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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.25.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Let's get started.
Guest
1:54
How serious is the fact that Joey Porter Jr has still not signed yet??
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
It's not a story unless Joey Porter Jr. does not practice. That rarely happens. All of these rookie contracts are slotted. It's just a matter of his agent trying to get a few other things included in the deal.
Blaine
1:55
What Wrs do you think will be cut? And what’s your final receiver room look like?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Johnson, Pickens and Robinson are locks. Austin is close to a lock if he stays healthy. After that, there will be lots of competition for the fifth spot. Miles Boykin, Gunner Olszewski and Cody White all have NFL experience and play special teams, which helps them.
John
1:57
Who starts opposite of Pat Pete and how long before they move him to safety and allow C. Trice to lock down with JPJr
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
JPJ will start at some point this season. Just a matter of when. And let's pump the brakes on Trice having a role this year. He'll make the roster if he can play on special teams. They're not counting on him to be a player in the secondary. He had some moments in the spring, but he is a seventh-round pick.
Brody the Dog
1:58
Ray - do you see Dotson or Green as being viable trade candidates and if so, what would you expect to see in return? I don't think we'll see both on the roster after final cuts. Dotson may be harder to move with his $2.7M cap hit - but Green is under control for two more years at a manageable annual salary. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
The only way there will be trade value for either is if they put out some good tape in preseason games. And I'm not sure you can get much more than a late-round pick for Dotson even if he does impress this summer.
John
2:00
CA III or Gunner to return kicks and punts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Yes. There are a few other candidates, but they'll get plenty of work at Saint Vincent.
Jason
2:00
Do you think the Joey Porter Jr contract could lead to a hold out?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
No
Jay
2:01
Hello Ray, thank you for the coverage, and finally football has arrived.  Steelers have drafted very well at WRs this millennium.  When they go for route running traits, they been almost 100% (DJ, Santonio, E. Sanders...etc)  When they draft combat/deep threat, they been hit or miss.  Claypool, Washington, Coates, F Gibson, Sweed, Bryant....etc.  I am still concerned with Pickens developing long term.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Gibson was cut as a rookie and some of the others you mentioned never were as productive as Pickens was a rookie. Does he have room to grow? Absolutely. But I think he is poised to take a big step this season.
Weegie
2:03
Some of the talking heads are saying that the Browns are the team to beat in the AFC North, mainly because of their acquisitions at receiver.mainly OBJ.  If he is so great why is he with his fourth team in five years?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
OBJ plays for the Ravens, and he's no longer in his prime. I think the Ravens, Browns and Steelers are playing for second place in the North if Joe Burrow stays healthy.
Weegie
2:04
It seems that good Steeler teams have always built their o-lines around a top tier center.  Do you think the current center is a worthy successor to Dawson, Webster, Pouncey, Hartings, and Mansfield ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Probably not but the Steelers won a Super Bowl with Justin Hartwig as center in 2008.
Weegie
2:06
Are you comfortable with the depth at wide receiver?  Seems like it might be a little thin,
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
A lot depends on the development of Austin. There's not a lot there after Johnson, Pickens and Robinson.
Ryan
2:07
Good afternoon Ray who wins the punter job in thinking mann
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
That will be a good camp battle. Pressley Harvin has been inconsistent in his first two seasons.
Guest
2:07
Who will be the starting corners and LT by week 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Best educated guess: Patrick Peterson and Joey Porter and Dan Moore.
Fernando
2:07
How many tight ends make the final 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
4 if Connor Heyward is counted as a TE. He'll play some FB too.
Shanksalot
2:08
If heat proves overwhelming might they leave Latrobe for Southside?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Yes. Once it hits 90 Mike Tomlin releases them for a day of fun at Sandcastle. Are you kidding? Tomlin loves practicing in the heat. Players get carted off with cramps all the time. Some can't finish the practice. It's all part of the team building process and players getting in shape for the season.
Jakob
2:10
Any updates on Cole Holcomb? Do you expect Mark Robinson to get first-team snaps at ILB if he’s not ready to go?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
We'll find out tomorrow. If players aren't ready for practice they'll be placed on PUP. It wouldn't surprise me if Holcomb starts on PUP. They're going to be careful with him and make sure he's ready before they put him out there. In that scenario, yes Mark Robinson would see more time.
Guest
2:11
Does Mark Robinson get significant playing time this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Provided he steps up and plays on more special teams I expect Robinson to be active on game days and be a backup ILB.
Blaine
2:12
Does Hakeem butler have any effect on special teams or strictly a receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
He says he can play on special teams. We'll see over the next few weeks if he can earn a spot on the roster. He got off to a slow start in the spring. I wasn't all that impressed with him in OTAs and minicamp.
mtfury
2:13
Ray, The Backup Center position looks like it needs some upgrading. We are in trouble if M. Cole goes down. What is your take on that position?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Nate Herbig can play center. That's one of the reasons they signed him. He's started in the league as a guard, but he offers versatility too.
Tyler
2:13
Does Darnell Washington have an impact on this team year 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I'll reserve my opinion until I see him play in pads over the next few weeks.
Andy Weidl’s Burner
2:14
Hi Ray, really enjoy your chats! Do you think there’s any chance the Steelers continue to add to the OLB room? I think Markus Golden is a solid #3, but feel like Herbig is gonna get moved to ILB at some point. A depth piece might be a good add
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