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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.05.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Let's get started.
BB
1:58
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  Do you see any significant advantages or disadvantages to drawing the last playoff game of the weekend?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Not really. If anything, it's probably better than playing on Saturday, but the winner is a bit behind due to being the late game.
BB
1:59
The Browns might be on their way to a significant outbreak....there would seem to be limited flexibility from the league now as opposed to during the regular season.  Do you know of any "plan Bs" if one or more of these games needs to be pushed back?  I hope the Steelers have gone to max protect on covid protocols....
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
The NFL Network reported this is not a facility outbreak like we saw in Baltimore earlier in the season. They believe the outbreak last week was community spread. Not sure if that's the case with this week's outbreak. But to answer your question, there is very little they can do unless they want to push back other playoff games.
Gino
2:01
Hi Ray, with Ben indicating he wants to play next season and possibly beyond, do you think he will be asked to restructure his contract or maybe volunteer to do so?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
No. There is no restructuring to be done. He's already pushed money into the future. The only way to make the cap number more palatable is to add more years to the contract.
Tampa too
2:02
With more Brownies testing positive (including the coach) do you see any scenario where the league would postpone this game?   I believe that would be extremely unfair to the Steelers if that were to happen
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
If the outbreak is not contained they won't play the game. But with any other circumstances, head coach out with COVID... QB, top WR, whoever. It doesn't matter. They'll forge on if the outbreak is contained.
Yates
2:04
Hi Ray -  Outside of quality of pass pro, do you see much difference across top 3 RBs?  Do you understand the rotation of RBs this year?  Seems from a far like there is not plan.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I think Conner is the most well-rounded of the bunch and therefore should be the featured guy in the playoffs. McFarland hasn't done anything to earn playing time and Samuels isn't really a feature-type runner. So I'd go with Conner and sprinkle in some Snell on occasion.
Jeff
2:05
When are the Steelers season ticket holders who "opted in" for playoff tickets going to hear whether we can attend Sunday?  What can they (the Steelers or the state) possibly be waiting on?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I just saw Washington is not allowing fans because of the virus due to Maryland state regulations. Maybe Pennsylvania is still looking at the situation.
Melanie
2:07
Ray what’s going on with Ray Ray and his returns? He started the season so well even doing things well on offense.. now his confidence seems shut.. he is hesitant and every time he touches the ball I just pray for no fumble.. what do you attribute this to, maybe coaching telling him what to do and don’t let him freedom to follow his instincts? Every game is worse.. thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
If I was Danny Smith I would not be afraid to put Diontae Johnson back there for punts if the team needs a spark. McCloud hasn't been nearly as good as he was early in the season. I don't think his blocking has been great, either, but his judgment sometimes leaves something to be desired.
BB
2:08
Ray - Any thoughts that the playoff teams might go to lock down mode for as long as they are still in the playoffs to avoid any family/friends exposures?  Keep things tight like the NBA/NHL did but still travel to the game sites?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Mike Tomlin talked today about what they do. Gerry Dulac is writing about it. The Steelers and the NFL don't "lock down" their players, but they do have very specific ways of helping them avoid the virus.
SDCOLA
2:09
What Browns' players are definitely out Sunday?  And does the NFL scheduling the game at Sunday Night negatively effect the Steelers because some Browns players can get off the Covid list in time?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Joel Bitonio and KaDarel Hodge are definitely out. They tested positive today. I saw Kevin Stefanski say yesterday that he did not have any updates on Denzel Ward, Sendejo, Bryant, Johnson and others who missed Sunday.
FC
2:10
Hey Ray, thanks for the chats. Any significant injuries/covid that will affect the starting line up?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Joe Haden won't play. He tested positive last week. They could get Eric Ebron and Cassius Marsh back. They were close contacts of Haden.
Tom
2:11
Can the Steelers win a playoff game if they fail to commit to running the ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
One game, yes. Two? Maybe. Any more than that? Probably not.
RPK
2:12
Hi Ray, why was Claypool not in the game plan until recently?  Ben seems to lock on to Ebron and Johnson while ignoring other (sometimes wide open) receivers.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Tomlin mentioned a few weeks back that they wanted to make sure he wasn't getting worn down. So they limited his snaps in a few games. Claypool said he didn't feel like he needed the rest, but maybe the coaches just wanted to make sure he had fresh legs going into the playoffs.
Eddie O
2:13
Do you think Ben will be airing it out against Clev like Mason did, or will we go back to the dink and dunk?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Ben started to throw it down the field against the Colts in the second half. If he likes the matchups against the Browns secondary I see no reason why he wouldn't continue throwing some deep balls. Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson could be back though.
Raymund
2:14
I would save Dobbs plays for the Bills (most likely next opponent if beating Browns) and take them by surprise then.. don’t show them now on tape our other hidden gems.. have to use him just protect the football Josh!.. Right Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
The Steelers have to do whatever they have to do to win this playoff game. If that includes Dobbs then so be it. Coaches don't leave anything in the bag come playoff time.
Stillers Fan
2:15
Ray,  Praying it doesn't happen to the Steelers, but who would the next man up be for Coach Tomlin if he tested positive like the Brown's Coach?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Tomlin asked that question today, and he didn't answer. He said they have a plan, but he didn't want to say who that guy would be. I am guessing it would be Teryl Austin.
Theon
2:16
Ray, is it a backs or line problem regarding the running game? I was thinking the line all year but man...these backs stink
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I think it's a little bit of both. I think the backs lack some instincts when it comes to hitting the right holes, but there certainly have been times when the line gets pushed back and there is no room to run. That's priority No. 1 this offseason. Get the running game straightened out. Of course, you could have said that the past two years as well.
Yates
2:18
Ray -  No more talk about future hall of fame QB willing to come off the field until that QB shows willingness and ability to do a QB sneak.  Sometimes getting a meaningful first down is a difference maker in game outcome.  Other teams use other QBs, why not us?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
The Steelers might do it this week. Tomlin said dressing Dobbs is a possibility. And I agree with you. If there is an edge in playing Dobbs on occasion then the Steelers should do it. Roethlisberger is in the same situation as Drew Brees and Phillip[ Rivers. I haven't heard those guys complain about Taysom Hill or Jacoby Brissett replacing them on occasion.
Run Game 0
2:19
Ray, since when is it a conscious decision to call less holding infractions?  Was it a league directive?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Yes it was. It was one of those offseason emphases we always hear about from the officials when they visit training camp every year. It will be interesting to see what they do next year. There have been some egregious holding calls that have gone uncalled, including a few in last week's Steelers-Browns game. To me, you have to call the obvious ones that create an advantage for the offense. Otherwise, you're messing with the integrity of the game.
Southside Jimmy
2:21
Assuming Al Villanueva is gone next year,  would Chuks or Banner be more likely to start at left tackle?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Banner is not under contract, but he could re-sign. So yes. However, I think they have to draft a tackle high if there is a good one available when they pick..
Timothyjwalsh2
2:22
Do we field three QBs Sunday?
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