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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.19.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Almost.
Moose
12:17
If Bell's contract situation gets worked out, who else will get the franchise tag?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Don't think anyone else is in line to get it.
Moose
12:17
Our 2018 strength of schedule is ranked 25th?  I think that it looks pretty tough.  How is that calculated, strictly on last year's records?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Yes and don't pay much attention to those stories you read on strength of schedule at this time of the year. Teams change over the offseason, injuries happen so what you think about a team in February could be much different when you play them in September much less December.
JJ
12:19
With the contract restructurings going on, are the Steelers mortgaging their future cap space?  If Decastro and Tuitt play well during their restuctered contracts, is restructuring even that big of an issue?  Is restucturing  contracts mostly an issue if the player doesn't pan out and Steelers won't be able to cut them without takimg a big cap hit?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Right and I think they're completely comfortable with DeCastro and Tuitt long term. Just have to keep Tuitt healthy.
Ike Steelheart
12:20
Hello Ray, I didn't formulate my question properly last wednesday in Gerry's chat. I think The Steelers like Bell because BESIDES being great at running and catching he is also big, strong and very good at picking DBs and LBs blitzes. He is always there for Ben as security target too. I didn't see that with Bettis, Parker, Mendenhall, etc. So Bell's presence has helped a lot with Ben's health. Also defenses have to play honest when he is on the field so AB, JuJu, MB and TE's can take advantage of that. JAX couldn't stop The Steelers!! I don't know if another RB could do all of that every 3 downs. I know Eagles and Pats in SB could have a different and strong argument, but the kind of offense that Pittsburgh runs right now needs a RB like Bell, right? What is your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Agree that Bell is the ideal RB because he doesn't have to come off the field for any reason. But the Steelers had their stars, including Bell, available for the regular-season game vs. the Jaguars, and they weren't unstoppable. And one can argue the Steelers got lucky in the playoff game with some of those fourth down conversions. If they don't convert those big plays that very easily could have been a 42-14 final score. Honestly, I think they'd be fine without Bell. They'd have to draft an RB or sign one in free agency, but they'd still have a very good offense. I also see the value in keeping Bell. He's a great player. It's just a matter of the value you place on him. That's all.
Lazarus Link
12:22
Ray, I really liked your mock draft. I can't understand why some of the so-called "experts" are ignoring the Steelers' biggest needs (ILB, S, maybe a run-stuffing DL) and picking CBs, QBs, and RBs. Do you think the lack of real cap space will limit any talent influx to the draft and UFAs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
If Bell is signed or tagged they won't have a lot of money to spend in free agency. If they don't sign Bell they'll have some money to spend.
MaydayMalone
12:23
Loved your mock last week! Last year I had Watt and JuJu on my draft board in the first round and how awesome to see JJ slide to get them both. My question, I like the 2 linebacker pick, but if Evans isn't there, do you take Vander Esch, or safety Justin Reid in the first if available? Also, I still want Josey Jewel, but will be be there and the end of the 3rd round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Jewell is a guy who won't test all that well at the combine so I don't see him making a huge jump up draft boards over the next few weeks. However, falling all the way to the Steelers at the end of the third round might not happen either. You'll hear a lot about Vander Esch at the combine. He's expected to test well. The concern is his lack of experience. He really only had one good year in college. Lots of projecting what he will be rather than what he was in college. Intriguing prospect though.
Guest
12:25
What's the plan at ILB? I figure the steelers have to sign someone who is starter-capable in free agency. Any guy out there you think might fit the bill?       I like Tyler M as much as the next guy, but I don't want him as a starting ILB in Week One.  You da man, Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Avery Williamson is the guy I keep thinking is a good fit. How much will he cost though? And are the Steelers willing to get into a bidding war for him? All question that will be answered in a few weeks.
waldo
12:27
History-related question - Due to the partnership during the 1943 season that formed the Steagles, my grandpa says that the Steelers technically own a share of the Super Bowl LII title, which raises their all-time Lombardi total to 6.5.   Is that right?   I hate to contradict him cuz he is a veteran and my grandpa, but I can't imagine that is correct.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Tell your grandpa the Eagles also would have 6.5 Super Bowls then.
