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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.12.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
ALB
11:52
Hi, Ray.  Are the DeCastro and Tuitt contract restructurings related to the Bell contract negotiations?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
ESPN reported over the weekend the Steelers had restructured their contracts, which is not out of the ordinary. It's done when they want to free up money to sign other players. That's why there has been speculation that a Bell contract could be coming soon. That along with Bell and Art Rooney's comments recently that both sides would like to get something done. Doesn't mean it will happen, but signs point they are trying to work out a contract.
MouseDogg
11:54
In the absence of Conner, do you see us making a splash in free agency for RB or go to the draft?  Any free agents out there that would be a good fit?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
I don't see the Steelers signing a RB in free agency unless Bell leaves. In that event, they could sign one or draft one. This is a very strong draft for RBs.
Randy W.
11:55
Ray...do you think there will be any "surprises" out of the North division that we are not seeing at this time....any sleepers that could give the Steelers a run?  and what impact do you really think Todd Haley is going to have with the Browns?  Thanks for your time.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
The Ravens have missed the playoffs the past two seasons, but not by much. They easily could have made the playoffs instead of the Steelers in 2016. In fact, they would have if not for Antonio Brown's Immaculate Extension. And they would have made the playoffs last season if not for giving up a long touchdown pass on fourth down to the Bengals in the regular-season finale. So the Ravens aren't that far away. They have to upgrade at receiver and hope Joe Flacco's back injury is better next season, but I think they are the biggest challenger to the Steelers. The Bengals are behind the Ravens in my estimation and then the Browns bring up the rear in the division. Haley is a good coordinator, but he needs a QB and receivers to make that offense viable. It'll be difficult in his first season.
Steve
11:59
Do you think Eli Rogers and Chickillo get tendered a contract especially Eli with his injury?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I think they'll bring Chickillo back because they don't have a lot of numbers at OLB and they're not necessarily in position to draft another OLB and develop him for a depth role... As for Rogers, he injured his ACL in the playoff loss, so he's unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. I actually think WR is a need for the Steelers in the draft. They are set with Brown and Smith-Schuster as the starters and Bryant is a good No. 3, but he's only signed for one more year. So they could use a slot type guy like Rogers and a home-run hitter to groom behind Bryant, who isn't likely to re-sign.
Stanley Socks Syndrome
12:01
Thanks for entertaining these questions Ray. Any chance another shoe (Porter) drops on defensive coaching changes? Seemed like Steelers waited until replacements were lined up before moving on DL and secondary.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Not ruling it out. We shall see.
AJ
12:02
Does Nix's extension indicate the Steelers are intending to sign Bell long term? Because if they switched to a cheaper, more bruising back, they might not need a FB.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I don't think the Nix signing was tied to Bell at all. They like him and believe he's a good player no matter who is at RB.
Stanley Socks Syndrome
12:03
Ray, would the Steelers improve the secondary by swapping out Mitchell & Gay, adding a FA like Malcolm Butler to push Burns, and moving a Cam Sutton to S?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I don't think they have the money to sign Butler. Burns is signed for two more years and maybe three if they pick up his fifth year option in 2019. Joe Haden is signed for two more years at $9 million a year. I think they'd be better served upgrading at safety and hoping Burns can develop more under new secondary coach Tom Bradley. As for Sutton, moving to safety, it's a possibility, but he played OK at CB for the limited number of reps he had late in the season. He might be the guy to push Burns.
Jeff
12:05
With the recent restructuring of contracts any chance Bell gets a contract by 2-20.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Bell told me at the Pro Bowl they'd like to get something done before Feb. 20 so yes.
Stanley Socks Syndrome
12:06
Ray, if an ILB with a round one grade isn't available when the Steelers pick, could you see them going after a TE like Dallas Goedert from South Dakota State? Which QB do you think would have to be overlooked at their spot in order for them to pick Ben's "heir?"
