Ray Fittipaldo: Good afternoon. Let's get started.
PghFNinCali: Hi Ray. Bigger need for the Steelers..Secure up the defense so they can keep a 10pt lead late in the 4th or Build up the offense so they can score with the teams that can put up points?
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, the good news is they have three picks in the top 49 and four in the top 80. I think it's time to replenish the defensive line with some younger talent and get a No. 1 CB. So I could see a scenario where two of those first three picks are used on defensive players. But it's so early. We have to see how all of these players and positions shake out in the pre-draft process.
Tom: I'm confused on why people are saying the offense improved in the second half? What improved? (Please don't say run game. Avg had similar stats)
Ray Fittipaldo: I'm not sure what stats you are referring to, but the Steelers were much better running the ball in the second half of the season. There was a big improvement from Najee Harris, who struggled with a foot injury early in the season. There was marked improvement by the offensive line, too. Those guys needed some time to come together, and when they did the running game took some nice strides.
Tom in Dallas: Any surprises so far in the playoffs? Miami scoring 31 and could only score 9 against the Jets? NY beating the Vikings? Or how average Brady looked?
Ray Fittipaldo: Miami scoring 31 with Skylar Thompson certainly was brow raising. I wasn't expecting that. It kind of makes me wonder about the Bills. Were the emotionally spent after everything that's taken place in the past few weeks? If so, can they regroup in time for the Bengals? Brady is washed up...The Vikings stumbled down the stretch so I wasn't terrible surprised they lost. The Giants are well-coached.
MrCJJr: Hi Ray. Thanks for the chats as usual. I saw an article where Byron Leftwich's name came up as a possible OC candidate. And, that supposedly was part of the reason why the Steelers haven't fired Canada (they're waiting to see if Byron comes available). Have you heard anything about this? If so, any truth to this possibility? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo: That's people trying to connect the dots. There's a lot of speculating right now because Tomlin hasn't made a move. But it's just speculation at this point. Byron was here. He played for Tomlin. He's well-respected, but Matt Canada is still the OC as I sit and type this.
Choido: Jordan Addison and (insert name of 3rd best offensive tackle) is available on the board at pick 17. Which is the best draft pick? Can't be a lineman, could it?
Ray Fittipaldo: So Pete Skoronski, Parris Johnson or Broderick Jones is there along with Addison? I'd definitely take Skoronski over Addison and probably Jones, too. It's not that I don't like Addison, but I think it's time to address some other positions of need.
Epiballo: Some talk about the Harrison interception/TD play against the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. If you watch the play, Larry Fitzgerald was racing down the field out of bounds. He cut in too late to stop Harrison from scoring. Had he tackled Harrison and a penalty was called because of him traveling the field out of bounds, would that have given the Steelers a non-timed play, or would the half be over? I thought a half could not end on a defensive penalty, but the Card were on offense ...
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, the great things is no one has to worry about it because Harrison fell on Fitzgerald in the end zone and scored.
Daniel11: Hi Ray, Would ILB combo of Edmunds/Spillane/Robinson better than Jack/Bush/Edmunds/Spillane?
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, I think Edmunds is better than Jack at this point in his career so I'll say the Edmunds/Spillane/Robinson combo.
Guest: Good afternoon Ray. Steelers, Panthers, Cardinals, Bears, Raiders, Dolphins, and Redskins. These are the only teams that haven't won a playoff game in the past 6 seasons. That is a list of bad organizations in need of great change. Why does the head coach get a free pass in Pittsburgh only? All of the other teams try different coaches.
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't think Tomlin gets a free pass. I hear plenty of criticism. But you know, changing coaches isn't always the answer. I would counter: what has it done for those teams to change coaches so often?
Tom in Dallas: When you look at the Bengals/Bills this weekend, did we learn anything from a couple of weeks ago, or was there just not enough of that game to give you any indications as to how this weekend might play out?
Ray Fittipaldo: The Bengals went right down the field and scored so the Bengals offense will have some confidence I think. If I was a Bills fans I'd be concerned about the defense. They've had some injuries, and it appears those injuries are catching up to them. It might be up to Josh Allen to win a shootout.
Troy: I have read that Chargers O/L Matt Feiler could be a salary cap casualty. Would Steelers be interested in bringing him back?
Ray Fittipaldo: Well, Feiler will be 31 in July so he's not young. I would be Ok bringing him back as a reserve. He was making an average of $7 million a year with the Chargers. Depending on what type of season he had he might have some opportunities to remain a starter somewhere else.
