JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 5.7.18

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 5.7.18

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Ray Fittipaldo

12:26

Tuitt struggled with injuries all year, could never really get completely healthy. Hargrave was injured late in the year. The problem was the depth behind them. They didn't have anyone who could give you better play than what they were offering when they were injured.

Las Vegas Steeler Fan

12:27

Hello Ray. Are you as surprised as most by Ben’s comments about drafting Rudolph? I am a diehard steeler fan and will always defend our team when other team’s fans run their mouth. I don’t understand why everytime a steeler player is unhappy the whole world has to know about it.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:29

Here's a secret: Journalists really like it when athletes tell us their feelings. Really, this is what you should want as fans. The truth eventually is going to get out. It always does. Why not give Roethlisberger some props for being honest and sharing his thoughts on the matter?

Ashton

12:29

Hi Ray! Do you think Jaylen Samuels is guaranteed a roster spot or will he have an uphill battle to make the 53?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:30

Fifth-round picks are not guaranteed anything. Remember Shaquille Richardson and Wesley Johnson?

Corey R

12:30

Will James Washington start out on the outside with AB or will he start in the slot?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:30

Too early to say. JuJu Smith-Schuster had a ton of success in the slot last season. He showed he could play outside. I think we all know Washington can play outside. He has to show he can play in the slot.

Jeff

12:31

This RB we drafted seems to be Bell 2.0 and alot cheaper.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:31

Really? Jaylen Samuels averaged something like eight carries a game for NC State.

Begonia Bob

12:32

Ben: Drafting Rudolph a wasted pick. Me: Having a better backup QB than what's already on the roster IS a good move for 2018 (ask the Iggles). What does Ray say?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:33

Nick Foles was a 29-year old veteran when he stepped in and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl. No one would expect Rudolph to do that in 2018. It takes time to develop into a quality QB in the NFL. So as far as 2018 goes, it's not a great move that is going to help this team. At least that wasn't their intention when they drafted him. They came out and said that.

Rick

12:34

Ray, I think the comments by Ben on the draft choices reflect his concern for their chances on winning another SB while he is the QB. It will be interesting how he interacts with Mason. Your thoughts? Thank you.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:34

Some interesting times ahead indeed. I wrote about it today: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/05/07/mason-rudolph-s...

Brian in Va

12:34

I’ll give props to Ben for being honest but his feelings were “me first” not “team first.” Fans like players with a more team first mentality like Heath Miller had.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:35

No one will really care about this in November if the Steelers are in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. It's just offseason fodder.

Mark in KY

12:35

I believe Ben wants to play as long as possible and that the retirement talk was just that, but isn't it really more likely that age and mileage will set him down sooner rather than later? If that's the case, doesn't that make the Rudolph pick reasonable insurance from management's point of view?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:37

I'm sure that's at least part of the reason they made the move. We have no idea what the future QB draft classes will be like. Kevin Colbert came out and said this 2018 class was special. They liked Rudolph in that group with the five that were taken in the first round. It's quite possible the Steelers won't like another QB as much in the next 1,2,3, however many years.

Chris

12:37

I seen where ben made the comment they may trade him just ben being salty or what

Ray Fittipaldo

12:37

Maybe a bad attempt at humor.

NC Steel

12:37

Ray, drafting the huge guy to play OT looks like a boom or bust pick. The odds are it will be bust, Why not use that pick to select a genuine OT from a Power 5 school? Thanks

Ray Fittipaldo

12:39

Mike Munchak took Al Villanueva and made him a starting left tackle after he came to him as a defensive lineman who had just been cut by the Eagles. Okoafor started for three years at Western Michigan, which has been one of the top mid-major programs in the country. We'll have to wait and see how this ends up, but Munchak is a great coach and I'd be surprised if this guy isn't starting by 2020.

OLB Needed

12:40

Everyone is so worried about ILB. Have they seen the roster at OLB? We couldn't stop Jacksonville because of Bud Dupree, not because Shazier was gone. That was evident from the first meeting in week 3. Do you they will address OLB in coming months?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

Not to the point of challenging Dupree. Maybe a depth move.

Gyest

12:40

I understand Ben was a little perturbed at the Steelers drafting Rudolph but disappointed when he indicated he wouldn't mentor him. I think once they're on the field that will change don't you?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

Yes I think that will change.

Everyone's a linebacker!

12:41

I believe I heard a Dunbar assessment that Frazier got "Wally Pipp'd" at Alabama when Da'ron Payne took his spot after an injury. Am I silly to think that a 7th rounder can beat out Big Dan, claim a spot on the 53, and contribute to run D in his rookie year?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:41

Not a silly notion at all. Could happen if Frazier plays well in camp.

JamesinNYC

12:42

Remember there were a lot of FA QBs Cousins, Keenum, Bridgewater and even AJ McCarren. Plus trades of Alex Smith and Tyrod Taylor so there was a lot of pre draft changes.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:42

This too.

Steeler in Charlotte

12:42

Do you think our No. 4 WR when the season starts is on the team right now? (Not counting Bell)

Ray Fittipaldo

12:42

No.

Franco

12:43

Why would Ben create an issue by questioning the Steelers drafting of Mason Rudolph? Why not come in and help the young QB - I think it has really made him look petty and selfish, your thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:43

It's not his job to mentor his replacement. His job is to win games and try to win another Super Bowl. If mentoring happens along the way that's fine. But that's not what this is all about.

Everyone's a linebacker!

12:44

Samuels certainly appears to be the sort of weapon a stacked O like the Steelers could take advantage of, but he doesn't have a solid position nor is his blocking considered NFL-ready. Do you think he has a chance to make the 53, and if so where could his roster spot come from?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:44

Yes he has a chance. Maybe they don't keep three TEs.

JamesinNYC

12:45

Reading the article on why the draft doesn't make sense I would disagree with one major point. I think they could have a late RD1 grade on Rudolph the same as Washington and picked for need. I think a solid backup with starter potential is worth a mid third round pick. Do you think Ben will stay injury free and play 4 more years really?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:46

No one really knows for sure. But he's been pretty healthy ever since they made a commitment to protecting him and trying to get the ball out of his hand sooner. But to your point, injuries can happen, and it might be nice to have Rudolph on the roster if that does happen.

Kool-Aid

12:46

Hi Ray, Mike Mitchell claimed he played last season with a broken foot. Did you hear anything supporting that?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:46

Excuses, excuses.

Ray I.

12:47

Would you entertain bringing back Marcus Wheaton on a one year prove it deal as the #4/5 WR?

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