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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 8.20.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
He's their most-experienced reserve at OLB. I don't think he's future starter material, but for that role he's fine.
bruce
12:44
who has a better chance at making it, matthew thomas or damon patterson?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
Patterson, but Thomas has a chance too.
PS n VA
12:44
There was a lot of buzz coming into camp about the expected development of both Cam Sutton and Artie Burns, but we have not heard much lately. Have they progressed or fallen short of expectations?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
Burns has been solid, maybe more than solid. Sutton has come on in recent practices. Both are trending up.
K Dot
12:45
92, 46, 20, or Fort - on defense who has the best odds at starting?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
Probably none of them this year.
Scott
12:46
Pull the tag from Bell and trade him for kalil Mack. Roll the dice with running back by committee.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
If they could sign Mack to a long-term deal I'd do it in an instant and move Dupree or Watt to ILB.
Mountain Gus
12:47
Is switching sides really going to benefit Dupree?  How hot of a seat is he on?  Is his rear-end seared yet?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
This is a big year for Dupree. He knows it.
Mark in KY
12:47
I know it was still a poor performance, but to be fair the defense gave up 37 points in Green Bay. 14 of the 51 came courtesy of the offense.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
I'm sure that fact is allowing Keith Butler to sleep well. Really? Giving up 37 points in any game is OK?
AugustWest
12:48
When Cowher cut Huey Richardson in his first camp, it sent a clear message that on-field performance will be the criteria by which players are measured. Are the current coaches guilty of letting draft pedigree cloud their judgment? Based on a small sample, it seems like Dupree is being outplayed by a 20-year-old undrafted rookie from the MAC.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
I can't see them making that move for the opener. In the middle of the season? Maybe, but Dupree would have to be doing really bad for that to happen. He's a former first-round pick. They're not going to give up on him that easily.
Jimmy the Greek
12:50
Can the Steeler defense be "better" than it was last year if the team finishes 12-4 or worse?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
Sure. They might be better than last season and finish 10-6. As long as they are playing well at the end of the season, that's all that should matter.
Ken
12:51
Yes, a defense for the D!!! But my point is that the stats tell you how good it was compared to all other teams AND that there was a big contributing factor in the Jax games, namely turnovers; the turnover ratio being the most dependable predictor of the final outcome.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
I understand that, but the run defense was bad in both games vs. Jacksonville. They were terrible on third downs and allowed big plays late in that game. I know Roethlisberger put them in a bad spot, but the defense didn't do anything to help either.
Rich
12:52
Hi Ray thanks for your work! The Steelers lofty goal of 30 points/game last year seems like it might need ratcheted up this year, with this current defense. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Do I hear 35 a game?
Taz
12:53
Is it just me or are Burnett's tackling angles just horrendous (good tackling, though, when he can engage)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
I thought that was Mike Mitchell when Burnett missed Davante Adams Thursday night. Hopefully, that doesn't continue. I think he's better than that.
12:54
Thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do it again next week.
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