You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.23.18
powered byJotCast
Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
OK let's get started.
Moose
11:52
I really think this is a great year for the Steelers to trade back from the first into the early 2nd if they can, and pick up an extra pick, especially if Evans is gone.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
That's always a possibility. Teams like to come up into the first round late to get that fifth-year option if they are taking a QB. So that's prime real estate for the Steelers. But when you trade down you had better know the player you covet is there and have an idea of who else is going to be there with the other picks you receive.
Moose
11:53
Do you foresee the Steelers making another head scratching selection this year?  A Sepulveda, a long snapper, another project QB in later rounds, or a position that we don’t even need? Seems like we do it frequently.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
I wouldn't say frequently. Last year they knew Greg Warren wasn't going to come back so they felt like they had to get a long snapper. Didn't work out for them. There are plenty of late-round picks who get cut. In 2016, they cut seventh-round pick Gerod Holliman, who never played an NFL game. All kinds of sixth- and seventh-round picks never make it. At that point of the draft, you're taking flyers on guys sometimes.
Moose
11:55
My problem with Harrison is not that he signed with the Pats after he was released, it was his unprofessional selfish behavior prior to being cut.  Am I wrong for not accepting him back into the good graces of Steeler Nation?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
People tend to get over these things in time. From what I've heard Harrison was a bad teammate. Harrison himself came out and said he might have handled some things differently. But I'm not going to tell you how to feel.
Moose
11:56
What happens when Bell blows out a knee in his conditioning program before he signs his tag?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
Then he's out of luck. If he signs now he's guaranteed that money. No guarantees otherwise.
Jacob
11:57
Ray, thanks for doing these. Considering we all know what positions the Steelers "need" to/should address, what positions would you say are set and do not need address with a first round pick in any given scenario?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
QB, P, PK. That's about it.
J Huld
11:57
Do we have the players to win a championship on defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Depends on how some of the young guys develop. Based off last year's performances, the answer is no. But that's why you play the games. Players get  better over time. They mature.
J Huld
11:58
Should we expect to see any more veteran free agent moves?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Nothing big. Maybe a small move or two.
J Huld
11:58
Ray, what's your expectations on how LeVeon plays the first couple weeks of the season? Last year it took him a few weeks to get going. I also thought it seemed obvious Bell does not have the top notch speed anymore. Is there a real chance that Conner gets more carries than the 2 per game he got last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Bell will make $14.5 million next season. They will get their money's worth. But to your point, I would have Conner ready for more snaps early in the season because Bell and the offense were not in sync early on last year.
J Huld
11:59
Ray, do you expect to see Eli Rogers on the Steelers roster this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Depends on what happens in the draft later this week. If they can upgrade then the answer is no. If they don;t draft a receiver high then then answer is probably yes at some point after he recovers from his knee injury.
J Huld
12:00
Ray, Is there a feeling of optimism this off season that our defense is going to be much improved from last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Based on what? The players lifting weights for a few weeks. Nothing has happened since the end of the season. We won;t know for several more months.
J Huld
12:01
Ray, Thanks for chatting! It's not often that a team has a first ballot Hall of Fame QB. Is there a sense of, we have to get this done for Ben, around the Steelers at all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Well, he's 36 so he only has a few years left. Got to take advantage when he remains a great player.
Jacob
12:02
Ray, thanks again for doing these chats. Who would you like to pick this year in the first round for the Steelers if you could pick anyone regardless of our position in the order?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
If you;re asking me who is the best player it's Saquaon Barkley.
Guest
12:02
I believe that after ILB, OLB is the #1 area the Steelers need to add depth/talent for the future. But are there any worthwhile OLBs the team could draft in Rds 2-3?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Not a good year for OLBs. Plus, they just picked up the fifth-year option on Bud Dupree. Looks like they're going to have him on their roster in 2019, too.
Guest
12:03
Who would be a better fit for the Steelers - Rashaad Evans or Leighton V?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Both are good players. LVE is said to have higher upside, but some teams have concerns with a neck issues that has arisen after medical exams. Evans is viewed as the safer pick though there are some durability concerns with him, too.
Guest
12:04
Ray, can you please give us the names of some DEEP SLEEPERS that the steelers might be interested in in the final rounds of the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I had some of them in my mock draft last week. DL PJ Hall of Sam Houston State. BJ Hill of NC State, another DL. I like Iowa RB Akrum Wadley. I'm interested to see where he goes.
Guest
12:05
Let's say that Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Leighton Vanderesch, and Rashaad Evans are all gone by the time the steelers have their first pick, what player should they take?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
There should be quality interior offensive linemen there at that point. Justin Reid, the safety from Stanford, might be on the board. Still should get a very good player at that point in the draft.
Guest
12:05
Any OLBs (at any level in this draft) that you like for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Meh
Guest
12:06
If you were the Browns GM, who would you take with picks 1 and 4?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
The highest-rated QB on their board and then Chubb at No. 4 if he's still on the board.
PGH
12:06
What are the strengths of the ILB Joel I. from WKU who the Steelers brought in for a visit?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Excellent special teams player. Left early. He's a sixth- or seventh-rounder. No guarantrees he'll even be on a roster this fall.
Guest
12:08
Ray, I'm hearing a TON of buzz about the Steelers trading up to #15 in order to draft Hayden Hurst from South Carolina. You hearing this too?
Load More Messages
Connecting…