Today’s poll: What is the biggest story line headed into training camp?

Development of young OLBs ( 17% )

Development of secondary ( 75% )

The goal line offense ( 8% )

other ( 0% )

Comment From Guest

What are we to complain about with no Steelers activity for the next month!?

Ray Fittipaldo: Do what the players are doing: enjoying the down time. But don’t do anything stupid at 2 in the morning like some of them will.

Comment From John B.

A lot of people already have Golson pegged as the nickleback, you think he’ll jump over Blake?

Ray Fittipaldo: Most importantly, the Steelers don’t. At least not yet. Blake maintained that role throughout the spring as he did late last season when he was inserted into the lineup due to some injuries. I like what Blake did in his limited role last season. We’ll see if he can hold Golson off in training camp.

Comment From John B.

Fun Prediction: whos our KR/PR opening day?

Ray Fittipaldo: Who it should be: Markus Wheaton and Antonio Brown.

Who it will likely be: Dri Archer and Antonio Brown.

Comment From Tom

Is this shift to a fast opportunistic defense good? Has any small fast high turnover defense ever produced consistently?

Ray Fittipaldo: High turnover teams do produce consistently because teams that win the turnover battle win almost 80 percent of the time in the NFL. As far as drafting smaller and faster players the Steelers are merely trying to keep up with the spread offenses that have proliferated around the league. Those offenses are employing smaller and faster players. It’s a reaction to what they’re doing.

Comment From Billy M

Who could be the surprise rookie drafted or undrafted this year?

Ray Fittipaldo: When you say surprise I assume you mean one of the lower picks so I’ll say fifth-round pick Jesse James. He has impressed me as a receiver. He’d be a big target in the red zone if the Steelers choose to use him down there. I’m not saying he’ll be the rookie of the year, but of the lower picks I thought he showed well this spring.

Comment From Guest

will jarvis jones and shamarko thomas be starters on the steelers defense this season?

Ray Fittipaldo: I believe so. Jones is a lock barring an injury. And even though they’ve never shown any confidence in Thomas in the past it’s time to find out about him.

Comment From Rene

Could it be possible for them to keep 6 WRs if Goodwin plays good?

Ray Fittipaldo: I suppose it’s possible, but I’d say it’s unlikely. It’s probably going to come down to Darrius Heyward-Bey, Goodwin or another UFA.

Comment From Daniel

Why many writers think it isn’t likely for them to keep 10 LBs on the roster? I’ve made a sort of depth chart mock and the number fits in well.

Ray Fittipaldo: If memory serves correct they kept eight to start last year: Garvin, Spence, Williams, Shazier, Timmons, Jones, Moats and Worilds. Doing this is real time so correct me if I’m leaving someone off.

Comment From flounder

Who is Jerome Bettis having as a spokesman at the hall of fame introduction?

Ray Fittipaldo: I believe that will be announced soon.

Comment From Guest

Just saw the schedule again. Wow! Could the Steelers be really good this year but finish with a poor record?

Ray Fittipaldo: Sure, that’s possible. I believe their opponents had a .579 winning percentage last season. The NFL changes from year to year, but it’s a pretty good indicator of what lies ahead.

Comment From dsf

Can you explain why the steeler have seemed to make it more of a priority to sign other players to an extension over beachum? They have drafted two tackles high and they tried at left and both couldn’t do it? For all the talk about a franchise qb being the most important, sure seems like you are putting him at risk.

Ray Fittipaldo: You make good points. Left tackle is important because that player protects Ben’s blind side. But the Steelers have big money tied up in Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert and likely David DeCastro. You can criticize those past moves, but it doesn’t change anything because much of that $ is guaranteed. I just think sometimes you have to prioritize when other players such as LeVeon Bell have to be re-signed in the coming years. Right or wrong, it appears at the moment that the Steelers are prioritizing DeCastro over Beachum. That could change or Beachum could give a hometown discount, but there’s never enough money to go around. Teams lose good players every year because of the salary cap.

Comment From Guest

Regarding Beachum: Isn’t it also possible that the front office thinks he might not garner the kind of high offers on the open market, because of his atypical size at the position? And so letting him test the market might actually benefit them in the long run? And if it doesn’t–well, maybe it’s better to let someone else pay him market value?

Ray Fittipaldo: That’s a good point, but if he plays as well this season as he did last season some team will pay him. After a while teams know if a guy is a flash i the pan or a consistent producer. If Beachum repeats his 2014 performance some GM out there will bet on him being the latter.

