Ray Fittipaldo: Welcome and let's get started.
Mar: How does Roman Wilson look?
Ray Fittipaldo: Thinner than I thought he would be. He needs to fill out a bit.
Mar: How do Payton Wilson look? Do you think he has all pro potential
Ray Fittipaldo: Payton Wilson is a compensatory third-round pick. He fell that far for a reason. Mainly, it's due to health concerns. If he can stay healthy he has a chance to help the defense this season as a sub-package defender. He won't start unless there is an injury to Patrick Queen or Elandon Roberts.
Jeff M: I get tired of hearing about the accepting mediocrity narrative when it comes to Tomlin. A head coach’s success is largely tied to great QB play. Noll never won a SB after Bradshaw, Beliechek is out of football 4 years after Brady left, Andy Ried couldn’t get over the hump until Mahomes and even McVay went from SB winner to NFL bottom feeders when Stafford was hurt. They need to find the next franchise QB and Tomlin has a share of blame for the recent failures at the position. My question is how many of those coaches or any coaches would have kept their teams in playoff contention each year with poor QB play and injury issues like they had on defense last season?
Ray Fittipaldo: You just made my point for me. Tomlin didn't win a Super Bowl when Ben Roethlisberger was in the prime of his career. Roethlisberger was still somewhat of a game manager in 2008. He became one of the NFL's top passers I'd say from 2010-2018 until he injured his elbow. He had his best years in this span, and the Steelers didn't win another Super Bowl. In fact, from 2011-2018, the Steelers won exactly three playoff games. I'm not absolving Roethlisberger of blame, He didn't play his best in some of those games. And there were injuries for sure that factored into some of those playoff runs. But it's almost a decade with a top 5 QB in the league and he didn't even get to a Super Bowl.
Benny Fazio: I was wondering, when people site "sources" at the Steelers when reporting a story, what level are these folks at? High-ranking front office people? Cafeteria workers? It seems like everyone has a source on a certain topic (Pickett supposedly not wanting to dress for example), and those sources give varying information. As a fan, it's hard to know which reports to believe.
Ray Fittipaldo: You have to trust the reporter and not worry about who the sources are.
GPT: Tomlin is coach for life. We can all accept that now. But what do the Rooneys see in him as a coach that makes this so? He isn't known for any kind of schematic or tactical brilliance. His hiring decisions are suspect. In-game/clock management isn't a strength. Please don't tell me it's 'stability' or that the players like him (which they should, he never holds them accountable).
Ray Fittipaldo: Rooney has mentioned numerous times in the past Tomlin's ability to relate to players and hold a locker room together during adversity. I think those are two of the biggest reasons. There is much more to being a head coach than Xs and Os. Head coaches in the NFL are CEOs and he has shown an ability to lead through some adverse circumstances over the years.
Mass Fan: With Tomlin’s extension and several players publicly expressing wanting to play for him. What is the narrative as to why?
Ray Fittipaldo: The narrative is why because it was a three-year extension, a signal that ownership is content with the way things are going. Rooney came out pretty strong in January and said it's time to start winning some playoff games. Signing Tomlin through 2027 kind of goes against that unless the Steelers are willing to eat a lot of money if that playoff success does not come.
Soggy: Good Morning Ray Probably one of many questions on the WR position. What do you think is the most likely outcome for the Steelers: 1. They roll with what they have. 2. They sign a training camp cut from another team. 3. They trade for a proven WR. As always, thanks for the chats
Ray Fittipaldo: This questions gets tougher as guys like Justin Jefferson sign mega deals. I wrote about the topic yesterday (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/06/10/pittsburgh-nfl...). Any big-name receiver acquired is going to want big money. So it comes down to the Steelers deciding if they need that kind of WR. Maybe they feel like they can develop one of those players to be a solid No. 2. We'll see.
Tampa Too: Ray. Tomlin just received a new three year extension. He is now the longest tenured coach in the league. Can you explain to me why you think he does not have a coaching tree like most of the other coaches who have coached for this long period of time?
