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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.25.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get it going.
7 year drought
1:58
Ray, Why did Dan Moore receive the bulk of the LT snaps during the spring? Isn't the plan to move Broderick Jones there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
The Steelers are confident Jones can transition back to left tackle without much of an issue. That's where he played in college. They want to see if Fautanu is ready to be the starting right tackle. When they know he can handle the job Jones goes to the left side and Moore goes to the bench as a backup.
TV
2:00
With Cam angling for an extension and Najee playing out the final year of his contract after the team didn't pick up the fifth year option, do you see this as potentially being a distraction once the season starts (assuming the team takes a wait-and-see approach with Cam)?  I know these guys are professionals and locker-room leaders, but playing on an, at best, "prove it", or at worst, "you are not the future" year, it is bound to cause some tension.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Players are motivated by money, and they'll want to play at a high level so they can earn a big contract somewhere else. The only way this gets messy is if someone is banged up late in the season and they want to get to free agency healthy. But you hope it doesn't come to that. The hope is you drafted someone with high character who will play hard for the length of the contract.
574 Fan
2:02
Thanks for the chat in the “slow” season, Ray. Seems like the team is content to let Daniels walk after this year. Why wouldn’t they try to extend him and let McCormick be the backup IOL one more season before penciling him in to replace the much older Seumalo when his contract expires after the ‘25 season? Is Seumalo that much better than Daniels? Can McCormick not play LG (not sure which he played in college)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Guards hit it big in free agency this year. Daniels could come close to doubling his money. In any event he'll earn much more than the $8 million a year he's making with the Steelers. You can't pay everyone. Daniels has been solid, but he's never made a Pro Bowl. Sometimes you have to go young and cheap at a position because there are others on the roster who are valued more.
Tampa Too
2:03
Ray. What are the main physical trait differences between cornerbacks and safeties? I do see some players switch for one position to the other.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Corners typically after faster and many times smaller in stature although not by a lot. Strong safeties are bigger and can come up into the box and act as a LB on occasion. Free safeties are typically smaller than strong safeties and process the game well. But oftentimes, these players can be interchangeable based on the systems they play in. Especially in today's NFL, players have to be versatile and able to play multiple positions.
HeHateMe
2:06
I'm hearing that we might trade for Treylon Burks. We dominated the division last year with Pickett and Mason imagine what we can do with Russell. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Another first-round reclamation project. The Steelers seem to specialize in those. I'm not against if the return is minimal. And by minimal I'm guessing a late-round pick. Burks hasn't been able to play more than 11 games in either of his first two NFL seasons and he's coming off a year when he posted just 16 catches for 222 yards.
Joe Friday
2:08
Why do so many fans question whether GP can be a #1 WR? He had over 1100 yards last year and had the highest average yards per catch in the NFL. We also can see that he can make catches that almost no other NFL WRs can make. Finally, to give it context, he was being thrown to by a below average QB, had an amateur coordinate and DJ was out for a number of games last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Many No. 1 WRs across the league are more consistent than Pickens. Yes, he had some big games, but he was quiet in others. Was that due to the QB situation? Probably, but he has to finds ways to contribute on a more consistent basis. That's what No. 1 WRs do in my opinion.
TVC15
2:11
Starting with the Super Bowl loss to the Packers the Steelers have just 3 playoff wins. To answer the question "If they fire Tomlin who would they hire?" Here are some coaches hired since then.

Here are the NFL head coaches hired since 2010:

  • Andy Reid: Kansas City Chiefs, January 7, 2013
  • Sean McDermott: Buffalo Bills, January 11, 2017
  • Sean McVay: Los Angeles Rams, January 12, 2017
  • Kyle Shanahan: San Francisco 49ers, February 6, 2017
  • Matt LaFleur: Green Bay Packers, January 8, 2019
  • Zac Taylor: Cincinnati Bengals, February 9, 2019
  • Mike McCarthy: Dallas Cowboys, January 8, 2020
  • Kevin Stefanski: Cleveland Browns, January 13, 2020
  • Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions, January 10, 2021
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I'm not sure about Stefanski or McDermott, but your point is well made with the others. There are good assistant coaches out there. You just have to go find them. That's what the Steelers did with Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin.
IL Steel
2:12
What do you believe is the Steelers' plan for Najee? Let him walk after tis
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Seems that way. And it doesn't necessarily reflect poorly on Harris. Omar Khan is on record saying it was a business decision. Some teams simply don't value RBs. You have to remember this is a new front office. Kevin Colbert and his regime drafted Harris in the first round. Khan and Andy Weidl, as we have seen in two years, have some different ideas on team building.