Bill: I enjoyed your "Let him walk" article on Steelers free agents, great stuff! Do the Steelers let Derek Watt leave, and do they replace him with Conner Heyward or someone else for a full time fullback?
Ray Fittipaldo: Let's get the notion that Derek Watt and Connor Heyward play the same position out of our heads, OK? Watt is a fullback. Heyward is a tight end with H-back/fullback versatility. At this point, with Heyward being much younger, he's more valuable for a number of reasons. Did you see the catch he made against the Browns? Fullbacks don't make that catch.
Guest: A few teams have requested an interview with Flores after he had a very poor season in terms of inside linebacker stats. Do you think these teams actually are interested in him?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes he'll continue to get interest. He's a good coach. You mention the ILB stats, and they're not good. But it's not like he hand-picked those guys. He was asked to work with them and did the best he could. The Steelers did go from 32nd in the NFL to 9th in run defense. You can say whatever you want about the ILBs, but they played a role in that improvement.
Tom in Dallas: Who do you expect to make the Superbowl this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'll say Chiefs-Eagles, but I think we'll see some pretty good football this weekend.
Tampa Too: Ray, who would you like to be your quarterback for the next 5 to 8 years going forward? Kenny Pickett or Lamar Jackson?
Ray Fittipaldo: That's a difficult question to answer. Jackson is a former NFL MVP. He's a terrific athlete and has a very good record in the regular season. His problems are injuries. He missed a lot of games the past two seasons, and the Ravens missed the playoffs last year and were one-and-done this year. He also hasn't had a lot of success when he's reached the playoffs... Pickett had a nice rookie year and showed some promise. He's a better passer than Jackson, I think, but obviously not a better runner. If you told me Jackson would remain healthy for 17 games I'd take Jackson, but that's a big if given the style he plays.
Tom in Dallas: Does the Dolphins' competitive performance against the Bills quiet the critics of adding a 7th seed?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'm not sure when it will happen, but we'll see a 7 seed beat a 2 seed soon.
Guest: It seems like the Steelers don't get the top free agents, but instead get the 2nd or 3rd tier players. Do you think Tomlin's habit of lying to players about playing time (Blount, Ingram, Harrison, Rudolph, Trubisky, etc.) have made free agents shy away from signing here?
Ray Fittipaldo: Money usually talks loudest, but word does get around about how coaches sell free agents and maybe some promises that can't be kept.
Rob S.: Ray: Cleveland has hired a defensive coordinator and I believe I saw that Arizona is hiring a new GM while still needing to fill head coach; is there any circumstance in which Brian Flores returns to Steelers staff either in same capacity/title or even under revamped job duties, or will he get/take a different job with another team. Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo: Sure there's a chance, but Flores is a good coach so he's going to have some opportunities. The Browns, by the way, won't hire Flores. They hired JIm Schwartz instead.
BroadPaintBrusher: Can Leal make the transition to full time edge rusher or do they view him as a down lineman?
Ray Fittipaldo: He's a tweener. Tomlin talked about him in-depth late in the season. He moves very well for a big man. So he can play on the edge, but he has versatility to play 5, 3 or inside too.
pdxJaxon: Hey Ray,
We all know what our biggest needs are currently OL, DL, CB, ILB but given that we really need to put up some points, you see any chance of us going WR in the first two rounds?
Imagine a true #1 on the other side of Pickens....
Ray Fittipaldo: And imagine Pickett being on the ground not being able to get the ball to them because the offensive line wasn't upgraded.
Ed in Carrick: Do you see the team drafting or going the FA route on a WR? The room looks awfully thin after Pickens and DJ.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes they'll either sign a free agent or draft a WR to compete for the No. 3 job behind 14 and 18. They have some options on the roster now, but they probably need to bring in some competition for them.
PittleSteelks: Good Afternoon, Was it confirmed that Claypool was a locker room issue guy? Are there rumblings of any other current locker room issue guys?
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't think he was an issue to the point where they had to trade him. I think Omar Khan saw an opportunity to get a second-round pick for an unproductive No. 3 WR and jumped at the opportunity.
Mike—EE: Our track record of drafting a CB in the first round is poor. Would that keep you from drafting someone they like at 17?
Ray Fittipaldo: New GM and new scouting department at the top. You have to let those guys evaluate and trust them.
Bring Me Pierogi: Joey Bosa threw a helmet, that according to Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, likely led to the Jags going for two. Compared to George Pickens' recent "Pass me the [expletive] ball," would you think Bosa's tirade warrants the national media attention that Pickens' did?
Ray Fittipaldo: Bosa cost his team a playoff game. He was benched for his actions. Maybe he'll get cut. I don't know. Pickens didn't approach Bosa-type behavior.
