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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.5.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome to my weekly Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Chuck D
11:58
I may be in the minority here, but I would really like to see Bell tagged for one more year and then gone next year.  I cannot see paying a 27 year old RB $15 million a year.  What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Well, every year they tag him it becomes less likely that he will sign a long-term deal. That's just the reality of the running back position in the NFL. History says RBs don't produce at 28 or 29 the way they did at 23, 24 or 25. So I think you are right. Bell did not take part in any offseason activities last year, including training camp. I won't call it a distraction because it was handled professionally by both sides. The Steelers had better be sure Bell will handle it the same way this year because if he does not it could become more of a distraction.
Chuck D
12:01
Favorite players and best Steeler fits from the combine so far?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I've been pretty focused on the inside linebackers. Lots can happen between now and the draft, but it's looking like there will be four first-round ILBs: Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Rashaan Evans and Leighton Vander Esch. Smith and Edmunds almost certainly will be gone by the time the Steelers pick at No. 28. I think Evans and Vander Esch will be good picks if they are there. Vander Esch tested well. Evans did not run the 40 but did OK in the other drills. I think the hope is one of them is there, and if they are, you pick them. At least that's my take post-combine.
Chuck D
12:03
Why is Mike Mitchell still a Steeler?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
The new league year starts March 14 so there really is not a need to cut him just yet. They might have to cut him if they place the franchise tag on Bell because they need cap space to sign him. There are some other veterans in danger of getting cut as well but Mitchell is the most obvious because he'd free up the most cap space ($5 million in the final year of his contract).
Chuck D
12:05
FA starting next week, Do the Steelers sign someone early on?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
That all depends upon what happens in the next 27 hours with Le'Veon Bell. If they sign him to a long-term deal they'll have some financial flexibility. If they don't, it will be hard to make a splash in free agency because they'll be up against the cap.
Fred
12:06
Ray, I've heard people suggest the Steelers take a "true NT type" in the first round. I understand all depends on who is available, but I can't think of any way the Steelers take a DL in the first 2 days, let alone at #28. Am I alone in thinking the people suggesting this don't understand what the Steelers need/their intentions on defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
It's a passing league and a true nose tackle just won't play every down. Now you could get a versatile player who is capable of playing on passing downs, but that would mean taking Cam Heyward ot Stephon Tuitt off the field, or becoming very creative and finding a way to keep three big guys in the game in those situations. Let's put it this way. That's easier said than done because teams will take advantage if you keep heavy personnel on the field. So I agree with you for the most part.
Jeff
12:08
I've been a huge Bell supporter but if we tag him @14.5 and he sits out again we may be shooting ourselves in the foot Eagles and Patriots did it without a premier back I no longer believe his future is in BlacknGold.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
The Steelers would have options if he did decide to sit out. They have the right to pull the tag at any time. So theoretically, if they did that the day before the regular season began, Bell would have fewer options to get his desired  contract. But that's highly unlikely. Bell can make $14.5 million just by showing up and playing in 16 games plus the playoffs. He 'd never be able to recoup that kind of money. So basically, he can posture as much as he wants about retirement and sitting out the season, but no one would question the Steelers calling his bluff.
Jeff
12:11
With this being a contract year for Bryant I expect big things but regardless I don't see a big payday with his past like too see him stays a Steelers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I agree. This is likely Bryant's final season with the Steelers, but he can certainly help them as a strong No. 3 option behind Brown and Smith-Schuster.
Marc
12:12
Steelers offered LeVeon $5 million over the next highest paid back. If they let him test the market, do you think another team would match $13-14 million a year for a running back?  Would the Steelers have an opportunity to match?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
There are teams like the Browns that have tons of cap space to make such a move. So yes, it's a possibility and no the Steelers have no right to match once he becomes a free agent. Their options are: exclusive franchise tag and continue to negotiate toward a long-term deal; non-exclusive tag and see if a team offers two first-round picks in return; or let him walk and become a free agent.
