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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 7.23.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I attend all home games and the road games that we drive to. I generally don't go on the longer trips unless one of the other reporters or columnists can't go.
K Dot
12:26
In your opinion what might be the biggest position shakeup after camp?  CB?  S?  WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I think we're all wondering how the safeties will be deployed, but I wouldn't necessarily call what might happen a "shakeup" either. Cornerbacks are set although Artie Burns might get pushed a bit by Cam Sutton. The receivers are set, too. It's going to be Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington as the top three unless there is an injury.
CK
12:28
Do you think that JuJu spolied us in his rookie season...can we expect even bigger things this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
They're counting on him to be better. He's the undisputed No. 2 this year with Martavis Bryant gone. They need him to produce like one.
jim
12:28
What do you make of Harrison's comments about the defense. Was he saying the players basically weren't prepared? I think it was directed at Mitchell, Burns, Gay, etc. Did you get that impression?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
You'll have to be more specific. I read about the Harrison comments on Tomlin. What did he say about players?
ryanh103
12:29
James Harrison said communication on defense was a mess because multiple coaches were calling different defenses at the same time do you have any idea on what coaches he was talking about
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
OK thanks for posting. I only saw the comments about Tomlin. That doesn't surprise me. Their communication was admittedly terrible at times. The players spoke up about it after the Jacksonville game.
jim
12:31
Any idea why we aren't resigning Rodgers now that he is healthy again?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Maybe they like Marcus Ticker better. I mean, it's not like Rogers was a productive player last year. They got by just fine with him being a bit player in the offense.
T. Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop
12:32
Ray, I heard that Aaron Donald needed to report to camp by a certain date in order to qualify as a UFA next season, since he had already held out of a previous offseason. I was curious why (assuming that's correct info) it doesn't apply to Bell?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Because Bell is not this year and was not last year under contract. He's not under contract until he signs his tender.
John MA
12:33
Where is Bell going to find a better situation?  HOF QB and WR and excellent offensive line.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Good question, but I'm not sure he's all that worried about that. It appears money is at the forefront of his contract stance. That's fine too. He's earned that right.
MoreDread
12:34
Actually,yes, I was referring to Fichtner's time in Memphis.  I do realize that Haley used both schemes but it was predominately zone in the run game.  The reason I'm asking is because I've never seen Conner play college ball.  Since the chances of Bell being here are quite low next year, I was wondering which of these schemes would suit Conner better.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
I think Conner is fairly adaptable. When he was a bigger back at Pitt a power scheme might have suited him better, but he's slimmed down and I think he'll be fine in a zone or man scheme.
SteelerBill
12:35
Do you think there is any scenario where the Steelers rescind the tag?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
I don't think so. Not unless he does something so bad that they'll want to cut their losses.
SILLY in PHILLY
12:36
Does a first year Undrafted free agent like Mathew Thomas get a fair opportunity to start? Meaning are there enough camp snaps and pre-season opportunities given to him w the first team to truly show the coaches he has the tools?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Yes and no. There are plenty of camp snaps, but the vast majority of personnel decisions have already been made. They know who their starters are at most positions even if they haven't been officially announced yet. Very few jobs are won in training camp.
ryanh103
12:37
whats a underrated camp battle that you're looking forward to seeing
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I'd have to say swing tackle. Chuks Okorafor looked good in the spring and he'll have a chance to earn that job. The Steelers brought in some competition after the Jerald Hawkins injury, but I think they'd like Okorafor to win that job.
Ryno
12:38
The mystery of Dupree underperforming has been discovered to be that the QB can see him coming.  Was that the craziest reason you've ever heard for a player?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
I don't know about the craziest, but it certainly was odd to hear. I've covered football for a long time and I never heard that used as an excuse before. Usually, you can either rush the passer or you can't.
ryanh103
12:39
do you think artie is really in competition for his starting spot or is he pretty much set no matter what happens in camp.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
They'd like to see more consistency out of Burns, but it would be a major story if he was beaten out. He was a first-round pick in 2016. That would be a major admittance of failure by the front office.
Ernie
12:40
Hi Ray, do U see our 7th rnd dL from Alabama makin the squad.  He seems intriguing
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I could see him making it. They carried Dan McCullers for four years and he almost never played. And it's not like there's a ton of competition at nose guard.
Bob
12:41
Do the Steelers plan on reducing concessions this year?  Seems like they are trying to increase the interest in gameday experience .  Lowering prices may help!  Ravens lowering prices!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Omari Sankfora wrote a story about that and the Steelers chose not to comment. I read that as they won't lower prices.
Bleans
12:41
I noticed Eli Rogers is working out with a couple of teams. Are the Steelers not interested in him anymore?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Apparently not. At least not right now.
Durt Reynolds
12:42
James Harrison mentioning more than one defensive play being called at times and players being confused on the field. Would this type of behavior be indicative of a coaching change? HC or DC?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
It would be indicative of bad coaching. I know that.
Ryno
12:43
Is there no interest in bringing Eli Rogers back to Pittsburgh?  I saw he is on a tour of at least three other teams, and none of those teams is the Steelers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Just because Rogers is working out for teams doesn't mean they'll sign him. It could happen, but they have to work him out first to see how well his knee healed.
Guest 6Rings
12:44
I think the Steelers [and you :)] are undervaluing traditional NT's.
I understand not paying a Hampton-esque NT to an extent: they only play ~33-50% of the snaps. But isn't part of their value shutting down the run so that they CAN get off the field and let our pass rushers get after it, as opposed to constantly putting the defense in 2nd & 3rd and short? Especially given the run stats after 50's injury last year, I worry about not having a stout NT.  Does that make sense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
It does make sense, but it's all about how you spend your assets. Does it make sense for Kevin Colbert to use a first-round pick on a NG that might play a quarter of the snaps in any given game? No, it does not. The trick is finding a stout NG that is versatile enough to move up and down the line. Those types of DTs usually go higher in the first round than when the Steelers traditionally pick.
Lambert Lunatic
12:45
Hey Ray, why do the Steelers seem so uninterested in Eli Rogers even though he has been a decent contributor and knows the ins and outs of the offense/Ben?
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