JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.4.19

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 2.4.19

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Ray Fittipaldo

12:31

Yes, but only of Brown is dealt. Mississippi has two very good WRs in this draft. Metcalf is smooth and some projections have him going in the top half of the first round.

PorterHouse55

12:31

Unlike last year, I think ILBs M.Wilson or D.Bush will be there at 20, & if so, is that the pick?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:32

I would take Bush at No. 20. I would not take Wilson there. We'll see how he tests at the combine, but Devin Bush and Devin White both play faster than Wilson, who is very good. He's just not at the level of Bush or White in my opinion.

Ryno

12:33

Couldn't a case he made for the Steelers to get some money back from Antonio Brown (specially if they ship him off)? After all, couldn't a case be made that he didn't even have an injury that he claimed to have? Can't imagine faking an injury wouldn't be breach of contract.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:34

That ship sailed a long time ago. Art II even said a few weeks ago that Brown probably did enough to earn his paycheck that week. Now one could argue there must be a very low bar for earning an NFL paycheck, but the point is Art II did not feel it was worth pursuing.

Utah Jim

12:34

Adam Schefter says the Steelers are considering transitioning Bell and trading him. Assuming the Steelers would get a 3rd rounder in 2020 if he leaves as a FA they would need to get at least a 4th rounder in 2019. Do you think a team is willing to pay Bell what he wants and give up a 4th rounder or better?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:35

The Steelers would never use the tag without knowing for sure someone would give them the pick they want. And I disagree. I'd want a third-rounder in 2019.

John Strange

12:35

Do you think the players lost respect for Tomlin when he tripped a player on the field of play and then lied about it being on purpose? How can you preach accountability when you blatantly cheat and then blatantly lie about it? The players must think they can do and say anything they want.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:36

I can think of a few other instances where players lost respect for him other than episode, which took place in 2013. Such as letting Antonio Brown do as he pleases and allowing him to play by a different set of rules than everyone else.

Zach B

12:36

After watching Belechek’s complete schooling of McVay and with the the constant circus that Art II, Colbert and Tomlin has allowed to fester and grow within this organization it became very clear to me that our Championship Window is now closed for good. We will never win another SB as long as Tomlin leads this team, what day you??

Ray Fittipaldo

12:37

They certainly seem farther away than previous years. The wise guys feel that way too. The Steelers are 22 to 1 to win next year's Super Bowl. Ten teams opened with better odds.

12:38

The Patriots are disciplined and prepared for games. Their coach isn’t cocky. Their about isn’t an egomaniac. RB isn’t an egomaniac. WR isn’t an egomaniac. Do you think the Steelers will ever learn or change?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:38

Not as they are currently constructed, no. But keep in mind, the Patriots are different than most teams.

Baghdad_Ben

12:39

Interesting point earlier about the Steelers embracing stars while the Pats went for people who can get the basics done. What would it have looked like if the Steelers did the same? Trade LB and AB for draft picks already?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

Right but you better have the system and the coaches in your staff to pull it off. It's not easy.

Greg

12:40

I understand how wide receivers can lose a step, but how could Boswell have forgotten how to kick in one year? He was even missing extra points. Makes no sense to me.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

It was a mental thing with him. Kickers are a different species. They're tough to figure out.

AugustWest

12:41

I didn't notice a lot of strutting, chest-beating and posing from the Patriots after they made plays against the Rams. How much of the Steelers' failures in recent years do you blame on the look-at-me attitude that seems to permeate the current roster?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:41

Well, it certainly doesn't make them look good when they fail. That's for sure.

CHOTTY

12:42

Is the Patriots' success this year not the most damning indictment of the Steelers' performance this year? The Steelers, by any standard, are immensely more talented this year's Patriots. However, the Steelers are undisciplined, selfish and inconsistent. What would happen if Tomlin totally transformed his coach philosophy next and ruled with a Belichick- like iron fist? Is it not worth a shot?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:42

I don't think all of a sudden he can become an authoritarian. It doesn't work like that. He's developed into the coach he is after 12 seasons. For good or bad, this is who he is.

Jeff M

12:43

Do you think the Seahawks could be a suitor for AB? They don't seem to shy away form big personalities and could use a WR. They could take the approach the Saints and Rams did and go all in if they think there close.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:43

I haven't heard their name all that much, but you're right about Pete Carroll. He's never shy about going for it.

TXSTEELER

12:44

History of production for rookie WRs in their first year is awful in the league (JuJu being an exception). With Steelers wanting to contend wouldn’t it make more sense to sign a serviceable free agent instead of drafting a WR of Brown is traded.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:44

Perhaps provided that player doesn't break the bank. But they still would have to draft a WR high to replenish the position.

Mill st

12:45

White LB, or Baker CB, or Greedy Williams is available who would you take?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:45

Devin White.

Jeff G

12:45

Love the chats. So much complaining over Tomlin, Butler and Defense. Do you think we grossly underestimated the impact of losing Shazier? I think we don't give up 45 points to Jax last year and definitely make the playoffs this year. Colbert/Tomlin needed a better plan to replace him, but he is a special player and drafting at 30 isn't going to find another Shazier - @20 may not this year either. None of our current ILB's would even play for any of the other playoff teams.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:47

All true although Vince Williams is solid vs. the run and is a good blitzer. I'm fine with him as a two-down LB for another year. But they desperately need a three-down ILB that an do some of the things Shazier did. He could cover, drop into zones and blitz.

NickFromVA

12:47

A lot of folks say the number 2 pick is too high for AB, what about AB and our first pick for the 1 and 2 picks from SF?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:48

I would do that in a heartbeat. I just don;t think San Francisco would.

Wilro

12:48

When things didn't get any better for Steelers after 17 season why should fans believe they'll get better after this past season.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:49

They're certainly in prove-it mode for a lot of fans. Ad it's asy to see why. They had one of the best rosters in the NFL and missed the playoffs.

Epiballo

12:49

Who gets the seventh Lombardi first ... Pittsburgh or New England? Or Dallas or San Francisco?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:50

Not betting against New England. No one has figured them out yet and Brady says he wants to play a few more years.

Epiballo

12:50

I know you play the hand you are dealt, but the Patriots have been in a terrible division that assures 5 or 6 wins against division foes. Go 5-5 against the rest of the league, and they are guaranteed a 10-5 or 11-6 record at least! That is why they have won their division every year for the last decade, and win enough to get a bye and home field. Shouldn't this also be considered when assessing how 'great' they are?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:52

Sure that's fair. They really haven't been challenged by the Jets, Bills or Dolphins during this 18-year run. Maybe the Jets fora year or two but that was short-lived. The Steelers, meanwhile, have to contend with the Ravens, who are very consistent in their approach and always are in contention. The Bengals, for much of the past two decades, had above-average teams. The same can be said for other divisions.

International steeler

12:53

Don't you think bell is more valuable than AB and that the organization should try to keep him

Ray Fittipaldo

12:53

Bell doesn't want to be with the Steelers. Time to move on.

NickFromVA

12:53

Is there any reason to think that the Pats can't win another title or 2 before Brady retires?

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