You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 4.9.18
powered byJotCast
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Let's get started.
mtsteel
11:59
Hi Ray, If the top rated ILB's are off the board when Steelers pick at 28, I really feel the way to go is a top CB.  We don't have a lot of depth there and you can never have enough good corners? Some have mentioned that kid from Louisville, (Alexander). Your thoughts? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Yes Jaire Alexander. I have seen him mocked to the Steelers at No. 28. I can see them taking a CB in this draft, but I'm not sure it will happen in the first round. They are committed to Joe Haden for another year and have 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns at the other corner spot. Can they use depth there? Yes, but when you take a guy in the first round there is the expectation to start right away, or at the very least, be on the rotation.
Dennis N
12:01
No one mocks an offensive lineman to the Steelers, but the owner said that if the right player drops, it might save some cap room.  Do you this there is a chance that an offensive lineman could be drafted that could push someone on the right side off the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
That's an intriguing question, Dennis. I've thought of that myself. There are several centers and guards who are projected to go late in the first round. James Daniels of Iowa is considered the top center prospect. Wynn from Georgia and Hernandez from UTEP are some of the guards you see mocked in the first round. The Steelers are growing old on the offensive line and if the right player is available I can see how your scenario might unfold. The only problem is if you draft Daniels is he versatile enough to play guard for a year or two until Pouncey's contract is up. Would Pouncey be willing to move to guard? Would the Steelers cut Ramon Foster if he is taken? The same questions are relevant is they take a guard there. I don't know if it's likely, but I have to admit I have considered your scenario. Very astute on your part to realize the offensive line is a sneaky need for the Steelers. They are going to need an infusion if youth there in the near future.
D,M. Indiana
12:05
Ray, thanks for your time.  I'm still trying to figure out WHY more defensive coaches didn't get the 'walking papers'...especially J. Porter.  We all know defense, tackling, was pathetic.  No one could wrap up on this team.   What's your thought on why these guys are still getting a paycheck ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Well, you did have two changes on the defensive staff. Tom Brady and Karl Dunbar ore coaching the DBs and DL. If you get a chance watch the Tom Bradley interview on Steelers.com later today (after my chat, of course). He was asked by Missi Matthews what he is going to demand from the DBs and his answer was very reminiscent of the words Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney used after the season. They want tacklers. They want to limit big plays. And they want to communicate in the back end. We all know what the problems were back there. Now it's up to Bradley to see if he can fix it.
Rob
12:08
With a solid D- Line and some weakness at LB, as well as a new defensive coaches, will the steelers switch to a 4 man front?  They seemed to genreate more pressure and the DB's Hayden,Burns, Sutton can play man to support it. thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
They use a four-man front as it is. It won't be anything new. It's just not called their "base" defense. But base defense is a term that's almost disappearing from the NFL because subpackages are being deployed so often.
J from Findlay
12:10
Ray, do you have any reason to believe that the Steelers defense will be all that much improved next season? I am quickly losing faith in that. I think we need to know which Tuitt is going to show up, how do we address the absence of Shazier, who is gonna step up at CB(Haden was the only competent performer that spent much time on the field), who at LB do we draft that fits our scheme AND can make a difference THIS SEASON, and can we find a pair of safeties that work together?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I have a wait-and-see approach with the defense. You have to admit there is some bad luck with losing Shazier. They built their defense around him. Now they have to try to replace him. It won;t be easy. They're also trying to rebuild their secondary on the run. What they've been doing hasn't been working so of course people are skeptical, but they do have some pieces in place. Heyward is coming off an All-Pro season. Tuitt can be an All-Pro type player if he can stay healthy. Watt is going to be better. I think the big questions are in the back end of the defense.
iGOegHAM3
12:12
Good morning. With all the talk about ILB & S being our biggest needs on defense, what are the chances we actually draft another CB with our 1st round pick? Anybody you've heard that the Steelers are highly interested in at that position?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I've heard lots of names. Jaire Alexanders is one. Josh Jackson and Mike Hughes are others who might be available at the end of Round 1. I don't think it's likely, but those are some names.
J from Findlay
12:13
Is there any sense that Tomlin's seat becomes hot or at least very warm if/when we fail miserably again this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Again? They went 13-3 last year. I admit the playoff loss to the Jags was bad, but geez, failing miserably is not a phrase people often use when it comes to Tomlin. At least not outside of Pittsburgh.
12:15
Taking a short break to find out the prospects who are visiting today. Will be back shortly to resume the chat. Check my Twitter for the visitors...
12:25
OK, today's draft visitors today are RB Reggie Bonnafon of Louisville, FB John David Moore of LSU and WR RIchie James of Middle Tennessee State.
jim
12:26
Did the hated Patriots move up to 23 in the draft to take away our chance for an inside linebacker in round 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
The Patriots have a lot of needs. ILB might be one, but they have others.
J from Findlay
12:27
How excited is Ben to play without Todd Haley as O.C.?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Considering it was mere hours after the season ended that the news was out that he wanted to play 2-3 more years... I think he's excited.
AK
12:28
Can you see the Steelers taking a WR in the first round?  I sure hope they don't.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Not in Round 1, but I can see them taking a WR early.
AK
12:28
I saw where Burnett was described as a more stable version of Mike Mitchell, but not as explosive.  Do you think that is accurate?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I didn't really think Mitchell was all that explosive to begin with. If Burnett can tackle better, take better angles, intercept a pass once in a while and get the other DBs lined up better, then he'll be an upgrade. If he can do one of those things better than Mitchell, he'll be an upgrade.
AK
12:30
Which of the Steelers' rookies from last season do you think will show the most improvement this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Watt or Sutton. JuJu is already really good.
Pete
12:30
Do you think the Steelers need to draft a TE in this draft?  If they take one, do you think it's more likely to be a pass receiver or a blocker?  There aren't many that do both well these days.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
No there aren't. I wrote about that last week. I can see them taking a TE in the middle or later rounds.
PK
12:31
Do you think Gesicki will be a second or a third round pick?  It seems unlikely that he'll be a first rounder because of his poor blocking.  Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I think second round for Gesicki. He's a really good pass-catching TE.
Phil
12:31
The Steelers signed several guys to one year contracts who I could see getting cut.  McCullers, Touissant, Ridley, and Hunter.  Could you see three or all of them getting cut?  Who do you think is most likely to make the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Of those you mentioned, Ridley. I could see him making the team along with Bell and Conner.
Fred
12:32
Do you think the Steelers will take a RB at all, and if so, third round or earlier, or fifth round or later?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
How about third or fifth round. I can definitely see them taking one in the middle rounds if they have a high grade on one.
Andy
12:33
With the Steelers signing a backup S and special teams ace, do you think they will likely only draft one S?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
I think that's a good bet.
Andy
12:33
The Steelers have Brown, JuJu, Martavis, Hunter, and DHB, plus a probable draft pick, and possibly Rogers.  Do you think they will keep six WRs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Ask me in August. So much can happen between now and then.
Jonny Quest
12:34
Ray - lots of changes in the defensive secondary going into this season....both in players and coaches.  Do you think the sum total of those changes will be positive, negative or do we have to wait and see what happens?  Thanks.
Load More Messages
Connecting…