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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.28.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Welcome and let's get started.
Guest
1:55
Did the team offer Edmunds the same deal Gentry just signed?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
I haven't seen the numbers for the Gentry deal yet. I have seen the Edmunds deal and it's loaded with incentives. It's not much more than the league minimum without the incentives. The Steelers did not sign Gentry to a big number.
Dudley Bupree
1:57
I hope  the Steelers don't reach for a safety at 17. Do you think they would?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Not unless it's a Troy Polamlau, and there is no Troy Polamalu in this draft.
Guest
1:57
Drafting was great with the Cowher/Colbert duo. The drafting went downhill significantly with the Tomlin/Colbert duo. Do you think the trio of Tomlin/Khan/Weidl can turn around the horrible drafts of the past decade?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
That's painting with a pretty broad brush. Just off the top of my head, the 2017 draft class turned out OK. (TJ Watt, JuJu, James Conner, etc.) I know some of the others underwhelmed, but it's not like they were that bad compared to the rest of the league. Maybe just not as good as Colbert's first 15 years on the job. I will say this. If Weidl and Khan are allowed to do their jobs this roster will improve.
Bernard
1:59
Loved your first two picks.  Not a fan of Smith at 2B, the kid has all the tools but never played big in big games (which you note).  How do Steelers coaches and GMs balance the tape/measurables versus film?  Is it markedly different than other teams?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
As much as I'd like to do a mock draft of who I would pick, it comes down to connecting the dots on what the Steelers will do. I agree with you. Mazi Smith is a puzzling prospect. I watched him versus Ohio State and did not come away impressed. But Tomlin loves athletic traits as do many scouts. They all think they can get more out of talented players. It's a gamble though, which is why Smith is unlikely to go in the first round. He has athletic traits for the first round but doesn't have the production to go along with it.
Guest
2:01
With the recent coaching hires, the Steelers have one of the least diverse coaching staffs. Do you think the league will one day look into this and the impact of the Rooney Rule?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I think you mean one of the most diverse. I think something like 65-70% of the staff are Black.
JerseySteel
2:02
Hi Ray - do you think the Steelers need draft both a DE (to eventually take over for Cam) and a NT (since Alualu won't be back)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
It's not out of the question. There is a need for a young defensive end to go along with Heyward and Ogunjobi, and there is a need for some competition for Montravius Adams.
JerseySteel
2:03
Hi Ray - do you think the Steelers will draft a safety perhaps in the 4th round to play alongside Minkah? I know they will use Petersen there some, Kazee some, but still think they need another safety
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Mike Tomlin said the other day they will add to the position whether it's in free agency or the draft.
Guest
2:03
It has become clear that many free agents have been lied to about playing time before signing (Blount, Harrison, Ingram, Trubisky, etc.). Do you think word gets around the league amongst players and that hurts our chances of getting quality free agents?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I'm sure players do talk, but money talks more. If the Steelers offer the best deal they'll get their guy 99% of the time.
artie bridge
2:04
Ray. After all the comings and goings of the last three weeks, bottom line:  Are the Steelers stronger (on paper) than at the end of the 22 season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Have to wait to see what the draft provides to answer that question.
Tom M.
2:05
Do you think there are any free agent safeties still available worth pursuing? Or, do you think strong safety is now a priority for the Steelers with one of the 2nd round picks?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
They might not believe they need a full-time starter there. Tomlin did not divulge his plans for the position, but it could be they just need a bigger safety to help in running situations. And you don't need to spend big in free agency or spend premium draft capital for guys like that.
jj
2:06
How many years after an NFL draft does it take to determine whether a team's draft class was great, good, average or a bust?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
3-5
Javi
2:06
Hello Ray. With Edmunds gone what shortcomings of his game did Steelers finally realize they were not gonna get from him? Strictly more splash and turnovers? Is this a move that they really want to get a dynamic player in tandem with Minkah?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
When Tomlin was asked about Kazee the other day he specifically mentioned his turnover production. That's important for any starter in a secondary. And the Steelers just didn't get much over five years from Edmunds.
Kelso in Florida
2:08
Pick 17 is up.. Paris Johnson and Porter Jr are there for the taking... The Steelers have this family thing going on... Idk they could say no to Porter JR. Which one would you take between the 2?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
If the grades are close, I'd probably go Johnson because it's a deeper draft for CBs. If not, take the player with the higher grade.
OHIO412FAN
2:09
Which Rule Proposals do you see getting approved? I’m extremely intrigued by all of the proposals this year, & would love to hear your thoughts.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I'm a traditionalist for the most part. I don't want to see many changes unless they are made for good reasons. I know health and safety is part of the deal with the kickoffs and onside kick proposals. I'd like to see what they look like in the preseason though before I rubber stamped them.
TJ
2:11
Hi Ray, are SS really that easy to replace? for 2 million seems like Edmunds should have been bought back. even if it cost 3-4 its still cheap.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Or maybe the Steelers believed they could do better with Kazee or another player. Listen, I think Edmunds had his best season last year, but did you see the deal he got from the Eagles? The point is, no teams were beating down his door offering big sums of money. He is what he is. He was a nice fit for the Steelers last season, but they believe they can upgrade.
Steelchuck
2:13
Hi Ray - I'm hoping for best CB at 17 and Minnesota Center at 32.  Would you be on board with Branch at 17?  I don't think he's worth our first pick and I'm hearing a lot of buzz about Branch these days...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I think Branch at 32 is more likely. Schmitz was in for a top-30 visit on Friday. I think he'd be in that 32-49 range if they took him. Perhaps more unlikely now with the additions they made in free agency, but I know they like him.
Guest
2:16
With the top three picks, we should have three starters either by game 1 or sometime during the season.  If given the choice between drafting a player with those picks that A: could be a solid starter for years, say a B+ kind of guy, with marginal upside, or B: a bit of project with possible big upside, and could end up either as a marginal starter, or potential for some Pro Bowls, which way do you go?  For me, we have players on both sides of the ball that can make the 'splash' plays.  I would rather see us go with solid guys with minimum risk vs waking up in a year or two with another Bush, Burns.....  Give me a Tuitt or Highsmith (they aren't in the same league as Cam or TJ, but they are solid and bring/bought it every game).
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Sometimes it's OK to hit doubles instead of home runs. In my mind, you want guys in the first round who are going to be starters. I think with two second-round picks this year they could roll the dice on a guy with upside.
Guest
2:17
Ray, if Peterson moves to safety, do the Steelers take a CB at #17? Even if Gonzalez, Witherspoon & Porter are gone. Tomlin loves his Maryland and Virginia guys for some reason. So would Banks be the guy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Peterson wouldn't be moving to safety full-time, just in certain packages or personnel groups. And signing Peterson did nothing to change their need for a CB. It remains one of their, if not their biggest needs entering the draft.
Steve in Canton
2:18
Bud Dupree came in for a visit last weekend. No report of a deal yet. Has the ship sailed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't know that he's been in yet. It was reported he was going to come for a visit. The owner's meetings are wrapping up tomorrow so maybe it will happen at the end of the week.
Billy Hoyle
2:19
If extending Highsmith is in the plans, when would the Steelers typically begin those conversations in earnest ... after the draft?
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