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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.26.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
Yes, but in separate years.
Lousy John
12:44
Ray, can you explain what Pittsburgh's defensive philosophy is? OLBs are spending more time tin coverage. We've stocked up on CBs. Feels like we only rush three most of the time, and if the DLs aren't moving the pocket, there's no pressure on the QB. Then, if the QB runs, we seem to give up long gains. What exactly are we looking at?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
They want to get pressure with four and drop seven. That's the ideal scenario, and with dropping OLBs into coverage they were able to create some confusion as to which players were coming. That's the good thing about their philosophy. The bad is when you don't have consistent pressure from your two OLB spots it creates scenarios where QBs can get comfortable and pick apart your defense.
Kris
12:47
I think Sean Davis should move to free safety this year, I think he would be a better player at the back of the defense with all of the field in front of him. Mike Mitchell has to be gone, from his poor play to his $8 million cap hit. Find a SS in the draft, maybe even give Sutton an opportunity to see how he plays at the position?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
You might be thinking the same way as the Steelers brain trust.
mtsteel
12:47
Ray, I know Timmons knows the defense, but he's older.  Wouldn't bringing in a younger ILB make more sense, its not like they don't have a ton of time to learn the defense by September. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Yes it would, but a younger LB would cost more in free agency. You might be able to get Timmons for $2 million a year whereas a 26-year old might cost $5 million or more.
Aluminum Curtain
12:49
Do we really have the time to wait around for rookie defensive help to develop into the saviors we need to play championship level defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
Their defense hasn't been good enough with the likes of Mitchell and others the past 10 years. Injecting some new blood might benefit the defense at this point. I don't have any problem with the Steelers drafting an ILB and safety in the first two rounds and letting them learn on the job.
Cooper
12:51
Are the Steelers confident in Josh Dobbs or can you see them reaching for a Luke Faulk or Mason Rudolph.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
I don't see the Steelers taking a QB this year. Jones is signed for one more year and Dobbs has three years left on his rookie contract. The big thing to watch this spring and summer is the development of Dobbs and whether they think he can be the backup in 2019.
Scott in Dallas
12:52
What is the harm in Letting L. Bell see what the market will bear for RB's? I really do not believe any team will come close to his $15 mil/year and if he comes back with even $12 mil/year that is better than what was on the table last year right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
There are a few teams with money to burn that would pay that much for Bell. The Browns and a few other teams have to spend money to get in compliance with the cap.
Kris
12:53
What kind of contract do you see Bell being worth according to himself, and what kind of contract do you see the Steelers believing he is worth? Seem those two may be way to far apart for  long term deal.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
I tend to think he is worth somewhere around $12 or 13 million a year because he is such a good all-around back. The Steelers indicated they were willing to go to $14 million a year for the first few years last summer so I assume they'd be willing to do that again. Bell hinted that there might be more to the negotiation than the money so it likely has to do with how the later years of the contract are structured.
slashsteel
12:55
I don't feel it is wise to just draft a ILBer, as in they should also bring in a free agent. So not to put all their eggs in one basket so to speak. Agree or disagree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
If you're drafting an ILB in round 1 you're inserting him into the lineup on Day 1. That's just how it works nowadays. It's sink or swim. Very rarely are first-round picks groomed behind others in this day and age, unless it's at QB.
Justin
12:56
The Steelers moved up to grab Troy in 03. Do you see them taking that chance again for maybe a Derwin James or Minkah Fitzpatrick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
They'd have to move into the top 5 or 10 to get Fitzpatrick and the top 15 or 18 to get James. That's too expensive to come from 28 and do that, so don't hold your breath.
Ryno
12:57
Lots of people seem down on Jesse James, but it looks to me like he is improving every season.  Am I imagining things?  I'm a fan of JJ!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
James ideally is a No. 2 TE, not a starter. He's been solid but there not a lot of room for more development there. What you see is what you get -- a possession receiver with little potential for YAC and an adequate blocker. Some people will tell you he's a below average blocker.
moose
12:58
I'm sorry, only two RB's over 26 rushed for over 1k LAST SEASON
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
OK got it. But my point is Bell is special and I don't think that factors into their thinking.
Daniel from Ohio
12:59
Ray, What happened to the February 20tg deadline for L. Bell?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
That was an artificial deadline. It was the first day players could be tagged. March 6 is the day to watch. That's the final day players can be tagged. And Art Rooney admitted the real deadline is the one that sparks movement from both sides.
1:00
That's for the questions this week. We'll do it again next week.
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