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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.14.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:50
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
BB
11:53
Ray - Looks like Butler is here to stay.  Understand it is hard to pin the defenses lapses on him when Tomlin was pulling the strings as well as the one responsible for selecting the less than ideal talent.  So, what is going to change going forward that will produce better results?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
For one, the front office can draft an ILB that can run from sideline to sideline and cover RBs and TEs in the passing game. They don't have anyone on their roster that can do that well now. They need a fast and speedy ILB. The front office also has to get another CB to start opposite Joe Haden. Coty Sensabaugh was serviceable in that role this past season, but they need to do better. Plus, Sensabaugh is an unrestricted free agent. Beyond the personnel they coaches have to find a way to cut down on the communication issues that plagued this defense throughout the year.
Brad S
11:56
So after another embarrassing flameout, looks like no serious changes are being made with the coaching staff. At what point does the media put the ownership and coaches feet to the fire and demand them to answer why they are ok with the standard being league laughingstocks?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
You say no significant change, but they fired Joey Porter and James Saxon. That's one year after Carnell Lake and Todd Haley were shown the door. You can't change every assistant coach after every disappointing season. The Teryl Austin hire could be a good move. He'll work with secondary coach Tom Bradley. As Gerry Dulac explained in his story last week Mike Tomlin was looking to add another DBs coach because the Steelers played in sub-packages so often last season. Austin has been a coordinator too so he'll have some fresh ideas that might help.
Renegade
11:59
Chances Munchak stays with Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I'm not sure. I was surprised to find out his contract had expired. I think it all depends on his personal situation. He has family in Denver, a daughter and grandchildren. But I go back to locker cleanout day the day after the season ended. David DeCastro was pretty resigned to the fact that there was going to be change. If he does leave the Steelers it will be a blow. He's a fine coach. The players swear by him. Tomlin would have to go out and make a good hire to keep the continuity.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
12:02
Hi Ray, in recent memory do you recall any other player(s) that skipped their end of year meeting with MT? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I have no way of knowing that, but I'd be surprised if it happened. Even if you go back to last year and everything that was swirling around Le'Veon Bell. There were some hard feelings about him being franchised, but Bell noted at the Pro Bowl how he was told by Tomlin that the team was interested in negotiating with him right away. He said he was told that in his exit meeting. So it's rare for players to skip those, even the ones who have some gripe with management.
Doug
12:04
Hi Ray - thanks for the chats.  Your time is much appreciated.  Is there word on hiring a challenge/clock management expert?  I saw the Falcons just hired one and that seems to almost the norm for most NFL teams (I know New England has one too).  With Tomlin's struggles, I feel like this is an absolute necessity but I haven't heard anything on it.  Tomlin can't be that stubborn and not hire someone, can he??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Maybe we'll find out when Art Rooney II meets with some reporters. I think that is supposed to happen sometime this week. We won't hear from Tomlin again until the owner's meetings in March. And remember, the Steelers don't necessarily have to come out and say they hired someone for this role. For all we know, new assistant Teryl Austin could be assigned to the press box on game days and that could be part of his responsibilities.
Yankeefan
12:06
I keep reading that if AB is traded Steelers will have to use a 1st or 2nd round pick on a wide receiver to replace him.  True?  No chance that Washington, Rogers, Hunter are ready to step into a more advanced role?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I've read those comments too. I'm more inclined to spend a third-round pick on a WR because they need an ILB and CB more in my opinion. But I get where those people are coming from. James Washington came on at the end of the season, but there were long stretches of his rookie season where he was invisible. It would be hard to enter a season with him as your undisputed No. 2 receiver. At the very least they need to bring someone in to challenge him for the job. I think Washington will be a good player, but he didn't do enough as a rookie for me to think he's going to be a slam dunk starter in the league.
David
12:08
Who wins the KC-Pats match up.. Maholmes is rolling & arrowhead would seem to be an advantage.. but Brady & belicheck won’t go away.. with or without the Refs help.. Lol.. thanks 👍
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I'm looking forward to both conference title games. The Patriots beat the Chiefs 43-40 in October. That game was played in New England. Whatever Belichick did in the first meeting won't matter because he'll do a complete 180 this week when he devises a game plan. That's why he's such a good coach. He'll give Mahomes something he's never seen before. That's why I think the running game will be very important in this game. You know the Patriots will run it. They've been a good running team all season. The Chiefs have to run it well in the rematch. If they don't I think it'll be a long day for Mahomes and the Chiefs. I think the Patriots win, 34-27.
BB
12:11
Ray - Didn't see any Steeler like end zone celebrations in the games this weekend.....one more thing to improve upon before next year....it looks so foolish especially when you don't even make the playoffs.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I don't really mind end zone celebrations as long as they're not over the top. The NFL has eased up on it. You really have to do something out of the ordinary to get flagged now... But I do prefer the Franco Harris celebration: handing the ball to the official.
Mauri
12:13
Who do you think the Steelers might be looking at in the free agent market coming up?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Well, last year they signed S Morgan Burnett and LB Jon Bostic. I still think that's their two biggest positions of need. I can see them signing a mid-priced CB to take over for Sensabaugh, but that won't deter them from drafting a CB high. And I can see them going after an ILB as well if the price is right. Also, they could look to sign a WR if Antonio Brown is traded.
