Poll Question: Of all the veterans on the "bubble" entering training camp, which is most likely to get cut? Cam Thomas (64%) Robert Golden (7%) Cody Wallace (0%) Darrius Heyward-Bey (0%) Landry Jones (29%) 

Ray Fittipaldo: Welcome to my weekly Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started.

Guest: I hear word around that the Steelers will let Beachum test the waters next year. Do you feel they should make an effort to keep him because of the importance of his position? or do you think with Munchak on board they can plug and play?

Ray Fittipaldo: I'll answer the last part of your question first. I don't think they will plug and play with anyone who is currently on the roster. Mike Adams was tried at LT and failed in 2013. Alejandro Villanueva has never played in an NFL game. It would be a big leap of faith if he was inserted as the starter next year at this time. And I think Marcus Gilbert is best-suited as an RT.

The Steelers got Roethlisberger and Heyward extended. They were the two main objectives this offseason. If they can come to terms with Beachum on a deal that makes sense for them I think they will try to do that. However, he has played at a high level and might make more $ on the open market. The Steelers are paying $9 million per year to Pouncey, $ 6 million per year to Gilbert and likely $7 million or more to DeCastro next year at this time. I am not sure if there is enough money to go around if Beachum wants to max out.

Drake - Westcoast Steeler: Ray, what does Holliman have to do to make the 53? "show physicality" is rather vague. We know what he excels at, but will passes defended/ints and NO miss tackles do it?

Ray Fittipaldo: Good question. The Steelers definitely drafted defensive backs who produced in college which is a sign they believe they HAVE to upgrade their ability to turn over opponents. Whether Holliman demonstrates the tackling/special teams abilities to force them to keep a seventh-round draft pick is up to him. We all know he is a ball hawk with a knack for intercepting passes in his one season as a full-time starter in college. That's not a big sample size, however, and he'll have to show he can play vs. the run and contribute on special teams. The player he is competing against -- Robert Golden is strictly a special teams player with very little experience on the actual defense. Holliman must prove he can play special teams.

Teis: Where you surprised when the team extended Gilbert last year, and do you think the team pulled the trigger early considering that Beachum showed decent promise last half of 2013?

Ray Fittipaldo: Another good question. I don't think they overpaid for Gilbert. He is making about what other right tackles over his caliber make. However, it is harder to find premier left tackles than right tackles, and if the Steelers knew Beachum would have played at such a high level maybe they wouln't have pulled the trigger on Gilbert. But that's 20-20 hindsight. Gilbert was solid in 2014 after a rough first couple of games. He remains a young player with some upside so he could very well be well worth his price tag in the future. But as I mentioned earlier, it's hard to pay everyone on that line. At some point you have to draft younger guys and pay them a lower salary to balance things out with the salary cap.

steelmann58: HI Ray Just a question about our 3rd string QB is he even on the current roster?

Ray Fittipaldo: I suppose that depends on Tahj Boyd and Landry Jones. But even if they both underperform how many good QBs are on the waiver wire in early September. Maybe one or two?

Drake - Westcoast Steeler: Hey Ray, Being that both Coach Haley and Munch have both been Head coaches, How long are to keep other teams from prying Coach Munch away with a OC job or Haley with another HC opportunity?

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, since Munchak has never been an offensive coordinator I don't think the Steelers have to worry about another team hiring him for that position. And since he had a losing record in three seasons in Tennessee as a head coach I don't know that he is on the radar as a head coach either. Haley is a different story. Although he failed as a head coach in Kansas City he has a strong track record as a coordinator in Arizona and Pittsburgh. A team with a young QB might want to give him a second chance as a head coach. I don't think he's on any short lists at this point, but if the Steelers enjoy another strong offensive season that could change.

steelmann58: Ray how many OL do they keep and will they keep more than one Backup Tackle?

Ray Fittipaldo: Last year they kept one more than usual at Munchak's request. Hubbard was the extra player -- a guard. I'm not sure that happens this year especially since this teams needs to upgrade its special teams... As for the extra tackle, I don't think they'll keep more than one reserve tackle and that figures to be Mike Adams.

SteelersDevilsAdvocate: Do you see a scenario where James Harrison gets leap frogged in the Pash Rush of Shawn Lemon and Howard Jones is just too off the charts. The loss of stashing Josh Mauro last year may hang over the cuts this year.

Ray Fittipaldo: The Steelers would not have signed James Harrison in the spring if they thought Shawn Lemon or Howard Jones was capable of being better this year. They wouldn't embarrass Harrison in that way. They obviously felt like he had something left in the tank. Practice squad could be an option for Lemon and Jones, or maybe one of them is such a dynamic player on special teams they earn a spot that way. But not at Harrison's expense.

Steve Smith: Hi Ray, I believe the secondary will be improved this year compared to the last couple of years. And with that it will catapult our Defense. What are your thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo: If that happens it will be a big boost to the defense because last year the Steelers ranked 27th in pass defense. That's why they drafted three defensive backs. But it should be noted none of those players cracked the rotation in the spring. When the Steelers last practiced in June, Senquez Golson and Doran Grant were working behind Antwon Blake at nickel back.

Nick: Most intriguing player headed into camp?