Guest
12:27
Ray, be honest, Ryan Shazier will never play in the NFL again, right?    I think it is great that he may walk again and live a healthy life, but - if only for liability and insurance reasons - there is no way he gets back on an NFL field. I think we all know that. So, how does the team move on respectfully on #50, but still look to replacing him in the lineup?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
The reality is they have to replace him. He's not going to play in 2018 no matter what. And based off Kevin Colbert's comments last week it seems like the Steelers are trying to get him involved in other ways such as scouting. Maybe after 2018, he can transition into that type of role with the team if he cannot make a comeback.
MaydayMalone
12:29
Do you see the difference between fair market value and what Leveon Bell wants too far apart? And do the Steelers let him go to test free agency or do they tag him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
It's such a tricky negotiation. He is trying to set the market for himself and other backs like him. Basically, he wants to be paid like a RB and No. 2 or 3 WR. The Steelers were willing to do that last July. Bell rejected their offer. He told me at the Pro Bowl that he might have to give a little and the Steelers might have to give a little, but he's not taking less than what they offered him last summer.
Guest
12:30
Will Arthur Moats be back for this upcoming season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Not ruling it out. Good locker room guy. Represents the team well. And they might need the depth is Keion Adams doesn't progress.
....
12:31
Which guys do you think the steelers will likely lose in Free Agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Chris Hubbard is likely to get a nice contract to start somewhere else. He can't start for the Steelers.
Cool Dr. $
12:31
Is Paul Puzlusny a possible Steelers target in that crazy thing we call Free Agency??!?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
He is older so it would have to be a one or two-year deal. But at this point, is Pos better than Vince Williams? Maybe he is, maybe not. But he did play for Tom Bradley at PSU.
12:34
So Much Water So Close To Home is my favorite book of short stories. by Raymond Carver. Read it in college and have re-read it since then.
reading
12:34
The NFL offseason is interesting, but not as interesting as the regular season. Do you have any books you could recommend - sports or non-sports - that I might like to read to pass the time during the NFL OFFSEASON?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Question to previous answer:
Guest
12:34
Will Todd Haley give away Steelers secrets to the Browns?  And did Faneca get cheated out of a Gold Jacket?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I'm sure Todd will share everything he knows about personnel and tendencies. That's life in the NFL. The Steelers will have to be in guard when they play the Browns, might have to change up a few things. And Faneca will get in eventually. There was a log jam with eligible offensive linemen this year and none of them got in. The voters have to figure that out.
574Steeler
12:36
Thanks for the chats, Ray. V Williams had a very productive season alongside Shazier. But, given his very limited coverage abilities and lateral range, is it fair to say that the Steelers might be looking for two ILBs if Shazier's replacement doesn't have similar range/coverage skills in order to offset Williams' weaknesses?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Yes. He was good as a pass rusher and OK in the run game, but he's not ideally a three-down linebacker.
mariners
12:37
Is the Griffey kid a real option to make the team at WR or is this just a publicity stunt to get Ken Griffey Jr fans to follow the Steelers offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Haven't seen him play. Right now he's just on the 90-man roster but he'll have a shot to impress this spring and summer.
Guest
12:37
What's with the story that the Steelers may want Haden to take a pay cut? Are they insane!!!!?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I haven't read that anywhere. Is that new?
574Steeler
12:39
Is there a chance that the starting safety opposite Sean Davis is already on the roster even if they part ways with Mitchell?  And I'm not referring to the current backup safeties on the depth chart. Ed mentioned in a recent chat that he thought they might look at moving Sutton over, which surprised me because I thought they really liked his late season play at CB. Gary wrote a day or two ago about moving Allen over, which I thought seemed more likely given his size and the fact that Haden along with Burns, Sutton, and Hilton have a decent chance at being very solid next year.  Do you think they'll look at switching either of them?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Both have versatility to do so but I think ideally they get the safety they want in the draft.
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