Mar
12:16
What’s going on wit the ab situation it seem like he want the attention first he has a picture witha jerry rice jersey and ab Steelers jersey then he posted this morning he is to much drama if I’m the Steelers and he get traded I will sign bell to the long term deal no way we can lose both like that so easy I’ll give bell money if browns go and if browns stay u let bell go no way u lose both players that would be a major set back in my opinion this organization can’t be stupid to lose both players like that if we do it’s no reason to sign Ben to a long term deal let’s total rebuild it’s no point if we lose both player and if u trade ab I would send him to sf or jet give sf our 20 pick we take their second pick try to get Bosa get Fred Warner and get there 2nd round pick and draft a receiver and sign bell to long term deal
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I don't really want to read much into what anyone does on social media, but it appears Brown is trying to get traded. I don't know how else to interpret his behavior. As for the return, the Steelers have to get at least a first-round pick and maybe more. People don't seem to understand that Brown's contract is very affordable because the Steelers have already paid out a large portion of it through bonuses and restrcutures. He's only on the books for about $12 million a year for the remaining three years of his contract. People point out he's going to be 31, but Jerry Rice had the best year of his career when he was 33. Receivers, if they keep in shape -- and Brown most certainly does -- tend to age better than players at other positions. So for me, the minimum is a first-round pick.
Ryno
12:19
If you recall, when Antonio Brown was on Dancing With the Stars, they interviewed coach Tomlin. Tomlin was laughing when he pointed out that Brown was constantly late for everything.  Why would a head coach find it amusing that one of his players is constantly late for everything?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I didn't watch the show, but if what you said is true that's pretty damning. It's not a secret that Brown was treated differently by Tomlin. He was given a lot of leeway. Brown took full advantage and then repaid him by going AWOL before what amounted to a playoff game.
Utah Jim
12:21
The Steelers emphasized not giving up big plays in the passing game this year and it appeared to work.  Did that also contribute to so few interceptions?  Staying back and being passive to not give up the big play as opposed to attacking the ball more?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
I don't think so. It was a league-wide trend for teams to play cover 2 and keep the top on the defense. Everyone was doing it. And there were plenty of teams with more than eight interceptions. That's why they have to address the secondary in the draft and/or free agency. They are in desperate need of a playmaker.
DC
12:22
Do you have any rays of optimism for a despondent Steeler Nation? Next year just seems like it’ll be more of the same, maybe even worse.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Not at the moment, but let's wait to see how this Brown situation unfolds and what happens in free agency and the draft. Maybe they can have another draft like 2017 when Watt, Smith-Schuster and Conner were all contributors.
Patrick
12:23
You addressed scenarios for the Steelers trading AB. Do you have a favorite or one that would benefit the Steelers the most?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I like the idea of trading Brown to the Cardinals for Patrick Peterson and their second-round pick. I've heard people say they'd do that deal straight up.
Daniel
12:26
Ray, do you think there is ANY possibility that AB is actually a good teammate who knows negative, "back room" things we don't, and is simply acting out because of that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
There very well could be things that we don't know, but there is no excuse for abandoning your teammates before the final game. None.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI
12:27
Hi Ray, It seems that Bens replacement is in place when time comes..When do the Steelers fill the backup Center position? (Both have made it kind of clear goingout together) Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I'm not sure if you're referring to Dobbs or Rudolph, but either way, I don't think we do know. The hope for the Steelers is Rudolph steps up and wins the backup job this summer. But I haven't seen enough of him to think he's a potential replacement. As for the center, Pouncey will be 30 when next season starts. As long as they extend him I don't know that it's necessary to draft his replacement this spring. They'll probably draft or sign a young interior OL to develop much in the same way they did with BJ Finney a few years back. But it's not like 30 is ancient for a center. Pouncey can play 3-4 more years. He was named second-team All-Pro.
Theon
12:29
Hi Ray, great chat as always - I'm curious why I hear one 1st round pick or a 2nd round pick and some late round picks for AB - Amari Cooper fetched a 1st going into the last year of his contract, I have to think that sets the bottom of the market for AB  no?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I agree with you. That's why a first-round pick is my minimum return. Cooper is younger and does not have Brown's baggage, but he's not close to being as accomplished as a receiver. Plus, as I pointed out earlier, Brown's contract for the next three years is very affordable. It might be considered by some to be a bargain provided Brown gets his personal act together.
Utah Jim
12:31
The Steelers have lost Shazier, Bell, and now most likely Brown.  Arguably the best players at their position in the league.  How do they possibly overcome that?  They went from 13-3 to 9-6-1 without Shazier and Bell.  Without Brown they’ll be 6-10 at best next season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
I don't necessarily agree with you. While the loss of Shazier was definitely felt this past season I think they did a nice job of replacing Bell. James Conner is going to the Pro Bowl. He played well. I argue the Steelers did not run the ball enough, which led to Ben Roethlisberger leading the NFL with 16 interceptions. So I don't think losing Bell was a huge loss. I can't even tell you the name of the guy, but the Chiefs had a 100-yard rusher in the playoff game on Saturday.  He was a midseason replacement for Kareem Hunt. You can find good running backs. And while Brown 's production would be difficult to replace the Steelers have been excellent at finding WR talent in the draft. They can do it again, and they could strengthen the team by getting draft picks in return for Brown. Now I'm not predicting the Steelers will win the Super Bowl without Brown next season, but I'm not believing they'll become a losing team either.
Rob
12:35
Hey Ray, what do you think is Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh beyond the 2019 season? I think he and the Steelers need a fresh start like Andy Reid and the Eagles or Mike McCarthy and the  Packers
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I think that will depend on what happens next fall. If the Steelers miss the playoffs again then you might be right. It could be time for a change. But if the Steelers return to the playoffs then I think he'll stay. Chuck Noll stayed for 20 years. Bill Cowher for 15. Mike Tomlin just finished his 12th year.
LA Matt
12:37
Prior to the latest incident with A.B., were you aware that he was a problem in the locker room or, better yet, that there was a problem in the locker room? It could explain why this team has underachieved the past few years under Tomlin?
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