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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.2.18
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Hunter
12:39
I cringe at the thought of letting Bell walk this year or next and getting nothing in return. Could the Steelers convince Bell to sign his tag so he can explore a trade with a team that will give in to his contract demands and the team also gets some draft pick compensation?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
They'll get a compensatory pick if he does leave in free agency.
NPG2003
12:40
I will be attending the NFL draft this year, what should I expect as far as Steeler players (current and past ) being there and available to meet fans ? Will you be attending as well?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
The Steelers will announce which players will represent the team at the draft in the coming days or weeks. I believe Franco Harris was there last year along with one or two other former players. I will not be there. Most local reporters cover the draft right here at the team facility.
fredward
12:41
In your opinion, would Akrum Wadley be a good fit for the Steelers in the third round and maybe even as Bell's replacement?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
I like Akrum Wadley. Not sure if he's a future feature back or not. He might be someone you can pair with James Conner and do a back by committee approach. If you want to get a feature back to replace Bell you'll probably have to go higher than the third round. But I don like Wadley. I watched a few of his games and he's an elusive runner. Looks like he'd be good out of the backfield as a receiver, too.
JB
12:43
I find the Dupree situation interesting. He is not a complete flop, but really has not been a force. He definitely does not deserve the 5th year option, but do you believe the Steelers would like to negotiate an reasonable extention this year to avoid losing him next year, or do you feel they are willing to risk it and draft OLB again next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
They waited to see how Jarvis Jones performed. I think they might do the same with Dupree. If he has a great year they'll have a chance to sign him after the season ends. I just don't know the odds of him having a great when he he's been kind of inconsistent for his first three. Kevin Colbert said he's just scratching the surface so your scenario might be a possibility, but there is no evidence to suggest a breakout season is about to happen. At least I don;t see the evidence. Maybe the Steelers do.
Scott from Erie
12:45
Lets say the Steelers draft a running back in the top three rounds and then another big name defensive free agent becomes available during training camp (like Joe Haden last year). Would they consider rescinding Bell's franchise tag and use the money to improve the defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
Never say never on that, but Colbert has said it's not their intention to rescind the tag. I take him for his word on that.
NPG2003
12:45
Ray, This is hypothetical, but let's say all of the top 4 LBs are gone off the board at pick 28 of the 1st round,  and there are 3 of the top 4 RBs AND Safeties  still there, which way do the Steelers pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
All depends on the grade they have on each player available. I think you might get ore value if one of those three RBs were still on the board.
JB
12:46
I believe the Steelers should get one of the ILB at 28, do you believe anything is open in round 2, RB, WR, QB or would they go with the best safety available?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Yes now that Morgan Burnett is signed I do think the draft is wide open for them. Even in the first round with Bostic signed. They don't have to reach for any position.
JB
12:47
Obviously the Steelers need an ILB in the first two rounds, but what if the ILB, Safety and RB is not their at #1, real tough situation. Is this why they MAY consider a guy like Lamar Jackson (QB)? It is the only reason I think they are looking at him hard? Kind of a Slash for a few years?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
See my previous answer on Lamar Jackson. They would have to use him as a Slash 2.0.
JJFri
12:48
Could you see the Steelers trading back from their 1st to an early 2nd round pick if all the top LB prospects are off the board?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Sure that's always a possibility.
Guest
12:48
On the subject of being a 'villain' in Pittsburgh I feel like James Harrison and Leveon Bell is a totally unwarranted comparison. I feel like the organization really did James Harrison dirty in the way they treated him, whereas they're bending over backwards to kiss Bell's posterior and compelling the rest of the team to renegotiate their contracts for him!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
Ask the players. Not a lot of respect for Harrison after what he did last fall. The players all respect Bell.
