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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 7.23.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to my weekly Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started.
SILLY in PHILLY
11:56
Assuming Samuels makes the transition-  would he be a viable 4th receiver option? Imagine he would be a size and speed nightmare for opponents’ 4th corner?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
The coaches like Samuels. I think he has a good shot to make the 53-man roster. He is versatile, but I'm not certain how they'll use him at this point. In the spring, they used him in the same way they've used Le'Veon Bell int he past -- lined him up all over and took advantage of his skill set. He's someone to keep an eye on in training camp. He'll get a lot of work at RB and I think you'll see him lined up as a receiver, too.
GENE
11:58
Hi Ray,  What's the holdup with the Boswell deal ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
It's not just the players who get a break in late June and early July. It's also when front office personnel and agents get away for some vacation time, too. I think you'll see the negotiations pick up in August and early September. The Steelers are never in a rush with these things. David DeCastro signed a few days before the season opener a few years ago. And if for some reason the Steelers don't strike a deal with Boswell they'll have the franschise or transition tag at their disposal in March because it's highly unlikely they'll use one on Le'Veon Bell again.
MoreDread
12:00
The Steelers run game, under Haley, featured mostly zone blocking with inside runs.  Fichtner has typically used gap blocking and pulls in an outside run game.  Bell seems to prefer the former as he is not really fast.  Do you see Fichtner adapting to the way it's been or trying to install his own style?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
When you say Fichtner "has typically used gap blocking and pulls in an outside run game" what are you referring to? Fichtner hasn't been an offensive coordinator since 2006 when he was at the University of Memphis. He has been with the Steelers since 2007 as either the WRs or QBs coach. So he is certainly well-versed in how the run game was schemed under Todd Haley. Also, as to Haley mostly using noze blocking with inside runs that's not really true either. The Steelers used zone and man blocking under Haley. In fact, Haley allowed Mike Munchak to play to his players' strengths. Munchak was almost all zone blocking when he was the line coach in Tennessee, but he changed a bit upon arriving to the Steelers because he had different personnel. So in an attempt to answer your question, I think it's safe to assume Fichtner will run an offense that is similar to the one Haley oversaw with a few wrinkles along the way. But don't expect any major changes in regards to which blocking scheme they employ.
jim
12:05
Since the money from the Steelers would be "virtually" guaranteed but not actually guaranteed. Wasn't Bell foolish not to sign it? If he is banking on himself so much, why would he think we would cut him after a year, or two?? Seems like the Steelers have a history of honoring their contracts.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Right. You are correct. That's why I found it so odd that his agent did a media blitz and pointed out how the Steelers conduct their business. What was the point of that? To strain relations with the club in future negotiations with other players he might represent? It was dumb. The Steelers aren't going to change the way they structure their contracts. As for the decision not to sign that will be determined by whether Bell stays healthy this season. If he does he'll likely earn more on a contract when he becomes a free agent. However, if he suffers another major injury it will be a foolish decision because as you point out the Steelers don't cut guys in the second or third years of deals. They never have because the dead cap hits would be too harsh.
Guest
12:08
I'm not going to hold you to it, but as camps open, what is your gut telling you about this season? Give me the Steelers' record and what they'll do in the playoffs (assuming you think they'll get there).
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
10-6. Win the division. No. 4 seed in AFC playoffs. Probably win a wild-card game but don't expect a deep playoff run. Just too many holes on defense for me to pick them to be Super Bowl contenders. Maybe they'll change my mind if the defense suddenly improves. I just have a hard time seeing how with the moves (or lack thereof) they made over the offseason on that side of the ball.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:10
Better or worse w/out Martavis THIS season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Will depend on the development of James Washington. I tend to think he'll do just fine and they won't miss Bryant all that much. But we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
jim
12:10
Bell's agent says he is a generational talent, but aren't a lot of the running backs coming out now (i.e. Barkley,Samuels) runner/receivers? I don't see anyone giving Bell the money he wants.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Not to mention the presence of Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley, who are already in the league. But don't underestimate the free-spending ways of some owners and GMs once free agency begins. If Bell is healthy some team will pay him more than the Steelers were willing. I'm almost certain of that.
Glen
12:12
Hi Ray, when do we start getting nervous about Edmunds remaining unsigned?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I don't think there is any reason to be concerned. There are a handful of other first-rounders still unsigned. If he does decide to miss a good portion of camp he'd be receiving some monumentally bad advice. He's not a starter, and he'd only be hurting himself by quibbling over a few thousands dollars. These rookie contracts are slotted so there really isn't a lot of negotiating that goes on.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:14
Can you let us know how Mathew Thomas looks in camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Sure thing.
Bud is Weiser
12:14
Your thoughts on James Harrison . . . honest opinion or sour grapes or a little of both? I tend to think it's a little of both.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Yeah little bit of both I suppose. I mean, how can anyone argue with what he said. Of course Bill Belichick is a better coach. He's a better coach than the other 30 head coaches too. That wasn't breaking news. I think the part about the discipline and playing favorites was telling. It's been obvious guys like Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell have received special treatment in the past. Harrison said that does damage in the locker room. Perhaps it does, but for a guy like Harrison to be the messenger on this is a bit odd. He received special treatment from Tomlin for years. Some years, he didn't put on pads in camp until two or three weeks had gone by. He was sleeping in recliners in team meetings according to his teammates and apparently was not punished for his actions. Until he was released I guess. But that's not exactly punishment. It seemed that's what Harrison desired.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:17
Is this the year DHB’s time on the team comes to end?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I wouldn't be surprised either way. He's not really involved in the offense all that much. They keep him because they like him on special teams. As always, he'll have to prove he can be effective on those teams to make the 53-man roster.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:18
Expectations for Mason Rudolph?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
He played well in the spring. I would expect him to continue on an upward trajectory in camp.
Dudley Dawson
12:18
Am I crazy to think the offense may be more explosive this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
All the important pieces return. Offensive line will be intact. The skill players too (once Bell decides to sign his tender). I think the offense might have to be better because I don't know if the defense will be better than it was last year. Roethlisberger and Co. might have to carry this team.
DW
12:20
Ray, it seems consistently for the past several years the Steelers always been able to find top tier receivers.  If we lose one in free agency, seems like they always draft a replacement who ends up being even better.   Who within the organization has such a keen eye for talent at the position?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I don't know if there is one scout who receives the credit. I guess you have to credit Kevin Colbert the most because he's the guy who is pulling the trigger on these picks.
Bill
12:21
Ray, why does the NFL set a deadline for franchise players to come to terms? If the Steelers and Bell wanted to continue working on it who does it hurt? It makes no sense to me.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
I agree. I'll see if I can find out if there is a reason the NFL or NFLPA wants a deadline. I suspect there is a reason.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:22
what excites you most about upcoming camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Watching the new guys in pads. This will be the first opportunity to see the rookies play some semblance of tackle football. The intensity is ratcheted up and the cream rises to the top.
ryanh103
12:23
Do you think anybody well actually be able to win punt return duties this year so we can finally take AB off
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
They've been trying to do that for years. Cam Sutton is a candidate to earn that job with Eli Rogers not currently on the roster.
Baba Booey
12:24
Assuming Bell is gone, What does the cap look like heading into next off season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
The Steelers spend to the cap every year so they won't have a ton more room. Just the $14.5 million they devoted to him in 2018.
T. Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop
12:25
Afternoon sir, any thought as to why Edmunds has not yet signed? Expect it to happen?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I expect it to happen sooner rather than later.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:25
Thanks for your “open” mind during these Q and A’s.  Was wondering, do you get to go to all the Steelers’ games?
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