Ray Fittipaldo: I cannot. That's a tough one to explain.
Tampa Too: Ray, the Steelers just signed Sutton for a one year deal. I know he signed a multi year deal with the lions last year. At that signing there was a guarantee of a certain amount of money. When the Lions cut him, do they still have to pay the guaranteed money?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes. The Lions are on the hook for all guarantees.
Usjab: There has been a lot of people saying we need a number 2 wr, and I understand that. But do you think a second receiving TE might be a greater need with the new offense and Pat F injury history? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo: That's a good point. Darnell Washington is not going to be that guy and Connor Heyward is an H-back more than an inline TE. Maybe McCoyle Pruitt can step in as a true backup TE if they keep him on the 53, but I'm not even sure they keep four TEs. And Pruitt would have to knock Rodney Williams out of a roster spot. He's been a quality special teams player when he's been active.
What Say You?: I do not mind the Tomlin extension, but if in 3 more years we have zero playoff wins, will it be time for a coaching change?
Ray Fittipaldo: Would think so.
Yuri: Good morning Ray. I was wondering if you saw Hakeem Butler play the other night. Coach Wade Phillips said Butler should be playing in the NFL. Your thoughts? Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo: I saw enough of Butler last spring and summer to know he doesn't have the hands necessary to stick in the NFL. It seemed like every other pass thrown to him in camp was a drop.
Seven: Ray, if the Steelers do pick up another receiver by a training camp cut, how long does it take for everyone to get on the same page? Are there universal patterns shared by most NFL teams that everyone can easily adapt to, or are most of the offensive passing trees unique to that team?
Ray Fittipaldo: That would not be ideal. In a perfect world, the players who will be playing in September are getting reps with Wilson and Fields now.
Linda B.: Hi Ray, did the Steelers give any reasons for the .earlier (10:30) practice times. Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: I know they still wanted that afternoon atmosphere for the weekend practices, but I'm not sure why the switch to weekdays. They do have a new strength and conditioning staff so they might have some new ideas on injury prevention and things of that nature. Or maybe Tomlin just wanted to switch things up.
Gus in Alaska: Good morning, Ray. Thanks for the chats. Apart from the kicker & returner(s) Which players’ positions will comprise the new Kick Offs & Returns lineups? Are we talking O-line, D-Line, LBs & DBs?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think every team will be a little different. Some might want to quick and small and other could go with bigger bodies. It's a new play so there will be different ideas on what might work. I'm sure Danny Smith and other special teams coaches around the league studied the XFL play and talked with coaches in that league.
Noah Kravitz: Hey Ray, what do you think about the situation with Watts? Do you think because of his build he will move to safety at some point? and how does he fit?
Ray Fittipaldo: They're looking at him at CB first, but he does look more like a strong safety.
Joe: Do you think Cam is going to get that extension he wants before the season?
Ray Fittipaldo: If he settles for a team-friendly deal then sure.
Andrew: Any indications yet who will wear the green dot? Ravens reporter said on a podcast that wearing the green dot was a job not well suited for Patrick Queen.
Ray Fittipaldo: Queen was asked about that when he signed. He was younger then and has since learned a lot playing alongside Roquan Smith. I think Queen was 20 when he entered the league. He had a lot on his young shoulders before Smith arrived.
wiscoken: Hi Ray - Art II is 71, when it comes to succession planning, is it clear who is first in line and if so, is this something that we could likely see over the next few years (as Dan stepped down at 70, and Art at age 74)?
Ray Fittipaldo: His son Dan will be taking over when that time comes.
wiscoken: Hi Ray - There is a fairly good chance that neither Wilson or Fields is the guy (as the Steelers are really taking a chance on both, hoping one sticks). Hypothetically, if determined that neither can take us over the top, do the Steelers build (draft) or buy (sign FA) in 2025?
