his young QBs and RBs in terms of the breakdowns in pass protection. So take those sacks late in the year with a grain of salt. Some of them were on the line, but many of them were on the Qb for not changing the protection and for the RBs missing assignments. But that doesn't mean changes aren't necessary on the line. They need to make changes. Ramon Foster won't be back. They'll release him. They should begin the rebuild with guys that can run block. DeCastro can do it. Feiler can do it too. Pouncey is more of a finesse center so he'd have to make some adjustments in his game, maybe add some weight. Same with Villanueva. He's not a good run blocker, but he'd have to make some adjustments too as he enters the final year of his contract. You can't keep doing what you're doing, and expect the running game to improve. It's been below average for a couple of years now.

Gravel

2:18

Hi Ray - Thanks for the NY Eve chat. Hearing MT's comments on JC today makes me think that RB position up for grabs next year. What do you think the Steelers will do and what do you think they should do?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:20

Assuming James Conner is healthy he's a decent option to be their top back. The problem with Conner is he's been unable to stay healthy. After that it's apparent Snell bypassed Jaylen Samuels as a runner late in the season. And as I said, don't be surprised if they draft a RB in the middle rounds of the draft to add some competition and depth behind Conner, Snell and Samuels.

2:20

Do you think that the Steelers will try to pickup an experienced backup QB someone like Andy Dalton in the off season?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:20

Andy Dalton will be too expensive, but they could explore cheaper options.

Retire21

2:21

They're called MOCK DRAFTS because people like to mock them. But at least a couple, citing the need for a mobile option, have Jalen Hurts going to PITT with the second round choice. Possible?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:22

Really? I haven't clicked on one mock draft yet. I guess I'll do that next week. But I just can't see them going for a QB in the second round although I like the idea of having a mobile QB on the roster.

Gravel

2:22

HI Ray - What is root cause of rift between L Bell and A Gase? Any truth to the rumor that the Steelers inquired about a mid-season trade?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:22

Nope. That was Bell trying to make it look like teams were interested at the deadline.

Alan in Nashville

2:23

Hi Ray. If you don’t mind, what’s your opinion of Pro Football Focus? We just listened to an ex-baseball reliever tell a 93.7 The Fan audience that Pouncey has never been more than an average center...In his career. He said that because of the Steelers history at center, any player brought in at that position is considered a pro bowler and a 10-year guy. He obviously has never seen Pouncey boat-racing guys 35 yards downfield. What do you think?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

I take their grades with a grain of salt. I know they have some reputable people working for them, but I also know they have some other "grading" tape that aren't necessarily qualified to be doing so. When I want to know how a player is playing I watch the coach's tape. I know what I'm looking at, especially when it comes to offensive line play so I don't have to rely on PFF. I will tell you Pouncey has played better. But in other years he's been really, really good, too.

GSMP

2:25

Can the Steelers afford to use the franchise tag on Bud Dupree? I don't doubt that they could figure out a way to work the cap but who else would they need to cut or not be able to re-sign in order to make it work? Beyond the dollars to Dupree it seems like a very costly proposition.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:26

Yes they'd have to clear some space. But they can get there rather easily. Cut Foster and Chickillo and that's about $9 million right there. They can easily cut a few more guys and restructure a few others to make it happen.

IkeSteelheart

2:26

Do not kill me with this question please, but what about Jason Garrett as OC for the Steelers if he indeed leaves Dallas?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:28

Garrett didn't exactly get the most out of his talent in Dallas although I do like what they did with the running game. Then again, they have Ezekiel Elliott and some good offensive linemen, too. Maybe they'll add a run game coordinator to help out, but I just don't see them making a move at OC because Randy and Ben get along so well.

IkeSteelheart

2:28

Steelers will pick at 50 this 2020 NFL draft, would you select the best TE or the best RB or the best OL available?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:29

OL or TE.

RyanW

2:29

Do you think missing the playoffs will impact Watts chances of the DPOY award?

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