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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 7.10.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I don't know about that. The Patriots have won in the past after their best players move on. It certainly wouldn't have helped their cause though.
Adam
12:29
How should fans approach this year mentally?  Should we expect Super Bowl or bust?  Should we expect this to be the last year of a long window with the anticipation/uncertainty of Ben's future?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Isn't it Super Bowl or bust every year around here. And yes, year to year is a prudent way of looking at it though I still think Roethlisberger will play out the final three years of his contract.
Tom from Cleveland
12:30
Long time lurking fan Ray...Has the FO signed #78 yet?  Also, are any of the current QB's realistically capable of growing into a starting roll after Ben hangs up his spikes?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
I don't think they'll move onto Villanueva or Tuitt until there is a resolution with Bell.
Dan K.
12:31
The Steelers had an extremely difficult schedule when they won the Super Bowl in '08. Do you think the Nov-Dec run of Packers, Bengals, Ravens, Patriots might benefit the team in terms of playoff prep? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
If beating the Patriots means knocking them out of the playoffs, then yes!
Adam
12:32
If Ben was driven towards contemplating retirement due to the loss at NE, how can we keep his enthusiasm high?  Even if we were to win it all, wouldn't Ben see that as an ideal way to retire?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Maybe at this point, but he's always said his goal is to retire with more Super Bowls than anyone. Another this season would give him three. Once you taste success you want to keep going back for more. I think it would be the opposite. He'd be inspired to return and win more.
Adam
12:33
What is the likely punishment for Artie Burns?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
From the Steelers? Nothing, although I think they'll encourage him to start paying his tickets and maintain a driver's license.
Adam
12:33
Do you agree that Mitchell is vastly overpaid?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
There was some misinformation in that USA Today story. Te $8.1 million cited in the article is merely the cap hi for the 2017 season. He signed a five-year, $25 million deal. So he makes $5 million on average over the life of his contract. The author of the story made a mistake. I doubt they'd rank him as being overrated at the $5 million a year rate. That's a slightly above average salary for a starting safety and Mitchell has been average the past few years.
Adam
12:35
Even if the Steelers wanted to bring D Williams back, there is no room on the RB depth chart right?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I believe Williams' training these days is jumping off the top turnbuckle and onto collapse-able tables. His NFL career -- at least in Pittsburgh -- appears over.
BishkekSteeler
12:36
In the past 10 years or so, the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals have had to beat themselves up badly to get out of the North and move on to the playoffs against NE who generally walked through with little to no competition. Why don't pundits take more issue with this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
What is there to take issue with? The NFL won't make the Patriots switch divisions. They play the schedule in front of them.
Adam
12:37
Do you think someone on D gets 10 sacks?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
If someone does, it will be Dupree. But I'm not convinced that'll happen.
Adam
12:37
How many more years of elite production can we expect from AB?  Will he remain elite into his early 30s?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Most WRs are still in their prime in their early 30s. It's when they get to 32 and 33 that they drop off. There have been a few exceptions over the years. Jerry Rice had one of his best years when he was 33, but most experience a decline around that age.
Rich
12:39
I thought Grmble looked like he has potential to even pass James.  Your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Maybe when they want a TE to make a big play. But when it comes to running their offense they were quite effective with James as the primary TE.
JamesinNYC
12:39
Of the plethora of wide receivers they have which one could they and would they be willing to trade?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
I don't know if there is a lot of trade value for any of them, but I suspect the one with the most is Sammie Coates based on his early-season production last year before the injuries.
Steeler Nation Peasant 1963
12:40
Is Cam Heyward's injury more serious than the scant discussion of it, imo,  has implied, recurrence like high ankle sprains etc.?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
He was on the field in OTAs and minicamp. I expect him to be close to 100 percent in camp if he's not already there.
Carson Long
12:41
Shouldn't Gary Anderson be in the hall of fame?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
That's a question for Ed Bouchette. But my answer is no.
12:42
Well, let's take QB out of the equation because every team would be in dire straits. My call is inside linebacker.
SteelDa1
12:42
RB, ILB, QB and TE all seem to have the least amount of depth, e.g., there's significant fall-off after the starter. Which position most likely to hurt Pittsburgh in case of an injury -- after QB, of course.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Question to previous answer.
Steeler Nation Peasant 1963
12:43
Best restaurant meal you've had this offseason in the Pittsburgh area?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
1905 Eatery in McKees Rocks.
clark griswold
12:43
Where did you go on your Summer vacation Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
Stay-cation though I did spend a lot of time at softball fields.
jd
12:44
i know the steelers don't have a history of trades but why not try trading a wr for a draft pick or lb or db with a team that is overloaded on those positions but not wr's?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
I just don't think you'd get much in return. What would you get for Sammie Coates? A fourth or fifth-round pick? And only if a team is desperate to make a trade for a WR. You might be better off seeing if he can recapture his early-season form.
Jimmy the Greek
12:46
The Patriots do more with less every season, or so it seems. Even if the Steelers are superior talent-wise, New England puts in a wrinkle that somehow gets them an upper hand. Do you think the Steelers' coaching staff can adjust on the fly in a high-stakes game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
Depends upon who is playing in that game? Is Le'Veon Bell available?
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