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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.04.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Steeler Joe
11:53
Do you think the Steelers will have any hesitance in considering "Hollywood" Brown as a prospect in this draft, based on the situation with his cousin? Or does he get a fair consideration on his own terms?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
They have to have some reservations. He is related to Brown and even though he said he hasn't spoken to his cousin about his experience in Pittsburgh I would imagine those conversations would take place at some point. They met with him at the combine. They're doing their homework on him. But like I said, it would always be in the back of their mind.
Steeler Joe
11:55
Is it fair to say that White and Bush are by themselves at the top of the ILB list, and if either is there at 20, they might be the pick? Or do you think the Steelers could go CB instead of ILB if White is gone? Bush's combine numbers look pretty stellar, but there's that lack of size...
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
I agree. White and Bush are at the top of the ILB class. The defensive backs are going through their workouts as we speak, and the commentary on the NFL Network hasn't been very kind. So this appears to be an average class for corners. I would think if Bush or White was available they'd go that route unless they're in love with one of the corners.
Steeler Joe
11:57
At what point does Ben finally respond to all this nonsense? And what would you counsel him to say?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Why do an interview now? Brown is the one who is looking foolish. Ben will be interviewed when he signs his contract extension so we should have his feelings known soon enough. And knowing Ben, he'll take the high road.
Desert Steeler
11:58
Who will be the top four outside linebackers to start the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Watt and Dupree are the starters. I would imagine it will be Ola and Chickillo if they re-sign Chickillo. If Chickillo is not re-signed then it could be a draft pick or Keion Adams.
Dylan
11:59
Ray thanks for the chats. You are one of my favorites. After this past weekend with the combine, what return do you think we ll get in return for AB?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Right now my guess would be late first or early second. The Raiders and the Jets are the two teams to keep an eye on as we get closer to the 13th.
Desert Steeler
11:59
What round will the  Steelers draft a runningback?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Not sure they will, but if they do fifth or later. Not a big need this year.
Guest
12:01
Ray, Good Morning! Was the biggest difference between this year's team and last year's the kicking game? They won close ones last year and didn't this year....PIT 2018 was two "routine" FGs from a BYE....no?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I suppose you can boil it down to the kicking game. You wouldn't be wrong if you did that. But I thought the defense failed to step up to make big plays in crucial situations, and I thought the offense had more ill-timed turnovers. When you add in the fact that the kicker stunk it explains the 9-6-1 record.
Desert Steeler
12:02
Now that Mike Mitchell, Brown, and Bell are gonners, who else might act imature and need to be shown the exit?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Morgan Burnett? He already asked to be released.
Ken Ward
12:03
Hi Ray, love your chats. With so many good WR's available in the draft, do you think the steelers will find a WR in FA, as well as say, the third round. With the idea of taking a ILB and a CB with the first two picks? thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
All depends on how the draft unfolds of course, but your plan is sound. And you're right. The WRs tested very well. There might not be another sure-fire first-rounder other than Metcalf now that Marquise Brown is injured, but there is quality depth in rounds 2 and 3. The Stelers could find a good player in one of those rounds or maybe even later.
Desert Steeler
12:04
I'm betting Ben is going to want to prove he can win without the Brown and Bell side show.  Is that accurate?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Sure and I think others would feel the same way.
574 Fan
12:04
Hi, Ray. RE: Hilton - good blitzer/tackler, not so great in coverage. If he signs elsewhere, is there a chance that his replacement is already on the roster (Sutton?) or would it force them to sign another vet cb that is proven to some extent?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Good question. We were kicking that around at the combine. Sutton would be the obvious choice to get first crack at it, but he's been on the roster for two years and hasn't shown much. I still think Hilton comes back. He's an exclusive rights free agent, I believe. I think they'll give him a shot to keep his job, but it's obvious the way the second half of the season unfolded that they could be looking for someone to upgrade there.
