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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.22.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Welcome and let's get the chat started.
Craig
2:01
Thanks for the chats Ray.  So, the NY Giants are coming to town this Sunday.  A 2-5 team, riddled with problems....seems like a layup for us.  Would you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Yes. The Giants are not a good football team. Their QB is subpar and their line is suspect. Steelers should win by double digits.
Adam T
2:02
Good afternoon Ray, was Beanie Bishop's breakout game Sunday night another example of why fans sometimes need to take a deep breath and let young players work through their mistakes?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Yes. The Steelers took a different approach this season regarding some positions. They easily could have signed a veteran to man the slot while Cam Sutton was suspended, but they wanted to develop some of the young corners they had on the roster such as Bishop. Same can be said for the No. 3 outside corner. It was Cory Trice until he got hurt. They easily could have signed a veteran there too. Bishop has struggled at times this season, but he's a young player they wanted to develop on the job while Sutton was out. Sutton comes back after the off week so we might not be seeing as much of Bishop, but they got through half a season with him as their slot.
Donna
2:05
Hi Ray, with the way Najee has been running the last couple of games, do you think the chances of the Steelers offering him a contract improve?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Not sure on that. If they do it will be at their price and that's obviously much less than the $6.7 million they declined on his fifth-year option. The reason given by the Steelers for declining the option was they wanted to see how he fit in Arthur Smith's system. He looks good at times, but Smith might want a certain kind of back going forward for his offense, and there is a good chance Najee Harris isn't the type of back he covets.
60 Prevent Slot Hook And Go
2:07
Hey Ray, thanks for the chat. Any chance they bench Jones? If so, who’d be up next at right tackle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
For who? Dylan Cook. They need Jones to develop, and the best way to develop is on-the-job training. He's had some ups and downs, but this should make him better.
joeco
2:09
Will the Giants be the next in line (Arizona/Patriots/Raiders) to reset the Steelers expectations back to we are just a .500 team?  or do we have something different this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I think we're still staring at 10-7 or 9-8, but a win against the Giants could set them up for a better record and seed in the AFC playoffs.
Dr. Sardonicus
2:10
Hi Ray, There are some who say that the Steelers will make it to 6 and 2 (oh please let Monday be a WIN!).   But some of these same experts believe we will be 3 and 7 or worse through the end of the season.  I DISAGREE.  I believe we will win 5 more after the break.  Am I dreaming?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
That would give them an 11-6 record and probably no worse than the No. 4 or 5 seed in the AFC. It's not out of the question, but all of those games in the second half will be tough except for maybe the Browns games. Even if they'd be 10-7 and still very likely in the playoffs.
Tim
2:13
Never like to overreact to one game one way or the other, but did anything you saw on Sunday night cause you to change your outlook on the Steelers’ ceiling?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Let's see if it becomes a trend. Right now it's just a one-game sample size. But the passing game looked much different with Wilson at QB.
Skip in the car
2:14
Any word on when filming begins in Pittsburgh for the Hard Knocks series?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Soon but don't know exactly when taping will begin. I know the production people have been scoping out the facility and things of that nature.
Gene
2:15
if Bishop continues to play well do you think he stays in the starting lineup when Sutton returns?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
No.
Pittfan
2:16
Hi Ray. Do you think the Steelers are waiting for Roman Wilson and not pushing to give up assets for a potential one year rental? He is a 3rd round pick who was highly thought of coming out. Not to mention, rookie wide receivers are contributing this year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
They are no counting on Roman Wilson. They never count on rookies, especially mid-rounders. So one has nothing to do with the other.
John from Toronto
2:17
Hi Ray. People are talking about Beanie Bishop losing playing time when Cam Sutton comes back from suspension. With the injuries in the secondary, most notably to Donte Jackson and Corey Trice Jr., isn't it most likely that Sutton plays on the outside until those guys are healthy and Bishop keeps playing in the slot?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Donte Jackson is not expected to miss any more time so the likely scenario now -- as long as Jackson and Porter remain healthy -- is for Sutton to go to the slot. He'll move around and will be used as a chess piece so there are certainly ways to involve Bishop after he returns, but that will be package specific.
John from Toronto
2:18
Hi Ray. Is it looking like a mistake by the FO not picking up Najee Harris' 5th year option? Najee is now amongst the top 10 rushing yardage leaders and he's breaking off big runs. Could they use the franchise tag on him next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
They could, but I doubt they will.
Guest
2:19
Hi Ray. Given a 2024 drat mulligan would you still take the Troy Fantau (injured 2X in 2 starts) or CB Quinyon Mitchell who is starting as a Eagles rookie.  Given the Steelers lack of a 2nd quality CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Easy to say Mitchell now because Fautanu is injured, but as long as Fautanu does not have recurring injuries he'll be a really good player.
The Ham
2:20
With Broderick Jones struggling and Fautaunu an unknown at this point, does that make signing Dan Moore more likely this off season?  Also, a future OL of Moore and Jones at OT, McCormick and Fautaunu at G and Frazier at C sounds great to me.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Dan Moore has improved, but unless they do business with him in January or February he's going to see a lot of money thrown at him in March when free agency begins. And if you're Moore, don't you owe it to yourself to see what your value is on the open market? Fautanu and Jones are the future although I'll admit I have more questions about Jones now than I did a year ago. That's not a good development.
Dana
2:23
I asked your colleague this  last week but he didn't know the answer.  When a practice squad player gets called up to play on GameDay,  do they still get paid practice squad wages or do they get a nice raise for the week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
When players are elevated to the active roster, even if only for a week, they receive NFL minimum salary rather than practice squad money.
Larry from Moon
2:25
Would you rather have Kupp for a second? Williams for a seventh? Or Hopkins for a fifth?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Williams or Hopkins, if I had to choose.
X yunzer
2:25
Hey Ray. How long until Frazier is back?  How did the line look to you last week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
He was in a walking boot and rode a scooter around the facility. Ankle was swelled. I doubt he'll play against the Giants, but maybe after the off week.;
Paul
2:26
Ray, Clavin Austin was more open on one play in the 4th than I've seen a Steeler receiver in over five years...how come? Just because good QB now?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
They ran a man concept that allowed Austin to come open when Pickens ran down the middle of the field and picked Sauce Gardner (in a legal way).
Jim Bow Dean
2:28
When can Trice come off IR?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Does not appear soon. Tomlin did not mention him in his injury update today. He did mention Tyler Matakevich, who also is on IR. It appears Matakevich could have his 21-day window oepned.
2:29
opened.
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