Al in Nj
12:14
Ray, do you think there will be an major change in Tomlin and the team's approach to things this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I don't think there will be any major changes. Obviously, they had a bad ending to the season and they'll tweak some things in an effort to get over the hump this year. But I don't think you'll see any major changes.
draft
12:14
Is it too risky to draft Shaquem Griffin?   How is his tackling?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I could see him going in the middle rounds, anywhere from 3-5. It's just a matter of finding a position for him. Not sure where he'd play for the Steelers. He'd add value as a rusher and obviously can run (4.38 in the 40 on Sunday) but I don't know if he has a starting position. Maybe he's a sub-package/special teams guy until you find out where he plays. But obviously, he helped his draft stock tremendously this weekend.
Guest
12:16
Oh great! Another draft coming up!  Can we look forward to the Steelers drafting another Long Snapper or a unneeded backup QB?  Great! Just great!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
On the bright side, I don't think you'll see a LS or a QB drafted by the Steelers this year.
Ken - Toronto
12:17
Hi Ray, when do you get to a point when you say enough is enough? Yes we get L Bell is worth a lot of money, but at the same time I believe his "me first" attitude is just not good for the overall team dynamic and will impact their success in 2018.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
The players on the team would vehemently disagree with you. They believe he gives 100 percent effort every time he steps on the field and they feel like he's always prepared, despite some of the off-field issues you read about after the season. As a matter of fact, I think players on the team will be disappointed if he doesn't sign a long-term deal. He carries a lot of respect in that locker room. NFL players only care about production and whether someone can help them win games. Bell does that for every other player in the locker room.
Guest
12:19
Let's pretend you are the Cleveland GM, who do you take at #1?      In your opinion, not what you think they'll do
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
If it was me, I'd take Saquon Barkley No. 1 and then pick the best QB available at No. 4. You know the Colts won't take a QB at No. 3 so you'd be able to get at least your No. 2 QB.
Guest
12:21
How good is Bradley Chubb do you think?    Thanks, Ray F!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
He's really good. He'll go in the top 5 unless something unforeseen happens in the next few weeks.
Go Steelers!
12:21
Ray, how has Jackson (the CB the Bungles nabbed the pick before Burns) turned out?  I know he went on IR his rookie season but never heard anything this past season.  Did the Bungles do us yet another favor?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
He was really good last year. Everyone saw why the Steelers coveted him. He has a chance to be really good.
mtsteel
12:22
Hi Ray, thanks for the chats. So its looking like Bell will get tagged, does this make the chances they take a RB with their first pick much greater ? Assuming a good one is still there of course. Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
No, I think by tagging him they put off the need to use a first-round pick on a RB. I could see them taking one in the middle rounds to develop, but he wouldn't get a lot of playing time in 2018 unless Bell was injured.
JP
12:23
Thank you Ray for another great chat!! After watching the Linebackers workout at the combine...I really like Vander Esch, Edwards, Griffin and Evans. Who stood out for you and which of these four would you draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Evans and Vander Esch would be on my radar at No. 28 assuming they're not already taken. Griffin is a middle round prospect for a number of reasons.
Matt
12:24
Ray, in free agency, I would like Steelers to get Avery Williamson at ILB & resign Sean Spence. That plus pick 28 at ILB combined with Matakavich & Williams is a good ILB unit, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I like Sean Spence and all, but I don't really see why they would bring him back. He wasn't good in Shazier's spot. If he's your starter, you're not in good shape. And as a veteran he'd be a fairly expensive reserve. You can find good reserves on a cheaper contract.
Matt
12:26
Would you sign Eric Reid or Kenny Vaccaro at S to play with Davis? Or draft a young S high (maybe round 2)? Reid & Vaccaro both make around 2M last year so that # wouldn’t be 2 bad.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
As I stated earlier, what they do in free agency is dependent upon what happens with Bell in the next day or so. Let's say they have some money to spend, I'd like to see an ILB or a S signed to start.
jim
12:27
I assume you've seen Griffin at the combine, good fit for a LB needy Steelers? Bonus on special teams too.
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