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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.22.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
Let's get started.
ev
12:58
Hi Ray,  Minkah and Taco Carlton both played under Flores in Miami.  Miami traded Minkah and released Taco, presumably with Flores' approval of both moves (perhaps not,,..).  Has either player been interviewed about their experiences with him?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
We'd all like to interview Minkah about his relationship with Flores although I don't know how much they'll have to interact to be honest with you. It would be nice if everyone got along, but Flores was hired to coach linebackers and to be a senior defensive assistant. I know Minkah had a problem with Flores in 2019 because of how he was used. I don't suspect Flores' influence in the defense will change what Minkah does now. We'll see. As for Charlton, I'm not even sure he'll be on the roster in the fall.
obxandy
1:00
Ray, What do you think of Steelers signing Brandon Schereff, G, Washington Commanders, perhaps $40M for 3 years. Outstanding veteran player and a team captain would be pursued to provide veteran leadership to young OL. Thanks for your insight
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Scherff is a good player and probably the top guard on the open market. I don't know that it's feasible for two reasons. No. 1, it's going to cost a lot as you mention. The other is he is over 30 and the Steelers don't typically sign free agents when they're that old. How about James Daniels? He played for the Bears the past four seasons. He's young and just coming into his prime. I'm sure he'll command $9-10 million a year, but he fills a need and could solidify one guard spot over the long-term. And remember what Kevin Colbert said about the draft yesterday. It's good for offensive tackles this year. Not so much for guards and centers. After Kenyon Green I'm not sure there's another guard worthy of being chosen in Round 1.
MrSamsonite
1:03
Hi Ray. Which OL position do you feel is a bigger need to address in the draft? Guard or Tackle? Or maybe try another Center?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
Tackles aplenty so I think they'll take one. They have to improve there. Need to improve at center too, but I just went over why drafting a good one this year might not happen. Linderbaum is a possibility at No. 20. Some are high on him. Others are concerned about his size.
Guest
1:05
Hi Ray. Ty for the chats.  I truly don’t understand the hate from both fans and media regarding Mason Rudolph. I believe he played 9 games as a rookie when Ben was injured and 1 game this year, albeit a tie with Detroit. I don’t believe he is superstar material, however, I feel he is above average and can get better with experience.  Having said that, I don’t believe the sample size justifies crucifying him by all the arm chair QBs. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
I tend to agree with you. If the Steelers can find someone better they will this spring either through free agency or the draft. But as Kevin Colbert said yesterday they are OK with Rudolph opening the season as their starter if that doesn't happen.
ppozone6031@gmail.com
1:06
Ray do you really think these interviews outside are real or do the two guys doing the job now move up?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
Never a bad idea to interview a lot of candidates for a job. Art Rooney will hire the person who is best for the Steelers, and he only finds that out by talking to as many people as he can about the job.
Guest
1:07
Ray, does signing Flores slam the door on resigning Minkah? After all Minkah couldn't wait to get out of Miami one year after Flores drafts him 11th overall.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
Not at all. Let's wait to see what Minkah says about Flores coming on board. They're both dedicated football men. I am guessing they'll hash things out, but it's definitely a storyline to follow once the players report back for OTAs and such.
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus
1:08
What's the point in giving Haskins a first round tender, which is about $5MM? No one is going to sign him if he becomes a free agent. It seems his value is significantly less than $5MM. Why not just non-tender him and sign him to a deal closer to what he's worth at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
I believe he can be tendered with an original round tender because he was released and became a street free agent. I'll have to double check that, but they can also do what you say. Don't tender him, but tell him they want him back on a cheap deal and tell him he'll compete for the job. If he wins the job they can always give him a contract more representative of a starter's.
Paul from Sacramento
1:10
Hi Ray, I love your chats and podcasts with Brian B.   Do you think Minkah Fitzpatrick has any issues with Flores. I kinda remember there were some issues with him and the way the Dolphins used him and he seemed frustrated and wanted a trade.. Was that right?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
That's right. Minkah likes being a deep safety and when Flores wanted to use him in the box more than deep he balked at it and forced his way out. But as I said earlier, let's see how they work things out once Minkah and the rest of the players come back for workouts.