NPG2003
12:49
How much of Haley's system will stay intact this season? I think Ben mentioned in an interview that he wanted to go back to doing some of the things Arians was doing. How much will the offense change?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
That's why they kept him. For continuity's sake. Ben Roethlisberger did not want to start over in a new offense at this stage of his career. Randy Fichtner will have a few of his own ideas inserted into the playbook, but it will be very similar to Todd's playbook. And that's by design.
NPG2003
12:50
Ray, thanks for the chat..What should we expect from James Conner in 2018? Will his knee be 100%? What role could he play if Bell holds out or Steelers pull the franchise tag on Bell? Can Conner be an impact player, or just another RB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Conner should be ready to go by training camp, maybe even OTAs and minicamp. If he can stay healthy he will add value to the roster.
Guest
12:51
What's the latest info on Shaz"s recovery?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
Ryan is still rehabbing his injury. He won't play in 2018.
Taz
12:52
Who are the backup linemen the Steelers intend to carry to the 2018 season, now that we lost Hubbard?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
I think they like B.J. Finney as the top reserve at guard and center. They carried Matt Feiler and Jerald Hawkins all season as well. One of those guys will have an elevated role this year as the top backup tackle. I am guessing Hawkins has the inside track because that's the way they used him late in the season when Hubbard was starting. But there will be a competition for that job, maybe even with someone who comes via the draft.
Taz
12:53
Hi Ray!  Why is Bell saying he's being villianized?  I'm not a local, but I haven't seen any character assassination by the media - just reporting that he's not signing his franchise tender due to a disagreement about worth, which LB hasn't exactly refuted.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
I don't know. And that's why I'm not freaking out about what someone says on social media. Can we wait to see how Bell handles this situation after the July 16 deadline please?
Troy
12:54
Hi Ray! I'm experiencing 'draft deja vu'...  always having to sure up that secondary and find that missing linebacker that can provide pressure... I just don't think in Ben's remaining years it will get done. The Steelers began the path to improve this defense around 2011...  Am I a pessimist?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
Some picks on defense have not panned out. Ryan Shazier did pan out, but he got injured. Stuff happens. Front offices have to adjust and pick up the pieces. You're right that the offense has better players. The majority of those high draft picks have been successes. That's just the way it worked out.
Roberto
12:56
Hi Ray. I just think last year stats didn't tell the truth about the defense, they probably would not have been good enough even with Ryan in the lineup. Are the players not good enough or is it about coaching? Do you think the Bostic/Burnett addition plus the draft can be enough to take the qualitative leap? I don't know about you, but I doubt it. Forget about another 13-3 season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
They made some changes to the coaching staff so I don't think they were entirely happy with the way last season played out, even though they won 13 games. You can;t keep having these mental lapses and these communications issues that have plagued this defense the past few years. It happens too much, and I think they are trying to fix that this offseason.
Kimmy
12:57
Hi Ray! When the Steelers front office says extending Bell isn't a priority right now, are they merely putting all their energy into the draft hoping to make a last ditch effort for him after that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
Yes this is what they always do. They'll have 10 weeks to sign Bell after the draft. That's plenty of time.
DaquidoBazzini
12:58
Hi, Ray...Do you think there are any concerns about Rashaan Evans not running the 40 at the Combine?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
My understanding is he played through a groin injury last season and that was the reason he gave at the combine. I think the Alabama pro day was only a few days after the combine so it stands to reason he did not run at the pro day either. I am sure teams are concerned about that. Speed is important for linebackers in today's game because so many of them have to be able to play for three downs. And not just two downs. If he's not a three-down LB he's Vince Williams. And you don't spend a first-round pick to get someone like Vince Williams.
mtsteel
1:00
Hi Ray, Out of the two LB's  that the Steelers are mostly predicted to select at 28 (Evans and Vender Esch), which do you feel can come in an make an immediate impact out of the two?  Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
Hard to say. Most believe Vander Esch has more upside. I think Evans will be solid, but apparently there are concerns about his ability to play in pass coverage. Hoping to find out in the coming weeks how the Steelers feel. They always hold their cards close to their vest.
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