Ray Fittipaldo: Let's get the chat started.
smullins43: with the failure of signing hightower last year and the failure to move up this year to get evans...the powers that be are not hiding their need to replace their biggest weakness but yet no draft picks...no trades...and Bostic and matakevich and vince? sub package or not....the hole in the middle will be glaring and for a second year...not resolved...thoughts please?
Ray Fittipaldo: It's not a great situation, but you do realize Hightower was injured and missed most of last season. He had a pec injury that had bothered him for a while, and he finally had to get it fixed. They drafted too late to get Evans or vander Esch and couldn't move up for either. I understand why there is concern. However, they did sign Bostic in March, and Vince Williams is a capable run-stopper. The big question for me is whether Bostic can play all three downs and be good in the passing game. If not, they'll piece together their pass defense by playing their young safeties more. I think that's why they drafted Edmunds and Allen. There has been a shift in how teams are playing in subpackages, and the Steelers seem intent on moving in that direction as well.
DaquidoBazzini: Hi, Ray - Any idea why the Steelers did not pursue Mychal Kendricks?
Ray Fittipaldo: They didn't feel like he was much of an upgrade apparently. And they do like Matakevich. He was their top backup last year and has been working with the first-team defense this spring.
jj: Why do you suppose Mason Rudolph lasted until the 3rd round given the Steelers had a first round rating on him? I loved the pick and believe he will have a great career in Pittsburgh.
Ray Fittipaldo: Obviously, other teams didn't think that highly of him. The knock against him is his lack of mobility outside the pocket.
Our in-depth Steelers coverage is second to none.
Support quality journalism. Subscribe today.
JoeB: Hatbaugh said the new helmet rule is good but most coaches are already teaching not to use the helmet as a weapon. He said the rule will only affect a couple of NFL coaches. Whom do you think he was referring to?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not sure. It's true other teams have been teaching different tackling techniques. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks have been teaching a rugby tackling technique for a few years now. I am interested to see how officials deal with the new rule. You can call a penalty on a lot of plays now. Even the plays the NFL used in its instructional video looked like normal football plays to me. I think all players are going to go through an adjustment period, and yes, there will be many controversial calls.
Bud is Weiser: I understand the excitement for Rudolph long term but short term, Jones is far and away our best option for backup this year and Rudolph can take over the spot next year if he grasps the system. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: Way too early to say. I am leaning in your direction, but let's see how Rudolph plays in the preseason games.
mrbig: what changes to you see with the offense's play-calling? More no huddle?
Ray Fittipaldo: Something to watch in training camp and the preseason games. I think all fans are wondering the same thing. I think Randy Fichtner would like to see this offense get better in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. But in terms of play-calling, it's wait-and-see.
Big Snack: How much does size matter in the middle of the defensive line vs athleticism? Consider Aaron Donald (4/3 I know).
Ray Fittipaldo: All depends on the athleticism and technique of the player. Javon Hargrave is not a big nose guard. In fact, Daniel McCullers is much taller and bigger. However, Hargrave is entering his third year as a starter ahead of him. Obviously, you have to be big and strong enough to shed offensive linemen, but penetrating gaps and using athleticism is just as important in today's NFL.
Randy Rutershan: What makes a player stand out on special teams - simply running fast, what? It is one of the least understood talents around.
Ray Fittipaldo: Special teams are all about want-to and the desire to make plays.
Philly Joe : Very concerned with LB depth. Do you foresee us going after any FA LB’s that may get cut towards the end of training camp? Especially, inside LB’s??
Ray Fittipaldo: I think that's a possibility. The Steelers haven't been afraid to upgrade their roster through trades or picking up other team
Ray Fittipaldo: ...other team's castoffs in recent years.
Rocky Bleier: Assume that James Connor learns how to pick up his protection responsibilities. Does he really have starting RB talent in NFL? In retrospect, would you have preffered us picking the TE from Michigan Butts with that pick or our qb pick in 2017 draft?
Ray Fittipaldo: Conner hasn't played enough for me to determine if he's a starting-caliber NFL runner. I do think he can be a solid backup and so do the Steelers obviously. That's why they drafted him. Now it's up to him to progress and hopefully stay healthy. It's interesting. I kind of liked him more when he was heavier at Pitt, where he was more of a bruiser. He's lighter now, and I'm not sure he still has that power that made him such a good college runner. Not saying he can't be a starter. I just have to see more of him to convince me.
KN: Good Morning: From what you have seen in OTAs so far, granted without the pads, , do you see a possibility of Matthew Thomas and Keion Adams, becoming a starter at ILB and OLB positions respectively, at some point this season?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not unless there are injuries. Thomas isn't even a lock to make the 53-man roster. Adams should, but he has no experience. I am looking forward to seeing both guys in preseason games. I think there is some talent there, but they have to prove it.
K Ro: Good day Ray: which 3 running backs do you see making the roster? I believe Bell, Conner and Samuels. I love Ridley but I believe he and Tousant are the odd men out, your thoughts!!
Ray Fittipaldo: I think you are on the right track. Only way I see Ridley making it is if they truly do use Samuels as some sort of RB/WR/H-back. So maybe they'd keep four RBs if they only kept 5 WRs or two TEs.
Paris in Tucson: Hey Ray, with the drafting of the hard hitting safeties do you believe that Tomlin and Butler are trying to revolutionize NFL defense by creating a run stopping dime package or are they simply trying to salvage any kind of D upgrade?