Ray Fittipaldo: When you're in the playoffs or in contention for a playoff spot every season you're picking somewhere between 15 and 28. You don't get franchise QBs in those draft slots. They either have to have a really bad year and pick in the top 5 or 10 or they have to trade up into the top 10 if they really like a guy.
Johnny Lightning: Were you surprised with the 3 yr extension for MT? The Tomlin haters are going to be absolutely out of their minds LOL!
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes, a bit, especially after Rooney came out so strong in January about the lack of success in the playoffs.
Lou: Hi Ray. Lots of fans will be hot and bothered by Coach Ts extension. But the real issue is QB. Of the last 20 superbowls, only 1 or 2 have been won by a guy who was not elite or HOF caliber. Considering all that, don't you think fans should focus more on the QB plan? We have Russ now, but the succession plan from Russ to the next guy should be issue numero uno! Every coach seems like a genius when they have a Brady or Mahomes.
Ray Fittipaldo: You are right, but it is possible to win a playoff game or two with an average QB. Blake Bortles walked into Pittsburgh and beat a Steelers team that was 13-3 during the regular season in 2017. He almost beat the Patriots the following weeks in the AFC championship game. I can come up with more examples of mediocre QBs winning in the playoffs with the right system and the right defense behind them. Heck, how about Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee. Arthur Smith knows how to do it.
Gus in Alaska: Of the players from Arthur Smith’s past teams, which one will have the biggest impact and most playing time this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: That's a good question. I'm guessing Cordarrelle Patterson because of his dual role as a returner and a likely role as a RB/WR in the offense.
Andrew: There does not seem to be a lot of buzz around him, but it seems Keeanu Benton is primed for a breakout campaign. What is the feeling around the team about Benton this coming year?
Ray Fittipaldo: There is a lot of optimism about Benton's future, but it can't be a one-man show up front. You need more than one quality defensive lineman.
Ray Fittipaldo: According to spotrac they have a little more than $15 million in cap space right now.
Mickey: Ray, I think you might agree with me that this is a make or break season for Leal. How has he looked to you so far? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: I agree, but OTAs don't matter. It's all about how he looks in camp and the preseason games. He needs to be a bigger factor this year.
TVC15: Hi Ray, I don't know what to make of the crazy long 3 year extension for Tomlin. Surely it can't be based on his 3 playoff wins in the past 13 seasons .... most of them with a Hall of Fame quarterback. Are we doomed to 11 consecutive seasons without a playoff win?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think that depends on Russell Wilson.
Walter Sobchak: Lots of conversation about Arthur Smith instilling a new offense. How much of that offense is actually new? Does the terminology remain the same or is a total new learning experience for all involved.
Ray Fittipaldo: It's his offense so the Steelers are learning it in his terminology.
Lou: Hey Ray. One more. Is the biggest overall issue with the Steelers toooo much loyalty? The 2008 D was AMAZING. Then they got old and slow and didn’t revamp quickly enough. Ben had to hop to score 40 pts to win games. Perhaps we saw this with Ben’s last 2 years too. And Matt Canada too.
Ray Fittipaldo: Maybe. Will be interesting to see what they do with Heyward in that light.
Yogi in Jersey: Do you get the sense that Austin is a secret weapon they were just unable to maximize under Canada? Maybe he's a big reason why they've been so deliberate in bringing in a big name vet WR?
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't get that sense. With his size, he might be more of a gadget player than anything.
wiscoken: Assuming that the Steelers are not able to land a strong #2 WR between now and start of the season, do you think this factors at all into Smith's offensive scheme and what we could see (eg... could we see even more 2TE looks... RB's split out etc..)?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes and I think Smith is creative enough and has enough savvy that he can make it work. I still think you need a quality No. 2 in the event Pickens gets injured.
Ray Fittipaldo: OK that's it for today. I have to get to minicamp practice on the South Side. I'm on vacation next week, but I'll be back for another chat on Tuesday June 25.
First Published: June 11, 2024, 12:00 p.m.
Updated: June 11, 2024, 2:37 p.m.
