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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.22.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Steeltowntim@aol.com
11:54
Ray do you think that rookies starting is a sign that we are much weaker on defense than in the past. I remember when Troy was drafted he did not even start or does it have to do with being cap heavy in 3-4 positions and having to start less expensive players.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
You have a point. In addition to Polamalu waiting, Cam Heyward had to wait his turn, too. But I also think it's a sign of the times in the salary cap era of the NFL. When you spend draft assets on a player like Devin Bush you're going to play him because you want to find out about him sooner rather than later. The Steelers have to find out about these guys sooner because of the 2011 CBA and the fifth-year option. You don't want to wait a year or two to find out if you want to re-sign someone.
Steelers2019
11:57
Love your chats.  I may be in the minority here but, I love Mike Tomlin.  Have you heard anything on a contract extention this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
The Steelers usually sign Tomlin to a contract extension early in camp when he has two years left on his contract. So the first week of camp will be important to watch in terms of his future. And no, I haven't heard anything about an extension. Tomlin and Art II usually have that conversation this week after they return from vacations.
Ron
12:00
Hi Ray, appreciate your chats. I'm mystified why Ben takes very few snaps during the preseason. It seems to take him 2 or 3 games into the season to find himself against opposing defenses other than his own. I understand the injury risk, but a couple of handoffs is not getting him ready.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I know the opener last season was a disaster for the offense. But I'm not sure if extended reps in preseason games would be all that helpful. Maybe a few more might be a good idea, but you don't want to get the most important player on the team injured in a meaningless game. There are a lot of factors that go into September football. The Patriots and Tom Brady have been notorious slow starters in the past. It's about getting a feel for personnel, opponents and game planning.
John in Florida
12:02
Good morning, and thanks for the chats. I feel this is the year we will see just how good of a coach Mike Tomlin is. A good coach needs to be able to make adjustments to get the most from his players. Don Shula and Bill Belichick are examples of coaches who could adjust their style to fit their personnel. With no Bell or Brown, the Steelers will have to better utilize all their players and not just a few stars. The defense needs to utilize their new players to counter the young offensive stars they will face, including two athletic quarterbacks in their division. Do you feel Tomlin will be up for this challenge?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I'm sure the 2018 season won't go down as one of his best for a variety of reasons so I think he knows the pressure is on. That might be a good thing. Sometimes it's good to have to tension ratcheted up a few notches. Being comfortable can be a dangerous thing in the NFL, and I definitely think the head coach and players are a bit uncomfortable after what happened in 2018.
Stinkpot
12:04
Love your chats. What is your opinion of recent discussions about eliminating 2 preseason games and adding 2 games to the regular season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
The players don't want it. I think the owners are doing it because the CBA will be up in 2021. They'll want to use it as a bargaining chip. Head injuries are already a concern for the sport. I'm not sure it's wise for the owners to put the idea out there even if they have no intentions of following through on it.
Jon Snow
12:07
I believe the defense will make a major step this year. Due to the record last year many of the things they improved on were lost in the losses. The addition of Bush, Barron and Steven Nelson are upgrades. This is a show me year for Dupree. I predict 10 sacks or more. Davis should settle in at safety and the D line is healthy. This will be a top five defense. Hoping they sigh Haden so he is happy.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
That's a positive outlook, and I agree with you on many points. The Steelers are better on paper. But the coaches have to put the new players in positions to make an impact and those new players have to perform. It's not as easy as you think when you're adding new players to the mix. It's going to take some time for everything to come together.
Steeler Fan
12:08
Ray - enjoy your chats - with training camp set to start, can you explain the key attributes that distinguish guards from tackles?  It seems the positions are interchangeable when a player goes down and they send in a lineman - I’ve never quite understood the distinction in positions - thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
In the NFL, your backup offensive linemen have to be position flexible because of the 53-man roster limit. So guys like BJ Finney are valuable because they can play guard and center. And guys like Matt Feiler are vaulable because he can play guard and tackle. But there are big differences in guards and tackles when it comes to putting together a starting five. Tackles generally are taller, with longer arms and tend to be more athletic because they have to deal with better athletes rushing off the edge. Guards tend to be more stout and stronger because they have to deal with bigger interior defensive linemen.
Mike in PA
12:12
Why don't teams try to find one guy as their Kicker-Punter. This used to be common in the NFL. It would save a roster spot. It's about the leg. There must be guys who can do BOTH.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Both positions have become specialized to the point where it's difficult to find one player to perform both jobs adequately. Obviously, that's good because good punters can help the defense and good kickers can help the offense, but as you point out it does take up an extra roster spot.