Ray Fittipaldo: I wouldn't say revolutionize. Other teams have played that way with success. And after all the ILBs they wanted were off the board they took the best safety on their board. Edmunds happens to be big enough to be an effective run-stopper. Same with Allen. So they do fit the bill of sub-package players although Edmunds obviously must become a starter at some point if he's going to be a success.
Vincent: What was up with Antonio Brown tweeting about Bruce Arians?
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know. I read the post and didn't understand it.
Mike from ohio : Does it seem that maybe bell isnt really interested in a deal with the steelers thinking the grass could be greener on the other side of the fence and wants to test the market??
Ray Fittipaldo: I think that's a fair assumption at this point. The Steelers have made strong offers and he has declined them.
James Ryan: I am sure you have answered this in previous chats, but what are the percentages you think the Steeler's sign bell long term?
Ray Fittipaldo: 10 percent.
Vincent: Will Matakevich get a fair chance at ILB or is the spot already Bostic’s?
Ray Fittipaldo: Hard to say. Matakevich is somewhat limited. He ran a 4.8 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Opposing offensive coordinators will single him out in the passing game and look to take advantage. He's not that tall either, which is another problem in the passing game. I think Bostic eventually is the guy next to Williams, but they do like Matakevich.
Vincent: Does Tucker finally make the team this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: If he plays well in training camp and in the preseason games he has a chance, especially if Eli Rogers isn't signed.
Guest: Do you think that the Steelers will put in any late bids in the Supplemental Draft
Ray Fittipaldo: Doubt it.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI: Do 5 OLBs make the 53? Are they all on the team now in your opinion? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo: They've kept four in the past. I don't know if there are five worthy candidates on the offseason roster. I'm not convinced there are four. Adams has to prove he can play in this league.
Vincent: Bigger upside. Josh Dobbs or Landry Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo: At this point, I'd have to say Jones.
Guillermo: Will Sutton have a chance to start if Burns continues to blow coverages? What about Edmunds taking over at FS if Davis struggles again.
Ray Fittipaldo: Coaches don't bench first-round picks very often and so Burns would have to have some major screw-ups again for that to happen. Same goes with Davis, a second-round pick. Of the two, I'd say Davis might be a little bit more of a possibility because the Steelers drafted a safety in the first round, but I'm not thinking that's their immediate plans.
Paris in Tucson: How confident are you in Fichtner? I’m worried the loss of Haley, personality problems and all, will result in a step back for the offense. Was this an “make Ben happy” move or will the guy be able to run an offense?
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, he's been here since 2007. He obviously knows this offense inside and out. He was present for five years with Bruce Arians as coordinator six years with Haley. I think he'll tweak a few things and put his stamp on the offense. I don't expect major changes. And I don't have many concerns about his ability to game plan. Obviously calling plays in games is another story, but I'm sure he's been doing that in his head for years. Now is his chance to do it for real.
cr8vin3d: Why do you personally believe that the Steelers passed on the "other" ILB talent after Van der Esch and Evans were gone (which was probable going into the draft. Surely there was late 1st round, 2nd round and 3rd round talent available in the draft, otherwise y'all would have been writing for months that after the big 2 draftees ILB worthy talent was "crickets." Was it not at least "curious?"
Ray Fittipaldo: They thought there was a big drop-off after the top four ILBs. They had some guys in for visits, including Malik Jefferson of Texas. They had chances to take him in the second and third rounds and passed. I just think they believed there was more value in the safety prospects in this draft.
Ray Fittipaldo: They thought there was a big drop-off after the top four ILBs. They had some guys in for visits, including Malik Jefferson of Texas. They had chances to take him in the second and third rounds and passed. I just think they believed there was more value in the safety prospects in this draft.
St. BlackenGold: Hi Ray, what kind of deal do you think it takes to sign Chris Boswell? I hadn't realized how big the kicker contracts have gotten?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah it's not going to be cheap. But they'll probably pay him the going rate. It's tough to find a good kicker. The Steelers should know this better than anyone after what they went through early in the 2015 season.
Ernie: Hi ray, I have some Steeler fans who like to think we have one if the slowest group of wr’s in the nfl. I think it’s laughab. Your thiugys
Ray Fittipaldo: Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster might not be burners, but opposing defensive backs sure had a hard time covering them last year.
Colin: Think we may sign another OLB for depth? Maybe John Simon if he gets cut?
Ray Fittipaldo: Signing an OLB before the start of the season is a possibility. As I noted in a story last week only Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt and Anthony Chickillo have NFL experience. They're a little thin there.
Brian: What is the drug testing policy for players on IR? New England’s Edelman was suspended coming off of a torn ACL and surely on medication during rehab. Aren’t players allowed to take meds while on IR?
Ray Fittipaldo: Sure, they're allowed to take medication, but they can't take banned substances. Obviously, Edelman tested for a banned substance.
JamesinNYC: Which UDFA has stuck out athletic wise ... in shorts?
Ray Fittipaldo: Matthew Thomas has received a bunch of work in OTAs. I think they're taking a long look at him. He can run, but he can stand to add a few pounds of muscle.
Linebacker Lounge - 3Rivers, MI: Your Player with biggest breakout season? Davis? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo: My early candidate is James Washington. But check back with me in late August.
Kalamazoo Dave: Is Lawrence Timmons still available?
Ray Fittipaldo: I believe he is, yes.
Ryno: Will Bill go to work for Dairy Queen if he finds out quickly that no other team is going to break the bank to pay him like the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo: Don't be so sure about other teams not paying what he wants. Some of these teams have cash to burn under the salary cap.
Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do it again next week.
First Published: June 11, 2018, 1:12 p.m.
Updated: June 11, 2018, 5:23 p.m.