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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.12.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
They could. He's open to returning, and they're not blessed with a lot of depth behind Bell.
john
12:50
Seriously. Are we risking fielding almost the same defense as last year by signing bell?  A little common sense goes a long way.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
You're forgetting about the draft. Their first two picks in 2017 were starters. It happened early for Watt and Smith-Schuster became a starter within the first month or so of the season. You can improve your team a bunch if you pick the right players.
Peezy
12:51
I read an interesting article about how Dupree and Watt may be better off switching sides on the defense. Given Bud's inability to set an edge, What's your take? I feel he may be better served not playing over both a OT and TE on a consistent basis. Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
You have to be able to set the edge whether you play the right side or the left side. Bud just needs to get better.
jim
12:52
Why are people up in arms over 15 mil? There are a ton of WR that make more than that and are 1/2 the player that Bell is. Just because no RB makes that doesn't mean Bell isn't worth it.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
I think it's viewed within the scope of the Steelers' cap situation. Roethlisberger and Brown already make $21 and $17 million respectively. People know they'd be up against the cap by signing Bell to a similar deal. Plus, Bell has a drug suspension history as well as a lengthy injury history and RBs have been pretty easy to find in the draft in recent years.
Nate
12:55
Hi Ray, if Evans and Vander Esch are gone by pick 28, do Steelers take BAP (regardless of position) or a Safety or do they try to trade down?  What is your gut feeling?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
Best guess right now, six weeks from the draft: they take their top-rated S.
Jonathan Mason
12:56
How likely is it that Cam Sutton is moved to FS?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
Possibility but probably not if the draft unfolds the way they want.
jim
12:56
Any word on a contract for Boswell? We need him.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
I think they'll try to get that done sooner rather than later.
Funny
12:57
The Steelers used a 6th round pick on a long snapper last year, will they use a 7th on someone to pick up the tee after kickoffs? :)
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Yes or maybe to use the leaf blowers to get the dead grass off the field after the game.
Doug in Raleigh
12:58
I've seen mentioned,  in more places than one,  that Mitchell is Tomlin favorite.  I'm wondering why,  because he is pretty much just average and often commits bonehead penalties to boot.  Good attitude,  articulate,  but that can be said of most players.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Played through injuries. Coaches really appreciate that. The guy played through two groin injuries the one year. I was never a big fan of Mitchell's play, even when healthy, but I will credit him for playing when others in his shoes might not have.
PK
12:59
Do you think Mitchell would accept less money from the Steelers?  I hope they don't keep him.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Not if he can make more somewhere else. Plus, the writing is on the wall. They're going younger at the position.
FoolBack
1:00
Ray, just your opinion.  Why were RBs kept into their 30s, in the 1960's-1990s, when they were actually taking more of the carries?  It seemed the position was more "special" then (Payton, Smith, Harris, Bettis, Dickerson... etc).
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
I think teams slowly realized that younger and cheaper is easily achievable at that position. That's not always the case at other positions such as QB. It's just the way the market is. It's unfortunate for RBs. That's why everyone is watching the Bell negotiation so closely. He wants to change the market.
Logan
1:01
Expectations for Brian Allen next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
If he performs well maybe he can become one of their top two reserves at CB. Right now I'd say that's Sutton and Sensabaugh, but if Allen impresses maybe he has a chance to move up the depth chart.
JB
1:02
Given that they won't have a lot to spend, would a low level LB like Timmons be the best fit and then draft someone?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
You might be onto something. I figure Timmons makes maybe $2 million now on a one-year deal. Maybe even less. That's the type of signing I'd expect.
Robert
1:03
Why are the Steelers better at hitting on/ developing offensive players but when it comes to defense not so much?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
The $100,000 question. If they were as good at drafting defensive players I think they'd have a few more Lombardi trophies in their display case. The defense is what's been holding the team back the past few years.
JB
1:04
Any word from the Steelers who they release this week, Mitchell for sure, but anyone else you think? Or Just Mitchell
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
There are some obvious candidates such as William Gay, JJ Wilcox, Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Robert
1:04
What are the chances this is Bells last year with Steelers? And are The Steelers okay with just letting him walk with nothing in return?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
They'd get a compensatory pick next year if he leaves as a free agent. And if he doesn't sign a long-term deal by July 16 I'd say it's about 95 percent that he plays somewhere else in 2019.
Y-TOWN STEELER FAN
1:06
Looking back, (always 20/20 BTW) the Ladarius Green signing over Eric Weddle was another HUGE mistake by the FO.  We cannot afford these wiffs.  Do you have any sure lock FA that we could sign if L.Bell does not break the bank?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
This is exactly the point I made earlier. And yes, good call on the Weddle-Green fiasco from 2016. Not saying the Steelers win the Super Bowl with Weddle, but he might have solved some problems for that secondary.
Vegas Steeler
1:07
I've seen a few mocks that have the top four ILBs going before the Steelers pick. What position do you think the Steelerst would target if that happened?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
Safety.
john
1:07
Are they really considering not making many upgrades to this defense.  You cannot rely on rookies in the draft to help.  I remember Troy's first year was rough.... and we are talking troy!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
Times have changed. Watt was named a starter by the middle of training camp. The Steelers coaches have made this more of a priority in recent years. They draft these guys early with the intent of starting them.
Avery
1:08
What are your thoughts about Marcus Allen from Penn St.? If he’s available when we pick
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
He'd be a candidate in the second round or after. He's a guy I see mocked anywhere from the second round to fifth round. Lots of varying opinions on him. Some seem to believe he has a pretty low ceiling. Some people have questions about his ability to match up in coverage. We'll see what happens, but my guess is he ends up in round 3.
Dude_From_Cali
1:11
Ray, how many games do you PREDICT Cleveland wins this season?
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