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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.11.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started in a few minutes.
Steelman
11:53
SteelersGate! Something is wrong plain n simple. I’m not only questioning the GM n HC and their competence but now I’m questioning the Owner for this trade and the LB situation. Is there something we are missing?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
The Steelers don't believe anything is wrong. I asked Kevin Colbert at the combine at Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell and Morgan Burnett forcing their way out of Pittsburgh. He indicated they were all unique circumstances and said the Steelers will not alter the way they do business. They believe they are fair in the way they structure contracts. However, players with leverage, such as Antonio Brown, proved they can make a mess of things. There are lessons to be learned. Colbert said the organization must be more aware of branding and social media with its young stars. But they're not changing the way they do business. Colbert made that abundantly clear.
Joe in Orlando
11:56
What are you hearing about mood in Steelers offices? Thank God he’s gone but we really did get screwed?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
I'm quite sure they're happy it's over, but at the same time, they move forward knowing they didn't get fair compensation in return. The Steelers know that. They weighed the pros and cons of calling his bluff and sitting out the season because they wanted to be rid of all the drama that goes along with star players wielding their power.
Frank Pecora
11:57
Ray, fair to say that the only difference between trading Bryant and Brown to the Raiders was a 5th round pick and a more drama?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Well, the third-round pick in the Brown trade is No. 66 overall so it's early-third round. I think it's the third or fourth pick of the round. But yes, it's not great return for a player of Brown's caliber. It's now up to Colbert to use all these draft picks he is accumulating the right way when the draft comes around April 25.
Joe Novak
11:59
Ray, I'm glad this 84 drama is over.  So if you were in the front office how would YOU use our 3 additional picks with these trades?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Mock draft 2.0 is going to be published to Tuesday morning at post-gazette.com. I lay it all out in the post-combine, free agency edition.
Utah Jim
12:00
Why is Boswell the 12th highest paid player on the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Because that's the going rate for good kickers. They paid him when he was coming off a good couple of years. You win some, you lose some.
Utah Jim
12:00
The Bud Dupree situation reminds me of Max Starks.  Way over paying a player simply because they don’t have anyone else.  If they can’t restructure will they release him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
I don't get the sense they will release him if he doesn't sign a long-term deal. As you point out there isn't much in depth behind him. Anthony Chickillo, the top backup, is an unrestricted free agent. The other backup on the 53-man roster at the end of last season was Ola Adeniyi.
REID
12:02
Ray, since AB doesn't have a "no trade" clause but he said he wouldn't report to the Bills, isn't there some recourse for the Steelers to suspend him and have him sit or is the onus all on the Bills to deal with if he refuses to report? Or are the Steelers just happy to be rid of this gigantic pile of crap by dumping him on the raiders?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Apparently they didn't want to go down that road. They likely had a case for some "conduct detrimental to the team." How strong of a case? I don't know. I'm sure it would have been a mess with Drew Rosenhaus and the NFLPA getting involved. Maybe more bad PR than they were willing to take on. And yes, they weren't going to take him back on the team anyway so why not get the most when you can get it?
REID
12:04
Ray, Gerry quoted a Steelers official yesterday saying  something to the effect that the trade was agreed to but "it ain't over until its over". Could something still change like new team/ new terms/ etc since nothing can be official before Wednesday?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Anything is possible, but I doubt the trade falls through at this point. But if it did that would be quite the story.
Justin
12:05
Just out of curiosity, did you hear what the Bills were offering for Brown before Brown nixed the trade.  Was it better than the Steelers received from the Raiders?  Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Nothing concrete, but the two rumors I heard were brown and No. 20 for the Bills No. 9. I also heard the Bills early second-round pick, which would be something like 40 or 41 overall. Either way, it looked as if that was the best deal. The Steelers gave permission to the Bills to call Rosenhaus so you know that's the deal they preferred to make.
Justin
12:06
Part of me is angry that the Steelers got so little for Brown.  Part of me is shocked they got anything at all after all of Brown's antics.  Where do you fall?  Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I'm surprised. I thought he was worth at least an early second-round pick. But he forced his way out by being a malcontent. It was straight out of the Terrell Owens book of negotiating. Part of me thought the Steelers should hang onto him and call his bluff, but I understand why they didn't want to go down that road.