DO
2:14
Not a question, an opinion,  but would. appreciate your comment.  Mike Tomlin takes a lot of heat for not winning in playoffs.  My view is that he takes mediocre talent and molds it into a winning season, but the lack of talent shows up in the playoffs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I disagree. You might be right about one or two years recently when other AFC teams had better rosters, but that definitely was not the case from 2014-18. Those Steelers teams were stacked with great talent. You had Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell in their primes. You had a terrific offensive line. Yes, the defense struggled at times, but those teams underachieved given the talent Tomlin had at his disposal. In Pittsburgh, you're judged on your postseason success. I refuse to grade on a curve for any perceived issues in talent in recent years. And mind you, he's had Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick in their primes and hasn't won a playoff game with them. Lots of teams would love to have a core 3 on their defense like that trio.
Steeltree
2:18
Good afternoon Ray.  Hope you’re enjoying the cooler weather.  
2023 season Steelers go 10-7 with one of the worst QB rooms in the NFL.  I’ve got to believe Wilson Fields and Allen are a definite upgrade   I would expect Wilson can at least be the post injury Ben who managed to cobble together a dozen wins with no running game and a lesser defense.   Maybe I’m crazy but I think 12 wins and maybe even a division title are very doable. At the same time if all the “ifs and maybes” don’t pan out 12 or more losses is not out of the question.  Can you ever recall a season when the expectations can be so diametrically opposed.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I'm not quite as optimistic as you on the win total, mostly due to the difficult schedule. I think they would do well to win 10 games. If they get to 11 that's a terrific regular season. The first six or eight weeks of the regular season will be crucial. The schedule is manageable early before the brutal part of the schedule in the second half of the season.
TVC15
2:19
What would be the bare minimum to consider the Steelers season a success? Would 9-8 but no playoff appearance be considered a success?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Maybe in Cleveland. Not for the Steelers. It's all about getting a playoff win for the first time since the 2016 season.
Bob S
2:20
Do you think that Steeler coaches know enough to make an informed decision on whether the current receivers are good enough or will they be largely guessing until the pads go on?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
They have a pretty good idea. I still think a move is coming at receiver, but Arthur Smith will make his offense work with whatever receiver talent he has at his disposal. I'd argue he'd be set up to succeed more with a bona fide No. 2, but we'll see if they can get a trade done at some point this summer or fall.
Louis’ Lipps
2:22
I know it’s the OTAs, but it sounds like Wilson won’t be close to starting his first year. Even Hines Ward didn’t. How concerned should we be if Wilson isn’t ready? If Pickens goes down with an injury do we collectively put on sackcloth and ashes and pray for our WR group?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Asking a third-round pick to come in and start is a big ask. He might be forced into a bigger role due to the deficiencies of the roster, but it's not like he was a first- or second-round pick. Sometimes it takes some time for guys to develop. Maybe Roman Wilson has a great camp and proves he is ready. We'll have to wait and see.
DaquidoBazzini
2:25
Hi Ray- I keep wondering if the Steelers might use TE Darnell Washington a bit more receiving wise. Are his knees really that bad? We always see videos of him making great catches in practice, and needless to say, he is a load to bring down.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I watch the Steelers practice and I never ever think they should throw to Washington more.
Jim OBX
2:26
It doesn’t make sense to me to give away major draft capital and then pay over 25 mil per for Aiyuk unless you don’t think Pickens can be a number one.  If Pickens is a number one he will want similar or more and that doesn’t make sense capwise.  What am I missing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I'd argue the Steelers still don't know if they should sign Pickens to a second contract. Based on his 2023 season I think that's a smart approach on their part. There is more to being a No. 1 WR than making a couple of acrobatic catches and the occasional long TD catch. But I do agree with you on the trade part of this. I wouldn't give up a lot of draft capital and I wouldn't be influenced by the rocketing WR market. That's the big downside from not making a move at the draft. Jefferson signed his big deal after the draft so the contract for any of the top WRs you might acquire in a trade went up too.
Yuri
2:29
Hello Ray.  Do you think Aiyuk commiserating with Jaylen Daniels about his contract situation may influence the Steelers’ decision to trade for him rather than seeing him possibly being traded to the Commanders?  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Nah. Aiyuk will land with a team that will pay him what he desires in his next contract.
Harold H.
2:30
Hi Ray, enjoy the chats.  Do you think the Steelers would have any interest in signing Buggs , the ex Steeler who was just released by the Chiefs?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
The Steelers love reunions, but I'm guessing not on Buggs.
Phil P in Johnson City
2:30
This isn't a question, Ray - rather, it's a thank you for the effort that you've put into these chats and for your reporting for the P-G.  Here in northeast TN, I've maintained a subscription to the P-G because of its coverage of Pittsburgh sports.  Your work is a big part of that.  Again, thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Thanks Phil!
jeff
2:31
Hi Ray - Your gut feeling on this.  Steelers are letting Najee ride on into the sunset after this yr and getting a cheaper replacement or are they really going to try to work out a long term deal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Ride into the sunset.
Henry
2:31
Louder milk and Neal have a show up big this year. If they do this DL may be better than we think. This might be wishful thinking but who knows. What you say?
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