You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.24.23
powered byJotCast
Bob Prince was the best
10:00
Ray, I'm looking forward to seeing the competition on the offensive line for playing time during camp. How long do you feel it will take this OL group to gel ? Is training camp and the pre season enough time for the OL group in place?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
Well, it took some time last year, well into the season but that was because there were a lot of new faces in new places. They had a new center, a new right guard and a new left guard. Now they have a new left guard in Isaac Seumalo, but he's a veteran and should pick things up quick. You also have the Broderick Jones likely playing big snaps, but if he's good enough he'll be good enough. In short, it won't be quite as long as last year. At least I don't think it will be.
Bob Prince was the best
10:03
Ray, how many WR make the final roster out of camp ? Any surprises  ?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
5 or 6 depending on special teams ability.
Incrinculent Yinzer
10:04
Week 1 starters on the offensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
My guess: Jones, Seumalo, Cole, Daniels and Chuks
Guest
10:05
Does the quarterback from Minnesota have a legitimate chance of making the team with the latest signing/return of Mitch and Mason?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:05
No.
South Florida Steelers Fan
10:05
Ray, greetings from Sunny Florida.  It seems like the receivers & tight ends are all praising Kenny Pickett’s leadership.  Even if the players gel together, can we really expect a better offense this year with Matt Canada still implementing his system and calling plays?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Yes. It's Kenny's second year. And third year for Freiermuth and Harris and second year for Pickens. Those things matter. And as Pickett said yesterday 'at some point it's the players not the plays.'
Bob Prince was the best
10:06
Ray, do you know if the Steelers have any interest in hosting the NFL draft ?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Yes they do.
Wayne Capers
10:08
With streaming widely available now as multiple outlets to show games are we approaching the time we’ll see NFL games on every night of the week?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
That's a long ways off. The NFL has always allowed the colleges to have Saturdays and the high schools Fridays. I don't think that will change anytime soon, but as you saw this year there is a Black Friday game. Money always talks. If it's beneficial for the league to broadcast every day of the week it will eventually happen.
Dom
10:09
Would you expect Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb be our starting ILBs come game 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
Barring injuries, of course. They signed them to starter's contracts.
Peter
10:10
Hi Ray, what’s the latest with Leal’s health and how the Steelers plan on using him?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
As far as I know there are no health issues with Leal. And they like his versatility so they want to move him around.
Steelbeav
10:10
Congratulations on your and other PG staffers hard work in cranking out an impressive number of well written articles pertaining to the Steelers each week. My question is do you have a weekly quota, and if so can you share what that number is?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
We don't have any quotas.
Hank C.
10:11
Enjoy your chats.  Do you know why Master Teague was already released?  I believe there had to be some interest as the Steelers signed him twice before.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
They liked the other RBs on the roster more.
Chicago Rob
10:12
Were you as shocked as I, that Mason came back for another year as a third string given how he was treated last year?  was there zero demand?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
It appears that way.
LarryG from Punxy
10:13
Do you anticipate a sophomore slump from Pickett, or do you see him making improvements over last season?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
I expect Kenny Pickett to take a big step forward.
SOGGY
10:13
Good Morning Ray!  Does Pickens overtake DJ as the #1 WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
Eventually yes but will it happen this season? We'll have to wait.
jeff
10:15
Thanks for the chats Ray.  I see the owners approved a new Thursday flex option.  Is it possible that the Steelers could have 3 thursday games?  One would think a simple solution would be not team can have more than one Thur game.  Whereas we the fan might like them, I cannot imagine going all out on Sunday then having to do it again in 4 days.  The players union seems to have taken a weak position on this
Ray Fittipaldo
10:15
More likely one game if the New England matchup isn't appetizing in December.
Her big N
10:16
Ray, if ILBs are so hard to find, why would a fourth round cheesehead OLB be a possibility? Danke.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
He's an OLB with possible ILB versatility. They didn't draft him to play ILB. If you haven't noticed lots of college players entering the league now have different body types and skill sets. The league has to adapt.
Darnell
10:17
Ray, am I the obvious choice to fill the muscle role on QB sneaks? Any concerns KP may have about a tractor trailer assisting him from behind? Gracias,
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
The play remains legal so the Steelers would be dumb not to take advantage of it more this season. Just look at how the Eagles did with the play. It's almost unstoppable when the rugby scrum is allowed.
Dylan H
10:18
Good morning Ray! Do you expect Broderick Jones to be LT1 by the preseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
I think if he demonstrates an ability to pick up the offense he will be given every opportunity to be the starter by Week 1. But he's a rookie and there is a process.
Ed in Carrick
10:20
Was the release of Maulet and Witherspoon done for economic reasons or is it that the team has a lot of confidence in JPJ and Trice?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
Witherspoon's release saved them about $4 million. That's not insignificant. Maulet wasn't making nearly as much. Apparently, he requested his release and the Steelers granted it.
Steeltown
10:20
Ray
I like Diontae coming out and challenging himself. It puts the expectations squarely on his shoulder pads which should motovate him. I’d rather him challenge himself than remain quiet, you?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:21
Of course. He's making $18 million a year. I am sure he expects to put up better numbers. I'd be worried if he didn't feel that way.
Load More Messages
Connecting…