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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.25.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
Epiballo
1:53
Tony Kornheiser opined that the Bills should have executed a squib kick, given the Chiefs only had 13 seconds. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
I'd prefer a sky kick to the 10 if my kicker is capable. If he tries to run precious time comes off the clock. If he fair catches it then it's almost impossible to get into field goal range. Can do the same with a squib kick, but there is a higher probability an upback falls on it at the 30 or 35 and no time comes off the clock.
Nick from VA
1:55
Given the revelation that Tomlin is calling all the defensive plays and he is optimistic about his new OC (Canada) despite the fact he admitted the offense regressed, is there any reason to think that the Steelers will really be relevant as long as he is HC? I hear a lot of people saying ARII needs to step in and force him to make those changes, but how can that possibly work? Forcing someone to do something they don't want to do is never a recipe for success. I say either we let him do his thing or fire him, not keep him and "force" him to make those changes?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Perhaps Art Rooney II forced Tomlin to make a change in 2012 because Tomlin was still a relatively young coach and he believed it was what was best for the team at that time. Rooney said Roethlisberger felt too comfortable with Arians  and he wanted someone who was not as close to him to coordinate the offense. At this stage of Tomlin's career, as he enters his 16th season, it's more likely Rooney trusts his judgment with assistant coaching hires. So I agree with you, at this point, it's unlikely Rooney forces something on Tomlin. If he wanted to do that I think it probably would have happened a few days after the loss to the Chiefs. We're now nine days past the loss so I don't think any move is coming.
Jerry
1:58
Hey Ray! What do you think about Winston as the Steelers QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I don't think much about that. I know he cut down on the INTs this year, but he was known for turnovers before going to New Orleans. Plus, he's not the most mobile guy, either. Tomlin would prefer someone who is mobile.
JP
1:59
Hi Ray, when does your mock draft pick article drop this year?!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
My first mock draft will be published around the Super Bowl. Either the week of or the week after.
KDub
2:01
Hi Ray. Thanks for the chats. Do you think reports of the Steelers interviewing the Giants DC and Saints secondary coach mean they may actually hire someone from outside the organization or are they fulfilling the Rooney Rule and nothing more? It seems like a good time to bring in some fresh perspectives on both sides of the ball.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I'm not going to accuse the Steelers of going through the motions on something like, especially when they are the only team in the NFL with a Black head coach. However, I will tell you they have been grooming Teryl Austin for the job much in the same way they groomed Keith Butler for the job way back when. Now if Austin has other opportunities he wants to pursue, then yes these other coaches would be in play, but I think Austin, who is Black, is the frontrunner if he wants the job.
Nick from VA
2:02
Didn't finish my last question, but didn't the Bills lose because:
  1. With 13 seconds left, they kicked the ball into the endzone. In that situation, don't you kick it deep, but in bounds to take time off the clock? KC had 3 timeouts left and Tony Romo was saying the same thing at the time.
  2. They went into a prevent defense immediately after that. Who was it that said the only thing the prevent defense does is prevent you from winning?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I don't know who said it, but the Bills played way too soft on those two plays. They could have rushed two and dropped nine. Pressed WRs at the LOS, disrupt routes and stop them. A good team doesn't let the Chiefs get to midfield in that situation. The Bills let them get into chip-shot FG range.
AZ Stiller
2:04
In your educated opinion, will Mr. Rooney overrule Tomlin and get rid of Canada?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I think we would have heard something on that front by now.
Virgil
2:05
What happened to James Pierre? They seemed to be really high on him. I don't recall hearing his number called since early in the season. Did the other folks in the mix turn up better?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Pierre wasn't playing well so they tried Ahkello Witherspoon as the third CB and Witherspoon took advantage of his opportunity. Lots of free agent CBs on the Steelers roster so Pierre will have another chance, but he'll have to play much better to get back onto the field.
