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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.07.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
MD1
1:54
Ray: it seems as if a lot of questions on these chats or articles begin with the premise: what if the 3 top CBs are off the board at 17?  I presume they mean Porter, Gonzalez, and Witherspoon.  But why are those three ranked ahead of Banks or Ringo?  Ringo in particular ran a 4.36 at 6'2" 207 and has a highlight tape that includes a national championship sealing pick 6 and an out of this world play where he blitzes Ohio State from the UGA 40, but tracks down Marvin Harrison in the secondary to strip him of the ball at the 18.  Wow.  I can't understand how Porter (two years older, slower, smaller, fewer ints) is rated ahead of him.  Does Ringo just have too many lapses in coverage (albeit in the SEC)?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
I think consistency. Word on Ringo is he has some very good moments and some others where he struggles. With Banks I just think it's experience and a shorter resumes than the big 3. He missed all but two games in 2021. He had a good 2022 and crushed the combine, but there's more to it than the combine. He only had two interceptions in college. I like him but probably not at 17.
Calvin Sweeney Fan Club
1:56
Could Anthony Richardson actually be the top pick? I understand his unbelievable athleticism. But I have a hard time getting past his pedestrian passing numbers. A 54 percent career passing completion within a modern college offense when guys like CJ Stroud are at just about 70 percent?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
I think with his combine performance he's in the top 15. I can't see the top pick. That's a huge projection and what he might be. He has the size and the speed and athleticism to be a quality NFL QB, but tape matters. And he doesn't have the tape that Young, Stroud and even Levis do.
MD1
1:57
Jordan Addison?  A 173 lb WR that didn't have a big final year of college and ran just 4.49.  Do we remember the combination of Mason Rudolph and James Washington?  Why is Addison even considered a potential pick at 17?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Who is projecting him to the Steelers at 17? I haven't seen much, if any, of that. Good player, but yes there are some limitations in his game.
J$Money
1:58
What is your best guess on what Sutton’’s term and salary may be? What other Steeler players do you expect to be resigned? Thank you!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I'm thinking somewhere between $10 and 12 million a year. Next in line would be Larry Ogunjobi (if he is healthy) and Robert Spillane if the price is right. Terrell Edmunds too if the price is right.
Ted
1:59
What Steelers do you believe will be resigned before Monday?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
That's hard to say, but I think they'd targeting Sutton to get done first because he's their most valuable free agent.
steve
2:00
Ray, in a recent article concerning O line, you say the Steelers gave up 38 sacks, with 11 going to Dotson and Moore, 0 to Daniels. That would leave 27 being credited to Okorafor and Cole, because after all didn’t this line play practically every snap +/- a couple? I know those two didn’t give up that many, so can you please explain the sack total? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Sacks aren't only attributed to linemen. Some are on RBs, others on the QB for holding the ball, tight ends, etc.
The Lamplighter
2:01
Ray, if the Steelers do nothing this off-season besides resigning their own players (Highsmith, Sutton, Larry O. and Edmunds) and fill the holes at OL, DL, CB and ILB through the draft - - would you consider that to be a successful off-season for this team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Yes I would depending of course on their picks being good ones.
Bill
2:01
How do you feel about WR Anthony Miller's chances to make the team in 2023?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
They like him. That's why they kept him around last season when he was on IR. I'm not counting on him being on the 53-man roster, but I think he'll have a chance to make the team if he has a good camp.
Dr. Johnny Fever
2:02
How tired are you of answering the same draft questions over and over again? What is the biggest hole in Dan Moore's game as a Tackle? Is it something that can be fixed in year 3 or is he destined to be released?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I don't think he's destined to be released. If they draft a left tackle in the first round Moore can be a good swing tackle. And his biggest issues are in pass pro. He's limited in his athleticism, and there are a lot of good athletes coming off the edge these days.
Nate from Fort Wayne
2:03
Hi, Ray. If the Steelers were going ILB at #32 and Drew Sanders and Jack Campbell were both there, who'd you like to pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Sanders probably has the higher ceiling so I'd probably go with him, but I'm not convinced either of them should go that high.
MrCJJr
2:04
Hello Ray. Thanks as usual for the chats...it's been a minute since I've participated. My question is about Bud Dupree. My take is: IMO he has some value but take him only at the right price. What say you? Take a serious look at him or has that ship sailed?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I agree. If he wants to come back for $5 million or so a year I'd explore that idea assuming his health is OK. He's approaching the back end of his career and coming off a disappointing couple of seasons in Tennessee. He shouldn't command another huge deal.
Jay
2:05
Hello Ray, thank you for the draft coverage.  How do you view Deonte Banks?  How close is he to the big 3?  Which other CBs would you consider at 32 or 49?  Maybe even 80?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I think he's right there in that next group. In that second tier you have guys like DJ Turner, Brian Branch, Emmanuel Forbes and others. You have some late first- and early second-round picks in that group I think. At 49 you'd probably have guys like Clark Phillips and some others of that ilk.
Hydroplane Deloplaine
2:07
Hi Ray If there are good corners still available at 17 do you think they could ask Pete Carroll to make the pick for them?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
New regime in place. Let's give these guys a chance to choose some CBs before we judge them.
The real guest
2:08
Ray, In your opinion, are the Steelers weight room and training room really as bad as the NFLPA survey suggests? In that business, anything less than state of the art doesn't make sense and to be inferior is just plain stupid.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
They're just very limited in their space at the south side facility. They can't expand left because of the train tracks. Can't expand right because of the trail. I suppose they could eliminate one of their four practice fields and expand outward in that area, but that would be a pretty major project. And they just did a multi-million renovation 5-10 years ago when the weight room was expanded. They need a new facility with more space, but if they want to stay in Pittsburgh the options are limited.
pdxJaxon
2:10
Hey Ray,
Most typically, the FO signs free agents to fill the gaping holes in personelle prior to the draft so that the team can basically pick BPA.  Do you see them sticking to that modus operandus this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I think they'd like to do that.
Mike from DC
2:10
How easy is it to switch sides for an offensive tackle? Could dawand jones or Wright play on the left side?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
It's not that simple. The elite athletes play on the left side for the most part. You'll see more of the road-grader types on the right side. That's usually where teams put their best run-blocker because most teams are right-handed in the running game. If you're a backup you have to be able to play both spots, but there are just some instances where guys like Jones and Wright can't play on the left side. I asked Jones about it at the Senior Bowl, and he showed little interest in exploring a change. He's always been a right tackle and that's how he views himself.
Bill
2:13
Why did Alabama list Bryce Young at 6 feet tall for so long when he was only 5'10"?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I got news for you every college football program likes in its program and web site.
Mike from DC
2:13
Do “hybrid” players really fill a need for the Steelers? For example, if they get Brian branch they’d still need a true cb1. Luk van ness they’d still need a big cam heyward type DL
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
No they don't fill traditional needs, but sometimes coaches have to find ways to get their best players on the field.
Jeff Lebowski
2:14
With all the recent cap casualties, where would you allocate funds to fill holes before the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
William Jackson III is the big one. That move will save them more than $12 million in cap space. And there are some other moves they can make.
R
2:14
Hey, Ray, thank you for the chats! Do you think that Calijah Kancey is a good fit for the Steelers D, or do they need a bigger body?
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