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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.30.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:28
Welcome to my Steelers chat. We're going to get started in a couple of minutes.
Yancey
10:30
How long will it take for Mark Robinson's snaps to increase in the regular season if Bush & Spillane continue to be bad?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
He has to have an understanding of the defense first and foremost. There is so much that is asked of an ILB. But I agree he has shown potential. I think he can be useful this season.
Jim
10:31
Is it just me or does Kenny Pickett look much better than Trubisky? He just seems more accurate, more poised, more in control, why isn't he starting?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
Trubisky has experience and had a good camp and preseason. They brought him in for a reason. He isn't the QB of the future. Pickett is. But there is no need to rush Pickett especially with this offensive line.
Jim
10:32
Any chance we can improve the o-line before the first game? Head scratcher why we can't get some run blockers out there.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
Yes, in a trade. Not sure they have enough quality starters on the line to go into the regular season.
Rich
10:33
Mitch is in a tough spot.  The fans in the Burgh will be chanting for Kenny after a bad half or an int.  With the upside to KP and  no win situation for MT why not go with KP? If he struggles bring in Mitch. What say you?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
That's not how NFL approach franchise QBs. They play them when they're ready. I have the opposite outlook. Start Trubisky and then Pickett in when he struggles. But again, I think any QB on this roster is going to struggle if the offensive line does not improve.
Marc
10:34
How much say do positional coaches have in talent evaluation when it comes to draft picks, free agent signings, overall roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:35
Assistant coaches get involved in the pre-draft process after the season ends in January or February. GMs and scouts start the process immediately after the draft. They have input but obviously the personnel people who put in the most work know these players better than anyone.
Ralph Kiner
10:35
Ray--Many thanks for your great info. Based on your lengthy Steeler experience is it realistic to think this O line will start to meld into at least an average plus unit with a few-3-5- games experience and maybe 9-10 wins is possible??
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
As currently constructed? No. They need to find a starting left tackle in my opinion. I don't think they can go into the season with Moore after what I saw from him in the preseason.
WATSON
10:36
Will the Steelers find a O T on the waver list?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
A starting LT? Most likely in a trade.
Utah Jim
10:37
Marcus Allen, Miles Killebrew, Justin Layne, and Derek Watt pretty much only play special teams. Can you keep four of those guys?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
That's why those guys have had jobs in previous years. They're not on the roster to play fullback or defensive back. Plenty of teams employ players who contribute most on special teams. It's not unusual.
Yates
10:39
Ray-  Tony Jefferson worth a look?  Quincy R better than Derek T?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
Jefferson is 30 and has starting experience. But yes, given the losses of Kazee and Joseph they very well could be looking for a player like Jefferson for their sub-packages.
DR. L
10:40
Do we see Calvin Austin contributing week 1, or do you feel he will be out for a while? You don't really need many reps to run Jet Sweeps...
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
Could be a while. He did not play in any of the three preseason games.
AZ steeler
10:41
Who will lead the Steeler's receivers in touchdowns this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
Could be close between Johnson and Pickens, but I'll go with Johnson.
DR. L
10:41
I recall hearing that Dan Moore might be a good fit at guard.....do you think this is an option at some point and if he, Dotson and Green all prove unreliable in the current positions?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
If he's not a starter, position versatility will be important for him if he wants to stay in the league. But he hasn't repped at guard at all since he joined the Steelers, and I don't think he did much inside at Texas A&M either, although I could be wrong on that.
AZ steeler
10:42
I really like Warren.  Is he a legit back up to Harris?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
Yes, I think he can be.
Atlanta Dan
10:43
Hi Ray - thanks for the chat.  With Mike Tomlin taking heat for having his best starters play significant minutes in the last preseason game, is that an unusual practice in today’s NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
I was a bit surprised he played so many starters deep into that Lions game. I think all of the head coaches are trying to figure out the new three-game schedule and figure out when to get their starters work.
BigErnHeartnerMIA
10:44
crazy question - but any consideration to moving the Davis twins to the offensive line? They have experience at the position in high school and are far better athletes than the majority of our current offensive line starters.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:44
And while we're at it let's move Bush to safety!
Rocky
10:45
Hi Ray,  thanks for your chats.  I believe the Steelers biggest problem will be LT.  If you were the GM how would you fix this huge problem?  Via draft or free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
Or trade before the season starts. But in the big picture, the Steelers have to get back to drafting and developing offensive linemen and using high picks on them. They haven't used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since 2012. That's far too long and the play of this line is representative of the front office ignoring the position in the draft for more than a decade now.
Steeler in Virginia
10:46
Steelers moved a first for Minkah and he's proven he was worth it so far. Is it time to take a big swing again and bring in a big name LT before the season starts if you can find a taker instead of filling gaps with low-round pick trades and waiver wire hopes?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
It worked with Minkah, but you had better be sure it's going to work again. First-round picks are valuable and you need them to build your foundation.
AK
10:48
Why do some Steelers fans advocate cutting Rudolph?  They always keep 3 QBs.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
I don't know that fans were advocating for the Steelers to cut him. I think trade was always more viable, but they'd need to get a mid-round pick for him and I don't think that's going to happen.
10:51
Green and Chuks are third-round picks and Moore was a fourth-rounder. You don't always hit on mid-round selections. First round? Yes, you should hit on those. Overall, the Steelers do a pretty good job of drafting in the first round although their selections in 2016, 2018 and 2019 aren't looking great.
Turk in MD
10:51
The realities of being a 1st round pick means KP will start at some point.  Does he have the most upside of the 3 QBs on the roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
Yes, that's why they drafted him.
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