AZ Stiller
2:06
If you were GM (and you have my vote), would you go get Trubisky to add to our QB room?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Depends on a lot of things. Such as what they think of this QB class coming out this year? How much would someone like Trubisky want? Do they really want another reclamation project having just gone through the same thing with Haskins?
chris
2:09
do you believe Tuitt is here next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I don't know if Tuitt wants to play, and that's the most important aspect of this discussion. If he does, then the Steelers have to make a tough decision because he can obviously help them if he's right. But with a $13 million-plus cap hit it's a pretty big gamble considering Tuitt hasn't always been available the past three seasons.
Mike in NC
2:10
Ray, I wouldn’t do it but do you see the Steelers trading away a #1 pick (at a minimum) for one of these rumored QB’s?  Feels like there’s too many holes to fill already and each of these QB’s has a red flag or two.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
So many holes to fill. I can't see them doing that. Honestly, if Aaron Rodgers came here, would he be effective behind that OL? Every QB needs time and weapons. The Steelers are a little better off at WR and TE, but it's not like anyone looks at their WR corps as one of the best in the league. I have more questions than answers about them after watching the final month of the season unfold.
iowasteelersfan
2:12
First I heard we're going to offer Austin the DC job, then I heard we're interviewing others - can you please clarify whats going on in our DC search?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Under NFL rules, all teams must interview two minority candidates.
KDub
2:13
I like Tomlin a lot. I think he's a good coach and has done a great job for the Steelers over the years. But I think 15 years is a long time and sometimes if you're in one place that long, comfort creeps in and you become more stubborn to change, adapt, whatever. I think it started happening to Jamie Dixon at Pitt. Do you think something similar is happening here?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Hard to say. Cap caught up to them last year. COVID then shrunk the cap. Kind of a disaster for them in terms of putting together a roster. And they still made the playoffs. Honestly, if they're able to find a franchise QB soon I think Tomlin could have many more years of success. If not, things could get bad. Look at what happened to Chuck Noll after Terry Bradshaw retired. You had years with Cliff Stoudt, David Woodley, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister and Neil O'Donnell. Sure, it got stale. You know why? Most likely because he didn't have a QB he could win with!
Jay
2:15
Hello Ray.  What is a bigger need, OT, G, or DT?  Assuming we dont sign a stud starter in FA and with pick 20, would you take Lindenbaum, Green, or any of the available OT?  The depth after Lindenbaum and Green are weak, but a few more options at OT.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I think they're in a position where they can honestly take the best lineman available regardless of position. If Linderbaum is there they can take him if they're sold on him. Move Kendrick Green to guard or admit the mistake and move on. If Kenyon Green is there you can plug him in as a starting guard. And the same same goes for a tackle. If there is a franchise left tackle that falls into their laps they can select him and move Dan Moore to right tackle. They're not good enough anywhere along the line so just take the best player available when they pick at No. 20
HereWeGo
2:18
Is it gonna be after the super bowl before we know who they're gonna tag and who they're gonna let walk?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
By tag you mean franchise tag? Or re-signing your own free agents. Either way, it's March for both. And I don't think you'll see the Steelers use the franchise tag this year on anyone.
Doyle37
2:19
If the Steelers really want to win instead of rebuilding, they should get the best defense available through FA and build the offense through the draft , no ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Why that route? With Watt, Heyward and Fitzpatrick with super high salaries I would think the way to go would be drafting and developing on defense and perhaps using the cap space on offense. They are getting old on the defensive line. Time to get younger players in there.
BPOS
2:21
Do you think that if Butler was not retiring, there would be more willingness to load Canada on the fastest bullet train out of town? I wonder if not wanting to have two new coordinators factored into the decision to keep the worst OC we've ever had.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I don't think one has to do with the other.
Linus
2:21
What do you think is the best case scenario or outcome for the Steelers next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Can I wait until September when I know the 53-man roster? Or at the very least July?
OrangeFlameBulbs
2:23
Hi Ray, interested in your take on how Dan Moore played this year and what you think his future will be with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Moore had his ups and downs as any rookie thrust into that situation would. They like him and believe he will improve. I think he's versatile too so if you come upon a better left tackle he can play the right side.
Not a hater
2:24
Why can’t the Steelers get another taken like Tyreek Hill? What he does to opposing DBs isn’t even fair…
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