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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.30.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Eli Rogers remains a possibility if his rehab is on schedule.
CD in SC
12:32
Do we actually have reason to worry about the Browns in the coming years after this draft or will it be more of the same for the mistake by the lake?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
They have talent. Now it's a question of whether Hue Jackson is the right person to lead the ship.
Scunge
12:33
I projected the Martavis trade before it happened.  Did it surprise you given the fact that Colbert said they were not shopping him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
You can't predict a team would give a third-round pick for him. Too enticing for the Steelers to pass up.
D.M. Indiana
12:33
Hey Ray, thanks for your time.  Which QB do you  see getting his 'walking papers', Dobbs or Landry ?   And, overall, what's your grade on the draft and which player do you think we see playing this year ?  Again, thanks for your time.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
My guess right now is Dobbs, but as I said earlier maybe he'll come down with a season-ending injury and all this hand-wringing will be for naught.
Bob
12:34
With no depth at LB how do the Steelers expect to stop the run?  Not learning from the Jacksonville debacle we are primed to re-live it.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Maybe they have more confidence in the defense than the average fan. I don't disagree with you though. It remains a very big question mark for me.
CD in SC
12:35
Maybe I’m a homer but I believe Mason Rudolph brings more value in the long run, especially with no off-field concerns, compared to Baker Mayfield (Johnny 2.0).  Learning the QB position under Big Ben for a couple years is the perfect situation for him. Your thoughts Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
We'll have to wait and see. But if he's not the heir apparent the pick will always be criticized because they had so many other needs.
talldrinkofwater
12:36
Say Ray, does this draft signal a shift in defensive philosophy?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Tomlin has said he's open to changing things and I think this draft shows he might be leaning in  that direction.
steelmann58
12:38
HI Ray what do you think we were lucky to get a 3rd for Bryant?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Yes that was good return
elcid97
12:38
So not picking an ILB: (a) luck of the draw with how the draft worked out (b) the Steelers really believe their line that the game is changing and a big safety is just as good?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
They wanted one of the top four ILBs. When they didn't land any of them they adjusted and took who they thought was best.
steelmann58
12:39
Hi Ray  Were you surprised by our 1st round Safety and 3 Round OL? .
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Yes but I understand their philosophy on taking the BPA.
Jim
12:39
Ray, I love the Rudolph pick. In another year with less QB talent in the mix I think he might have been a 1st-rounder. Steelers did not pay too much for a young QB who could be the future. Perfect placement...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Only time will tell, but your point on not knowing about the future Qbs that are in college now is well-taken. Maybe the Steelers already know the talent coming out in the next year or two isn't great.
Guest
12:40
After they traded Bryant to Oakland why didn't the Steelers try to move up in the 1st round to get a linebacker?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I think they did. Baltimore was the trading partner for the Titans. You know the Ravens weren't going to deal with the Steelers in a potential trade.
LA Matt
12:41
Is Rudolph Ben's heir apparent  or just a "Mark Malone-Bubby Brister-Neil O'Donnell-Kordel Stewart" quarterback whom we will have to live with until we can actually draft a franchise quarterback again?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Only time will tell
SD Stiller
12:41
Do you view the Penn State kid as a possible year one contributor or is he a backup / potential throw away pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
He'll have to make it on special teams initially. Maybe he can carve out a role for himself after that.
The Standard
12:42
Hi, Ray, looks like the Steeler Defense is "evolving" and they will have safeties playing LB.  Hope it works but I don't have a good feeling about the plan.  I agree about the draft but this is the first time I have not been optimistic, much less excited, about their draft picks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
I think we are all intrigued about how these guys will be implemented once they start to practice.
Joe d
12:43
I know you hate these questions, and 99.9% of the time i agree with you. but isn't it time to consider playing t.j. on the inside this year?...clay matthews pulled it off a few years ago for the packers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
Watt already plays off the ball occasionally when he drops into coverage. But I don't see them doing that unless there is an injury to Bostic or Williams and even Matakevich. I agree that he could do it. I just think that they want to do it.
obxandy
12:44
Would Dobbs qualify for practice squad?  I understand other teams could take him from practice squad roster for their own 53 man roster. Thanks for chats.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
I think he would be eligible yes but don't quote me on that. THose practice squad rules change every year and we don't know for sure until early to mid August.
Ryno
12:45
So is today the day the Steelers begin their futile task of trying to sign Bell to a long-term contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
Yes they will turn their attention to Bell now. But I don't expect things to heat up (if they do at all) until closer to the deadline.
Cosnation
12:45
True or False.  Tuitt's arm injury dramatically affected the run defense all of last season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
I suspect that is the case, but don't know that for sure.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
12:46
Hi Ray, Obviously contracts are a factor.. but it seems like there has been a message sent from AR to eliminate distractions... Mitchell, Bryant.. possibly even being held hostage by Ben... Your opinion? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
I agree but not necessarily with your point on the QB
LA Matt
12:47
My impression from the PG post-draft coverage is that the Steelers drafted the two safeties because they see both as quasi-hybrid safety/linebackers that can both stop the run and cover receivers?
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