Keith Davis
12:08
Hello, Ray. Thanks very much for these chats. In his biography, “Rooney: A Sporting Life”, Rob Ruck mentioned that Art Rooney had a sign in his office, “Don’t let your kindness be taken for weakness.” Granted, optics aren’t always what they seem, but the February photo of Antonio What’s-His-Name and the current Steeler owner made me wonder if Art Rooney II has lost touch with his grandfather’s wisdom. Would that be too harsh a judgement? Thanks again.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I honestly don't know why Rooney agreed to the photo. I suppose they might have thought it would raise his trade value after some erratic behavior. But then he goes off and acts like a donkey again a few days later. Hindsight is 20-20 I guess, but I never really understood why it was taken.
Miki
12:10
hi Ray. The Steelers received 2 thirds, a fifth and a sixth for the top receiver and running back, and an all pro right tackle. Time to clean house. New gm, coach, and start grooming the young quarterback. Otherwise it’s a slow death towards mediocrity.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Marcus Gilbert, while a solid player, never once made a Pro Bowl. And what do you suggest they were supposed to do with Bell? Overpay him? They had a figure in mind for what he was worth, and they decided not to go above that figure. I don't think Bell ever makes up the money he left on the table. I think the front office deserves more criticism for giving Brown the big deal a few weeks after the Facebook Live video and then converting some future salary into a signing bonus. That's why they're in this $21 dead cap hit situation.
Yinzer in Colorado
12:12
Ray, thanks I enjoy your chats.  Have you heard if the Steelers are trying to upgrade their AB trade with another team prior to Wednesday?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I have not heard that.
rich
12:12
Sad being a jerk gets you a raise.  Wonder if buffalo would take the same deal as the raiders.  Even though they nixed the trade before it might be worth taking a risk since the compensation of a  3 and 5
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
But he won't go there, and the Bills don't want him anymore.
REID
12:13
Ray, with Brown not finishing his remaining 3 years of the contract, are the Steelers entitled to the pro rated portion of the signing bonus they paid?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
No.
STEEL72
12:13
Ray, the only thing about AB that bothers me is posting his friendly photo with ARII and then shanking him by not allowing the organization to get fair value in trade. You want out? Fine. Do a small solid (after all the bs) for the organization and help them replace you. One hand washes the other. I guess it's all about that new contract in the end and nothing else? I understand there was bad blood for whatever the reasons, but to my knowledge the front office didn't do anything but make him the highest paid receiver in the league. Do you know anything we don't know?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
No. This was all about the money. It always has been. Why do you think he did the off-the-rails interview last June. Why do you think he left camp for a few days with an "injury" during training camp. This was all part of his exit plan. And it was orchestrated. It didn't just happen Dec. 31. That was the beginning of the end, not the beginning.
Alan
12:15
This seems to be a year where steelers should move up in the draft. If they do, do you think they should go get an ILB or a WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Yes ILB Devin White or Devin Bush. Might be too expensive to get White, who could go in the top 10. Bush could be there at 20, but after running a 4.43 he might go earlier too.
AK
12:16
It’s become abundantly clear that if you want out of Pittsburgh, all you have to do is misbehave; Blount, Harrison, and now Brown.  How do the Steelers combat that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Kevin Colbert talked about that at the combine. He said the team must do a better job with younger players before they turn into stars. He mentioned social media and branding. He didn't get too deep into the details of what the team will do going forward so they avoid these types of situations, but he said they are "learning on the fly."
Chad Smith
12:17
After firing Haley, RB coach, LeBeau, and Porter then the jettisoning of Bell & Brown if the Steelers continue to faulter will the Rooney’s finally see that Tomlin needs a new start too?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Let's see if he gets a contract extension in July. He has tow years left and they always extend the coach when there are two years left. That might be a sign that they're waiting to see how the 2019 goes.
REID
12:18
Ray, how much do you think Drew Rosenhaus was involved in creating the whole scenario of AB's behavior and trashing the Steelers organization, coaches, and Ben to get him out of Pittsburgh and a new contract ? AB doesn't seem smart enough to do this himself
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