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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.26.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
2-3.
Rich
12:19
Afternoon Ray, I’m struggling to stay positive here. You sign Burnett which may work out but Boston is just another backup. Then they are tying up all that money for Bell, signing McCullers and Berry who have shown they shouldn’t be on any roster. I can only see a regression this year, should I be worried?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Forget about McCullers and Berry. McCullers might not even make the team. Even if he does, he'll be playing for the vet minimum. You very well might be a regression, but I can assure you it will have little to do with how this offseason was handled in terms of the players you mentioned.
DaquidoBazzini
12:20
Do you think that Shaquem Griffin could potentially play Safety in the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
He's fast enough. Trouble is, his position in college is LB and you'd be projecting him to be a DB in the pros. That's tricky. a good coordinator might be able to figure out a good way to use him.
SteelerG66
12:21
Ray, in his story this morning, Gerry mentioned that the Steelers could possibly cut a player after the draft to help with the possibility of getting Bell's deal done. Best guess on the candidates for this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
There are a few candidates. Wilcox is still on the roster and making $3.3 million. That's a lot of money for a backup safety. If you look hard enough I'm sure there are other candidates.
Ron
12:22
Presumably, the Steelers will address their areas of greatest immediate need in the first two rounds, but it bothers me to hear they're making dinner dates with prospective wide receivers. They'd do better to focus on replacing Chris Hubbard. This is probably Foster's last year, etc. and they have a history of injuries on the offensive line.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
They found Chris Hubbard after the draft. He was an undrafted free agent. Mike Munchak is good enough to develop some under the radar linemen. However, your point on Foster is a good one. They'll have to replace him next season because he's entering the final year of his contract. I'd be surprised but not totally shocked if they took an interior linemen in the first round. They do need to get younger on the offensive line at some point.
TXSteeler
12:24
With Eli not here anymore does that mean AB is back to the most likely candidate to return punts next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Colbert mentioned Cam Sutton is a possibility.
Ronald Miller
12:24
Curve ball first round pick....Sony Michel?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Or Guice from LSU. But more likely someone else in the secod or third round.
Chad M
12:26
The 2017 steelers won 4 or 5 games last year on last second field goals.  I think the argument can be made that we were a lucky team last season and we just as easily could have been 9-7 as we were 11-3.  Given the talent we have on this team I find that unbelievable. Which brings me to the question you probably get all of the time... is Mike Tomlin finally on the hot seat in 2018 ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
The answer is not really, but what you to open your question is accurate. I give them credit for finding ways to win close games, but they can't expect to have the same kind of luck again in 2018.
12:27
Evans or Vander Esch. Flip a coin. I like both.
SteelerG66
12:27
Evans, Vander Esch, Davenport, Vea and Harrison are all on the board when the Steelers choose....who would you pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Question to previous answer.
Zach B
12:27
Hi Ray - ILB, DT, Safety - 1,2,3 is what we need. We need a BIG run stopping NT to stuff the run and round 2 is where you can find a guy like Tim Settle. Just Imagine Hayward, Tuiit and Settle with ILB like Evans or Vander Esch that’s a nasty front 7!! Safety is less important now that we have a chess piece in Burnett. Still may be able to get a solid round 3 SS like K. WHITE or T. Edmunds in round 3 to pair with Davis at FS where he is a more natural fit. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I don't hate your thinking, but I don't know enough about Settle to say he's a second-round pick. The most dominant players are usually found in the first round. You can get some guys later, but it's a crap shoot. Brandon Williams was drafted in the third round by the Ravens. You can find guys in the later rounds but sometimes you have to have a little luck, too.
Jeff
12:29
I'm pretty sure this will be Bells last season with us do you think they may go for a RB 2 or 3 Rd.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I would not be surprised if that happened.
Steeler560
12:29
If a top RB is available at #28, wouldn't the Steelers be better served taking that back and then remove the tag from Bell or try to work out a trade?  $14.5M would give the team a TON more cap space to strengthen the team for a 2-3 year SB run.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Then you have $14.5 in cap space for what exactly? Free agency is basically over.
Fozzie22
12:30
GM seems to soften on M Bryant trade talk, suggesting they'd now entertain the idea. Steelers should get a larger compensatory draft pick letting M Bryant walk next year, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
The compensatory formula is muddled but yes is the likely answer to your question. And that's why they're not really entertaining offers at this point.
Steeler560
12:31
Bryant seemed to change his outlook with returning to the Steelers as the season progressed.  Sammie Coates and Markus Wheaton are prime examples of what can happen without a good QB.  Any chance the Steelers even attempt to keep him after 2018?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I think he'll get more money in free agency. Plus, they'll have to sign Smith-Schuster to a second contract. I think he's the better player already so if you prioritize them, it's Smith-Schuster 1 and Bryant 2.
Al in NJ
12:32
Ray, does finding a kickoff returner enter into the Steelers' draft plans or will they be content with return by committee again this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Very late in the draft if it is a consideration. I think they learned their lesson with Dri Archer.
Justin
12:32
Do you think the Steelers would consider taking the RB from LSU (Guice) in the first round?  Would be writing on the wall for the Bell situation, wouldn't it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
The writing would be on the wall for 2019. Not necessarily for 2018. I could see them keeping Bell and having Guice as the backup.
Tallahassee steeler
12:33
I've read where Mike Tomlin meets with every player when the season is over, kind of an evaluation. Who evaluates Mike Tomlin? Kevin Colbert or Art Rooney??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Art Rooney II
Adrian C.
12:33
Ray, Thanks for the chats!! What are you thoughts if the ILB’s and safeties are off the board when the Steelers pick......do you think they will take either Derrius Guice or Sony Michel? Who fits better? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Best player available at that point.
Matt
12:34
Ray, if any of the ‘big 4’ at ILB are there at pick 28, Steelers deff taking one right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
I think it's a strong possibility yes.
Matt
12:34
Is Gerald Hawkins top backup swing T at both spots next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Right now he is. Hawkins is talented enough, and he finally might have had the light go on for him late in the season.
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