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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.06.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
Welcome and let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
10:58
Ray: any updated news on Broderick Jones?  Is his injury career threatening?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
I haven't herd that, but neck injuries are troublesome. Many players have had their careers shortened because of them. Jones has been around the team since being placed on IR, but I don't think we'll know about a timeline for his recovery for a little while.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:00
Ray: why do many people seem to think a team is luckier when their opponent misses a game ending field goal than when their opponent misses an extra point, fails to score at the end of the half, and blows coverages three times for long TDs?  I would say the Steelers may have been lucky to win, but not as lucky as the Ravens would have been.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
I think the Steelers were the better team for the final three quarters. I thought they deserved to win the game. They were the stronger team in the second half and kept showing an ability to come back from deficits.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:02
Ray: I asked Brian yesterday if he thinks the NFL should add time back to the clock late in a half after a defensive penalty and he said no.  Hamilton's penalty at the end of the half was really strategic from a time point of view.  What are your views on this?  Here is a scenario.  15 seconds left.  Offense needs a touchdown from the 10 on 1st down.  Probably has 3 cracks at it.  2 straight plays the defense just holds everybody.  Time runs down to :03.  Now offense has one shot from the 2.5 instead of 3 from the 10.  I think this is a glaring flaw in the rule book.  Harbaugh has exploited it before.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
Usually if it's something that has been taken advantage of the rules committee will look at it. Maybe some coaches prefer the ball on the 1 with one shot than three from the 10. See what I'm saying? The Steelers didn't score the touchdown there, but the DPI gave them a glorious opportunity to score. I'm not sure what the percentages are, but scoring from the 1 is probably better than a 50-50 chance.
TVC15
11:04
If Boswell had made the extra point would the Ravens have been more inclined to go for a touchdown up until the very last second rather than attempting the field goal (early) to send it to overtime? Chances are they would have gotten the touchdown with the way the Steeler defense was monumentally falling apart in the 4th quarter.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:05
This was brought up in the press box after the game. So was the replay assist that created the third-and-1, which led to the touchdown. Some speculated the Steelers would have been better off if it was first-and-10 and replay assist did not intervene. But you know how it goes. If my aunt...
79 Buccos
11:06
Ray,  Thanks for the chats and Happy New Year.  It looks like both D lines can control the opposing O lines.  Any thoughts on how Smith can design some protections to allow Rodgers time to take some shots that are 10+ yards?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
Honestly, that hasn't been something the Steelers have hunted all season. If they know the other team has a strong pass rush they try to get the ball out ASAP rather than take chances on being sacked because they want to take a few deep shots. Their counter is throw short and run long. Now, if the opportunity presents itself with play-action then yeah maybe they'll try to take a shot, but it will be in a spot when the Houston front is concerned with stopping the run.
Rocky Mtn Yunzer
11:08
Good morning Ray.  Still basking in the afterglow of that W on Sunday night - reminded me a little of the win over the Colts in the playoff when Bus fumbled and Ben tackled the returner by the ankle.  My question:  what can the Steelers do to beat or at least slow down a very good Houston defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
Convert third downs, keep them on the field. Perhaps most importantly don't get behind the stick, stay on schedule. They don't want to be in situations when the Texans can tee off with their pass rush.
Tampa Too
11:09
Ray. Do you think Roman Wilson will be on this team next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
I think he will be.
G Man
11:10
Hi Ray.  Cam Heyward’s continued strong play at this stage of his career is remarkable.  Do you see him as a Pro Football Hall of Famer?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
I do. I think he has the resume to get in.
Retire21
11:11
Judge my scenario, please. 1. Let AR ride into the sunset.,2. Since QBs of worth will be gone by No. 21, do another bandaid. Willis? 3. Extend MT. 4. With 2026 draft looking weak overall, push some picks to ‘27. 5. With the first place schedule looking brutal with probable losses to NE, Philly and Denver, gear down and take a 6-11 season. I think fans would buy into the long game and lay off MT.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
Why can't we stay in the present? The Steelers are in the playoffs. They are the home team against the Texans. There will be plenty of time to ponder the offseason when the offseason is upon us. As for judging your scenario, if Rodgers wants to come back, why would the Steelers let him ride off into the sunset when the college QB class appears to be weak?
Tom M.
11:14
hit enter too soon.  We’re getting a larger sample of Dylan Cook’s play and he continues to do well. We don’t hear his name much which is a good sign for OL’s. What’s your evaluation of him and is he a viable long term starter?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
I think he has a chance to be a starter. He's done well.
Still Perplexed
11:17
Hi, Ray - I just wanted to say "Thank you!" to you and all of the Steeler beat writers with PPG.  You guys do an amazing job keeping us all in the loop throughout the year.  The level of detail is amazing, so thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
Thanks!
Pittfan
11:17
Hi Ray. The Dolphins turned to a 7th round pick to QB them the last 2 or 3 games. I read he played well enough to go into next season at least to compete. I say that for obvious reasons. What do you think the Steelers will do if Rodgers does or doesn't come back?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
They'll get another bridge QB. Not sure who they would target at this point.
Yitzer
11:18
Ray, correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think I heard Joey Porter’s number called one time on Sunday. Did the Ravens avoid him completely?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
He got called for holding late in the game, but he's been playing very well. Last I checked he hadn't allowed a touchdown all season.
Costner
11:21
Now that we see what the #3 from Dallas gets us #79 overall, I'm of the opinion #8 comes back for another run and the Steelers keep all the early draft picks and bolster the current team... what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
I've said all along if Rodgers wants to come back the Steelers would be smart to have him back.
Jim K
11:23
Would Rodgers have tolerated Pickens?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
No.
SMF
11:25
Hi Ray:  Thanks for the chats.  Is something going on with Ramsey?  Undisclosed health issue?  How does a player voted to the Pro Bowl look like a confused high school DB against Flowers and Likely last game?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
They were keyed in on the run. Hey, it happens sometimes. But three times in one game? That cannot happen. I bet the Texans are drawing up all kinds of play to take advantage of that.
LivingInMyFears
11:26
Ray - as a whole, how would you rate this team in terms of health at this point in the season/post-season?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:28
Well, they have a few important starters out. DeShon Elliott is on IR as is Darnell Washington. Broderick Jones on IR too, but his absence has been minimized because of how well Cook has played. They've had some long-term injuries on the defensive line, but more to depth players than starters. So overall, I think they're in pretty decent shape. I think the Texans are too.
Jim Bow Dean
11:28
The running game has become much more effective. Are they using it enough?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:31
I don't have any real big issues with how or when they run the ball. They are passing 57.5% of the time, but they have Aaron Rodgers so I think you want to take advantage of his skill set. What did Arthur Smith say back in June? "We didn't bring him hear to run the triple option." I think if they had a lesser QB they'd lean on the run game more.
Bookem
11:32
Hey Ray, love your work. Why didn’t they just kick off into the end zone after Austin’s TD? Why risk a big return at that juncture of the game? Almost cost us the game. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:33
Well, if you kick into the end zone you give them the ball at the 35yard line with 60 seconds remaining. If you put the ball in play you assure time will run off and ideally you tackle the returner before he gets to the 30. It wasn't a good kick by Boswell. I'm starting to wonder what's going on with him. The last thing they need going into the postseason is a kicker in a slump.
Big D
11:33
I don't remember seeing anything written about it, but do you think the Steeler's offensive success in the second half Sunday night had more to do with Kyle Hamilton's injury and exit from the game than anything else?
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