You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.05.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
If I had to guess right now I would say yes. But that might depend on the availability of other players and special teams decisions.
SoCalSteelerFan
2:23
Hi Ray - enjoy your chats. Does Stafanski typically call the plays on offense or defense? How will his absence likely affect the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Yes he is the offensive play-caller. Alex van Pelt is the offensive coordinator, so he'll step in and call the plays on Sunday.
BubbyBristermopsupfornobody!
2:23
Ray, I know Kevin Dotson did not turn the Steelers into the 1972 dolphins or 1978 patriots running games, but please tell me they plan on playing him instead of an ineffective feiler.  He did actually seem to move people!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Tomlin said he won't ponder that question until he knows if Feiler is a viable option. Feiler is expected to practice this week. They'll evaluate where he is. If he looks good they'll have a decision to make. And Tomlin made it clear today it's not going to be an easy decision.
JW
2:25
Any word on Haden s return
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Haden tested positive and is not allowed to play in the first playoff game.
KN
2:25
Hello. Thank you Ray for the chat.  I know that it is a small sample size but based on what you saw last Sunday, do you think Mason has earned the right to inherit Big Ben job whenever he retires ?  Thank you and Happy New Year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Happy New Year! I like what I saw from Rudolph, especially his deep balls. I was not enamored with the slow start or his pocket presence at times. I lean toward he did more than enough to solidify his job as the backup rather than convincing anyone he is the heir apparent. But that's just my opinion.
Bill
2:27
Do you think with Kevin Stefanski now out plus their pro bowl LG Bitonio due to covid, is this game   a lock for the Steelers? This game could be a blowout for the Steelers.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
It certainly tips the scales in the Steelers' favor. The Browns can stay in the game if they run it well and don't turn the ball over. But if they can't do that it might be a long day for them.
Alan
2:28
Hi Ray, as a long time Steeler fan of almost 40 years, I’m not sure if I’ve seen a Steeler team this pitiful at running the ball. Can they make a deep playoff run with no ground game in your opinion, and do you get the sense that OL will be a top priority in the draft? (It’s gotta be but wanted to get your take)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Yes I think OL will be a priority in the draft. Villanueva will not be back and DeCastro and Pouncey are entering the final year of their deals in 2021. Plus, Feiler is a free agent. Even if those guys were playing well, drafting a lineman would be a priority. The fact that this group has struggled makes the draft even more important.
BubbyBristermopsupfornobody!
2:29
Ray, since you know more than most what actual impact will not having Stefanski on the sidelines have on the Browns?  Is he allowed to communicate with the team in someway from somewhere to influence the game? If this were Bill Bellicheat we would not need to ask ;)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Stefanski cannot communicate with his coaches during the game. That is against the rules.
Whatsacatch
2:30
Tomlin being open to possibilities is about as noncommittal as he can get. Does that just mean he hasn’t all but ruled out not using Dobbs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
It means he's making the Browns prepare for Dobbs. He knows what he's going to do.
Ryan
2:30
Good afternoon Ray do you think Spillane comes back this week what do you think about the year Tuitt has had
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Yes I think Spillane will be back unless he has a setback with his knee this week in practice. As for Tuitt, he's been very good as a pass rusher. He posted a career-high 11 sacks. Against the run, he can sometimes get out of position or be single blocked. But overall, it's been a very good year for him.
Larry
2:32
Why dress so many nose guards.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
All those defensive linemen are versatile enough to bump out and play end.
Nick
2:32
Hi Ray...happy new year.  How significant, or not, of a loss is it for the the Browns to not have head coach Stefanski available?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
I think it's very significant. In addition to making important in-game decisions he's also the offensive play-caller for the Browns. That's huge. Now Alex van Pelt steps into the role. I'm sure they've had trial runs, but there is a certain rhythm to calling a game and that's going to be tough on him having to do it for the first time in a playoff game.
David Cos
2:34
I'm not astute enough during live action to notice but how did Sutton hold up in place of Haden?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Sutton has been good pretty much all season. It's not so much Sutton as it is Justin Layne when he has to come in and play in certain sub-packages as the outside corner.
mrbig
2:35
Am i the only one concerned with how many steelers might test positive before the 2nd playoff week if they are playing an "infected" browns team this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
No you're not, but the NFL claims there has not been spread of the virus through games or practices this season.
These days it's all about Rhythm
2:36
Wright looked pretty capable to me... 46 or... ek hemm... 47 yards out... I'd carry 2 kickers in the play-offs rather than 3 QBs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
More than likely it will come down to Boswell and whether he's ready. If he's not, they'll simply go with Wright again.
AG8TR
2:37
I try not complain about officials, but it felt like the Steelers didn’t get the benefit of the whistle on Sunday. Two holding calls missed. Roughing the passer on the interception. Maybe PI on the two point conversion. What do you think? Also, can the Steelers object to a crew in the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
The officiating was awful in the Browns game. You pointed out all the missed calls. And no, the Steelers cannot object to a certain crew working the playoffs. I'm not sure if this changed due to COVID this year, but it's usually all-star crews that work the playoff games. In other words, the best officials during the regular season work the playoff games. The officials that were not graded well sit them out.
Yates
2:39
If Cassius is cleared to play on Sunday, which back-up LBs do you think get a hat?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Good question. They seem to favor Marsh when he's healthy, but Elliott was OK against the Browns whne he got an opportunity to play. My guess is Marsh will dress if he's cleared because he's good on special teams. That could mean Elliott is inactive.
cornelius
2:40
Terrible towels this weekend? 5000 of them?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Yoi!
And double yoi!
Justin
2:41
Are non-COVID questions permitted?  Any update on Boswell?  Wright has been great but his short kickoffs and shorter field goal range could be a liability.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Boswell has a chance to play if he shows in practice that he is healthy. And I agree with you on Wright and the kickoffs. Field position is so important in playoff games.
Yates
2:42
Free up some cap space idea for 2021.  Sign Zach Ertz and release 89 and Ebron. Different body type than Ebron but same or better production. Any objections Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Other than Ertz being 30 and likely costing a lot to sign. McDonald won't be back. At least not at his current cap number. Ebron is a polarizing player. He's not good as a blocker and he drops too many passes. In an ideal world, I'd say cut them both and sign Ertz, but I'm not really big on signing older players to big contracts. My guess is they'll draft a tight end in the first four rounds.
Connecting…