Skippy
1:12
Do you know if the Steelers make it a priority to learn as much as possible about the draft needs of the other 31 teams in the league?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
Of course they have an idea on that. When you trade up or down you have to know who or what other teams are targeting.
kevin in Punxsy
1:12
Good afternoon, Ray.  I read somewhere that the Steelers have talked to Tuitt and it appears that he is interested in returning to the team in 2022.  Have you heard anything?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:14
Colbert said yesterday they have talked. We'll know by March 16 or before what's going to happen with Tuitt. If they release him they'll do it around that date. Maybe the Steelers are looking for a little discount on the contract because he didn't play last year and still collected all of his money. That might be part of this conversation, too.
Chris
1:14
Hi Ray, the years that Watt, Cam, and Minkah will play together at a high level may only be the next few, with Cam turning 33 in May. Doesn't that dictate that the Steelers need to get a top line QB like Wilson or even Derek Carr? If they wait a year with Rudolph, draft one next year, Cam is going to be 36 and who knows the toll on Harris' body by that point?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
It would be nice if the Steelers could compete for a title when Heyward is still with the team, but there are no guarantees. And they can't reach just because of that reason. They have so many other needs to fill in addition to QB. They have to make the most of their picks this year.
Fineline
1:15
I get they want to make Harris the center piece of the offense but he can’t sustain the load he took in 2021. Do you see them acquiring a RB to get 75-100 carries a year to spell him? Or will Tomlin keep his run ‘em till the wheels fall off approach?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:16
I think it would be smart if they found a RB they trusted to spell him on occasion. They did this with DeAngelo Williams a few years back. Maybe it's just about finding the right fit in free agency or the right back in this draft. The RBs they've taken in recent years haven't really panned out. They don't seem to want to play Benny Snell or Anthony McFarland even a little.
MikeM65
1:17
I was watching video of Ben when he was young and wow was he good.  I can't help to think Joe Burrow is very similar type of QB and equally as good.  Do you think Cincinnati is going to have years of success like the Steelers have enjoyed with Ben?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
Let's see how Mike Brown handles success and the salary cap. If he's smart and committed to winning there is no reason the Bengals can't compete for titles for the next decade. But Mike Brown hasn't always done smart things and his commitment to winning has been questioned in the past. I'm curious to see where this goes. I'll give him credit. Taylor was a good hire and he finally spent some money to build a team around Burrow last year. Let's just see if that continues.
Ron
1:19
What scenario is more likely…the Flores hiring makes it more likely that he is Tomlin’s eventual replacement… or that Deshaun Watson is Ben’s? If forced to pick on that is more likely with The Flores hiring, which one?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
Hmmm. If I had to choose I'd say Watson, but the holdup is his case in the courts and whether the Steelers want to go down that road.
Susan Alberter
1:20
Whenever I read articles about the past decades' elite quarterbacks it is always Manning, Brady and Rodgers. Maybe Brees thrown in depending on who is making the list. But never Ben. Is he one rung below those guys or does his name belong in that list?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
Who cares? He has as many Super Bowls as Manning and one more than Rodgers. That's all that should matter for fans. He's one of the great all-time QBs. I don't really get caught up in where he ranks with any of those guys.
Ron
1:21
Jordan Davis more likely in the 1st, or Travis Jones more likely in the 2nd? Or can we possibly get either a round later, respectively, than in this scenario? A huge DT is in order, perhaps one also versatile enough to push the pocket on passing downs. I would think these two qualify, and it is one possible approach to improve your linebacker play.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
I'd be on the Jones train in round 2.
GPT
1:22
If you were the GM of the Steelers, what player would you most hope was there at #20?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:22
Plenty of options. Kenyon Green would be really nice. He's a guard from Texas A&M.
SW Steel
1:22
Hi Ray!  What do you think the odds are that Flores will be calling the defensive plays this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
0%. They hired Teryl Austin to be DC and Mike Tomlin has called the plays for a few years now. Brian Flores has no experience in this defense.
Yinzer in Boston
1:23
Hi Ray. What will the Steelers do with Derek Watt? I still don’t understand his hiring/utilization.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
I wouldn't be surprised if they ask him to take a pay cut.
Hayes Twins/Beechview
1:24
Who did Brian Flores replace or was it a new coach position?
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