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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.16.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Welcome and let's get the chat going.
Bernard
1:54
Best Steelers never to win a Super Bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Certainly Pouncey if you're talking about the previous decade. Going back farther you can take your pick of a number of great players from those 1990s teams. Rod Woodson is you're talking strictly about winning it as a Steeler. (Woodson was a SB with the Ravens). You could go with Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd, too. That's a short list, but I am sure I am leaving others out.
Jud
1:55
Do you think there's big news this week or next regarding Ben?  Which way are you leaning?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
I think the meeting will take place soon, yes. And there will be news one way or the other. Right now, I am expecting Roethlisberger to return and for the $41 cap hit to be reduced.
Jud
1:56
If Ben stays and they extend his contract a year to decrease the hit to a little over $20M, what other significant changes are needed to get under the cap?  Who goes?  Who stays?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Well, just another move or two at that point. Pouncey retiring saved the Steelers $8 million on the cap and McDonald's retirement meant $5 million. So let's say Roethlisberger's cap hit is reduced by $15 million (that's just an estimated guess). You'd be talking about$28 million freed up with just those three moves. And remember the NFL has not announced where the cap will be in 2021. $185 million is latest projection by some in the industry, but I bet it's even higher. I think teams will want to borrow a bit from the future in order to manage their rosters a little more effectively in 2021.
BB
1:59
Ray - AR II has stated for a couple of years now that the team needs to get better at running the ball but they got worse this past season.  Seems to me the tight end is a vital piece to getting better so I never understood the Ebron signing....he won't and can't block and has questionable hands.  Are Gentry and Radar viable options or will they possibly use D. Watt some in that role?  Or as you mocked, a tight end will need to be addressed in the draft this year?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
They will definitely add at least one tight end to the mix this offseason. Ebron, with his varied faults, is the starter. In my mind, Gentry and Rader are No. 3 tight ends at best, which means you need to add a backup in free agency and/or the draft. And they're not going to have the money to make a big splash signing so I'd look for some cheaper options that can help in the run game. There are a number of players that are free agents who can do that. And because Ebron is entering the final year of his deal don't be surprised if they draft one, too.
AK
2:02
What your thoughts on Pouncey’s HOF prospects?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I think eventually he'll get in, but it took Faneca six years to get in, and he was first-team All-Pro six times. Pouncey was first-team All-Pro twice (although he had two season-ending injuries when he was in his prime).  People have to understand that. It might take some time, but I think he'll have a bust in Canton some day.
Gregg
2:04
I know Ben threw for over 500 yards in the last game, but that was against a prevent style defense which allowed him the underneath stuff. He's not mobile, didn't have much success against the long ball, wasn't helpful in short yardage situations by design or protecting an aging quarterback.  His lack of running game and line didn't help, but isn't it time to move on?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Build a better run game around him, ask him to do less and protect the ball. You can ask Mason Rudolph the same thing at a much lower price, but I'd still argue Roethlisberger can help the team win more games than Rudolph.
Linebacker Lounge
2:07
How much would they save if they release Ebron? Is Zack Ertz a realistic option? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
$4.5 million. On books for $6 million in 2021, but there would be a dead cap hit of $2.5 million. I wouldn't be totally against such a move, but what's the plan at TE? You'd have to commit to drafting one high and starting him unless you go out in the free agent market and spend $ to get a guy like Ertz or Hunter Henry, which doesn't seem plausible given the Steelers' cap situation. For better or worse, I think the Steelers are stuck with Ebron for one more year. They can, however, help the position by signing a quality run blocker as the backup as we discussed above.
DaquidoBazzini
2:10
Hi Ray….IF the Steelers somehow signed JJ Watt, how would you guess he’d be used?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
You can use him in all situations, but he's most effective as a pass rusher at this point in his career. So figure out a way to get him onto the field in nickel and dime. Not sure how they would do that, but J.J. Watt is versatile enough that they could make it work if they wanted to.
Linebacker Lounge
2:11
Does Vinny Williams and or Robert Spillane return in your opinion? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Spillane is much cheaper. Plus, they used him a lot more when both were healthy last season.
BB
2:12
Ray - When do you think we will start hearing about who will and who will not be coming back, released, free agent signings, etc?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
The first or second week of March. New League year begins in the middle of March so we're about a month away from finding out.