Rick in East Stroudsburg: Would you consider OL or CB a more pressing need in the draft and why?
Ray Fittipaldo: Close call. Honestly depends on how the board stacks. If there is more CB depth maybe you take the tackle at 17 and then go CB at 32. It just depends on who they like and how they view the depth at other positions.
Ed in Carrick: Are the players allowed to stick around the facility during offseason to work out? What about this rehabbing?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes they are. In fact, many who sign futures contracts will begin training soon while the veterans will take a longer break. Many veterans choose to train near their offseason homes.
SteelersFanSLC: If Bud Dupree gets released by the Titans Do you think we bring him back to be OLB #3?
Ray Fittipaldo: That wouldn't be a bad thought, but how much would he want for that role? And is he healthy? He struggled with injuries since joining the Titans.
Marc from Germany: Hi R! I'd love to see OL Coach Pat Meyer return! How likely is that, if Matt Canada is replaced?
Ray Fittipaldo: Very likely. He did a very good job.
Yates: As of today who you got in Super Bowl? Bengals OL an issue and Bills looking ordinary.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah that's why I say the Chiefs. Every other team in the AFC field has some issues they were dealing with.
Jb: I was happy with the overall progress by the Steelersand specifically the offense identity. With a bit of money and 3 picks could the Steelers be a team to watch? I am not saying SB but you have to be encouraged by how they played down the stretch. Steelers fans are spoiled. I think.
Ray Fittipaldo: I agree with you on most points. The Steelers should be ready to return to the playoffs next season. They'll be playing a third-place schedule and many of the rookies who started should be ready to take on bigger roles in Year 2.
Bucky in Uniontown: Post-draft and before he got hurt was there legitimate hype about Calvin Austin because I think they should draft a legitimate slot receiver in April or bring in a veteran.
Ray Fittipaldo: He was doing some nice things in practice. I'm not going to sit here and tell you he's ready for a big role on the offense. He missed his entire rookie season. He's going to be behind the other guys who played last season.
reedboat: What's more important: Hiring new Offensive Coordinator or allowing OC more freedom to operate?
Ray Fittipaldo: Is the QB ready to have the cuffs removed? That's the most important question that has to be asked. If he is, I'd say a new coordinator. If not, what they did int he second half proved to be good enough to win seven of their final nine games.
Jake: Besides the obvious and I agree it might still be too early to tell being it was only their first year, but can you remember a draft class contributing as much as this one?? I also think the WR would’ve contributed if he hasn’t gotten hurt.
Ray Fittipaldo: 2017 was a pretty good one with Watt, JuJu and Conner
Jake: Think they’ll ask Chuks to take a pay cut, he’s def not worth the $11 or $13 million they’re paying him. That being said if we lose him we’re going to need to new OT’s.
Ray Fittipaldo: You sure they're going to ask him to take a pay cut?
Fats holmes: If they made a change at offensive coordinator, what qualities would you want to see in the new guy?
Ray Fittipaldo: NFL experience, creative mind, smart but fearless.
Yates: Hi Ray- when is Rooney’s season end availability with beat writers?
Ray Fittipaldo: Don't know yet but it's usually in January or early February.
Ule: Do you think Tom Brady was showing his age last night, or was it a case of poor WR work?
Ray Fittipaldo: Probably both, but Brady looks done.
Epiballo: A Raven defender ran down the field to try to stop a TD after the fumble recovery. He was clearly pushed from the back ... and no flag? How could any referee watching that play not toss a flag? Are we doomed to shoddy officiating no matter how much anyone talks about it?
Ray Fittipaldo: I saw the play. I also saw the officials struggling to keep up with the play. Andrews was running a 4.5 to track Hubbard down. Those officials were running 6.5s. It's quite possible they missed it.
Mike—EE: Are the 49ers for real with Brock Purdy? If so, can you put all of his accomplishments on the back of Kyle Shanahan‘s brilliant offense ?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think with the weapons and Shanahan scheming a lot of QBs could look good in that offense. That being said, Purdy looks like the real deal. And he's doing it as a rookie. I'm not sure he'd have the same success in any other offense, but what does that matter now? He's balling within the confines of that offense.
John Morrow: What's the max you'd pay Ogunjobi to return?
Ray Fittipaldo: Hard to say because I don't know the extent of his injury history. The Steelers do. But I think if they feel good about his health he could return on another short-term deal with a small raise, say $9-10 million a year.
Ray Fittipaldo: OK that's all the time I have this week. Join me again next Tuesday.
First Published: January 17, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
