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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.26.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I don't think there was much expectation about getting compensatory picks this year. Kevin Colbert knows the formula and he had to know it wasn't a strong possibility given how active the team was in free agency last year.
mtsteel
12:21
Hi Ray, thanks for your time. I'm hearing the rumblings about a Bryant trade. I feel like if he's moved, it would put us in a "need" spot at WR and we have too many defensive needs to address in the draft and cannot afford a FA receiver.  That being said I say we keep him this year on the cheap. Plus he will be playing for a big contract! Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
You are exactly right. See what I wrote above.
Rob
12:22
Its been explained to me that the 3-4 Defense is typically adopted by teams with Strong LB unit, however in order for that to be effective the OLB's must come up and set the edge against the run and pressure the passer. Based on the current personell and strength in the D-Line, wouldnt a 4-3 make more sense in this pass happy league?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
They are only in their base 3-4 defense about 25-30 percent of the time. The rest of the time they are in some form of a 4-3 with one of their OLBs stacked behind the line. I don;t see them committing to a 4-3 full-time because they've drafted OLBs in the first round in two of the past three years. I think they want to see if these guys produce, and if they do, their outside pass rush will improve.
DaquidoBazzini
12:24
Hi Ray - If the Steelers traded Martavis Bryant (which I personally would not for less that a 3rd Round pick), how high do you think they'd go WR in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I could see them taking a WR with their third-round pick regardless.
Joel for the defense
12:25
Better to get 50 catches or so from Bryant this year as the number 4 receiver and watch him walk away a FA next offseason or trade him now and get some Def. help/draft pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
They'll get a compensatory pick next year if he leaves after his rookie contract. Unless they know he's going to be a big-time in the rear end again there is no need to trade him. His attitude was positive in the second half of the season, and he played better.
Rob
12:26
Due to the  decline of Mike Mitchell and the necessity to prevent the long pass, wouldnt a ballhawking free safety be the biggest gap to file on D, especially considering it has been a glaring weakness, year over year....Would you agree? and do you think it could be the single most impactful pick for the D in this years draft? Who do you like?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I still think ILB is the biggest need because they need an every-down player to replace Ryan Shazier. But they need a safety, too. Not only was Mitchell one of the reason they gave up so many big plays, but he didn't produce turnovers, either. They need a ball-hawking safety, but they'll draft the best safety available and make adjustments if necessary. In other words, if there is a really good strong safety they like they'll draft him and convert Sean Davis to free safety, where he might be better off.
Hunter
12:29
Shazier should get every penny owed to him from his fifth year option. But isn't the rule a little ridiculous in that he counts against the cap for the upcoming year? It would be a lot easier to find his replacement with the extra cap space.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Yes it is ridiculous, but that's the way the NFL rule is written. It's not going to be changed for one catastrophic injury. It's not a good situation for the Steelers, but it's one they have to deal with.
Joel for the defense
12:30
Like your thinking on the Steelers drafting to ILB's in the draft.  What about help at interior DL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Definitely a possibility but not until later in the draft. I don't see them using one of their first three picks on a DL unless a really good one falls to them in one of the first three rounds. Even then, it would have to be a nose tackle.
Joel for the defense
12:31
Do you see the Steelers signing one veteran def. starter before the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I can see Timmons signing once he is cut. Would he replace Vince Williams, or would he merely be quality depth behind the starters? I'm not sure at this point.
Vegas Steeler
12:32
What round draft pick you think it would take for the Steelers to accept a trade for Bryant?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Third or higher. And I don't think that happens.
Joel for the defense
12:33
Is the CB situation on the outside settled with Hayden and Burns for 2018 or could the they be looking at putting Sutton in Burns spot?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
I think Sutton becomes the top backup CB, which is basically what he was once he came off IR. He's also a solid candidate to play in the dime, assuming Willie Gay does not return.
GENE
12:34
Hi Ray, I just read where the attendance at Heinz Field was down for the second straight year.  I understand the National Anthem dilemma but that seemed to resolve itself with the Steelers.  Any other reasons this is happening?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Football is the best sport to watch on TV. And with so many of these late-season games played in less than ideal weather conditions, I think that's a part of it. They've tried to make the game day experience better for fans, but it's a game that translates very well on TV.
Vegas Steeler
12:35
If Bell is not tagged or re-signed, do you envision the Steelers going running back with their first-round pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Won't rule it out, but more likely second or third round in that scenario you gave.
Joel for the defense
12:35
Saw a list of QB salaries.  How does Brady get only 15 million a year on the books?  Could the Steelers work out something like that for Ben to get cap space?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Not unless Roethlisberger is willing to take less than market value. Brady is the rare case and New England has been lucky he's been willing to do it. I guess it helps when your supermodel wife pulls down $50 million a year or whatever Giselle does.
Matt
12:37
Hey Ray, do you think Marcus Wheaton is an option for a return to Pitt?  He knows the offense and should come very cheaply.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I suppose, but he didn't exactly excel in his first go-round here, and the Steelers draft and develop receivers very well. Honestly, I'd rather see them draft one and let that guy develop behind 84, 19 and 10.
NC Steel
12:38
Ray, Let's talk defense. The Steelers 56 sacks set a new team record, but this disguised the fact that the pressure on the QBs was very inconsistent last season. Part of the reason is b/c they dropped the OLBs in coverage so much--more than in years past. Why run a 3-4 that takes away so many opportunities for the OLBs to put pressure on the QBs? Has this been done in part to offset the weakness of the secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
They did it because it was effective for so much of the season. It did not allow opposing play callers to get a bead on who was dropping  and who was rushing. It didn't work out so well vs. Jacksonville in the playoffs, but it helped them go 13-3. I heaven't heard anything along the lines of them changing that next season though there is plenty of time for the coaches to change their minds. That's what they're doing now. Figuring out what worked well in 2017 and what did not.
Joel for the defense
12:40
Agree 100 percent they should get something done with Bell so they can see what they have to work with on the cap.  Do you think this will drag on like last year or will they get something done soon.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
The desire for both sides is to get something done so they won't have an ongoing negotiation through the spring and summer. I don't think either side liked how that unfolded.
dmac
12:41
Why couldn't they cut Shazier and void his contract and rehire him as a "coach" and pay him the same money off the cap?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
That would probably viewed as circumventing the cap and would be flagged by the league office. Plus, Shazier has been vocal about returning to play. There are no indications he'd be willing to do such a thing.
Kris
12:42
Sutton a viable option to test at SS if we move Davis to FS and cut Mitchell?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Yes but he played pretty well at CB from what I saw in a limited number of snaps last season.
Ken Ward
12:42
Ray, do you think Timmons would be anything but a back up at this stage of his career? I always liked him, but he has obviously lost a step. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
That's the thing. He's not coming back to replace Shazier. He'd be coming back to replace Williams or provide quality depth.
AK
12:43
Also, isn’t it likely the Steelers will get comp picks next year for losing Hubbard and Bryant?
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