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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 8.20.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Ok let's get the chat started. Post your questions.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
11:58
Hi Ray.. Why not many carries for Franklin? Keeping him under the radar and hope he clears waivers? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Not sure about that. He might be someone they want to develop on the practice squad, but it's hard to get a handle on  whether he's worth it just from watching him in practices. I'd like to see him in game action. We just haven't seen much of him in that setting.
JQ
11:59
Ray - are you seeing anything to be optimistic about for the defense?  Looks like anything through the middle, run or pass, will be successful against this defense.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
To channel Chuck Noll, the Steelers defense has problems and they are many. At least that was the case in Green Bay. Listen, they were missing a bunch of starters in that game. It wasn't a true test of what they are or what they will be. However, the players who did play missed a ton of tackles and gave up a lot of big plays. That was an issue last season too. They're hoping they can change that in 2018.
Jeff M
12:01
A lot of Fitz as the primary KO returner and #2 back on Thursday. Do you believe this is an indication he has is in the lead for the RB3 right now?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Mike Tomlin said not to read too much into rotations or assignments in preseason games. Toussaint might make it as the No. 3 back but it won;t be because of his kickoff return abilities. I think that's one of the more intriguing battles right now -- that No. 3 RB behind Bell and Conner. It could be Toussaint, Ridley or Samuels.
Brad B. Iowa
12:03
Do you think there is a chance Matakevich could get jumped on the depth chart by Matthew Thomas or LJ Fort?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Matakevich is a good special teams player and he knows the defense. I think his spot on the roster is safe for those reasons even though he likely will never project as a starter.
Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop
12:04
Ray a lot of Pittsburgh's "depth" got exposed last Thursday. Do you think there will be a lot of churn on the roster once teams start cutting players? Think any trades on way?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Maybe. I think they could upgrade at OLB, ILB and OT.
Ryno
12:04
If Bell starts this season the same way as last season, will Tomlin play Conner more until Bell gets up to speed?  Assuming Conner looks as good then as he has in pre-season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Conner has looked good as a runner. I don't think they'll hesitate in using him in that capacity if they believe it will be good for the team. Bell and the Steelers offense got off to a slow start last season. They'll want to avoid that this year, but the coaches haven't tipped their hand. Maybe it will mean more Conner, but it also might mean more Bell. People forget he only had 10 carries in the opener against the Browns last year. If you want your running game and your star running back to get going you have to use him more than they did in that game. I'm not saying that was the reason for his slow start. There were other reasons. His teammates have said they weren't in synch with Bell because he missed so much of camp. I'm interested to see what their plans are.
Pammy Whammy
12:07
Hi Ray, good piece on Big Dan. What has been his biggest problem in not closing plays? Speed? Footwork? Angles? I'm rooting for him, but time is short for this drafted project player,,,,
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Probably just playing and getting a feel for the speed of the game. He hasn't played that much despite this being his fifth year. He can collapse a pocket. He can be disruptive. But he has to get quarterbacks on the ground. If they escape, as Aaron Rodgers did Thursday night, it doesn't do the defense much good.
Charlotte John
12:09
Hi Ray,
If the Steelers get average middle linebacking play this year, do you believe they have the potential to be very good defensively?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Average linebacker play means above average players will take advantage of them. So no I don't think they can be "very good" defensively with average linebacker play. They can be good and win more games than they lose, but I don't think their defense will be among the best in the league with average linebacker play.
Greg
12:10
Should we try to trade Dobbs for Khalil Mack?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Yes!
JQ
12:11
Ray - Did you notice any drop in fan attendance at Latrobe this year?  Huge decrease in attendance at the Family event at Heinz Field this year.....fan interest waning at all?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I didn't think the crowds were great this summer, but it rained an awful lot or threatened to rain. I'm sure that didn't help.
Ryno
12:11
Your best guess on the Steelers releasing Dobbs versus Dobbs having a phantom injury that puts him on IR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Phantom injury to IR. I've said that since April so I'm not changing my mind now even though others have picked up on the possibility.
Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop
12:12
Barring injuries, OL depth scares me less than OLB, WR, TE. Where would you rate the weakest positional areas?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I agree. Lack of an experienced swing tackle is cause for concern. But I'm very comfortable with Finney and Feiler as the interior depth players. OLB and ILB are pretty weak because there aren't a lot of experienced guys there. At tight end, at least you have Jesse James is Vance McDonald is hurt.
K Dot
12:14
I know its preseason, but are you as concerned as I am about the Defense, in particular our linebacking core?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
It's hard not to have some level of concern after watching them give up 51 points in Green Bay.
Ryno
12:15
Has Big Dan done enough to make the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Well, they need a sixth defensive lineman, and no one else has really stood out. So at this point I would say yes.
Devin B
12:16
Even as an undrafted 20-year-old, do you believe Ola has a chance to make the roster this year or eventually become a productive player?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Yes and yes although I believe he could land on the practice squad this year. But don't count him out for the 53-man roster just yet. It's not like the Steelers have a ton of experienced depth there. If they believe he is one  of the top four OLBs they'll keep him.
Pammy Whammy
12:17
Has Bell said anything in the past about his slow start last year and why doesn't he seem to see the value in camp to prevent the same thing this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
He admitted there were some issues with missing camp last summer. But I don't think those issues were big enough for him to risk injury by coming to camp.
JoeB
12:18
What's your take on the rookie class? Okorafor looks like he will be the real deal, as does Washington. But Edmunds is not impressive. He gave up 2 TDs, missed a one-on-one tackle in the open field, and gets swallowed up by blockers in run support. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
That was a rough outing for Edmunds against the Packers, but he's had a very good camp. Washington, after a slow start to camp, is coming around and looks like he'll be a contributor. Okorafor looks good too although I don't know if they feel comfortable with a rookie being the swing tackle.
Greg
12:19
Any chance it makes sense to keep 4 quarterbacks this year so we don’t have to blow a draft pick (maybe 4th round!) on another backup quarterback next year when Jones hits free agency (and wants to compete for a starting job)? It would be like gaining a free draft pick next year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
They won't be keeping four QBs on the 53.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
12:19
What’s the word inside on Sayles? Shot to land the last DT spot on final 53... Your thoughts? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
He flashed early in camp, but I haven't seen much of him in recent weeks. Maybe practice squad.
Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop
12:20
Do Chickillo and Matekevich need to pick it up the next two weeks to make the team? Neither has been impressive despite extended PT.
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