Ray Fittipaldo: OK let's get the chat started.
Jay: Hello Ray, always appreciate your coverage. Tomlin has been a great leader of men off the field, he has never had any incidents for such a long time. With that said, if he averages 10-7 the next 4 years without a playoff win, do you think he gets the Marvin Lewis treatment?
Ray Fittipaldo: That's quite the specific scenario, but I'll bite. That would be 10 years between playoff wins. I would imagine he would not be the coach. He has the defense to win now. It's up to how he wants to construct his offense with Kenny Pickett entering Year 2.
Backwards Johnson: Hey Ray...do you think it is more likely that Herbig, Anderson, or Green is the backup center? Herbig the backup and Anderson to practice squad your prediction? Green gets on with his life's work....?....
Ray Fittipaldo: I think it's Herbig. And I think you are right on Anderson and Green. You never know though. There could be injuries that throw a wrench into the plans. That's why it's futile to do roster projections in June. You have to wait to see what unfolds in July and August first.
Backwards Johnson: If you believe ILB to be the biggest weakness on this team, both in terms of the top end talent and the depth, do you think this weakness will be more evident in run or pass situations this coming year?
Ray Fittipaldo: Honestly, it's hard to say without ever seeing Cole Holcomb or Elandon Roberts play in this defense in a real football game. I think it's one of the biggest question marks for this team. We'll see if it turns out to be a weakness. I will caution that every NFL team has issues with ILBs in coverage. That's why you see so many dime packages with extra DBs in games. It's easier for smaller guys to cover.
Ken: Just when you think Antonio Brown couldn't out due his antics, something new comes along. Do you think his foolishness will ever end?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not until he surrounds himself with people who aren't afraid to tell him the truth.
Harvey Clayton: At what point will the Steelers broach the topic of a new stadium now that it’s 20+ years old ?
Ray Fittipaldo: Oh that time is coming soon. Probably in the next few years. Not sure if it will be a renovation of Acrisure or a new stadium, but something will be brewing before the new decade.
Jim Bow Dean: If the foundation of your offense is the running game shouldn't you have a traditional FB?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not necessarily. This isn't 2004 anymore. Offenses have changed. There is more running out of the shotgun and with linemen in two-point stances. I'd argue teams aren't as good at it anymore, but it's the way offenses are now. They want to dictate matchups and it's easier to do that with personnel other than fullbacks in the game.
Texan Steeler: Hi Ray, Who do you think will win KR/PR battle? Calvin Austin can be electrifying, but his small frame worries me. I just hope it won't be Gunner and his fumbling issues.
Ray Fittipaldo: We'll see in August. Danny Smith said that's when they will see who the returners are. He's going to take a look at the competition in the three preseason games. Every kick into the end zone will be brought out just so they can see the returners in action. Camp practices will play a role too.
21-58-66: Hi Ray - Thanks for keeping the chats going despite the current down time. Is there still a fitness test at the beginning of camp? If so, what does it consist of? Are certain players exempt?
Ray Fittipaldo: There is a fitness test. They allow us to watch, but there is not photography or video allowed by media outlets so I don't want to be banned from camp! Having watched it for years now I will tell you it's rare when a player fails. I can tell you it's similar to what colleges do for their fitness tests. In college, we did something like 10 100-yard dashes and you had to do it in a certain time frame based on your position group. Other years we had to run 40-yard dashes in a certain time frame. The Steelers do something similar. All teams do, really.
Tampa Too: Ray. What’s your early prediction regarding wins and losses this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: I reserve my right to change my mind after training camp, but I'm in the 10-7 camp right now.
Earl T: Hi Ray, when will the Steelers realize M Canada can’t create a game plan to attack good NFL defenses or call a good game? I think he thinks he is the smartest individual in the room and doesn’t need or want any input or help.
Ray Fittipaldo: Hmmm. Seems I've heard this before.
Tom "The Radical" Link: Ray, is Mike Tomlin an elite coach, e.g., a top 3-5 NFL coach? Last season there was talk about his qualifications potentially for the HOF; now, I see suggestions that the Steelers should move on from him. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: Who is saying the Steelers should move on from him? Come on.
TV: Did the Steelers retain Matt Canada because they think he is a good OC, but was limited the last two years due to an aging Ben and rookie Kenny, or was it simply because they don’t believe in firing coaches while still under contract?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think the circumstances more than the contract. But this is pretty much a make-or-break year for him.
STEEL72: Ray, feels like Simmons is a unique guy who could help this current defense... elite speed, size, ability to cover and body up near the line of scrimmage. Do you feel that this move could still be in play? Seems like what we thought Edmonds could be.
Ray Fittipaldo: If they wanted to do that they would have pursued it this spring. Not ruling it out in the future, but they signed a bunch of outside free agents to help this defense, including two three new ILBs and a new strong safety in Keanu Neal.
Andrew in ATL: Did Nick Herbig get time at both ILB and OLB during the recent OTAs and Minicamp?
Ray Fittipaldo: OLB, but the coaches said he has the versatility to do both in the future.
Andrew in ATL: What is the plan at backup center? It feels like an injury to Cole Mason could derail the OL and thus the whole offense.
Ray Fittipaldo: Nick Herbig can play center. He just didn't practice there this spring because they wanted to give Kendrick Green reps. And James Daniels can play center too. He started a bunch of games there for the Bears during his first four seasons in the league. They have plenty of players to play there is something happens to Cole.
