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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.11.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to today's Steelers chat. Post your questions and we will get started in a few minutes.
Steeler Joe
11:53
Hi, Ray. I'm genuinely confused about the transition tag and Bell. If they place the tag on him, they can pull it back, correct? Because I see a lot of scenarios where it would harm the Steelers, and only one way it could benefit them. Why bother?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
They'd bother if they believe they can get a pick better than a third-rounder and because that pick would come this April instead of 2020. Those are really the only reasons to do it. I don't think they will for the reasons Ed outlined in his story today, but it remains an option.
Dave
11:54
What is the Steelers lineback situation?  Where are the mobile, yet aggressive types that they seem not to have?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
They're in the draft and their names are Devin White and Devin Bush. I don't think White will be there at No. 20. Bush might be. They're the top 2 ILBs in this draft and if the Steelers are going to take one in the first round they should get one of these two. After that, it's slim pickins and I wouldn't take another ILB in Round 1.
Ryno
11:56
Brown throws furniture off a 14th story balcony, and could have killed two people, and we hear crickets from the league, and the team.  He pushes a woman and the league and team are both investigating?  I got domestic violence is a bigger issue in the NFL now, but how did they not investigate when Brown nearly killed two people?  Why has the league not looked into his obvious anger issues until now?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
The NFL very well could have investigated the incident and we just don't know about it. A lot of times we inquire and the league will respond with something along the lines of "we are aware of the incident and looking into it..." The NFL does not let us know when they begin investigations and when they end. In fact, they could be ongoing.
Larry in KY
11:58
Hi Ray -- It's been hard to wash the past year's Steelers season out of my mouth.  Did the media ever ask Bell and Brown if they considered themselves distractions?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Well, Brown hasn't really given an interview other than one at the Super Bowl where he didn't say much. Bell has kept to himself too. I suspect Bell will talk once he signs with his new team. Not sure about Brown.
Ryno
12:00
Do you think the Steelers have finally learned their lesson by picking up what is left over in the free-agent pool? I believe they've already reached the definition of insanity.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I wrote a piece a few weeks back where I detailed all of their mistakes in free agency the past few years. It's not pretty, but as pointed out, they've had limited funds to spend in some of those years. This year is different. They have money to spend. And they have holes to fill.
Paul
12:01
How does the tag on Bell work. If the Steelers tag Bell, and if Bell gets a low-ball offer, and if Steelers refuse to match, does Bell have to play under the low ball offer?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Usually in these situations, the team that signs the player will put in some ridiculous front-loaded salaries with complicated bonus structures that make it difficult or unappetizing to match the offer.
Scott in Dallas
12:02
Since nobody will trade for a player (AB) that could wind up on the Commissioner's Exempt List do you think they keep him for another season to rehab his value or just cut him and be done with the headache?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I'm not so sure no one will trade for Brown. He undoubtedly is decreasing his value and the number of teams bidding for his services, but there is still a market for his services I believe. And I don't think the Steelers can just cut him. He's too valuable to do that.
Scott in Dallas
12:04
Since the theoretical SB window is closing, with Ben's career winding down, is it time for the team to show some more urgency in how they handle FA's even if it effects the Comp pick in 2020 for Bell?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
That might be part of the reason they are looking at a sign and trade with the transition tag. If they sign a big free agent this spring that would affect the compensatory formula for 2020.
pdxJaxon
12:05
Ray. It seems to me that over the last few years, the FO has been enamored with the combine darlings\SPARQ Stars to target in the draft.

Im wondering if this focus is part of the reason why we have the misses we've had and if there might be some changes to draft strategy this year....?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Maybe on a few occasions they became enamored with athletic traits more than football skills. Dri Archer comes to mind. Maybe with Bud Dupree and Artie Burns too. I know Dupree tested off the charts. Scouting is difficult. There are some really good college football players that don't make it because they don't have the requisite height, weight, speed or quickness. You have to rely on the testing to some extent, but it can't be everything. The scouts have to trust what they see on film and then weigh that along with the combine.
BB
12:08
Ray - How far has the trade value for AB fallen?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I don't have the answer to that question, but I know it's not going up.
