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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.18.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Guest
2:00
So takeaways from the press conference...Canada is back and Butler may retire?  Is that what you understood?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I got the same idea. You never know though. Tomlin could be told at a later date he has to make a move he didn't anticipate today.
MIles McGuire
2:01
Hi Ray,
During todays press conference, no one asked about Juju or the WR group. What do you think the plan is moving forward?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I believe Stan Savran asked about the WR group without specifically mentioning them by name. He asked about production dropping, etc. At least that's the way I took his question. Anyway, the plan is for 18 and 11 to come back and they'll look at their options with 19. Don't think 13 will be back. Maybe bring 14 back for vet minimum. Probably draft one or bring in a veteran free agent to help stabilize that group.
MIles McGuire
2:03
Hi Ray,
It has been mentioned several times on the chat, that coach T will have to be nudged, or advised in order to hire Ken W as the OC. Is there any more detail you can provide as to why he wouldnt want to hire him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Because he likes Matt Canada and is optimistic about him being the OC in the future. That's basically what he said today.
George in OKC
2:03
Morning Ray!! Do you think if one of the top centers falls to them in the first round they would consider it? Or do you think they roll with Green one more year to see if he develops?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Listening to Tomlin today I did not get the sense they would roll with Green. I think they will sign a veteran free agent or draft one. Liderbaum is probably the top center and could be there at No. 20. Centers aren't usually drafted in the top half of the first round. You can usually get them later. Look at last year as an example.
kevin in Punxsy
2:06
Hi Ray.  Based on what HC M Tomlin said during his presser, OC Canada will be retained.  Keeping him is not based on production, so what is HCMT's basis for doing so.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Reading between the lines, he believes Canada was hamstrung by his personnel.
artie bridge
2:07
Ray, We all know the Steelers myriad problems.  Tell us what are your 3 or 4 first steps towards fixing them, pre-draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I don't know about predraft, but fix the offensive line, fix the defensive line, fix ILB, trade for Aaron Rodgers
Just kidding on the last one.
But they need big-time help on OL and DL. Invest heavily there in free agency and the draft.
Mike
2:09
Why would the Steelers and Tuitt part ways next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He counts a lot against the cap and hasn't been available to them on a consistent enough basis in recent years.
kevin in Punxsy
2:09
Hi Ray.  A good number of people who post here keep asking about D Haskins assuming the role of #1 QB.  I read posts from numerous steelers coverage media who said that DH cannot read defenses.  Did you see DH throwing last year.  What are your thoughts about him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
He was OK in camp. Ran the scout team during the season. Not sure what I can take away from that. I do think they'll bring him back.
Baghdad_Ben
2:10
I just rewatched the 2010 AFC Championship which I was at. Wow. What a difference in Bens play. That is what Mahomes, Allen, Herbert and others are like now. Do you think we erred in delaying the post Ben rebuild to this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
He led them to 9 wins. I don't think any other QB on the roster would have done that. I know the weather was bad against the Lions, but Mason Rudolph led the Steelers to only 16 points in that game. And the one TD came on the first drive of the game.
Mike
2:12
I don't see how Dionte could demand top receiver money. He surely doesn't play like a number one. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
He's the Steelers' No. 1. But I'm with you. I wouldn't pay him top 20 WR money. Maybe in the 25-30  range.
Mike
2:13
Steeler fans need to remember Bengals won 4 games last year and finished last in division. Things can turn around quickly. Why not be opptimistic?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Because Joe Burrow isn't walking through that door.
Franco
2:14
Hello Ray, thanks for the chats. Is it safe to say after another play-off failure, big changes are needed. No more status-quo. The steelers cannot possibly be happy about just making the play-offs. The famous, Tomlin has never had a losing season, needs to stop. We are turning into the bengals, before they finally won a play-off game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
They'd have to go another 25 years without a playoff win to become the Bengals.
Lee H
2:15
Ray, do you think the Steelers will address Wide Receiver in free agency and or the draft, I think they can use an upgrade at the position. Thank You
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Yes I do. They need to find a Jerricho Cotchery type guy to come in and be a leader for that group. Unless, of course, they just re-sign JuJu then JuJu would be that guy.
David
2:16
How far do you think the Steelers would have to move up to get Pickett? How much would that cost? Do you think they should do it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
QBs are always pushed up draft boards so I don't think they'd get him at No. 20. But let's wait to see how the next three months plays out. Maybe other QBs will rise or he'll fall. And whether they do it or not, depends on how much they like him.
Utah Jim
2:18
Claypool and Johnson are both too inconsistent to be number one WRs and those aren’t available in free agency and are stupid expensive if they are. Time to use another high pick on one?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I wouldn't use a high pick on one. Maybe third round or after. Preferably fourth round or after because they have so many other needs.
rick
2:19
We went from a possible 14th round draft pick to a 20th pick just to watch the exact same slaughter in the playoffs. Why was this so important to make the playoff when we are not a worthy playoff team this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I'd take a playoff berth over a higher pick any day of the week. You never know what can happen in the postseason. I'd argue, if the Steelers had a competent offensive game plan, they would have led or been tied at halftime. It was gross incompetence what did in KC with the game plan.
David
2:21
I have a theory on why Tomlin never hires up and coming coordinators from the outside. I think he's afraid they will eventually take his job. Am I crazy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I don't think that's the reason. For whatever reason, he prefers guys he knows.
TJ
2:21
Please tell me Matt Canada will be gone? No imagination and kept doing same crap (that failed) all year. If offense gets out of its own way against Chiefs - the Steelers are in that game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I 100% agree with you. Heck, they might have even won the game. The Steelers defense had them on the ropes early. But if you listened to Tomlin today during his season-ending presser he seems to be in Canada's corner. I would imagine the only person who will fire the OC now is Art Rooney II.
MIles McGuire
2:23
Hi Ray
Your initial feeling - do you think the Steelers gut the ILB unit, and bring in 2-3 new fresh faces?
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