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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.09.24
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Ryan
1:53
Jay Glazer and Adam Schefter have hinted Tomlin could step away after the season, any fire to that smoke?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I don't know why these pregame shows just don't have these agents on the air for interviews rather than have Glazer and Schefter be their mouthpieces. It's an effort to extract more money in the upcoming contract negotiation.
Tom
1:55
Do you see the Steelers having the usual gameplan to keep it close and try to win late or will they take some chances being an obvious underdog and without Watt? Do you see the game plan changing quickly once they get behind or will they wait until late? They have lost by great margins in the playoffs, if they do recall lately
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
The formula for the past three games has been a good one. Protect the ball, ask Rudolph to make some timely throws when the opportunities arise and lean on the running game. I don't think that changes with Watt out of the lineup. They can't go into the game thinking they have to play a different game to win. They have to count on Nick Herbig and Markus Golden to come through when their number is called.
hi ho neighbor
1:57
Three wins with no jet sweeps, QB rollouts and other ring-a-ding plays. Just good NFL pocket passing and smash mouth running the football 4 yards in a cloud of dust. Welcome back Steelers It’s been Sooooo long since I felt this way during games
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
The Mike Sullivan/Eddie Faulkner effect.
Jay
1:58
Hello Ray, hello appreciate your coverage.  Neither KP or Mason seem to be long term answers.  Do you think we find our franchise QB this year or give KP one more year to show he is not the guy?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Well, they're picking in the 20s this year so they won't find one in the draft unless they trade their entire draft haul for a top 3 pick. And that's not happening. Let's see how the playoffs unfold before worrying about the Pickett-Rudolph dynamic going forward.
Longtime Fan
1:59
What took Tomlin so long to go to Mason?  He has looked good all along.  It seems that Mike sticks with "his guys" too long and doesn't base his decisions on actual on field performance.  Do you think this has cost us games, and subsequently playoff berths, in the past?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I think it's fair to question Tomlin and the front office for the signing of Mitch Trubisky. It seems they would have been just fine with Rudolph as Pickett's backup. That money they used on Trubisky could have been earmarked for other positions. But listen, it's not like the Steelers are the only ones who gave up on Rudolph too soon. The other 31 teams had a chance to sign him for two months last year, and he remained a free agent until after the draft.
Zach
2:01
Could Tomlin surprise us all and take some time off ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I highly doubt he walks away from the millions he's due on his contract in 2024. It's a different discussion if we're talking about after the 2024 season should he not sign an extension.
NY Steel
2:03
There are 16 teams in a conference and 7 teams make the playoffs.  You just have to be a bit better than average to get into the playoffs.  Tomlin could make the playoffs every year and the Steelers could be doomed to a bit above average for that whole period.  Is that the right goal?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
That's not the way they look at it. They think if they get into the tournament they can win a Super Bowl. And they're in the tournament.
Gregg from Shaler
2:03
Ray, who is next guy up for the OLB group? Obviously Herbig and Golden but who else do we have or will we roll with top 3 only?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Kyron Johnson has been up from the practice squad and played on special teams the past few weeks. Tomlin mentioned him today as someone who could get some snaps on Sunday, but I think the vast majority go to Herbig and Golden.
Guest
2:04
It is great to see Mason succeed by staying in the pocket, reading the defense, and making timely throws.  He is just a solid, intelligent passer.  Do you think this will make Tomlin rethink his annual strategy of trying to go with a mobile quarterback?  When you look at the greats of the past (Brady, Manning, Marino, Montana), these guys were more smart passers and game managers than mobile, running athletes.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Well, mobile QBs are always going to be coveted. You could tell today in how Tomlin talked about defending Josh Allen . The great ones can throw from the pocket and use their legs to run or extend plays. But it doesn't do a team any good if the QB you drafted isn't very good at either. Or only good at one.
putinbatch
2:07
it looked like Miles "Harmon" Killebrew played a lot of snaps (for him) on defense against Baltimore. Do you know why- was he splitting time with Peterson/Rowe, or being a 3rd safety, or etc? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Desire to use three safeties and Fitzpatrick, Kazee and Thompson were not available for the game.
Black & Gold market
2:07
If Mason wins in Buffalo, where does that leave KP?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
On the bench for the AFC divisional round game in Baltimore.
putinbatch
2:09
another safety question- i'm a little nervous about Kazee getting up to speed after his suspension. How do you think the team should handle the suddenly crowded safety room? thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Tomlin admitted today it's going to be a challenge. I think if Fitzpatrick is close to being 100% healthy they'll have some options in how they want to cover TEs Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. I think this is a game where they could use three safeties quite a bit.
Black & Gold market
2:11
Does Mitch T. have any trade value at or before the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I don't think so.
Jay
2:11
Hello Ray.  Last year when TJ went down, DeMarvin Leal did fairly well.  Since then we have heard nothing from him.  Do you think he will be in the mix?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I've thought about that, but I don't get the sense they're thinking about doing that again. They're deeper this season with Herbig and Golden than they were last year.
NY Steel
2:12
Does a windy and wet afternoon favor the Steelers or the Bills?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
It favors the team that can run the ball better if the conditions are such that throwing the ball down the field is difficult.
Henry
2:14
Due to Colbert's dismal drafting the talent disparity between the Steelers and Ravens is eye opening. Can you name one position group that the Steelers are better than the Ravens?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Running back. Edge rusher. Safety. Just off the top of my head.
Tom
2:15
Vrabel for DC?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I think Mike Vrabel gets another head coaching job, but I do think Tomlin could use a former head coach on the staff again. It's been a while since he's had one.
Black & Gold market
2:16
How did Minkah make the Pro Bowl with no INTs, fumbles (causing or recovering), no splash plays and missing 1/3 of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
The Pro Bowl is an popularity contest. Pay more attention to the All-Pro selections.
Beer_baron
2:17
What do the coaches say is the reason Kenny doesn’t give the team the bast chance to win?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
They don't. They simply say they're riding with the hot hand.
LYM
2:18
Has anyone requested an interview with Weidl for GM position. Think losing him would be the biggest off season subtraction
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Not that I've heard.
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