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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.2.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Let's get started.
Ohio guy
12:08
Where would you play Cam Sutton if it were up to you? We claim to draft the best player available. Doesn’t that mean we should let the best player challenge any position? I liked what I saw from Sutton at the end of the year, but I’m concerned we won’t let Sutton challenge Burns (who seems to have regressed) because Burns was drafted in the first round, and now Burnett (who seems solid) may have taken over Sutton’s potential role in the dime. I don’t want to see another Mike Vrabel, talented but stuck as a back-up, keeping the bench warm in Pittsburgh. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
They will play the best player. They've had plenty of first-round picks who have failed. They were not afraid to bench Jarvis Jones so they will not be afraid to bench Artie Burns if he is not playing well. I don't know how well Sutton can play safety because I have only seen him play CB. From what I saw in limited playing time last season I think he can be a pretty good CB. Obviously, we all have to see more out of him. Hopefully, he'll be healthy for an entire training camp this summer and we'll get a better idea.
Hank
12:09
The latest villian rant by Bell is annoying! Hopefully the Steelers get their ILB in the 1st round and the either Sony Michel the Ga. RB or the RB from LSU. Do you think the kid from Ga. is the more versatile back?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I think too much is being made of Bell's tweet to be honest. No one really knows what he meant. Everyone should just relax and not read too much into social media posts. The only way there will be a problem is if Bell does not handle this in a professional manner. If he is as professional as he was last year there won't be a problem. If not, then yes the Steelers will have to address it. As for Michel or Guice being available in the second round, I don't think so. Both guys are projected to go off the board by early second round at the latest.
Mike Maloy
12:12
Could a trade involving Martavius Bryant on Day 1 of the draft be in play to allow the Steelers to either move up and/or secure additional semi-early draft picks?  What's his probable worth on Draft Day 2018?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
No way of telling what a team will be willing to pay in a trade for anyone. But I can tell you Bryant is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be a free agent in one year. He also has been suspended twice, which drives his value down. So people who think the Steelers might be able to get some nice return in a trade might be hoping for too much. He's a good player, with some baggage, who can negotiate his own terms in a year. I don't think teams are going to be willing to give up much to get him. Just my opinion.
Tom88
12:14
Ray, What do the Steelers do if every S, ILB and OLB worthy of their pick at #28 is gone and L. Jackson is there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Well, in your scenario, I suppose they take the best player available on their board. I don't think it will be Jackson, but if it is, they had better be willing to use him in a Slash 2.0 type of role. With Ben Roethlisberger wanting to play 2-3 more years you have to get value with your first pick. There is no value in Lamar Jackson riding the pine for 2-3 years. So if they do take him they need to have some special packages to get him in the game as a QB, RB and WR. Take advantage of his talents.
Dave jtown
12:16
Bell with declining skills, lost a step, can no longer turn the corner, doesn't even try, most receptions are check down dump offs that gain nothing, can't pick up a third and one. Why the love from FO, Colbert, Tomlin?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
?Doesn't even try"? I'm willing to hear some complaints about Bell, but not this. Ask his teammates. They love him because he competes and because he's effective.
Taking a timeout to find out which college prospects are here today. Will be back in 5-10 minutes to answers your questions.
12:28
The first of the top 30 visits today is Penn State DL Curtis Cothran. This is not a local visit and counts as one of the 30.
OK back to your questions.
Wisconsin Winters
12:28
Could Senquez Golson get an invite to Camp? What would it hurt?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
He didn't hook on with anyone last year after the Steelers cut him. I don't even know if he's trying to make a team to be honest with you.
miki
12:29
loved your last mock draft. picking the big d lineman was a master move. you can never have enough dominating big men up front. you never know where the magic will hit. your second pick was brilliant too. get in that war room ray!!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Thanks. But I don't think they'll let in the war room. Glad you enjoy the mock drafts though.
TSettles
12:29
Any idea when the actual schedule with dates will be out?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
They'll do it before the draft so probably next week or the week after.
Ryno
12:30
Do you think as many people would still be negative about Bell if he didn't announce he's planning on skipping all of preseason activities and practices? Why should fans be excited about a guy that isn't going to show up until the first game of the season, and not be at 100% when the rest of the team is ready to go?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
It's not that he was out of shape last year. It's that he was not in synch with his teammates. I hope the Steelers have a better plan this year because it did take him a few weeks to get back into form. But I don't think he was out of shape.
Scott from Erie
12:31
Shouldn't OLB be a bigger priority in this draft? Might be the last year for Bud Dupree, and no proven players behind him!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Jarvis Jones played with the steelers from from 2013-16. They took TJ Watt in the first round in 2017. So if they have a similar plan they will wait until next year to take their OLB. Hey, they might have a different plan this time around. Maybe someone will fall to them and they will want that guy to develop for a year before playing.
Guest
12:32
Would you be ok with Guice is he’s sitting there @ 28?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Sure. He's a good player. Not necessarily filling one of your top needs, but they will need a feature RB in 2019. At least that's the way it's looking.
Josh
12:33
Hi Ray, Thank you for taking my question: the Steelers have never bowed to a players demands, so why are they bent on doing so to Bell ??? I’m shocked, he’s good, in fact very good but he’s not the 2nd coming of Sanders, Dorsett and Brown all rolled in one, what gives ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
If they bowed to his demands they would have signed him. He remains unsigned because they can't come to terms. But they are willing to pay him $14.5 million this year.
TSettles
12:34
Why is everyone opposed to LBell making 15million? He accounts for over 40% of offense. He catches more than most high paid receivers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Probably because the Steelers can't fit him into their cap at that number I am willing to bet there will be a team willing to go over $15 million a year next March when he is on the open market. I'm not saying he's worth it or there's not risk involved. Because there is great risk signing a RB at that price. I'm just saying some team will pay his price.
Ryno
12:35
How much of a deterrent do you see it being for the Steelers, or any other team, to pay Bell what he is looking for, given that he has a history of drug suspensions?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Don't think the drug suspensions are high on the list not to pay him. I just think the injury history and the wear and tear are greater concerns.
Colin
12:36
Think we may look at OLB early in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Not sure about early but I can see them taking an OLB.
J from Akron
12:36
If Eric Reid is still available in June and he can be had for Wilcox's contract, could you see the FO signing Reid and cutting Wilcox?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Sure if they believe Reid will not be a distraction. I would hope the Steelers are not a team that is blackballing him based on his national anthem stance. I think the owners who are doing that are close-minded. This market for safeties has been slow to develop. Let's see what's happening in a few months.
Mike02
12:38
Will any team pay bell 17mill
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I think next year there might be a team or two willing to pay that, yes.
Mike02
12:38
Ray will the steelers just pull the tag on bell and let him leave already.. I think the steeler fan base has had enough of him
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
That's all well and good, but the Steelers want him back on the team. As I stated earlier if he handles this situation the way he handled last year's then there really is no concern. He'll show up when he has to and will play.
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