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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 3.5.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Not in the first three rounds. Possibly after that but no guarantees they draft one.
Jud
12:49
Would assume we pick up a 6th rd WR (our sweet spot) again for Special Teams and learning to step into Bryant's spot?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Yes especially with Rogers out for the time being with his knee injury.
Ken
12:50
Ray: if the Steelers were to resign Bell at $15 mil can they immediately (with Bell's ok) restructure his contract to free up cap space?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
They wouldn't restructure. They'd structure it in such a way that he's a low cap hit in the early years and a high cap hit in later years.
Ted
12:50
Matakavich is strictly a backup and special teams player, mostly special teams, agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Agree for the most part. He was their top backup last year until his shoulder injury. If he was healthy he would have been given a shot before Sean Spence.
TomT
12:51
All this talk of drafting a running back early. Isn't James Connor a viable alternative. We need help on the D side.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Conner has had injury problems in college and the NFL. I don't think anyone with the Steelers views him as a long-term starter. I think he could work effectively in a rotation should Bell leave, but they'd have to find another RB to be in a tadem just solely based off his injury history.
Kevin
12:52
If the Steelers tag Bell and he doesn't sign for a while, can the Steelers rescind the tag if they want to spend the money on defense during FA?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Yes, they can rescind any time.
Oli Shelley- Peterborough, UK
12:53
Ray, thanks for the chats- great read as a UK (native) fan. How active so you think the steelers will be in free agency at safety? Will they take a serious look at someone loke Tre Boston?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
They could depending upon what happens with Bell.
KJ
12:53
Is PSU's Mike Gesicki projected as a 1st round pick? If not, where is he projected to go and would the Steelers try and select him in the 2nd or 3rd round if he is still on the board?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
He's probably solidly in the second round discussion now after testing so well at the combine. I saw one mock draft today where he is in the first round. I don't think that happens, but I think he definitely has a chance to go in the second round now.
Cody
12:54
Any chance Bells agent and the STEELERS make an agreement today? Are they even talking?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
Sure, Art Rooney said from the start that deadlines sometimes can spur negotiations along. They have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to get something done.
Rob
12:55
In regards to the pass interference rule. I would rather see them relax the rules on down the field contact (let them play) rather than make it a 15 yard penalty. I just see too many scenarios where a CB takes the penalty instead of getting beat. What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
Yeah that will definitely open up a new can of worms if passed. I envision CBs just diving for receivers feet and trying to tackle them before the ball arrives. The rule will get abused either way. It's just a  matter of whether the offense or the defense benefits.
JamesinNYC
12:56
How cool was Shaquem Griffin?  Do you know if Steelers showed interest?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Yes, hard not to root for Griffin. He'll make it in the NFL and I'm quite sure he's on every team's radar now. Just a matter of finding a place for him to play.
Bus Driver Johnson
12:57
Ray, what's your pick for a darkhorse first rounder? TE? A QB if one falls? CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
It's hard for me to envision a position other than ILB or S right now.
Leaper
12:58
What do they see in Wilcox that they would try to retain him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
No idea. They couldn't even dress him at the end of the year because he was making too many mistakes on special teams.
Leaper
12:58
Is there ant optimism Shazier returns at any point?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
Not in 2018.
Cody
12:59
Do you think we will see a WR in the 3rd round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
I think it's a possibility, yes.
Bus Drive Johnson
12:59
Ray, despite the good PR on both sides, do you get the sense that the gap between the Steelers & Bell is even bigger than it appears?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
It's a weird situation. Both sides have expressed optimism yet here we are 27 hours until the deadline and no deal in sight. Bell said both side might have to give a little, but that hasn't happened yet.
Lisa
1:00
I'm a fan of Shaq Griffin's and I think he's inspiring and motivating, with good character and speed (dang!). I saw Jeremy Fowler at ESPN thought he might be a good fit with the Steelers. What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
Sure in round 3 or after.
The Standard
1:01
Hello, Ray,  What is your take of talk that the Steelers  want to keep Wilcox at a reduced rate?  Do the Steelers see him as a relative upgrade over Mitchelle until they find  and develop a 2/3 round draft pick to play FS.  (I am saying draft pick becuase Bell will be tagged and no more $ will be available for FA.)
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
That'd be quite the leap of faith considering he wasn't even dressing for games late in the season.
Bus Drive Johnson
1:01
Ray, I know it's underwear Olympics, but Shaq Griffin is really impressive. Can you see him on Pittsburgh's radar?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
I can assure you after running a 4.38 he is on everyone's radar. At the very least he's a quality special teams player. Plus, he has potential to make an impact on a defense provided you find the right spot for him in your defense.
SOD_NYC
1:02
I know that the Steelers want to draft a inside LB but if Vander Esch and Evans are gone, is there anothe 1xt round worth LBs?  What other positions would they look at?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
Nightmare scenario right there. I guess they'd look to safety in that situation and hope they get a player they like.
atown jason
1:03
Try again, WR at 28 if backers are gone. No safety seems to be worth that pick by that point and MB is in his last year and Eli is hurt.
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