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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.05.09
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Get your questions in and we'll get this going in a few minutes.
stiller D
11:52
Ray, if maybe we have some depth at Offensive Tackle could that be possible trade bait for acquiring more experience at Tight End?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
You are right. The Steelers appear to have some depth at tackle, but I'm not sure they want to part ways with any of those guys in a trade. If you look at Kevin Colbert's history with these types of trades he's been able to land guys by trading away draft picks. He was able to get Vance McDonald in exchange for only a few draft slots in 2018. That's usually the way he likes to operate although I certainly wouldn't rule out trading away players to add some depth. He's done that too.
Gravel
11:54
Hi Ray -  Thanks for the chat.  What do you predict will be the most significant scheme change we will see on both sides of the ball in the 2019 season?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
It's hard to say because they're not going to telegraph their intentions during camp. I think you might see small tweaks more than extensive changes to their schemes. For instance, the Steelers liked to use two tight end formations when McDonald and James played together. But if Grimble isn't a good option then maybe you'll see Randy Ficthner get creative and use Jaylen Samuels more in the passing game. They've worked a lot on their short passing game. That's been an emphasis. It's a trend around the league as defenses work to limit big plays. So that could be another tweak -- more short passes that they hope will turn into longer gains.
Gravel
11:57
Hi Ray - Thanks for the chat?  Do you see a scenario (Special teams value) where the Steelers carry more than 3 RB on the final 53?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Probably not, but I've been impressed with Trey Edmunds as a fourth back. He'd have to be really special on special teams though. And I won't rule that out. If you look at last season they carried Darrius Heyward-Bey all season as a sixth receiver, and he really only played on special teams. Maybe Edmunds will be deemed more valuable than a receiver this year. It will be up to Danny Smith. He usually has some influence when it comes to the final few guys because he knows how they'll help most on special teams.
RR
12:00
Since Switzer and Rogers are so similar, does it make sense to keep both on roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I'm not sure it does. Read Brian Batko's story on Switzer from earlier today. It sure doesn't sound like Switzer is going to be cut anytime soon. Maybe they'll keep six WRs again and maybe Eli is the sixth, but special teams will be a determining factor in those final few roster decisions and Rogers doesn't really do much other than return punts on occasion.  https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/05/ryan-switzer-b...
Gravel
12:03
Hi Ray -  Thanks for the chat.  Your prediction for opening day KR and PR?  Do you think Bozwell's disastrous 2018 has undermined confidence in what he brings to the field such that he actually needs to show much more in pre-season games to offset the taint?  If his last season was just off his stellar 2017 season as opposed to the disaster it turned out to be would he have less to prove?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Boswell has been good so far, but there is a long way to go. Matthew Wright has been pretty good too. They'll continue to compete. Boswell is going to have to prove he is completely over his issues from last season if they are going to keep him. As far as the returners go, they have options. Switzer returned kicks and punts last season. He's reliable, if unspectacular in those roles. Diontae Johnson looks good as a returner and Diontae Spencer looks really good returning punts. I just don't know where he fits on the roster. The only way he gets on the 53 is if they cut Rogers and keep him. Obviously, the four preseason games will be huge for him.
David C
12:06
This whole thing about requiring the defensive backs to use the Jugs machine at every practice... Call me crazy but why hasn't that always been the case? Seems like something any defense should regularly work on.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
The fact that they do it every single day and is mandatory is the important takeaway. I think it was more of a voluntary thing in the past. But far and away, the WRs use the JUGS machine the most. Antonio Brown used to be on it all the time.
Alan
12:08
Is too ealy to get a read on if/how Steelers plan to use Justin Layne this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I'm not sure they are going to use him unless there are injuries.
Kent
12:08
Watching Josh Dobbs at practice, He seems to take too long going through his reads, almost like he is over thinking and not reacting instinctively. Mason on the other hand seems to be very comfortable with his reads. What do you think? Also, I loved seeing Dionte Spencer! Small but smooth and fluid. I don't know if he stands a chance but his route running looked impressive.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Dobbs and Rudolph have been up and down. I'd say Rudolph is in the lead for the backup job, but the preseason games will be most important in that evaluation. I like Spencer too, but again, I don't see a clear route to a roster spot. He's going to have to beat out a veteran, which means he's going to have to be productive in the preseason games.
