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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.07.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Welcome to my chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Retire21
1:59
With what’s going on there seems to be renewed momentum for Bill Nunn and the HOF. Will they continue that tradition of adding two bypassed guys or non player people to the five regular inductees? Bill’s always been deserving .If Faneca finally gets in, that’d be five new Steelers figures in Canton.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Bill Nunn certainly is deserving. They should have a contributors wing for scouts and front office types. There won't be another big Centennial HOF class, but there is a seniors committee that enshrines people the writers/broadcasters did not elect.
Guest
2:00
Can you give some insight as to why Daniel McCullers makes the roster every year? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
You ever hear a coach say 'you can't teach size?' That's basically it with McCullers. He's a big bodied nose guard that can be effective against the run. The weird thing is he's never played all that much and he's six years into his career. Kind of an odd thing, but an excellent gig if you can land it.
Retire21
2:02
Zero chance they extend Bud with so many other deals up like Watt, Cam and Haden on the D, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
That's my take. Wrote about it today. They'd like to take care of Heyward's contract before the season and then Watt and Fitzpatrick's big deals are looming. They value Dupree, but it's just a situation where there's not enough money to go around.
Bill
2:03
If there are no crowds for the games thus no crowd noise, who do you think has the advantage, offense or defense? I am thinking the defense will be able to communicate better giving them an advantage in coverage.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
You would think the defense would have an edge. They'd be hearing the cadence clearly and they'd hear all of their calls as well. Offenses better have some dummy calls ready and maybe some signs.
Jack Lambert's tooth
2:06
Who do you thinking is the defensive player the Steelers could least afford to lose?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I'd say Watt or Minkah Fitzpatrick
Georgie
2:08
Welcome back Ray! Who do you see as favorite from AFC: Ravens or Chiefs? what about NFC? Could you rank the 3 favorites in your view as of now after FA and draft.. thanks..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I'd say the Chiefs because they're the Super Bowl champs. Ravens a close second. In the NFC, I like the 49ers, but not sure they can repeat what they did last year. The Packers still have Rodgers, so they'll have a chance. I don't know what happened to the Rams last year, but I think they'll rebound.
Vincent Vega
2:12
Let’s rank the 4 major sports In order of likelihood of having a season. I have hockey, baseball, football, and basketball. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
A full season? I'd say MLB, NBA or NHL because they're shorter seasons or expanded playoffs. I still think the NFL finds a way to play a season, but I'm not going to sit here and tell you it's going to be a full season when cases continue to rise across the country.
Jus Wonderin
2:14
I don't understand the logic behind "not putting too much money into one position group." If the players are good, why not pay them? Unless it is a QB, both players are on the field at the same time. If you had Randy Moss & Jerry Rice, or  Lawrence Taylor and Jack Ham, would you let one of them walk because they are in the same position group? That makes no sense to me.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
What position group are you talking about? OLBs? It's not just the position group; it's the total salary cap that has to be spread across every position. It just so happens that having two OLBs on big money deals doesn't work from a financial perspective when building a team.
GrahaminLA
2:16
Hey Ray just wanna say thanks to you and Brian for keeping the North Shore Drive Podcasts alive the past few months, always a bright spot when you guys do a new episode.  My question is with Colbert stating they would like to sign Dupree to a long term deal to pair with Watt which key players are most at risk of being cap casualties down the road considering the amount of money both players are going to command?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Colbert saying they would like to keep Dupree doesn't mean they are going to sign him. But the cap casualties will be the guys like McDonald and others making between $6 and 8 million a year. Guys like Mark Barron.
SEAWOLF
2:19
Why is it that all the local writers think that the playing of a so-called "Black Anthem" and/or players and coaches kneeling during our national anthem will have no effect on the amount of fans watching games and buying NFL merchandise?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Probably because people ask and we offer our opinion.
Tprod
2:20
Ray, does Cam Sutton have a realistic future with the Steelers after this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I guess it depends on what his role will be. Mike Hilton is entering the final year of his deal too. I can't see both staying just because Hilton has blocked Sutton from being a starter. So maybe if Hilton leaves Sutton will agree to come back on a second contract.
Tprod
2:21
Ray, the Steelers are in sub over 70% of the time, basically a 4-2-5 or 4-1-6 with Bush as the key inside LB. If Bush goes down are we back in the same situation when Ryan Shazier was injured?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
It's not exactly like that, but it's similar. If you remember the Steelers had to go out and sign Sean Spence off the street bcause they didn't think Tyler Matakevich could be an every-down ILB. Spence wasn't the answer, but the point is the depth at the position wasn't strong. The depth this year is questionable too. You have Ulysees Gilbert and Robert Spillane and that's about it.
daGama
2:23
Do you think having no pre-season games will have much impact on the Steelers win/loss record?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Hard to say. The one good thing is players won't be exposed to in-game injuries. I remember the game at Heinz Field against the Packers a few years back when Jordy Nelson and Maurkice Pouncey were lost for the season. Players can get injured in practice too, but if you're looking for a positive to a truncated preseason or no preseason that would be it. And with every team in the same boat I can't imagine how it would have a positive or negative effect for anyone.
Georgie
2:26
Cowboys fans are high on their team.. do yo see it also Ray ? I think Seahawks are a serious contender .. thoughts ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
The Seahawks lost to the Packers in the playoffs last year. I think they'll make the playoffs again, but I'm not sure they'll contend for the Super Bowl. As for the Cowboys, they always seem to underachieve. Maybe this year will be different, but I'm not counting on it.
Charlotte Steeler Fan
2:27
Ray - thanks for doing these chats.  All unknowns with COVID aside, the Steelers schedule doesn't look too terrible this year.  I think you predicted a possible 11-5 season which seems reasonable.  With a healthy Ben, JuJu and Connor and a defense vastly improved, what else do the Steelers need to do to truly compete in the AFC to represent in the Super Bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Run the ball more effectively. That has to be part of their formula this year. If they're 30th in the league again they're not going to the Super Bowl.
Jimmie
2:28
What is your assessment of Mason Rudolph?  Does he have the potential to be a winner? Would you spend a draft choice on another QB and which choice would you use?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
We know the Steelers are committed to Mason Rudolph being the backup this season. What we don't know is if the Steelers view him as the future starter. His rocky 2019 season certainly didn't help him in that regard, but he still has two years left on his rookie deal. I'm sure the coaches will watch him closely this year. If they don't feel like he's progressing I'm sure they'll talk about their approach to the draft and when to pull the trigger on a QB. I don't think there is any way they can know now when that will be.
Art
2:30
Do you think the Steelers will sign Martavis Bryant back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
No.
Jay Daven
2:30
Any word if Ben is throwing the ball with velocity and working out?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
He posted that video a while back and continues to throw with teammates. But I don't have any first-hand reports of velocity or anything like that. Hopefully, reporters will be able to watch practice in camp and we'll be able to document that for you.
CoalportKid
2:33
Top three reasons less playoff success in the Bell & Brown error and have they been fixed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Well, in 2014 the defensive backfield was an issue. Same in 2015 when the Broncos mounted that drive to take the lead. I'm still convinced the Steelers play in the title game that year if Antonio Brown wasn't concussed in the Bengals game. And in 2016, Bell was injured. So it's a combination of things, but for the most part I'd say the defense wasn't as good as the offense. But everyone knew that.
Jules Winfield
2:36
Who is the first Steeler to decide not to play this year due to the virus? What happens to
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