Comment From Tom

All the talk is about how guys like Sharmarko, Jones and defense must step it up this year. How about the O-Line becoming a dominant group? They lost the Playoff game by not protecting Ben or opened few holes in the final games. For the highly paid group do THEY need to carry the team?

Ray Fittipaldo: I agree with you. They did not play well vs. the Ravens and the rushing offense fell off late in the season. And their performance in the goal line offense was sub par for most of the season. But looking the season on the whole they performed well. Pro Football Focus ranked them the eighth best offensive line the league. Most importantly, they gave Ben time on a consistent basis, the playoff game excluded.

Comment From dsf

Right I don’t understand why you would give DeCastro money an not beachum. Guards are easier to find than left tackles AND if someone else signs DeCastro, the compensation pick would be considerably higher right?

Ray Fittipaldo: I’m not in on the coaches or front office meetings, but if I had to guess I’d say DeCastro is just starting to come into his own and will continue to improve and perhaps become a dominant player while Beachum might not have as much upside. Beachum might never be better than he is now. That’s not a slight toward him, but he’s not the ideal left tackle from a size perspective and his pass pro is better than his run blocking.

Comment From Guest

Why would any team value a guard over a LT? DeCastro isn’t even the top rated guard from his draft.

Ray Fittipaldo: You need good guards too. Ramon Foster is a free agent after this season. I don’t think they want to start anew at those two positions either.

Comment From John B.

You see any particular vets having the chance of being cut this summer?

Ray Fittipaldo: No big names but guys who had roles on the periphery will be pushed, guys like Robert Golden and Darrius Heyward Bey, etc.

Comment From JamesinNYC

If Beachum stays a good left tackle (5th by PFF) that is still worth more than most non HOF guards. Ironic that the knock on him is size, but across the line you have a OLB that is too short in Harrison…he never amounted to anything right? 😉

Comment From dsf

Do you get the sense that the coaches are undewhelmed with Wheaton? As Matt Williamson from ESPN reported?

Ray Fittipaldo: I didn’t read that article but playing Wheaton in the slot does make more sense for him and the offense. He’s not as talented as Martavis Bryant and does not produce the big-play threat that he does. That’s why the offense was so much better after Bryant was inserted into the lineup. It got players in better positions on the team. Wheaton isn’t a No. 2 receiver, but I think he can be effective as a slot WR. If you’re asking me I’m not underwhelmed by Wheaton, but I recognize he’s probably their fourth-most talented WR on the roster. Sammie Coates won’t surpass him this season, but he’s got all the athletic traits that should make that happen if all goes well.

Comment From dsf

your guess as to who has more sacks this season between J.Jones and A. Moats, knowing that LOLB drops into coverage more?

Ray Fittipaldo: Jones but not with any great confidence.

Comment From Guest

Left tackles and cornerbacks make the big bucks because of importance and teams know how hard there are to find. Why do the Steelers think they can buck the trend and put anybody into those spots? Was finding Ike and Beachum luck or skill?

Ray Fittipaldo: There’s always a little bit of luck involved when a late-round guy pans out and becomes a very good player. There’s also some skill involved when it comes to identifying those players. You can to credit the scouts and front office.

Comment From Liver

Any thought of signing beachum and moving him to lg?

Ray Fittipaldo: He’d never go for that. He’s been a left tackle and left tackles make more money than guards.

Comment From Guest

If Bud Dupree is a starter this season, the Steelers starting linebacking core will consist of all first round draft picks. What do you think the chances of that are?

Ray Fittipaldo: Fairly decent if you invest first-round picks in three consecutive seasons.

Comment From dsf

if both were up for contract extension today, who would get more, DeCastro or Beachum?

Ray Fittipaldo: Beachum I think because of his position.

Comment From Touchdown Joey

Mike Adams is a UFA after this year, right? They might think they would have the inside track on keeping him around if Beachum were to go. Could be?

Ray Fittipaldo: But Adams failed as a left tackle. I’m not sure one has anything to do with the other.

Comment From Zack

Why not play Gilbert a LT and bring back Adams for RT?

Ray Fittipaldo: They tried Gilbert at left tackle early in camp in 2013. They liked him better at right tackle so they kept him there and tried Adams at left tackle.

Comment From dsf

This is not another Beachum question! Your prediction for the third string QB in September?

Ray Fittipaldo: Here’s one: he won’t play a snap so let’s not obsess over it!

Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for joining me today. I’m taking some time off over the next two weeks so my next chat will be Monday July 13.