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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.28.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:47
Ok Steelers fans, let's get the chat started a little early. Post your questions
Ryno
1:48
The Steelers are always doing salary cap wizardry.  That said, will this year be about the same, or tougher than most years to get where they need to be?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:49
About the same I think. They can easily create the space they need to tag Bud Dupree. But after that, I wouldn't expect this to be a big year in free agency. They spent a lot of money in free agency last year. I think they'll go back to their normal spending this year. They'll sign one or two mid- to low-price free agents at positions of need.
Steelz
1:49
Do you think the Steelers and Polamalu will patch things up if he makes the HOF?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:50
I think so. Polamalu is going to Miami for Saturday's HOF festivities.
Ryno
1:50
So many "internet doctor" fans seem to think AB has a brain disease, or mental issues.  But if that is the case, how do you explain his "entourage" also doing stupid/illegal stuff as well?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:51
Good point. He has surrounded himself with a lot of enablers. That's big part of his problem. He doesn't have anyone around him to tell him he's headed in the wrong direction.
Showdog
1:51
I know it is before the draft and free agent signings but how would you rank the North right now.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Yeah probably too early, but likely in the order of finish of 2019: BAL, PIT, CLE and CIN. But let's see what happens over the next few months.
SteelByDesign
1:52
If there's any bump in the road with Ben's recovery this off-season.. Would they consider someone like Case Keenum or Marcus Mariota? Or is Mason the guy if Ben's elbow isn't ready to go?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
I think that checkup is later this week or next week. Mike Tomlin said Feb. 1 or "thereabout." Let's wait and see. Why speculate at this point?
SteelByDesign
1:53
Both Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II seemed somewhat confident that they could retain Bud Dupree. Do they possibly know something we don't (new CBA deal being close, high cap than expected, etc)? Or, are they willing to make A LOT of cuts to fit the tag under the cap?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
They couldn't need a lot of cuts. They can release Anthony Chickillo and Ramon Foster. That would free up $8 million. Then they could sign Cam Heyward to a new contract that would greatly reduce his $13.2 million cap hit. That might be enough right there.
Joe
1:55
i hear people say we dont need an RB and the puck should be an lineman. But with limited cap room and only 1 pick in the top 50  doesnt it nake sense to take the best skill player avai at 49. Reciever or RB is more likely given what may be available right?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
You might be right. But the top RBs are likely to be gone by No. 49. You can't reach for one. This is a really good year for WRs. But there is no guarantee the WR they want will be there at No. 49. I'd be fine with taking the best offensive player available at No. 49. And yes, there is a good chance that's an offensive lineman.
SteelByDesign
1:57
Bud Dupree is priority number 1, but do you think anyone else gets an extension this offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Cam Heyward, maybe T.J. Watt. Maybe JuJu but not likely.
Ray
1:57
Any idea why Marcus Allen never got a chance to compete with Edmunds?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
I imagine it's because the coaches don't think he's good enough. He wasn't even on the active roster until Kam Kelly was released late in the season.
Rick Sunner in Orlando
1:58
When will the Steelers start making cuts for salary purposes. Any advantage to cutting guys early in the off season or right before camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
They'll do it in early March right before the new league year begins. It will give guys like Foster and Chickillo a chance to sign with other teams a week or so before free agency begins.
Jeff M
1:59
What is with so much Jalen Hurt to the Steelers in Rd 2 talk? Seems to be local fans and national media as well now. Just everyone's QB obsession? Seems like a mediocre player at best to me. He is not Mayfield or Murray.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Honestly, I only see that in my chat. Ha ha. It's not going to happen, by the way.
SteelByDesign
1:59
Art Rooney made it sound like JuJu will play out the last year of his contract. Will any of the guy's with 1 season left get extended this off-season? Haden, Heyward, Villanueva, Conner, Sutton, Alualu will all be UFA's after this season.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Well, first off, your list is wrong. Haden is signed through 2021. Alualu is signed through 2020. Heyward will likely sign a new deal. I can't see Villanueva, Conner or Sutton signing new deals.
Brian in CA
2:00
What matters for improvement in a 2nd season? Football IQ? Work ethic/drive? Something else? With that, what do you expect from Bush next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Conditioning level is always something Mike Tomlin references. These guys learn how to be pros in a lot of ways, but a big one is learning how to take care of their bodies with proper rest, nutrition, training, etc.
574Fan
2:01
Thanks for chatting, Ray.  Is it fair to say that, given what we know about Ben's timetable to start throwing again, the team really won't know much at all about how the elbow is responding until after the free agent dust has settled and the draft is over?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Well, they're not going to rush him, but Tomlin said this doctor's appointment would be significant for him. So I think the team will have a pretty good read on how the elbow is healing.
Rick Sunner in Orlando
2:02
Any hints of whether Colbert will be resigning, retiring or moving to the Panthers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Rooney hinted strongly that he's coming back when he talked with reporters a couple of weeks ago.
OKC Dave
2:03
Besides clean up surgery, Pro Bowls, and occasional Pens games, what's your favorite FUN summer Steelers story covering the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I had a good time writing that JuJu story before his rookie training camp.
livinthedream
2:04
Ray, Free agency and the draft wil both be over before the Steelers have any solid info on Ben. Given that reality I think it is a big mistake to spend nearly 17 mil on a one year move that doesn't fix the D's biggest problem...stop the run and ignores the many needs they will have if Ben can't be Ben. They are betting the house when they don't have to. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
What are they supposed to do? Even if Ben can't come back (and there is absolutely no reason to believe that) is there a free agent QB that can be signed that would be as good as Mason Rudolph? Ben would still count against the cap so you know Phillip Rivers, Teddy Bridgewater and all the other high-priced free agents won't be possible. It is what it is.
Rick Sunner in Orlando
2:05
Has the organization had discussions on how to improve the fan experience at games to keep them coming to games as opposed to watching on TV and to avoid the dreaded sight of the unoccupied yellow seats on National TV?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
That's something Art Rooney is always looking to improve.
Jake
2:06
Where the Steeler's sit now are they closer to 6 - 10 or 10 -6 for next season?  Thinking this coaching staff can get them to the playoffs is a bit of a stretch.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
If Ben comes back and buys into an approach where there is more balance in the offense I think 10-6 is the floor for this team. It's actually much higher if they catch some breaks and learn how to play in a different way on offense.
574Fan
2:07
In your opinion as an O-line guy, could moving Feiler back inside and starting either Banner or Chuks at his T spot significantly improve the teams running game?  Or do we need to bring in a new guy or two?
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