Scott in Dallas
12:10
Do you expect to see the Bash Brothers (Bush/Barron) starting in the base defense or one of those and Mr Thumper (VW)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
They have all sorts of packages with their ILBs. I've seen Bush and Barron. I've seen Bush and Williams. I've seen Barron and Williams. I've seen Bush and Cameron Sutton. But when they open the season in New England I am projecting Bush and Williams to be the starters in the base. And obviously, how the game unfolds, will determine how much each of those guys play. Barron will be heavily involved no matter what.
Tom from VA
12:11
Hey Ray - Thanks for the chats and insight.  Any injuries so far that we should be worried about?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
They haven't let on that any of the injuries are serious. Tomlin characterized all of them the other day as "day-to-day". T.J. Watt returned Sunday night. That's a positive. Sean Davis remains out with a finger injury. Tomlin indicated it was dislocated so it seems like they're just being cautious with him.
Steeler Joe
12:13
Curious if you think Diontae Spencer plays any role in the decision of Switzer vs. Rogers for slot? Is it possible that those three guys are vying for two roster spots?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
You might be onto something. Preseason games are important for guys like Spencer. He looks like he could break a punt return or two so be on the lookout for that starting Friday night versus Tampa Bay.
Steeler Joe
12:14
How important has adding Teryl Austin to the defensive backfield coaching staff been? It seems to be paying dividends quickly...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
The addition of Teryl Austin very well might be beneficial for the Steelers, but I would hesitate to make that proclamation based off anything that has happened in the first two weeks of training camp. It's going to be all about the production on the field for this group.
Ron B.
12:15
Hi Ray! Does it seem like Kam Kelly will make the 53 and be the backup to Davis, or is that spot
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Kelly is another young player that has to take advantage of his opportunities in the preseason games. They're taking a long look at him.
Steeler Joe
12:16
If you were going to take AB's 100 receptions (round it off) and distribute them among the current group of receivers, adding to their totals to equal them, how would you do it? I say: Vanimal gets 25 more, Washington and Moncrief split 40, Switzer/Rogers get 15, and RBs get an additional 20.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I think 25 more for McDonald is a bit ambitious. I do think Jaylen Samuels will be involved more so adding a few to the RBs makes sense. Moncrief is going to be heavily involved assuming he's healthy. They're going to miss Antonio Brown, but they have enough talent at WR to remain strong in the passing game.
GSMP
12:18
Is there any chance the Steelers only keep two tight ends and keep an extra wide receiver or running back? Jaylen Samuels has tight end experience and the Steelers often use a third tackle in games.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Sure there is a chance, but they've kept three in recent seasons. Samuels certainly would get more snaps if that happened, but not as a traditional TE. They'd just use him more out of the backfield I think. It's going to be interesting to see what they think of Grimble. He's never been a No. 2. Only a No. 3 and he didn't exactly leave a lasting impression when they used him last season. Yes I know the fumble in Denver was only one play, but boy that sticks with me when I think about how he might project as a No. 2.
Dexter
12:20
Does Ola have a shot at unseating Chickillo as the #3 OLB? Or is he stuck as the #4?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Ola could challenge Chickillo for snaps. If he continues to rush the passer the way he is now they'll want to use him a lot on third-and-longs. The guy has a knack for disrupting the passing game.
Steeler Joe
12:22
When Tomlin says Christian Scotland-Williamson has a chance to be "a part of this thing," do you think he means potentially a roster spot THIS year? Or just another year on the PS with the exception, and then a legit shot NEXT year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
They have another exemption for the practice squad with him. If he's with the Steelers this year it's on the practice squad, not the 53-man roster. I will say he has improved some. But he's not ready to play in the NFL.
Max Roy
12:23
Hello Ray. I’m concerned that Hargrave is going to have a monster season, hit the market next year, and get a monster contract from another club. Is there any chance that the Steelers extend his deal this year to prevent that from happening?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
They would like to sign Hargrave before the season begins. If you look back in recent years a lot of guys like Tuitt and DeCastro signed only a few days before the first game. It's just one of those things were deadlines spur action with the team and agents.
mhendershot
12:24
I attended this past Saturday's practice. I have to say #15 Griffey caught my eye in the drills. He looks like a beast, what's holding him back?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
He was on the practice squad last year so they obviously like him. But again, WR is a deep position for the Steelers. I'm not sure anything is holding him back other than the number of guys that are established in front of him.
Big B
12:25
Will Steelers be capable of running the ball against teams with talented QBs this year to control clock and field position , similar to the Pats SB runs and victory?  We've got top tier QB talent on the schedule this season and I was not a fan of how Steelers approached run game last year.
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