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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.19.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
They've won before without Bell. It can be done. We might find out for sure in 2019 because I can't see him being here if a long-term deal isn't done by July 16.
Steve
1:18
Overall "feel" for Steeler status after FA ..have they fallen behind teams (at least on paper) within their Division?  I believe both Ravens/Browns (yup) Browns have made excellent moves so far.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
Let's wait until after the draft to rank the contenders.
Steve
1:19
It seems virtually certain that the most pressing need in the draft is now the safety position. Do we have a remote shot at 28 to get a guy who can play (very) well as a rookie?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
T.J. Watt started Game 1 as a rookie. So why not?
Jonathan Mason
1:20
Is there anything to how much time Tomlin and Colbert have spent with Mason Rudolph, or is that them doing their normal due diligence?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
Probably normal due diligence.
Jacob
1:20
What is stopping the Steelers from signing Lawrence Timmons? This decision truly makes no sense to me. Even if he is getting older and slower, he provides much needed depth.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
Because they just signed an ILB. They're going to draft one, too. How many ILBs do you want on the offseason roster?
Buzz
1:22
Is there a chance the Steelers will move up? Aren't they in a position to trade Draft picks because they need help only at certain positions. Kind of like they did to get Troy! Thank you-I always enjoy tour columns.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
A trade back is more likely than a trade up especially at No. 28. Some team might want to come up and get that fifth year on the rookie contract of one of these QBs.
sprouts
1:23
In the Steelers’ scheme Bostic could be a dominant All- Pro player... agree?  Or will he be a bust? There’s no middle ground.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:24
He might just be a depth player. He might start. We'll have to wait and see.
George
1:24
Are the Steelers bidding against themselves in regards to Bell?  Are there other teams really willing to spend what he is asking, or, if he were to be released, would he find that $9 million is what the league is willing to pay running backs?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:25
We don't know because he's never been on the open market. But I suspect some team out there will pay him more than $15 million a year with $35 million guaranteed next March. Maybe more than that. Did you see some of the silly free agent signings last week. Sammy Watkins got $48 million over three years and he's been injury-prone and average when healthy. I don't get some of these teams.
Dr. L
1:26
Do you think the plan with Bostic will be to have him drop some weight to improve quickness ala James Farrior?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:26
He was just in the media room here at Steelers headquarters. He didn't look heavy to me at all.
Cburg Stiller
1:26
What are your thoughts on Bostic and what his role might be?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:27
If they draft an ILB in the first or second round he might be competing with Vince Williams for the other starting ILB job. If not, he might be play a bunch.
Charles De'Marr
1:27
Is ILB/S still the top priority in round 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:27
I think so. Yes.
Cburg Stiller
1:27
Think they'll end up signing Slater
Ray Fittipaldo
1:28
Suppose it's a possibility, but he's a 32-year old special teams player. He doesn't play another position.
Dr. L
1:28
IMO, this defense really needs to get stronger up the middle, and, although, everyone knows safety and ILB are the primary defensive concerns, a run plugging specialist to backup JH is a real need. To me, you need to make everyone one dimensional, by stopping the run, before you can have an elite defense.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:29
They certainly do need to be better vs. the run, but it's hard to draft a run plugger with a high pick because they don't usually play much beyond first down in today's NFL. That guy would have to be able to play up and down the line as an end, too.
sprouts
1:29
Is it wrong for me to want Bell to sign elsewhere, average 3.8 ypc for a 6-10 team, while the Steelers have a better offense with Connor and a no name rookie?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:30
He can't sign elsewhere until next year. By placing the franchise tag on Bell the Steelers effectively kept him off limits to other teams. They can rescind it at any time, but it doesn't seem like that's their plan right now.
Ryno
1:31
I loved Ron Cook's article on the Steelers blowing it by not signing Mathieu.  Do you think the Steelers let him pass by without an attempt to sign him because they have a solid plan in place, or do you think the Bell contract situation completely has them handcuffed at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:31
I want to hear from Mathieu on why he signed a 1-year deal. I haven't seen a story yet. Maybe I've overlooked it. But it seems strange to me that he signed for less than what the pay cut was in Arizona. And the aspect of it being a 1-year deal is odd, too.
Ryno
1:32
What is your assessment of Jon Bostic, and on a 1 - 10 scale, what do you rate it?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:32
Don't know enough about him yet. I'll hold off until I see him practice and play.
Kimmy
1:32
Happy lunch hour Ray! There have been quite a few "Don't let them leave town" signings in FA so far. Could that be why Mathieu never met with the Steelers? Did the Texans just stifle the competition by putting their best offer forward right away?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:33
$7 million doesn't seem like a lot for someone with Mathieu's resume.
jim
1:34
With all of the help we need on defense, wouldn't it be better to trade back and get more players as opposed to trying to get one "potential" star?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:34
Trading back is a possibility, but they are in a contending window, and they need immediate help at a few positions on defense.
Rick
1:36
Ray, I read or heard the Steelers are going to have between 50 to 60 thousand to play with next year...Do you know if this is true?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:37
I do believe you mean million. And yes, you can get the exact amount simply by visiting a web site such as overthecap.com or spotrac. Some players are in the last year of their contracts, most notably Bell so there should be some room to maneuver next year. However, that's excluding any contracts they might do before then.
Anthony
1:37
If no ILB of first round quaility is available and both Ronnie Harrison and Justin Reid are available, which would you pick and why? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:38
I have seen Ronnie Harrison mocked in the first round more than Reid. But honestly, I'd have to watch more of each of them to give you a qualified answer.
Bee rad
1:38
Where’s gesecki ganna fall in this draft? I have seen him in round 1 and also in 3rd.  Mr. Dulac seemed enamored with him months ago, now he has backed off a little.  Your thoughts ?
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