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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.12.18
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BishkekSteeler
12:29
Hello Ray, I saw a mock draft yesterday that had the Steelers picking a Safety in round one. I don't normally put much time into mocks and usually read them when there is so little other news. But as I thought about a bit, it started to feel right that if there is a hard hitting ball hawk available at 28 it might be the way to go. I know we need an ILB badly,but if there is not one there in round one, would safety be a good choice?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I guess it depends on the value. You can't reach for an ILB at No. 28 if the player you want is already gone. By the same token, they can't reach for a safety, either.
Rick
12:30
Ray..Looks like all the restructuring of contracts means Bell will be back or do you think it has more to do with Big Ben?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Don't think it has to do with Roethlisberger's contract. Art did not indicate that was coming this spring.
Brian in CA
12:31
How many of the other 31 head coaches in the NFL would have made the playoffs this year if they were the coach of the Steelers, given their talent and schedule?  My guess is most of them(20+?).
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
That's impossible to answer, but if you're point is the Steelers have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL I'm not disputing that notion.
BishkekSteeler
12:32
Are the Steelers really going to try to sign Bell knowing what he turned down already. I just can't see him being worth twice what the next best is worth and there are sure to be some Gurley or Kamara look alikes found in the draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Well, at the Pro Bowl, Bell said both sides might have to give a little. When I asked if he's sign for what was offered last summer he flat out said no. So the starting point is more than $14 million a year. We know that unless that was bravado on his part.
Mike J.
12:33
Hi Ray. What do you think can be done to improve the "catch rule"? Seems like the league tried to make it black and white with all the surviving the ground and completing the catch stuff, but obviously it remains a controversial and confusing element of the game. Is it just one of those things that will always be a bit of a judgment call (thus remaining inconsistent from week to week)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I think they can make it easy by saying the ground cannot cause an incomplete pass much in the same way it cannot cause a fumble. So in other words, if a player catches a pass and makes a football move (whether that's taking steps as a runner or moving forward like Jesse James) then it's a catch. It just takes some common sense, something they haven't exhibited in recent years. If they want to put in a rule that says James' stretch wouldn't have counted for a TD that's fine. But there is no way that should be an incomplete pass.
westCoast
12:36
What percent of time the steelers played zone D against Bortles? Didnt they know even Bortles would pick them apart after Hundley and Brissett picked them apart?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I don't have an exact number, but I know they didn't play a lot of man. That game plan continues to confound a month later. It all goes back to not being able to stop the run. Bortles had third and short and third and manageable all game. That made it too easy on him to pick up third downs and move the chains.
Mateo
12:38
Do you like the recent hirings with the defensive coaches?  DB's could use some fresh ideas for sure?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I do. Change is good sometimes. The Steelers defense wasn't good enough so maybe some new ideas will help.
Rob
12:38
Do you think Keith Butler is on the hot seat in 2018 with the new additions to the coaching staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
I would think his defense has to play much better in certain ways yes. The tackling must improve. The communication errors have to decrease. Overall, I think this defense has to improve its fundamentals and get back to basics. It's Butler's job to make that happen.
Dj cain
12:40
Ray with all the talk and you saying you wouldn’t sign Bell, do you believe that he will be in a Steelers uniform next season
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
It sure looks like they're trying to sign Bell. While I think they can use the money elsewhere to upgrade their roster in no way do I think keeping Bell is a bad idea, either. He's an All-Pro. The Steelers traditionally try to keep players like that in their prime years. Bell is a different type of negotiation because he's been vocal about setting the market for his position, and the Steelers don't overpay for players. Bell is a great player. It's just about allocating your resources.
maydaymalone
12:42
Good Afternoon Ray, If you could bring in only one free agent starter what position would you pick? I was always nervous before the 2017 season began that we were short at ILB, and if the do address it, i think they should also address with a high draft pick too? Thought?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
I don't have any inside knowledge on their draft board and which players they think will be available when they select. But if I had to guess I'd say sign an ILB but only because Vince Williams is 28 and entering the final year of his contract.
Jesse
12:44
Do you think if Jesse had caught the ball the Steelers beat Titans and Pats at home and win the SB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
I definitely think they would have beaten the Titans. And maybe the Jaguars would have beaten the Patriots. And maybe the Steelers would have been much better in the AFC championship after an easier game in the division round. But that's water under Alberto Rivera's bridge.
Rahm
12:45
14 Mil a year for a guy who can't gain 1 yard when the season's on the line and refusing to just bull doze the pile in critical moments?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
Maybe. And maybe the new offensive coordinator will have a different mindset when it comes to short yardage.
Steelerfaninreading
12:46
The NFL is an offensive league. Defense's just need to make a few plays (as seen in the superbowl) to contribute to a win. The Steelers need to keep key players on offense such as LeVeon Bell who certainly is a game changer and add red zone players to get us in the end zone instead of settling for field goals. Certainly we need to get a replacement for Shazier which will tough and we certainly need a safety. But we can't lose focus on the offense. Sign Bell !!!!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
The Steelers might be in your corner.
BK in Delaware
12:47
What did you think of the Eagles running a fake walkthrough before the Superbowl.  Do coaches really think the Pats still cheat?  Can you give any insight on what really happened during sypgate, nobody give a clear answer.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
I love it. With two weeks to prepare all the hay was in the barn at that point. It's obvious the other 31 teams still think the Patriots cheat, and they take the appropriate measures.
Alan Coholic
12:48
Ray...FA targets....give us something, anything
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Avery Williamson. Tennessee Titans ILB.
Dan
12:48
In 3 postseason games plus the game against the Steelers NE had a total of two offensive penalties. During these same games Brady was barely touched. Should all 5 of their offensive linemen be HOF candidates or were there a lot of holding calls that were ignored?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
All offensive linemen hold on occasion. It's just a matter of hiding it well enough. It just could be the Patriots offensive linemen do a better job of "holding" within the rules. In other words, they've perfected how to hold without drawing flags. Either way, it's hard to ignore the difference in penalty yardage. It's not just along the offensive line. Their DBs push the line with holding beyond five yards. It's one of those deals: if you do it every play they're not going to call it every play. But that doesn't explain why their DBs are never called.
Anthony
12:51
dont you think 2 more years is enough for Big Ben? Why chase him pushing 40?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Because other QBs at 40 or pushing 40 are playing at a very high level. Do Tom Brady and Drew Brees ring a bell? My question is, why not?
Huma
12:52
Do you go to the combine to cover!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Gerry Dulac will be there.
Seven’s Coming
12:52
Hi Ray, Steeler fan from deep in New England (there’s a lot of us!). I’ve heard you say it’s a deep draft for RBs. What would be the next strong positions available? Thanks, Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
QBs are deep too though the Steelers don't one. Other positions are good just not as deep as those two. Kevin Colbert is speaking to reporters later this week so he might shed some light on that. He usually gives some insight on the draft when he talks before the combine.
Bill
12:53
How do you think Fichtner's O will be different from Haley's?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
That's to be determined, but I hope he's better in the red zone and in short yardage. I guess the buzz word is situational football I hope he's better in situational football than Haley, who was a very good coordinator otherwise.
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