Scott in Dallas
12:09
Do you believe that MT deserves a contract extension or should he earn it with the product on (and off) the field in the upcoming season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I don't think Tomlin has earned an extension. It remains to be seen if Art Rooney II feels the same way. He was non-commital when asked about it last month. It seems like we're headed down a road where Tomlin is proving his worth in 2019. That could be a fascinating backdrop to the season. The Ravens went through something similar last year. The Ravens won the AFC North, but it was looking disastrous when they were 4-5. Really, they only won the division because of the Steelers' collapse. Will be interesting to see if Rooney thinks it will be a positive or a distraction.
Steeler Joe
12:11
In your opinion, does the front office take the approach: "Take what we can get for AB--and it'll be addition by subtraction"? Or will it be: "There is a bottom line for what we'll accept; if we don't get that, we will work it out with him one way or the other and keep him under contract"?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
That's a great question. I wish we had that insight on what Art Rooney II is thinking in that regard. My guess is it's the latter, but I don't know that.
thomastown
12:12
The Steelers hired 3 new assistant coaches and promoted one.  It seems like they could have done better with these hires in terms of experience and track record.  What’s your take on these 4?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Shaun Sarrett interviewed for the opening for offensive line coach in 2014 before Munchak was hired. The Steelers have liked him for a long time. I've also heard good things about Adrian Klemm, the new assistant line coach. I've been told he's a good dude. As far as the Teryl Austin hire goes, he's pretty experienced. He's been a defensive coordinator in the league and has worked for a number of teams. We'll see how it all unfolds this summer, but I thought they did OK with the hires. If anything, I would have liked them to hire another coach or two. Not really sure why they didn't bring in an OLBs coach.
Steve
12:15
Ray - The Steelers surely are not considering placing the Transition tag on Bell are they? I see nothing good coming from that. Do you see any upside from such a move?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
The only upside is they'd get the draft pick this spring instead of next year, but it's a gamble I'd rather not take if I was the GM.
Scott in Dallas
12:16
It seems like the team was more successful drafting the best available player in the past and really only started missing big by reaching in the 1st rd drafting for need. Should they return to that model which seems to be much better for long term success?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Yes to a certain degree, but there are obvious needs every year. If the Steelers have a higher grade on a DL and it's between that DL and Devin Bush they have to take Devin Bush because he fills an immediate need.
Matt In Ky
12:17
Hey Ray what do you feel the solution to the AB & LB fiascos will be? I just want them out of my teams locker rooms but what if any compensation will they get in your opinion? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I think Bell will become a free agent and they'll get a comp pick in 2020. Brown's situation is so unpredictable at the moment. I still think they can get something in return for him, but probably not as much as his talent suggests.
Jared
12:18
Thanks for the chat, Ray. I'm seeing some mock drafts with the Steelers taking D.K. Metcalf in the first round, despite their glaring need at ILB, CB, and EDGE. With arguably the greatest WR of his era on the team, they've been a perennial disappointment (relative to Steelers' standards), I'm hoping the Steelers have realized that D wins championships and not offensive stars (with the exception of a QB). Any chance they take a WR in the first round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Glad you brought up Metcalf, Jared. I have a story that we well publish tomorrow morning on the top 10 WRs in the draft. There are some that fit the Steelers well and others that probably do not. Be sure to check that out. If they trade Brown they certainly would need to draft or sign a receiver to take his place. I wouldn't take one in the first round. I'd get my ILB or CB in the first round. The sweet spot might be the second or third round for a WR. They've found success there with WRs in the past, and as I mentioned, there are lots of WRs that will be available in that area.
Guest
12:21
Is it becoming more or less likely that Antonio Brown is back with the Steelers next season? I was in favor of keeping him until the reports last week that he pushed his kid's mother to the ground. But is his trade value declining so much that the Steelers might not be able to get enough in return?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
It's so up in the air right now. Things seem to change every week. It's clear he wants out, and he's not making it easy on the Steelers with all of his off-field shenanigans. If I was in the Steelers front office I wouldn't want him on my team, but I'm also not giving him away for pennies on the dollar either. It's a tough situation for team management.
Scott in Dallas
12:23
I really believe that Dobbs is the future QB of the Steelers, not Rudolph. Don't you think that his tool kit and high intelligence are so much higher and it was only doing so much in college with academics that kept him from realizing his potential there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I didn't see much when he filled in for Roethlisberger in the Oakland game. I hate to judge the guy on one performance, but that was a bad team with a bad defense, and he wasn't able to do much.
luke
12:23
Hi Ray, What's the chances of getting the raiders number 4 pick for Brown?
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