Ray Fittipaldo: The obvious one is Bud Dupree because he's a first-round pick and the Steelers are in desperate need of upgrading their pass rush. Under the radar are some of those undrafted offensive linemen and their push to earn a spot.

steelmann58: Ray IN Your Opinion the Mostly highly contested Postion Battles and between what players. a follow up what are your favorite darkhorse players to watch @camp.

Ray Fittipaldo: Moats and Dupree at LOLB. Golson and Blake at CB. Heyward-Bey and Goodwin or another young WR for the fifth WR spot. Dark horses usually make their mark in camp so check back with me halfway through camp.

steelmann58: Ray do you think they will keep Geathers over the draft choice? I also like the guy they got from the Rams Conrath.

Ray Fittipaldo: L.T. Walton is a sixth-round pick and his best football is ahead of him. I don't know if that means he makes the team. He could be a guy who they try to sneak into the practice squad while a veteran who is a bit more seasoned holds down a reserve spot on the line. If they don't think they can sneak him through then maybe they carry him and he doesn't play a lot.

steelmann58: Ray what Rookie or 2nd year player do you see having the biggest impact on Offense and Defense and ST

Ray Fittipaldo: Dupree and Golson should get the most opportunities so I'll go with either of them. I'm also looking forward to seeing Jordan Zumwalt again. He made plays before his groin injury ended his rookie season in August last year. Not a lot of open spots for ILBs on this team, but he's one guy who could be a good special teams player if he shows he can stay healthy.

Touchdown Joey: Have you heard or read up anything about Brady suiing in the courts (the real ones, not Roger's kangaroo court) and getting an injunction on his suspension?

Ray Fittipaldo: Several stories were written over the few weeks on that subject. Brady is said to be adamant about clearing his name and not accepting any kind of suspension. But the problem with going to court is the possibility of serving the suspension later in the season rather than the beginning. That could be dicey if the Patriots are in a battle for a playoff berth, and Brady is sitting out games at that point.

TSgt Fisher: Hi Ray, Will we ever hear the outcome of Bell's suspension appeal? This is seriously becoming buffoonery that it's taking so long.

Ray Fittipaldo: I keep saying it should happen before they report to camp. Time is running out on that prediction. But seriously, it would be nice if Todd Haley knew exactly how long his star back will be out. It likely would affect Bell's workload in camp as well as the workloads of his backups.

JPB: While I like the individual attributes - Gay, Golson and Blake and very concerned with their size and ability to endure wear and tear. Does the stability of the secondary come down to Cortez Allens' ability to rebound and have a strong season?

Ray Fittipaldo: He's a lynchpin. That's why they signed him to a $5 million per season contract last September. He's a big corner who can run, but he's had some trouble putting it all together. Size is a big issue for this defense if Allen has to be benched again. If you haven't noticed, tall and fast corners who can play are few and far between in this league and they're not usually available where the Steelers have drafted in recent years.

Steve Smith: Ray a follow up to my prior question on the secondary, Do you believe, Cortez, and Mitchell will contribute much more this year along with Blake? I do, and I see the youth as a real plus to this unit

Ray Fittipaldo: I'm not really sold on either having a big bounce-back year to be honest with you. Corners that don't have confidence don't have a long shelf life in the NFL and I questions whether Allen can regain his confidence. Mitchell should be healthier and more comfortable in the defense, but it's not like he missed time due to those injuries last season. They were nagging injuries that he played through.

Touchdown Joey: Will the Steelers keep an eye out for additional veteran corners in case one comes available during camp?

Ray Fittipaldo: I think they always do that. They did it last year when they brought in BW Webb after Dallas cut him. He didn't play much, but he stayed on the active roster. But it's a different story this year too. You have four guys who are virtual locks in Gay, Blake, Golson and Allen and a fourth-round pick in Grant who also figures to make the team. So any guys who are picked up this summer, barring injuries, could be practice squad fodder.

Metallurgist: Ray, do you think that the league is waiting on the resolution of Brady's Deflate-gate appeal before ruling on Bell's suspension appeal? If they allow Brady to play and not Bell, that would result in a huge outcry from all non-Pats supporters, correct?

Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know. There will be an outcry either way if Brady's suspension is lifted. I still think the end result is a reduction to two or three games and he accepts despite those reports he's going to fight it.

JPB: Is Dri's size or scheme limiting his touches and opportunities in this offence? Have you seen anything while watching football in shorts to suggest that there could be a change in his productivity esp. when LeVeon is missing in the first 2 to 3 games? Still hoping that LB's suspension gets reduced to 2 games.

Ray Fittipaldo: I suppose Todd Haley can draw some things up to give him more opportunities this season, but how hard do you try to shoe-horn a guy like Archer into your offense when that offense is coming off such a strong season? Haley isn't going to want to change too much because he had so much success last season. It will be up to Archer to be more productive in the opportunities he receives.

JPB: Did you like what you saw from Golson this spring? Seemed like he opened some eyes in minicamp?

Ray Fittipaldo: He looked fine in the spring, but I'll reserve judgment until I see him in pads over the next few weeks. He certainly has a nose for the ball and the Steelers need that.

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for taking part in the chat this week. We'll do it again live from training camp next Monday at 1:30.

First Published: July 20, 2015, 6:58 p.m.