AK
2:12
Should the Steelers resign Jesse James if he’s released?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
James was an adequate blocker when he was a here, and the Steelers like to know what they're getting in free agents, so I won't discount the possibility. But I'd be interested in other guys like Jeremy Sprinkle or McCoyle Pruitt too. Both are known as decent blocking tight ends and would come relatively cheap in free agency.
The Windber Rambler
2:14
Hi Ray, always enjoy your insight and takes on the Steelers ... In your estimation, is it possible the Steelers would actually trade down and acquire an extra pick or two, or do you think the "positions of need" are too much of an issue or maybe those positions aren't deep enough in rated talent - if given the chance to drop down from their round 1 in this draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I think they can get a quality RB or OL at No. 24 so I think they'll stay there. But if all the guys they are targeting are off the board then sure trading down is an option. As I've noted in the past this is a deep draft for offensive linemen so they should be able to address their needs in the second round at that position if they did want to acquire more picks.
Guest
2:16
The greatest disappointment for the Steelers was their inability to push the line on scrimmage. 5 attempts from the 1yard line was embarrassing.  We like to say this is a passing league but isn’t the ability to control the game with the run still the way to win titles?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I agree with you. The line didn't get much of a push anytime last season and especially in those five plays versus WFT. Of course, Eric Ebron's ole block on one of those downs didn't help matters.
Dr. Mike
2:17
JJ Watt played a considerable number of snaps last season inside as a defensive tackle.  If he came to the Steelers he could easily make the transition to nose tackle.  Cam, Tuit and JJ would be an awesome front.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
They'd need a DT if Tyson Alualu is not re-signed, but I'm not sure JJ Watt would sign on to perform nose tackle duties down in and down out. He can do it on an occasion, but I'm not sure he'd want to do that on an every-down basis.
Chuck from Michigan
2:19
Ray, with Pouncey retired, any chance the Steelers can sign Corey Linsley from the Packers for the center position and concentrate on RB and OT with the first two draft picks?  Not sure what kind of FA money Linsley would command?  Seems like a Jeff Hartings type player that has a lot left in the tank!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
He's 29, which is a bit old for the Steelers when it comes to the types of free agents they target. He's also the top free agent center on the open market so he stands to earn a big deal, likely $10 million a year or more. So I'm thinking he's out of the Steelers' range.
Mikey
2:20
Say it's round 2 and the Steelers did not address the RB position in round 1. Harris and Etienne are off the board. Who is an RB with round 2 value you may like? How about Javonte Williams of NoCar? Seems like the next best guy with 3-down talent. Put up big numbers last year even though he was in a time-share sitch.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Yeah he'd be an option, but I'm not sure I draft an RB in round 2 or 3 if they miss out on Harris and Etienne. To me, they're the two best backs in the draft, and then there is a drop-off after them. If they're gone, address your other needs.
Buster
2:21
Ray, I’m sure you will be bombarded with questions about J.J. Watt, so let’s cut to the chase: is there any realistic possible way you could see him becoming a Steeler?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Sure if it's at the right price. But if he maximizing his value on the open market the Steelers can't compete.
Darnell
2:22
I’m intrigued with Zaven Collins who has been likened to Devin White.  With the deep offensive line class and if Harris and Etienne are gone, could Collins be the Steelers pick at #24 , addressing the o-line in Round 2?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
He's a good player, but how does he fit? Are they going to commit to playing Bush and Collins in their nickel and dime? Collins is big. I think he's listed at 250 or so. ILBs his size better be skilled in coverage and/or blitzing if they want to stay on the field all the time. I don't doubt he'd present good value at No. 24, but I just can't figure out how they'd use him. That's the issue for me.
jim
2:24
It's beginning to look their may be fans allowed in to games this year. Have you heard anything yet? Games were certainly not the same without fans! great when you were away but really bad when at home!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
They better start rolling out the vaccine better than they are now, that's for sure.
MD
2:25
Ray:  how hard will it be to replace the 2019-20 version of Pouncey?  I didn't think there was much of a drop off with Finney or JCH over the last couple of years and neither of those guys seem to be viewed as viable starters.  This could be an easy chance to upgade and save cap space.
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