TexStill: Entertain us with some predictions! More catches, Austin or Washington? More TD catches, Pickens or DJ? More punt returns, Austin, Gunner or other? More defensive snaps, Leal or Benton? More INTs, Peterson or Minkah?
Ray Fittipaldo:
- Austin 2. Pickens. 3. Austin (just a guess). 4. Benton. 5. Minkah
Stash: Ray, in a pinch, could Starkey or Cook be called up from the practice squad to host a chat? Or would they quickly be shown to be out of their league, as one might suspect? Gracias.
Ray Fittipaldo: Cook told me he wanted to do one. He wants more exposure. I say we make it happen.
Russell#34HOf: Ray, How long will it take for us to find out if Canada will use the middle of the field or use play action, which has been missing for a long time.
Ray Fittipaldo: Not long. I'm sure all the armchair OCs will be all over social media with film breakdowns after the first preseason game.
The Real TP Hunter: I read a lot about how "easy" the Steelers schedule is this season, but with several trips to the Pacific time zone and two Thursday night games, plus finishing with two tough games on the road, I don't think the schedule is easy at all. Do you think Tomlin can fix his "West Coast Curse"?
Ray Fittipaldo: It's not easy travel, but if you're the Steelers you much prefer going to Vegas to face a rebuilding Raiders team than go on a shorter trip to KC to face the Chiefs.
D: Any truth to the rumor about Roethlisberger coming back as a quarterbacks coach?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah and Cowher is coming back as Tomlin's assistant head coach.
The Real TP Hunter: Ray, being a former lineman, can you explain why some players are more suited to right tackle than left tackle? Does left tackle require more athleticism or a different body type than right tackle?
Ray Fittipaldo: It used to be that teams would have their most athletic tackles play the left side, but it's not always that way anymore. You have to be able to move on either side.
Nate from Fort Wayne: Afternoon, Ray. What is more likely to happen week 1 versus the 49ers and a top ranked DL? 1. Broderick Jones starting and getting possibly schooled and people over-reacting that he's not ready? or 2. Dan Moore starting and getting possibly torched and people clamoring for Jones to start? Or 3. Whoever starts does just fine?
Ray Fittipaldo: 2
Ed in Carrick: Is it at all possible that Broderick Jones does not get a helmet on game days if he is not the starter?
Ray Fittipaldo: No.
Mark: Re: RB3. With well-known & accomplished RB free agents still available - Fournette, Zeke, Cook, Gordon, Hunt - any sense on whether the team has any interest in adding one for the right price, kinda like they did with Duce Staley a while ago? (seems like it'd make sense - longer they're available the less they'd cost, plus not sure they'd want to rely on McFarland or anyone else currently on the team). Thanks for the chats!
Ray Fittipaldo: Your No. 3 RB has to play a role on special teams. A vet like Zeke or Fournette wouldn't give any value there. Let's not overthink it. It will be McFarland or a rookie filling that job.
Ryan McCombie: Fast forward 10 years, will the Steelers and Panthers be sharing a facility ?
Ray Fittipaldo: No
Mean Joe: How many wrs make the 53 ? Who do you think it’ll be?
Ray Fittipaldo: Johnson, Pickens and Robinson are locks. I think Austin is close to a lock too. He just has to stay healthy. Boykin has chance because he can play on teams. Gunner also, but his value was diminished when the owners adopted the fair catch rule on kickoffs.
fredward: Hi Ray, you've mentioned how the Steelers value versatility in defenders often. Do you think Herbig will stick at OLB, or does his body type/style of play tell you he'll be at ILB?
Ray Fittipaldo: They'll see what he can do at OLB first. Denzell Martin said smaller guys have played there over the years. He just has to learn how to make it work in the NFL.
Guest: Ray - does Najee Harris get a second contract with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo: They'll pick up the fifth year option if he has a good 2023.
Andrew in ATL: Will the next stadium for the Steelers be a domed one?
Ray Fittipaldo: I hope not.
SW Steel: Hey Ray! Hope you're having a great summer! What do you think are reasonable expectations for Mr. Calvin Austin this season?
Ray Fittipaldo: He'll be the No. 4 WR in all likelihood. I'd say 25 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns are reasonable expectations.
Remus Brown: What percent of the time will the Steelers have a two tight end set on 1st and 10 to start a new drive ?
Ray Fittipaldo: 50% or more.
Bill Carson: Ray, no questions swimming around in my brain right now. But are you excited for Training Camp to start like I am? Cmon man.
Ray Fittipaldo: Oh yeah. Let's of position battles this year, especially with rookies pushing for jobs. Should be an eventful camp.
Tommy S: Hi Ray, how many snaps do you think Darnell Washington will get? Do you think he'll see many passes come his way?
Ray Fittipaldo: Hard to predict. Maybe 100 offensive snaps and I doubt he makes a big impact on the passing game as a rookie.
Tom “The Radical “ Link: Sir it was a local media member who suggested Tomlin should go. Not my idea. Where would YOU rate him among today’s NFL HCs?
Ray Fittipaldo: I have no problem with the Pro Football Network poll that had him third.
Ray Fittipaldo: OK thanks for all the questions this week. With the holiday next week and some vacation time ahead stay tuned for my next in mid- to late July. Until then, enjoy summer!
First Published: June 27, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