SOD NYer
12:06
With AB's very troubling and incoherent interviews and tweets, etc., is it realistic to believe that the Steelers will be able to get a first or high second round draft pick for him?  He does not sound very stable.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
No he doesn't. But to be honest, he'
But to be honest, he's given strange interviews for years, and his production has been among the best in the league.
574 Fan
12:07
Same type of question RE: Burnett - how does the team address his possible departure?  Are they forced to sign a proven vet? Do they think Marcus Allen could possibly be the guy? Edmunds to dime backer (which obviously requires more shuffling)? Whatever the answer, shouldn't be too hard to upgrade there, given his injury history, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
The idea of moving Edmunds to dime LB and drafting a safety is intriguing, but I'm not sure if the coaches believe it would be the best move right now. For one, he just played an entire season at strong safety. Why change positions now. He would have to go through another learning process. The hope would be someone like Marcus Allen wold step up, but again, he didn't show very much as a rookie. I wouldn't be surprised if they drafted a safety or signed a free agent if they release Burnett
Andy
12:09
Good morning, the 2 Devins look good at the combine , do you see if either is available they go here vs DB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I think you get your three-down ILBs in the draft more than free agency so the answer is if Bush or White is there at 20 you take them. Plus, the Steelers haven't been very good at drafting CBs. You could sign a veteran CB in free agency and draft one in the second or third round. Of course, you're betting on Bush or White being there, and after they ran in the low 4.4s that possibility might have decreased.
mtsteel
12:11
Hi Ray, thanks for the chats. Watching AB in that ESPN interview, I dont think he is trying to sabotage his trade value, I think he truly believes he is a "God to the NFL" and needs to be treated as such. The money given to him, Madden cover, TV show appearances and the constant talk in the NFL world of how great he is has an huge impact on a person like him, its just who he is now. I think he will still be a huge value to a team. Your thoughts on this take..
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Who wants a surly malcontent on their team? He came out and said he wants a new contract with more guaranteed money. And he said he doesn't need to play on top of that. He says he's a millionaire. Maybe he is, but the way he frivolously spends money I'm not so sure he could walk away. That might have been bravado on his part.
Heath Miller Fan
12:13
Ray, I really appreciate your work.  A year later & I still can’t believe Colbert & Tomlin actually thought Morgan Burnett & Jon Bostic were the solution to their defense’s issues.  What the hell were they thinking?  Moving on do you have an inside perspective on which position/s (WR, CB, ILB, OLB) they are likely to aggressively pursue in free agency?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I think right now they're looking at CB and/or WR as their first free agency targets. They took care of their DL depth when they re-signed Alualu. Maybe safety too as I mentioned earlier if Burnett is cut loose.
574 Fan
12:14
Is Cam Sutton still viewed as a possible eventual starter, or has that ship sailed?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Sutton wasn't even a top backup last season. He's entering Year 3. It's a big year for him. He has to show what he can do.
Lou
12:15
Given that AB has essentially demanded a new contract with significant guarantees from any team that acquires his services, doesn't this basically mean an acquiring team needs to pay him free agent like dollars and seriously depress any return the Steelers will receive?  Couple that AB's sabotage, I think Pittsburgh will be very lucky to get a 3rd or 4th round pick in return - thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
He's not making it easy on the Steelers, that's for sure. He is on the books for $11 or 12 million a year for the next three years. It's not like the acquiring team would have to pay him a ton more. Maybe more guaranteed money and a small raise. You have to remember Brown signed the richest contract for a receiver just three years ago. He's already near the top of the pay scale.
Lou
12:16
If AB is potentially the clubhouse and organizational cancer he is being portrayed to be these days (justifiably so!), shouldn't the Steelers want to trade him to a divisional foes or top AFC competitor to drag them down?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Ha! That's actually a good though except that he'd be motivated to stick it to the Steelers and Roethlisberger so he might be on his best behavior for a year.
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