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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 7.23.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
What's his role going to be? Backup slot WR? How many snaps might he get a game? 10? 12? I mean, there are plenty of other concerns for fans out there.
mtsteel
12:47
Hi Ray and thank you.  So it looks like the Steelers only offered Bell 10 Million in guaranteed money.  This is way below many contracts in the NFL (for players of his caliber).  Would 20 mil guaranteed sealed the deal? if so it doesn't seem like that much in today's NFL to guarantee 20, especially when your talking about 70 million. Your thoughts? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
That's not true. The Steelers don't guarantee a lot of money to any player in contracts except for QBs. Bell would have had a $10 signing bonus plus whatever his 2018 salary was set for. I think it was around $7 million. So that's $17 million right there. Plus whatever he was set to earn in 2019 and 2020. As you know the Steelers don't make a habit of releasing guys in the second or third years of contracts either.
Ryno
12:48
After this season, will the Steelers even bother to try to negotiate with Bell on a new contract?  Or have they finally realized he wants FAR more than they are able to offer him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
I think they'll try, but they've been trying for the past 18 months. I don't expect a different result.
mtsteel
12:49
Hey Ray, I was thinking of going to the Friday night 8/3 practice that is a fan fest of sorts.  How is it? in your opinion...Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
I always enjoy it. That's when they traditionally do backs on backers too. Lots of hitting.
TOM T
12:50
Ray,  Biggest concerns on defense?   LB's or secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
At this point, the LBs but the secondary isn't far behind.
jim
12:50
Keith Butler's last year if we don't get the communication issues fixed? Or do you think it is on the players not doing what they are being taught?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
It's on everyone. I struggled to know last year and I continue to struggle to understand why this communication thing is such a big issue for the Steelers. I think Tom Bradley tried to iron some of that out this spring, but it's certainly an issue worth watching.
Arturo
12:51
Hi Ray... thanks for the weekly chat... It’s the highlight of my Monday morning! Do you know if the players care about Madden ratings? I guess they shouldn’t but vanity is Hard to avoid...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
I saw Ryan Shazier tweet about his rating. He was upset. I guess players do care. Just like they care about their ratings by Pro Football Focus. This stuff is out there for NFL fans to consume.
jim
12:52
Do you think TJ and be as good as JJ? They seem to have the same motor, but JJ a little bigger.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
Different players. JJ is a defensive end. TJ is an outside linebacker. JJ rushes every snap and TJ has converage responsibilities. Different body types too.
Krugerrand
12:53
Bell wants to reset the market for Running Backs.  Okay, but given that there is a salary cap, has anybody asked him which positions, in general, need to give some money so that Running Backs can make more?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
You think he cares about that?
SILLY in PHILLY
12:54
In your opinion, the Steelers coming up short the past couple of years-  a talent issue or coaching problem?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
Talent on defense has been an issue. But there has been a coaching problem too. I think that has been obvious. We've been discussing this communication issue for it seems like years now.
Kurt
12:55
Ray how will this D be any better?  They say they want the new Safeties etc to play linebacker in sub packages but we wont get to sub packages if they are getting gashed by the run again.  I think the O needs to score like 35 a game because i don't see this D stopping anyone.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
I tend to agree with you. If the defense is better than last year I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Ryno
12:56
Speaking of Eli, what is your best guess as to the reason he went from being "Automatic Eli" two seasons ago, to being so hit or miss last season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:56
The arrival of JuJu for one. And he always seemed to get in Mike Tomlin's doghouse at least once a year.
12:57
Ok thanks for taking part in the chat today. We'll do it again next week after a few days of observing practices. That should make it fun.
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