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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.26.18
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Lloyd's 3-Count
12:49
Outside of Bradshaw, which retired Steeler has had the most successful retirement?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Too many to list.
Guest
12:49
With the lack of development in linebackers, why having they considered replacing Joey Porter?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
It's concerning, but I don't know if all the blame can be placed on Joey Porter. It's not like Jarvis Jones flourished in Arizona last year. That might have been a bad evaluation by the front office. Jury is still out on Dupree, but he's not trending in the right direction. Certainly, the OLBs have to improve and Porter has a role in that, but I don't think he deserves all the blame.
Phil
12:51
Connor missed some blitz pickups last year too, which likely hurt his playing time, agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Agree. He missed the block in the regular-season game against the Jaguars. Led to an INT early in that game.
Doug in Raleigh
12:51
A lot of fans routinely trash Bell for holding out and being "selfish",  as though its some sort of character flaw not to consider it an honor to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and to accept whatever the Steelers offer,  even though their offer seems generous.   Yet,  from what I can tell,  his teammates love him.  Is he being selfish and inconsiderate?   The Tweets and interviews are another matter.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
His teammates do love. Do you know why? Because when it's game time he shows out. It's a performance issue. The players know they are a better team with Bell than without.
Peter
12:52
Who was the top rookie last year in your eyes for Steelers, Watt or JuJu?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
Close call, but I think I voted for JuJu for ROY.
Lloyd's 3-Count
12:53
Guice and the DL from Alabama are available at 28. Who do they take? And. I appreciate the patience each writer demonstrates during these chats.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
I would take the DL from Alabama -- Da'Ron Payne.
Kevin in Punxsy
12:54
What are you thoughts re: Keon Adams. The Steelers must think he can be a player.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
They kept him on IR all year so that shows they want to work with him and try to develop him.
Chris
12:54
I think there will be a dark cloud hanging over the Steelers next season with all the upcoming uncertainty. Do you feel this way or you think this will be a distraction less Super Bowl run for us?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
"A distraction-less Super Bowl"? that would be nice, and it might even be successful if they actually could help themselves.
Colin
12:55
Think they would take an OLB in rd 2?  I like the Oklahoma kid a lot there.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
That's possible.
Guest
12:55
It's not wrong to say that the Steelers won a lot of close games, but that's generally the case with any team that wins a lot of games. The Eagles and Patriots both won three or four close games that came down to the wire.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
You're right. Good teams find ways to win. But one or two of those go the other way and they're looking at being a No. 5 or 6 seed instead of contending for a No. 1 seed the way they did. It's a fine line as Bill Cowher was fond of saying.
Kevin in Punxsy
12:56
With Tom Brady being a year older and a good number of players leaving in FA, is the Pats dynasty over? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Knowing their history and Brady's ability to be a great with just about anyone around him, no.
Andy
12:57
It seems to me that FS is more of a need now than SS, unless they cut Wilcox, agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
They think Davis can move to FS and be effective. But I tend to agree with you. If they do draft a safety he'll likely have more free safety skills than strong safety skills.
Kevin
12:58
Do you think part of the Dupree option decision hinges on the draft? What other information will come available to them between now and decision time, besides the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
I have a feeling they've already made up their mind and just aren't telling us yet.
Ryno
12:58
Why would the sign Big Dan again?  Hoping a new coach can get something out of him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
Just because he signed doesn't mean he'll be on the 53-man roster. In reality, he's like any other fringe player right now. He'll be fighting for a job this summer.
Guest
12:59
This chat and the discussion about the "window" has me suddenly worrying that the Steelers are old. How many guys on the team are good players who'll be in their primes three year from now? Smith-Schuster, Watt and Hargrave come to mind, and maybe Tuitt will still be in his prime. Hilton? Burns and Davis are still TBD. That doesn't seem like a lot of young talent.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
That's why they have to continue to draft well. Have to replenish the talent. Easiest way to do that is through good drafts.
domino
1:00
Steelers seem to have lost their touch drafting OLB's in the past 5-6 years. How much of that has to do with how they are used in the Steelers D which seems to evolved to where there is less splash from them.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
Lots of factors involved in that. QBs are getting rid of the ball much quicker than they used to. The Steelers dropped their OLBs into coverage a lot more than usual last year. And if you asked them to be honest, they'd probably tell you they've made some mistakes in evaluations.
RiverRat
1:01
Are you buying the explanation that Bud Dupree's medical problems are holding him back?  To me, Bud really looks lost on the field, so I'm doubting it.  What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
Bud was healthy last season and had some problems defending the run. He also was mediocre as a pass rusher. He needs to play better. I think Bud realizes that and the Steelers certainly recognize that. Those injuries were in his first two years. No excuses now.
Andy
1:03
If the Evans and Reid are on the board at #28, who do they take?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
I'd take Evans.
Andy
1:03
I was surprised the Steelers resigned McCullers since he played so little last year.  It's possible they could draft a DL and cut him, correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Yes.
Kevin in Punxsy
1:03
Based on comments by K Colbert, it seems that there is a small chance that the Steelers may draft a RB and remove the the tag from L Bell. What do you think is the chance that this will happen? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
Based on Colbert's words, about 1 percent. I suppose it could happen if Bell doesn't handle the situation in a professional manner, but Colbert has been up front in saying he wants Bell to be a part of the team in 2018. That has never changed.
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