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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 1.29.18
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Charles De'Marr
2:31
Any FA ILBs you like?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Bowman, but he has a checkered history with injuries.
Go Steelers!
2:31
Ray, if Bell wants $15+ million a year is he really worth it?  He didn't seem to impact games that much.  Brown on the other hand did.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
$15 million is a lot for a RB, even one who does so much in the passing game as he does. But they were willing to go to $14 million a year last year so I know they value him. Just don't know to what extent.
Chuck
2:32
Are the Steelers and Bell in a good spot with negotiations or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
He seems to think so.
Jay
2:33
Last spring the issue on ILB depth came up with Lawerence Timmons leaving to for free agency. With football being a game of attrition it didn't it seem prudent to address the depth issue last spring. Sometimes it seems like the Steelers are more reactive then proactive, even though no one expected Ryan Shazier to have a possible career ending injury he still was injury prone. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Agreed though I realize the salary cap prevents teams from being deep at every position. But certainly they got caught with their pants down after Shazier was injured.
A Blincoln
2:34
Is it reasonable to believe Bell is leaving it all up to his agent to make the deal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
If that was the case Bell would have signed last summer. This is all about Bell, who said he wants to set the standard for RBs like him.
J from Akron
2:34
Why are so many people ready to get rid of L. Bell after mentioning his contract once? He did not have any drug issues that we know of, he played the whole season and was a big factor in the playoff game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
All true though he wasn't dominant in the playoff game. He had a good game, but I'd argue he was better in the passing game in the second half of the season than the running game.
GregF
2:35
Do you think the Steelers actually go out this year and spend some money on good free agents that can help this team or do they take the cheaper route. Can we get a big game safety that can hit and make key plays and is not out of position like Mitchell is.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
They tried last year with Dont'a Hightower. They'll go after guys if they like them but they won't throw money around for the sake of throwing around money.
Joe
2:37
Given how manhandled the D was down the stretch, would using 2 or the top 3 picks at ILB be prudent with Williams for depth?  Mac and Fort are really just special team players.  Maybe they can also use them in pressure as the OLB’s continue to develop
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
That was the plan last spring, but Hightower turned them down. Williams is paid like a low-level starter, which is what he is. He's competent. He might be best as a strong reserve.
Marnie
2:39
Hi Ray - I’ve read the articles indicating Tomlin is very involved with the defensive play calling each game.  I read that as Tomlin basically doing the job of defensive coordinators.  That surprised me.  I hadn’t heard that comment or read while Lebeau was the defensive coordinator.  Was wondering if Butler maybe on the proverbial hot seat -to the extent that Steeler coaches are on hot seat?  He is still employed by the Steelers but a head coach stepping making game day decisions usually means the coordinator isn’t  employed much longer.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
No I just think it means Tomlin is intricately involved in the day to day operations of the defense. Butler calls the game to the best of my knowledge. I don't know if Tomlin meddles to that extent.
Idaho Steeler Fan
2:40
Besides drafting some new personnel, how do you think the Steelers can improve on defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
Get players who know how to execute their assignments or simplify the defense so the ones you have aren't running around not knowing where to go.
Idaho Steeler Fan
2:41
What’s your prediction for the score of the super bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
Patriots 34, Eagles 20.
Dean
2:41
Is there a chance they keep Stevan Ridley for next year...........he seemed to show signs of a real good back up..........I know they usually keep only three backs.........so is there a possiblity they keep him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
He was open to coming back. Not so sure the Steelers share those feelings, but we'll see.
Tom
2:42
Will they resign Chris Hubbard and plug him into either LG (Foster) or RT (Gilbert) ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
I don't think. I think they'll let him go somewhere else and make a nice buck.
Go Steelers
2:43
With Blount and Harrison stating that Tomlin promised them time to play, but acted otherwise, do you think is there is a problem with his communication style or he talks good game and then does not walk the same?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Based on those two examples, it would seem he has some problems dealing with certain players or certain types of players. But overall, the players enjoy playing for him.
NYC Steeler
2:44
PFF focus rates Sean Davis as one of the worst players at his position in the NFL.  A lot of talk about Mitchell, but not him.  How come?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Read above. He was pretty poor last season. He can't tackle.
Vince
2:45
Ray, It appears to me that all of the Steelers major needs are on defense. I think that their draft priorities should be 1) ilb 2.0 impact safety to hopefully replace Mitchell the human sieve 3.) nose tackle. your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
That's pretty spot on though they might go another position instead of nose with an early pick.
Jay D
2:45
If steelers had signed hightower in FA, would that made a difference in Shazier's absence.  At least against jags and for sure against pats
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Yes although Hightower was injured and won't play in the Super Bowl. You can't predict injuries.
Bob of Bowie
2:46
Would you agree w/former personnel executive Louis Riddick that our secondary “isn’t any good”?  They they seem to be average at best..,
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
They're average because of Joe Haden.
BDenny29
2:47
With the Super Bowl window expiration date seemingly set at Ben's 3 years, do you see the team being more aggressive in free agency to get more immediate returns?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
You might be onto something. We'll have to wait and see.
Chuck
2:47
1. Do you think the Steelers will give into Bell's demands to be paid for two positions? 2. Do you think they we would be better off spending that money to fix our defense? Thanks, Great chat!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
They might be better off doing that, but how do you know they'll make the right signings. Think back to March of 2016. They had a chance to sign Eric Weddle to help the defense. They signed Ladarius Green instead. Weddle was in the Pro Bowl again. Green is out of football. I'm not necessarily taking a shot at Tomlin (who really wanted Green) or the front office, but free agency is a bit of a crapshoot. You never really know what you're getting. That's why so many teams like to build through the draft. You get them young and mold them they way you want them molded.
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