SMF
12:14
Hi Ray:  Do you think Tomlin has learned that over using the running back with 30 touches per game shortens their season?  They have 2 if not 3 to use now, especially since they can catch short pass routes.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Tomlin has always liked to use one back as his main guy. He has been fortunate to have players like Le'Veon Bell and James Conner that can handle all downs -- running, catching and picking up the blitz. He does have Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell as options this season. Maybe he'll switch things up, but it would be a big change for him if he did divide the playing time more evenly.
SaltyRon
12:16
Ray - what is the most intriguing position battle going into this year's training camp amongst WR, K, OT, ILB or S positions?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I guess I'd have to go with receiver just because it's a high-profile position on this team. I think they'll be fine with James Washington, Dionate Johnson and Donte Moncrief to complement juJu Smith-Schuster. Who will be the No. 2 will be a topic during camp because people pay attention to who is "starting" but I cann envision a scenario where all three have key roles.
Derek Carr
12:20
After AB left I noticed him and DC at our high school here in Cali. there were trying to get some chemistry going I suppose. They were there everyday doing things,..I work at the school. What I noticed most was AB doing all the talking and directing, and it got me thinking, is it possible that AB tried to control a lot of things and Ben just kinda got sick of it, and so did the coaches? So now with the Steelers having a new OC and JuJu and this group, if it's possible this group will be even better without AB having so much say?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I don't know if this group will be "better" without Antonio Brown, but the Steelers are certainly capable of winning more games without him. That's the beauty of football. It's a team sport that takes 11 players contributing toward the same goal. I'm not sure the Steelers had that when Antonio Brown was on the team. Obviously, Antonio Brown wasn't a great team player. He was selfish and had his own best interests at heart. So in that sense, having receivers that are committed to the team and buy into the team concept can be something that propels this team forward in 2018. Of course, they have to produce, but as I mentioned earlier I think the talent is there. They just have to go out there and prove it.
ALB
12:24
Ray, in your opinion what position has the least amount of depth, where an injury or two could be a major problem?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Definitely tight end and safety. Don't be surprised if the Steelers make a move during camp to address the lack of depth.
Steeler in Houston
12:25
Don’t you think we should renew contracts of Conner back Joe  Haden? Let him finish this season and will offer for back up position if they needed!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
Haden is priority No. 1 in my opinion. He is their top CB and his contract is up after the season. To complicate matters they don't have a lot of proven depth behind him. Conner's rookie contract does not expire until after the 2020 season so there is no need to extend him now. Others that are up for extensions this summer are safety Sean Davis and nose tackle Javon Hargrave.
Steeler Joe
12:27
What on earth will the Steelers do if the Vanimal goes down to an injury. That particular position is thinner than AB's skin.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
I agree! See above answer about depth at certain positions.
Steeler Joe
12:27
Do you think Juju handles the No. 1 role well this year? Can he beat double- and triple-coverage?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I think he's capable of doing it, but he has to prove it. And don't forget the way GM Kevin Colbert has stockpiled receivers. Diontae Johnson, James Washington or Donte Moncrief could emerge as the next star if teams want to concentrate on JuJu.
AK
12:29
I think the 18 game schedule is a horrible idea.  Do you?  Wouldn’t the NFL rosters need to be expanded for an 18 game schedule?  How many roster spots?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I agree. There is a lot to work out. And I am certainly not a fan of that idea of players only being eligible to play in 16 of the games.
coach15
12:32
Why wouldn't it be beneficial for Steelers to work out their cap situation, so that they could make an ATTRACTIVE offer, even for one year, for a free safety, such as Darian Stewart or Tre Boston, or strong safety Eric Berry--heavy on incentives---their depth would be devastating, if one goes down early on.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
I don't know if they need a starter. I just think they might need better and/or more experienced players behind Sean Davis and Terrell Edmunds.
mrbig
12:34
what was THE biggest reason they missed the playoffs last year... drama? coaching? kicking? I feel it was that the defense couldn't close out games-
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
If I had to pick on reason it would be the defense. They couldn't hold a lot of late leads late in the season. But as you mentioned there were other factors in those losses. Chris Boswell was a huge factor. Ben Roethlisberger's untimely INTs were another factor. I can point to Xavier Grimble's fumble and many others gaffes that also contributed to the collapse. Good teams find ways to overcome mistakes like that. Obviously, the Steelers weren't good enough to overcome all of them last season.
Ryno
12:36
What do you think the Steelers record would have been last season had Boswell had a normal season like he had the previous year? Two more wins? Three more wins?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Hard to say but 11-5 sounds about right. They were 13-3 when he made those clutch kicks in those four games in the middle of the 2017 season.
Jud
12:37
Your thoughts on who will be QB2?
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