You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 6.11.18
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
12:18
Do 5 OLBs make the 53? Are they all on the team now in your opinion? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
They've kept four in the past. I don't know if there are five worthy candidates on the offseason roster. I'm not convinced there are four. Adams has to prove he can play in this league.
Vincent
12:19
Bigger upside. Josh Dobbs or Landry Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
At this point, I'd have to say Jones.
Guillermo
12:19
Will Sutton have a chance to start if Burns continues to blow coverages? What about Edmunds taking over at FS if Davis struggles again.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Coaches don't bench first-round picks very often and so Burns would have to have some major screw-ups again for that to happen. Same goes with Davis, a second-round pick. Of the two, I'd say Davis might be a little bit more of a possibility because the Steelers drafted a safety in the first round, but I'm not thinking that's their immediate plans.
Paris in Tucson
12:22
How confident are you in Fichtner?  I’m worried the loss of Haley, personality problems and all, will result in a step back for the offense. Was this an “make Ben happy” move or will the guy be able to run an offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Well, he's been here since 2007. He obviously knows this offense inside and out. He was present for five years with Bruce Arians as coordinator six years with Haley. I think he'll tweak a few things and put his stamp on the offense. I don't expect major changes. And I don't have many concerns about his ability to game plan. Obviously calling plays in games is another story, but I'm sure he's been doing that in his head for years. Now is his chance to do it for real.
cr8vin3d
12:24
Why do you personally believe that the Steelers passed on the "other" ILB talent after Van der Esch and Evans were gone (which was probable going into the draft. Surely there was late 1st round, 2nd round and 3rd round talent available in the draft, otherwise y'all would have been writing for months that after the big 2 draftees ILB worthy talent was "crickets." Was it not at least "curious?"
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
They thought there was a big drop-off after the top four ILBs. They had some guys in for visits, including Malik Jefferson of Texas. They had chances to take him in the second and third rounds and passed. I just think they believed there was more value in the safety prospects in this draft.
They thought there was a big drop-off after the top four ILBs. They had some guys in for visits, including Malik Jefferson of Texas. They had chances to take him in the second and third rounds and passed. I just think they believed there was more value in the safety prospects in this draft.
St. BlackenGold
12:26
Hi Ray, what kind of deal do you think it takes to sign Chris Boswell?  I hadn't realized how big the kicker contracts have gotten?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Yeah it's not going to be cheap. But they'll probably pay him the going rate. It's tough to find a good kicker. The Steelers should know this better than anyone after what they went through early in the 2015 season.
Ernie
12:28
Hi ray, I have some Steeler fans who like to think we have one if the slowest group of wr’s in the nfl. I think it’s laughab. Your thiugys
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster might not be burners, but opposing defensive backs sure had a hard time covering them last year.
Colin
12:29
Think we may sign another OLB for depth? Maybe John Simon if he gets cut?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Signing an OLB before the start of the season is a possibility. As I noted in a story last week only Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt and Anthony Chickillo have NFL experience. They're a little thin there.
Brian
12:30
What is the drug testing policy for players on IR? New England’s Edelman was suspended coming off of a torn ACL and surely on medication during rehab. Aren’t players allowed to take meds while on IR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Sure, they're allowed to take medication, but they can't take banned substances. Obviously, Edelman tested for a banned substance.
JamesinNYC
12:31
Which UDFA has stuck out athletic wise ... in shorts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Matthew Thomas has received a bunch of work in OTAs. I think they're taking a long look at him. He can run, but he can stand to add a few pounds of muscle.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
12:32
Your Player with biggest breakout season? Davis? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
My early candidate is James Washington. But check back with me in late August.
Kalamazoo Dave
12:35
Is Lawrence Timmons still available?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
I believe he is, yes.
Ryno
12:36
Will Bill go to work for Dairy Queen if he finds out quickly that no other team is going to break the bank to pay him like the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Don't be so sure about other teams not paying what he wants. Some of these teams have cash to burn under the salary cap.
12:37
Thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do it again next week.
Connecting…