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Your Twitter questions answered

Ray Fittipaldo 7 years ago

Let’s get right to it on this hump day. Here are your Twitter questions and my answers.

From Michael

Q: does this draft have a bearing on the Steelers picking up Jarvis Jones' option or has it already been decided?

A: I think that’s already been decided one way or the other. I don’t know exactly how they’ll proceed, but if they draft an outside linebacker in the top three rounds that’s probably the signal that Jones will be playing his final season with the Steelers. If they don’t, I would imagine Jones would be with the Steelers in 2017. I just don’t foresee a scenario that they go into 2017 with only Arthur Moats, Bud Dupree and Anthony Chickillo under contract. So it has to be Jones or a relatively high draft pick with some promise that they can groom.

From Bobby Bentley

Q: do you believe we look at a veteran safety even if we select one high in the draft?

A: I don’t think so. They had a chance to do that in the prime part of free agency and passed on Eric Weddle. So I think they’ll go with Robert Golden and the guy they choose in the draft who will be the long-term answer. I don’t think there is any reason to bring another veteran in. Golden is a veteran, and he gained some valuable experience last season when he filled in for Will Allen and in the dime package late in the season.

From Eugene:

Q: Ray, so how many picks will be defensive and how many on the offense side?

A: I’m saying 5-2 defensive at least. Could be 6-1.

From Billy Nguyen

Q: do you think the Steelers will cut any vets (Timmons etc.) prior to training camp?

A: I don’t think Timmons is in danger. If the Steelers have players under contract at this time of year they usually keep them. If they want someone to take a pay cut or want to cut him they usually do it in March. Troy Polamalu retired around this time of the year last year. But that was a unique scenario because the Steelers wanted to give him time to make a decision. Now, I think they might ask Timmons to sign a contract extension to lower his cap hit for 2016, but I don’t think he’s in danger of getting cut. The one veteran who I think could get cut, or at the very least take a big pay cut, is Cortez Allen. I just don’t see how they keep him after what’s happened the past two seasons, especially with his salary. If they get the CB they want in the draft I don’t see why they would keep Allen.

From Colonial

Q: outside of injuries, biggest obstacle steelers will have to overcome during the season?

A: I think beating the team on their schedule that they’re supposed to beat. Every year they seem to find ways to lose to teams who aren’t in their league. Last year it was the Ravens twice. In previous years there were losses to Tampa, Oakland, Cleveland, etc. They have to eliminate those types of losses so they’re 13-3 and in contention for the top seed in the AFC rather than 11-5 or 10-6, sneaking into the playoffs and playing on the road.

From Calhammer

Q: Only 1 Steeler visitor Tuesday? How many are teams allowed now 30?

A: Yes, teams are allowed to play host to 30 prospects at their facility. I think the Steelers are at 26 now, so four more to go between now and the draft.

From SP

Q: the Browns are now big on analytics. Are the Steelers looking at SpARQ, KEI, and HIG factor in prospects?

A: Well, if the Browns are doing it the Steelers had better follow them because they are the leaders of the NFL… The Steelers have a director of analytics. His name is Karim Kassam. I wrote a story on him last summer and what he does for the Steelers.

From Jefferson Street Joe

Q: What are the chances they extend Wheaton before the season? I see him having a breakout year. At worst he's a solid starter.

A: Wheaton is not a priority this offseason. David DeCastro and Le’Veon Bell are. Wheaton might be a solid starter, but the Steelers have always had a next man up mentality when it comes to the No. 2 receiver. Most guys in that role over the past decade have left via free agency. They don’t pay two receivers top dollar. Mike Wallace left after the Steelers paid Antonio Brown. Emmanuel Sanders left because they didn’t want to pay him what he got on the open market. The same will likely be true of Wheaton. They’ve done such a good job of drafting and developing receivers that it shouldn’t be a big issue.