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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.2.18
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JMot
1:01
How long do you think Tyler Matakevich can stick around the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
For a while if he can stay healthy. He's a good special teams player.
RealityMan
1:02
The Steelers really struggled running the ball last year, especially when it really mattered. Do you think Randy has them continue to pass to set up the run ( as they did in the back half last year) or develop more of a power running game? With the weaker D, it would seem logical to really stay with the run to eat clock, especially with a lead, and keep the D off the field.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Honestly, they have to do what makes Roethlisberger the most comfortable. He didn't look comfortable early in the season when they were trying to ride Bell. He really hit his stride when they started throwing a little more. Not sure of the timing and why it unfolded that way, but they might have to outscore some teams to win games again. Most likely that comes with a high-powered passing attack rather than a ball-control type of attack.
Matt
1:04
Steelers set at oline? Seems they have their starters & reserves...
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
yes but they are getting older at that position. I would not be shocked if they add a young lineman to the group in the draft. You have to start developing some players behind the starters. This is likely Ramon Foster's last year with the Steelers. He's in the final year of his contract.
Matt
1:05
Ray, love your Steelers coverage however there is no way in hell they go DLine 1st pick. You don’t play a 4-3 let alone where does he play? Tuitt Hargrave and Hayward play almost all downs...
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
You take the best players and fit them into your defense.
jim
1:06
Best guess, does our offense improve or regress with Fitchner? Always seems a little rough starting with a new OC.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
I think the offense will be fine with Randy.
jim
1:06
I would like to trade down, think we will have any takers?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
Maybe a team that wants to come up and take Lamar Jackson so they can have that extra option year with the QB.
AJ
1:07
Do you think things with Bell could reach the point where the team withdraws the tag? Knowing Bell won't show up to camp or preseason and will get a very slow start, knowing the fans rightly hate his guts, knowing he's just going to continue to shoot his mouth off, - could it get to the point where the organization realizes he's not worth it? Aren't the negatives starting to outweigh the positives at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
I think they would have come to that determination before putting the tag on him March 7.
Wisconsin Winters
1:08
If the last 4 Super Bowl teams didn't have a featured RB, why do the Steelers insist on it? I like the 2 (3) headed attack.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
It's all about fit and importance to this offense. They value what he brings to the team.
steelmann58
1:08
HI Ray  If you have to give your bottom line what do you see the steelers doing with Bud fifth year option.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
I don't think they will pick it up, but I understand their thinking if they do decide to exercise it.
Paul Ordorff
1:09
ILB still the weakest position going into next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
It certainly could use some quality depth if not a starter. So yes.
Lucky Bob
1:09
Because of the signings of Burnett and Bostic, I don't think there is a position on the team that our #1 draft pick would come in as the sure starter. Even Troy sat for a year before becoming one of the all time greats. For this reason, I think this is the first time drafting QB is reasonable if they they think a legitimate franchise caliber QB is available at #28 . Isn't it pretty rare to have one available where we usually expect to be drafting?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
Yes Troy sat a year but they've changed the way they operate. It started with Jarvis Jones. They inserted him as the starter right away. Even though it didn't work out that was their mindset. The next year they let Shazier learn on the job. Same thing with Watt last year.
Cody
1:11
What about this Baker kid from Ohio State? He says he patterns his game after Ryan, he seems fast and active
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
Yes he is fast, but I don't think he was as productive as Ryan was for the Buckeyes.
Matt from LA
1:11
Are the mental lapses and  communication gaffs are problem with the players involved or poor coaching?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
The players have to know their assignments. But I do think the fact that it continues and the fact that there were changes to the staff means Tomlin is trying to figure out why it's ongoing.
Jeffrey Gargill
1:12
Where can we find a list of confirmed draft visits?  They are allowed 30 correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:13
I'll keep track at post-gazette.com. The first one was today. PSU DL Curtis Cothran was the first and only visitor today.
Thanks for all the questions today. We'll do it again next Monday.
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