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I don't see the Steelers drafting a TE in the first round. They like Vance McDonald and Jesse James has one more year left on his rookie contract. They have too many other needs early in the draft. If the value isn't there for an ILB at No. 28, then they'd probably look to safety or pick the best defensive player available.
mtsteel
12:07
Hi Ray and thanks. So I read Ed's column today about Rooney basically dismissing every piece of drama from this past season.  Do you believe any of it ? Or do you think its an owner protecting his organization by not airing out all the dirty laundry by saying there is no dirty laundry? I say he is protecting his club, Your thoughts? thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
I tend to agree with you. And Art did come out and say Tomlin was a little bit too truthful when he opened up to Tony Dungy of NBC with those elephant in the room comments. Remember, we're not privy to what's said behind closed doors. Some of these issues are likely being addressed.
Putuporshutup
12:10
Hi, Ray, Love the chats and the reporting you do. Mr. Rooney , in my opinion, does not seem to get that the Steeler D has significant gaps in both talent and coaching/player development.  Goes without saying that the Steelers know what they are doing, so I am curious as to why they seem to think the D is OK or at least adequate?  What am I missing as a fan?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
He said they are looking to add to their talent on defense. He knows where the major holes are on this team. He said some of the young players they've drafted still have potential to develop. So it's a big year for guys like Bud Dupree.
Steve
12:12
Ray, highest priority in the draft, safety, CB or LB? Do you have any feel yet for the relative strength in each position in this years class?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
ILB. It's a good year for ILBs, not a great year. No assurances the guy they want will be on the board at No. 28.
Jeff from Boston
12:12
I would think that a good coaching staff would have figured out a way to get Harrison and Watt on the field at the same time. Agree ?
Stash from Blawnox
12:21
why was Legarette Blount a success in NE and PHL and a SB winner but was released by PGH? doesn't that speak to the coaching abilities and atmosphere that Bill Belicheck and Doug Pederson have and lack thereof Mike Tomlin?
Jeff from Boston
12:21
Belichik obviously thought enopugh of Harrison to have him on the field for most of the Super Bowl.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Harrison was good enough to play for the Patriots so I would imagine his treatment by the Steelers had more to do with fit for their defense than anything else. Quite simply, they didn't feel like Harrison could drop and cover. Maybe in hindsight they should have moved Watt to ILB and started Harrison after Shazier was injured, but if Harrison was trying to get released all this time then maybe it wasn't really an option after all.
12:23
Right. They had a need for an OLB to rush. He didn't drop much. At least not as much as the Steelers were asking their OLBs. I don't disagree with the notion that Harrison could have been used by the Steelers. I just think they weren't necessarily willing to change the way they were playing on defense to make that happen.
Jeff from Boston
12:23
If Belichick and McDaniels had access to the Steelers' offensive talent (7 Pro Bowlers) they would be scoring > 50 points per game.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
With the Patriots, it's not about talent. It's about finding the right personnel to be successful in their offense. They continue to win in fact without top talent. They change RBs constantly. Even WRs. The only constant for the past few years has been Gronkowski. All other skill positions, they change and continue to have success. So it's more about Tom Brady and their scheme than it is talent.
Steve
12:24
Any news on Lake's replacement?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
They hired Tom Bradley last week.
Dave Cos
12:25
Does the resigning of Nix potentially suggest that Fichtner sees his value and will use him more to help the ground game, especially in short yardage?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Not necessarily. He plays special teams too.
Dave Cos
12:25
Would you agree that the Steelers need to add veterans at both ILB and safety in addition to drafting both positions? I don't think it's realistic to expect rookies to put the defense over the top considering this team is a Super Bowl contender. They need immediate impact AND depth at those spots.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Lots of playoff teams start rookies. It's not ideal, but it's certainly not out of the question for a rookie to start on defense. Kendrell Bell started as a rookie. So did Shazier. Both were on playoff teams. Didn't Darren Perry start as a rookie too?
Dave Cos
12:28
I know a lot goes into scheduling, and I also know it doesn't seem to matter where they play them because they lose anyway, but isn't it strange that this will be the third year in a row the Patriots have to come to Heinz?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
It's just how the NFL does things. All depends on whether it's a first place-first place matchup for a year when the entire division plays the Steelers.
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