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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.31.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
OK let's get started.
21-58-66
1:00
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  Was Harvin the clear winner in the punting game, or did it most likely come down to $$ for the punter and long snapper selection?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
They've been wanting to move on from Berry. We saw that last year with their decision to bring in Colquitt. Berry did well this camp, but Harvin was going to have to be pretty bad for him not to make the team.
21-58-66
1:01
Ray - Any word on the severity of Allen's hamstring injury? Does he make the 53 today and go on IR tomorrow, or something else?  Pretty thin for depth at that position.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
No word yet and Tomlin is being mum on injuries until he has to disclose them next week. The only problem with keeping a guy like Allen on the 53 is you have to cut someone else to keep him. Not sure how much they want to do that for a No. 4 ILB. But maybe they will.
Steelers In Michigan
1:02
Hi Ray, your guess on the number of players on the 53 man roster Week 1 in Buffalo that are not currently Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
1 or 2.
Yates
1:02
Hi Ray-  What would Coach Fitt have decided with respect to punter and long snapper decisions based on what you have seen in pre season games and camp?   Do you expect Berry and Canaday will be on some other team’s opening day rosters?  Thx.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
Harvin has potential to be better than Berry. As for the long snapper... I mean, other than putting a stopwatch on them there isn't much to evaluate other than accuracy. And the one thing Kuntz does give you is more athleticism and the ability to make a tackle or two on punts. Canaday didn't really offer that.
mike D
1:04
Who ever the Steelers cut at running back the Baltimore Ravens will pick up. What say you.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
I know they need a backup to Edwards, but that's a pretty specific system they run. Not sure every back in the league is a fit.
Yates
1:05
Ray-  Any clues - other than the obvious - with Banner’s sudden disappearance from PT?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
It would appear he's had a setback. Healthy players practice. The extent of that setback is anyone's guess. As I mentioned earlier, Tomlin hasn't discussed injuries at any point in camp.
Steelersfanslc
1:06
Do we know what's actually going on with Tuitt?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
I'm writing about that right now and will have a story up at post-gazette.com a little later this afternoon. After today, there are only five more practices before the Buffalo game. He has not practiced yet. It's starting to look like he's not going to be ready, or at the very least limited to start the season.
Hoops McCaan
1:07
Hey Ray - do we have any viable alternatives to Terell Edmonds?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
Not really, no. Miles Killebrew and Tre Norwood are the backups. Right now, we're not really certain if Killebrew is anything more than a special teams player. For example, his predecessor, Jordan Dangerfield, almost never played in the defense. Sean Davis was the top backup at free and strong last year. Will Norwood have that role this year? I think that's to be determined.
Stiller39
1:09
I was upset with the steelers draft this year. I never learn to just trust Colbert and company. This draft could turn out to be one of the best classes. Can you remind me to just trust Colbert next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
You should every year except for when they draft corners. Just close your eyes when that happens.
herewego
1:10
Do you see them looking at trading for or signing another DB to help at least at the Slot position?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
Depends on who is available. I think it's a possibility. If Pierre isn't ready they might want someone behind him to step in if necessary.
John in SC
1:11
Trying to be optimistic here. I read that weak spots are depth at ILB and Secondary, but to me the OL is the biggest need. Chuks and Banner scare me. I really hope they can pick up something after the cuts are made today. Am I overreacting?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:13
The fact that they are switching things around less than two weeks before the first game is not a great development. They do seem to like Dan Moore. Starting a rookie at left tackle would be a big story.
Where’s My Clark Bar
1:13
Hi Ray, your bigger concern on both sides of ball… Left Tackle or Center or other? Strong Safety or Corner or other. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
1:14
The offensive line in general and then No. 3 CB a close second.
Tom
1:14
Ray, when Banner finally returns does Moore stay at  LT assuming he is not overwhelmed?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
That's hard to say. But if Banner is out a while and Moore plays well then maybe it's a situation where he barges through the door and wins the job.
Alan
1:16
What’s your take on Green and Moore at C and LT to start the season? I guess time will tell but any reason to be optimistic about them and the entire line or will this be the team’s biggest weakness?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
I'm never really optimistic about rookies on the O-line, especially third or fourth-rounders. Just being honest.
Tom
1:17
Ray, outside of offensive line which is the thinnest position group?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
Secondary or ILB.
Guest
1:17
WhTs with Tuitt?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
His brother was killed in a hit-and-run accident in early June. And Gerry Dulac reported last week he is dealing with an undisclosed injury.
ErnieHartnerMr.305LIT
1:18
With Melvin Ingram III and Alex Highsmith balling out ridiculously this preseason, what is the logic of signing Watt to such a crazy contract? Paying an outside LB a QB-level salary has not proven to be a winning formula.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
He's arguably the best defensive player in the league this side of Aaron Donald. Good teams pay those types of players. And by the way, you do know Ingram is 32 and on a one-year contract, right?
VaSteelersFan
1:21
Hi Ray, thanks for your time. The Chuks switch to RT and assignment of Moore to LT seems very alarming, does it not? And all of this is happening so close to opening day. Is Colbert looking everywhere for waiver wire guy? I hope so.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
Yes as I said earlier that was not an expected development. It likely means Banner won't be ready for Buffalo and for whatever reason they're more comfortable with a rookie protecting Ben's blindside over Okorafor.
Todd
1:23
Hi Ray,  I feel pretty good about the Steelers ‘ Qb depth chart this year but looking ahead would the Steelers even take a shot at trading for Watson?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
I don't think so given his situation, but I know other teams will.
Tom
1:23
Ray, how likely is it that the Steelers sign an OL off someone else's cuts and plugs them in our weak line?  The former Ravens center was just released
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