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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 8.14.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
No. Williams is 35 and his best days are behind him.
SteelerFanatic
2:21
With overloaded depth at WR do you think Steelers should look to trade one as opposed to just outright releasing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
What makes you think anyone would want Heyward-Bey if they release him? Or Justin Hunter for that matter. He was signed in March for the league minimum.
TheStandard
2:23
How should Tomlin handle Bell when he does return?  Is missing training camp just "business" and Tomlin is happy he is back or does Tomlin deem the holdout unacceptable and do/say something in privte/public?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
He'll be welcomed back with open arms when he returns.
Devin B
2:24
How do you think corner situation pans out? Do you think Mike Hilton has a chance to make the team as well as Brian Allen? They both showed some things on Friday night.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Hilton should make the 53-man roster and Allen should be on the practice squad.
IzzySteel43
2:24
Will James Conner play against the falcons this upcoming sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I would hope so. He needs to start doing something.
Vince
2:26
Ray, can you pin point the reasons that the Steelers have had so many injuries this training camp: Perhaps they need to change their off-season training regimen
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I honestly don't know if there are more than other years. They've just been hit hard in the secondary.
TheStandard
2:26
Can Mike Hilton be the Gay replacement or is he not a slot corner?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I think he has a shot of unseating Gay. Any CB who makes the roster would have to have that capability. Keith Butler isn't making his plans to find someone capable of playing man coverage a secret.
TheStandard
2:27
I hear people complain about Mike Hilton's size, but we did draft Golson, 5'9, in the 2nd round and he hasn't be able to finish camp.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Hilton has looked very good, but teams shy away from 5-9 CBs for a reason. When the regular season gets here opposing offensive coordinators will be looking for mismatches and they'll seek him out.
Ju Ju Bean
2:28
Love the chats Ray. Are the Steeler coaches as excited about TJ Watt's performance and non-stop motor as the fans are? He looks like the complete opposite of Jarvis Jones.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Yes they are. Look for a story this afternoon by Ed on this very subject.
Ju Ju Bean
2:29
Tyson Alualu looked impressive when he got in. IS he strictly an end, or can he spell Javon Hargrave too?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
I think he can play nose, too, but he's mostly played DE in camp.
Austin
2:29
Is there any chance the Steelers and Stephon Tuitt come to terms on a long term deal by the end of camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Yes I think there is a chance.
Anthony in GA
2:30
Hi Ray!  Love the chats!  Read an article in the Post a few days ago debating which players were the top 10 Steelers of all time.  How high or low would you rank James Harrison?  Not in most's top 10, but top 15?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Top 20 probably off the top of my head. I'd have to sit down and make a list to be sure though.
Lambert"s Gang
2:31
Hey Ray, What do you think the fan's reaction is going to be once Bell is back out there? Do you think there will be a backlash if he comes out and doesn't perform well in his first few outings?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
If he doesn't perform well there will be all sorts of negative reaction from fans. But his track record suggests it will be the opposite.
Johnny
2:32
In your opinion which Steelers team had the best secondary...also when are the final cuts to get to the final 53
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
The final cuts come the day after the final preseason game... As for the best Steelers secondary that one with Woodson and Lake in the 1990s was pretty good. So was the one with Blount and Shell and Wagner in the 1970s.
Charlotte John
2:33
Ray, Can you tell me more about Cornerback Mike Hilton? Is he someone that could shock the league by coming from nowhere and be a viable starter OR is he strictly a nice story to possibly make the team and provide some depth?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
I would guess the latter, but who knows? Sometimes all it takes for a guy is the right team, the right defense, the right time, etc. Maybe he turns into something more than a nice story.
Hard Head
2:34
This is the year if the defense falters it will be on the coaching staff. It's been 10 years now not playing press man coverage even with elite players. The coaches will own the blame. Even if Keith Butler and Tomlin feel due to injuries the proper personnel wouldn't be in there they need to play a lot of press man coverage. What's the worse that can happen in the Playoffs, we get beat again by Brady or another elite QB??? What are your  thoughts Ray? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Well, they know they need to play man against certain teams (New England, for example). But I also think they know playing man with Will Gay would be disastrous. That's why they didn't do it much in the title game. So you do need personnel. I suppose you can blame the coaches, but the front office would bear some responsibility, too. The coaches coach who is on the roster.
John
2:37
Hamilton, Severin and Tucker all made poitive plays against the Giants, yet I hear nothing at all about them from any source except a very small nod to Severin from Mike Tomlin. Are they really that far down the pecking order that no one even gives them a little love?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Well, Severin was cut a little while ago so that's probably all you need to know.
John
2:38
Butler came out and said if you can't get on the field we can't keep you about Golson, yet we know he has a hammie that is not going to allow him on the field anytime soon. Is that the farewell speech?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
It's looking that way, yes.
Guido
2:38
I'm rooting for him, but Dobbs arm did not look particularly strong.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
He had some positive and some negative moments in the game. At least he bounced back after a tough start. I don't know about you, but I didn't necessarily have high expectations.
John from Va.
2:40
Thank you for taking my question, with the first preseason game in the books. T.J. Watt had a nice game with the 2 sacks. Watson looks like he could be a beast. Do you think both may see some first team reps?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Watt yes. Watson no.
MikefromVA
2:41
Hi Ray, Cobi Hamilton looked great on Friday.  Between him and Demarcus Ayers, who's had the better camp?  Any chance they cut DHB and keep both of the young guys?
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