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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 5.22.17
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Jeemie
12:18
James and Grimble...can they get the job done?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
And David Johnson. They'll all have roles. Johnson is the blocker, H-back. Grimble is the pass-catcher who can stretch a defense. James can do a little bit of both. I might add they got the job done on a team that made the AFC title game a year ago.
Ice
12:19
5 or 6 WRS on the roster this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I'm guessing six due to the unique circumstances.
Scott in Amsterdam
12:19
Colbert was specifically asked about the health of Greg Warren during the draft and he clearly denied any injury speculation...do you believe he was lying? And if so, why?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I'm sure he had a good reason for not being completely honest. I don't know it though.
Tayvon Reed
12:21
Do you think if they'll give it till next season that CB Brian Allen will be a good starter over Ross Cockrell
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Brian Allen didn't start for Utah until the fourth game of his senior season. Let's reign in our expectations, folks.
Barry Foster
12:21
Who will be the #3? Knile Davis or Fitz Touissant?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Knile Davis is my guess.
Tayvon Reed
12:22
If Juju Smith-Schuster shows that he could play how reporters were describing him(big, strong, physical, and competitive catcher) will he get the starting slot position
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Not sure who "starts" in the slot is important. They like Eli Rogers, too. Haley is a good coordinator and will find ways to utilize Brown, Bryant, Smith-Schuster and Rogers. It will be fascinating to see how he makes it work when all four are on the field. I could see Brown and Smith-Schuster lined up to one side and Bryant and Rogers lined up on the other. If you double-team Brown, that leaves three quality players to defeat single or zone coverage. I like my chances of Ben Roethlisberger finding the open guy.
Scott in Amsterdam
12:24
Knile Davis had some good kick returns (mostly back in 2013 and 2014) but his numbers as a running back are very average....so why should we consider him the shoo-in for the 3rd RB spot? Shouldn't the more accomplished back (Deangelo Williams) at least get a chance to compete?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
If you forgot, it took the 34-year old Williams six weeks to get over a knee injury late last season. Old guys don't recover as well as young guys.
John
12:25
Hello Ray, thanks for the chats, I always enjoy them. How many recievers do we carry into to season and how many Tight Ends? I'm thinking it will be 6 and 3. Your thoughts please and how many and who do you see hitting the PS?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
6 and 3 sounds like a good bet now. Probably between TEs Orndoff and Odom for the practice squad.
Scott in Amsterdam
12:25
Ray, your article about Green's departure seems to imply that we will be seeing more 4 wide receiver sets with Juju....but what about Jesse James and Xavier Grimble? Both of them look like they will continue to improve in the passing game.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
James is what he is as a receiver: he can catch but not do much damage after the catch. Grimble, while talented, didn't play all that much for a variety of reasons, including a couple of injuries. When you draft a WR in the second round you are expecting him to produce as a rookie. I don't see any reason why four-wide sets wouldn't be a big part of the offense.
West Coast Fan
12:28
Do you think Ju Ju will take the starting slot spot from Rogers? I cannot wait to Bell ,Bryant Brown,Ben and Ju Ju. I love me some JUJUBEES
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Again, I don't think it's important who starts. Haley can find ways to make it work.
Scott in Amsterdam
12:30
The Steelers released long snapper Kameron Canaday earlier this month....which made sense after drafting Holba, but looks confusing after the release of Warren...shouldn't they at least bring in competition for the rookie?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Only a 90-man roster but they could bring him back for a look.
Steelfan77
12:31
I love the options along the D line this year, do you think this is the most versatile group they've had in awhile?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Much better depth than in the past assuming they all can stay healthy. Looking forward to seeing Alualu and how he'll fit in.
KC
12:31
I'm not ready to give up on Coates just yet. Do you think he bounces back from last year's injury plagued, drop-filled season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I am interested to see if he can. He's had four months to heal. If he is healthy he can help this team.
B2B
12:32
I love Phazahn Odom. Does he have any chance of making the 53? Or is he practice squad material?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
I would assume practice squad. I watched his highlight tape and he's going to have a problem blocking NFL players. Pad level is always an issue for taller guys, and he's 6-8. I think they signed him to take a look at him as a pass catcher. His blocking in the Patriot League wasn't dominating.
Rick
12:34
Was glad to see green go....I love Jessie James,very reliable third down receiver also don't think he gets enough credit on blocking...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
James' blocking has improved, but he can still improve in that area. It's clear the Steelers like him. If they didn't, they would have drafted a TE to compete with him.
esoluke
12:35
Hi Ray, When I watch Daniel McCullers play, it looks like he pushes offensive linemen around, getting a good push up the middle. What do the coaches see differently that results in so little playing time for him? Is it a mindset problem?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Consistency, ability to play without tiring. He just hasn't progressed well enough to feel like he's part of the future entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Raymond Hluska
12:35
Will former Duquesne players, Wayne Capers and Dillion Buechel, be part of mini Camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
They weren't signed after rookie minicamp, so no.
Taz
12:36
Hi Ray! Ed B tweeted a "worst 2016 FA signings" article this AM, which listed Coty Sensabaugh near the top (Rams signing, but cut and now a Steeler). He's on a modest contract with Pittsburgh now, but why did he do so bad w/Rams?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I don't have an answer for you. I didn't see the Rams play very much. Perhaps he wasn't a good fit for their defense. Perhaps he'll fit better in Pittsburgh.
Taz
12:37
Green getting cut - a surprise? Or obvious from the middle of last season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
It was somewhat surprising to me because Green said after the AFC championship game that he was feeling better and gave no indications the injury was problematic. But looking back on his interactions with reporters for the year he was here I can't say he was ever truthful. He was constantly dodging questions, giving non-answers, never providing insight into what he was going through.
Taz
12:39
Were the Green and Warren cuts known inside the building since before the draft? Were physicals just a formality? And were the Steelers just taking care of Warren with that last contract so he could claim final $?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
I have to believe they knew. Also, Warren won't see any money from signing that final contract.
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