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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.04.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Let's get started.
21-58-66
2:02
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  Do you have any concerns with Kendrick Green only having six starts at center, presumably the position the team drafted him for?  Maybe it is more of waiting to see how things shake out with the three potential centers and he provides quality interior line depth in the meantime?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Adrian Klemm didn't seem too concerned about it when he talked on Friday night. He thinks Green is a center and the way he talked about him it sure sounded like he would be given every opportunity to win the job this summer. BJ Finney is a placeholder in case Green isn't ready, but I think the Steelers would prefer for Green to prove he is ready and to insert him as the starter whenever that happens.
Daniel Saikali
2:04
How do you feel about the status of the OL now? Do you anticipate any post draft moves?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I don't anticipate any moves before training camp. I think they'll go into camp with his lineup from left to right -- Okorafor, Dotson, Green/Finney, DeCastro and Banner as their starters. If there are injuries in camp or players underperform then you could see some moves, but I'd be surprised if they signed anyone between now and July.
Matt
2:06
1st Steelers draft pick from Day 3 likely to start a game for them?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Quincy Roche, if he earns the top backup role behind Watt and Highsmith. The others would have to climb over others to get the shot to start.
KN
2:07
Hello Ray .  Thank you as always for the chat. I wanted to get your opinion regarding one of UDFA, Shakur Brown.  Normally it is a tall order for UDFA to even make the roster but he was projected as 4th round pick by sports writers.  Do you see him as viable option as slot corner since he is little small ( 5 9) and slow ( 4.6) ?  Since they have no depth at corners and Tre Norwood is projected as Safety by Steelers, do you see a chance of reunion with Nelson ? I see cornerback as their biggest weakness at this point.  Thank you very much.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Mike Hilton made it as an undrafted free agent so anything is possible. But I think it's going to be hard for UDFAs to make 53-man rosters again because it doesn't look like they'll get the on-field instruction in OTAs that other rookies would normally get when there's not a pandemic.
LivinTheDream
2:09
Ray, UFA Mark Gilbert may be the value signing of the draft. Before his injury he was posting round 1 CB stats....and all pro DNA is in his genes. If he has recovered from the dislocated hip and returns to form he will be the find of the draft. Big if....huge upside. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
He certainly has good bloodlines, but I've never seen him play. Let'
Let's see how he does in camp.
21-58-66
2:10
Ray - Is there any truth to the rumors about a bad shoulder for Pat Freiermuth or has that been been discredited as bad information?  Do you think he will see significant snaps this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I've heard there are concerns about the shoulder. We'll find out soon. If Freiermuth is held out of rookie minicamp or OTAs then we'll be able to connect the dots. For what it's worth, Freiermuth said he has healthy and ready to go in his zoom call with reporters after the draft.
Javi
2:11
Hello Ray. Is it safe to say Steelers brass is expecting Klemm to do a significant better job with oline talent than the past coach Sarret? I know they addressed oline some in draft but it also looks they are content with the guys we already had and expect them to be better under Klemm.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
They are giving him free reign to change the blocking scheme. And he wants old-school guys that want to run the ball. Personnel matters, but I think Tomlin is expecting an upgrade in the way the Steelers draw up their schematics.
Chris
2:13
What do you think of the cornerback position as a whole, and who will play where in nickel?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Question marks abound. Cam Sutton, for now, is the starting outside CB opposite Joe Haden, and he's going to bump inside and play in the slot when the Steelers go nickel. James Pierre or Justin Layne would play the outside in sub.
ThisGuy
2:15
Obviously the Steelers drafted Green to presumably man C this year.  But given his smaller stature, athleticism, and more experience at G, do you think it's possible he'll end up as the replacement for Decastro in 2022 with C being another high priority in next year's draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
No they like his versatility, but they drafted him to be a center.
Artie Bridge
2:15
Ray, I'd like to read your overall take on Steeler's draft, and, especially on additions to the defense.  Our safety situation looks troubling, particularly with the announcement that Edmunds' option won't be renewed.  Not exactly a morale booster, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Well, the alternative would be forking over $6.7 million to a player who has struggled to make an impact. He's 24 or 25 years old, and he's already made millions in the league. Somehow I think he'll get over it.
Mercury
2:17
Although Edmunds may say he will use it for motivation, being told by your team before the season that they don’t think you’re worth keeping around for next year can’t be very good for a player’s confidence, can it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
It should motivate him. If he plays well there will be a team that wants to pay him next year when he's a free agent.
AK
2:18
What positions do you think the Steelers may sign a FA after the draft?  Safety, CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Yes I could see them signing a CB to help with their depth at some points before or during camp.
Tom 88
2:19
Najee Harris is a great RB, no doubt.  But is it reasonable to think he will have a lot of success with the Steelers O line?  I've never seen such poor blocking as last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Tomlin thinks they'll be better because the offense is changing its schematics.
Buena Vista
2:19
I don't  see a PPG article on the post draft free agents... am I missing it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
We had it online Sunday night.
Buena Vista
2:21
Freiermuth being there at 55 was a steal imo. Considering Pitts doesn't block, is it fair to say P.F. was/is the #1 TE in the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Pitts is a better receiver, but if you want to say Freiermuth is the most complete TE in the draft you can probably get away with it.
Jerry
2:22
Hey Ray! Don't you think the Steelers should've gotten Creed instead of the TE?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I wrote about this very subject yesterday: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/05/03/pittsburgh-ste...
2:23
Kevin Colbert explained his draft philosophy.
Erk the jerk
2:23
Hey Ray. Good draft. imo. Now can they find that slot corner or do you believe Tre Norwood can replicate mike hilton. You think they thought so??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Not sure about Norwood. Will wait until I see him play before making any determinations.
Jeff
2:24
Have the offensive line concerns been blown out of proportion? I totally get needing a center with Pouncey retiring and we did. Chucks could be better than Big Al at left tackle and then I think people forget that Banner was out practically all last year. Add in another year for Dotson at guard and hopefully a healthy Decastro and perhaps this line isnt so bad after all.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
There are a lot of 'ifs' in there.
Daniel Saikali
2:24
With Edmunds 5th year option being declined, do you feel the Steelers are thinking extension, or possibly looking to move on depending how he develops this season?
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