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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.12.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
OK let's get the chat started.
Tom
1:59
More shocking....the fact that they ran a jet sweep on the 2nd play or the fact that they showcased the play numerous times in the preseason with Austin THEN ran it the 2nd play!?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I know Pickett's inaccuracy was the main issue in the game, but I HATED the jet sweep call on the first series. Any time Andy Weidl talked over the offseason he said over and over again "We want to be a big and physical team that imposes it will on opponents." And then the offensive coordinator, whose job is to set the identity of the offense, comes out with this sideways trick 'em stuff that has never worked for the Steelers. I know they abandoned the run because the 49ers jumped out to a big lead early, but Matt Canada has to give his linemen a chance and establish the run early. It's extremely difficult to pass protect when the pass rushers know you're going to pass.
Tom
2:02
What was the offensive gameplan going into the 49ers game? All the talk was how they turned the season around last year with the ground game, but there wasn't a single run with Harris to start the game. Can they win without controlling the ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
No, I don't think they can. At least not on a consistent basis. The winning formula late last season was a balanced offense that featured more of Harris and some timely plays from the QB late in games. Why stray from that formula? We might never know what the game plan for the 49ers game was because they got behind so early. But as I mentioned earlier there wasn't enough of Harris early in the game.
Tom from PA
2:04
Head coaches are important but the NFL is a coordinator league. Belicheck and Andy Reid are genius coaches but are their D and O coordinators basically. The Chiefs became dominant by bring in D-coordinator Spagnualo.  Most of the top teams have proven coordinators and teams like the Browns seemed to have improved with the new Defense. Long story short, does either side of the Steelers even have a chance of being elite with Austin and Canada running the show?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Tomlin basically runs the defense and the evidence doesn't suggest Canada has a chance of being elite although I'm willing to let this season unfold some more before heaping too much criticism his way.
Stairway to seventh pick
2:05
Ray:  Hasn't it become obvious that Harvin can not punt effectively in actual games?  Shouldn't they make a move here?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
They've tried to replace him, but no one has taken the job away from him. I think part of the issue is Harvin can punt better in practice than in games. In other words, I think the pressure gets to him in games. At some point they're going to have to cut bait with him and find someone else who can do the job. Tomlin brought up the punting unsolicited in today's news conference and how the bad punts set up the 49ers with great field position early in the game.
Tom from PA
2:07
Is Canada just that arrogant that he ran a jet sweep the second play of they game? I assume he got his job back with the condition that he stop relying on college style plays. So is he doing it to prove he is right or just trying to be defiant?                                 Plus he telegraphed that play all preseason, did anyone not expect to see Austin run it when he was on the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He didn't retain his job based on promising not to run college plays. Tomlin believes those plays will be effective. He signs off on the gameplan every single week. There might be a place for those types of plays (once in a while), but the way the Steelers are built they need to play a more physical brand of football. Trick 'em later in the game.
Ken
2:10
Ray, I am an 69 year old fan who remembers when the Steelers played in Forbes Field and Pitt Stadium.  We always had competitive teams.  I know that I speak for this city when I tell you how angry & upset I was to watch that last game. It looked like a college team playing a professional team. They were outplayed and out coached.  You had a vet the week before the game disrespect the starting QB of the other team. Then, in the post game interview, he smiled and smirked about not having 2 interceptions. This is not the attitude that we are used to seeing.  Don't say it is only one game.  They had all summer to prepare and were bad.  Do you sports journalists understand why we are upset?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Yes. Good take.
Nick
2:11
Ray, what does Tomlin mean by "weighty downs" in his presser?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
All that means is significant.
In other words, third downs are important (like no one knows that)
Nick
2:12
Did  Picket have a concussion that was unnoticed in the first sack? He seemed uncharacteristically missing most throws after that moment.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Tomlin said today he was not evaluated for one during the game.
Soft Tissue Injury
2:12
Tomlin has historically taken it easy on players in training camp and preseason due to his fear of injuries. Then they get injured week 1 due to lack of activity. Nobody was coddled more than Cam this preseason. The injury should have been predictable. Tomlin has never learned from his mistakes and always insists on doing the same thing over and over again. Will losing his captain eventually get him to change the methods he uses that fail year after year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I agree with you. However, Tomlin probably plays his layers more than any other coach in the NFL during the summer. It's just an unfortunate byproduct of the new CBA and the SSS these players are making. Coaches just have to learn how to deal with these injuries.
Steeler in nc
2:14
thanks for the chats. What changes do you see before the Cleveland game, are we looking to add any players this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Tomlin didn't rule it out today, but he also said he was excited about the depth on the DL and mentioned Gunner Olszewski when it came to the WR depth.
Fundamental Ball
2:15
Once again, tackling was a problem with this team. It has been for many years. Does this coaching staff teach fundamentals? Do they practice tackling? If so, how can it be so bad for so long?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
They do practice tackling, but once the season starts they can only be in pads a handful of times. Tomlin usually chooses those sessions carefully, but you might see one this week based on what happened Sunday.
AA
2:16
How soon before moron fans start saying the Steelers should tank?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
It's already happened.
Lou
2:17
Hi Ray. Do the Steelers pay attention to PFF scores or is that just a thing fans and media like to play with?  If the former, then Broderick Jones is going to be the starter within a week or two, no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
They do not.
Virgil
2:17
If the offense continues to look like it did Sunday, which of the following do you thing is most likely for benching KP. 1. 0-4 start: try to salvage the season 2. 2-6 start - give backups playing time to evaluate for next year or 3. end of season. They will stick with KP for a full year no matter what and evaluate during off-season.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
3
Chris
2:18
Hi Ray, how short is the leash for Dan Morgan and Pat Peterson with 2 top draft picks waiting in the wings. It's had to believe the rookies could fare any worse.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Joey Porter Jr. played seven snaps against the 49ers. Tomlin said today it was his intent to play him more, but the 49ers were so efficient on first and second downs that Porter didn't have many opportunities to play in the dime package. As for Moore, Tomlin said "onward and upward" with this group. I don't think he viewed their play as a big part of the reason they lost the game.
G Money
2:20
Ray on Sunday there were two 2nd year QBs on the field.  One offense look clean, confident, crisp, sharp, organized and extremely efficient. The other looked the opposite-hesitant, not crisp or organized and out of sync most of the day. What's going on?
Brett
2:20
Do you think with keeping Adam’s over Fehoko and the decision to constantly stick with a consistent lack luster punter says it all as to why Steelers get blown out against legitimate competition year after year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
The 49ers are better?
Blame Canada
2:20
Johnson is apparently out a few weeks. Do you think they leave Robinson in the slot and let Austin work the outside and deep parts of the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
All of the receivers know each spot so I'm sure they'll mix and match. I kind of like Robinson in the slot though.
I Miss Cowher
2:22
Pickens committed a foolish, stupid, selfish, unnecessary personal foul late in the game.  Not only was he not reprimanded, he was put right into the game the next play.  When there is no consequences for your behavior, why would the players try to correct these selfish errors?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I didn't like that either, but they were running low on WRs at that point with Johnson already out of the game. It might have just been a thing where they needed Pickens to play because no one else was healthy enough at that point to play.
the real guest
2:23
Ray, Do the Steelers activate Fehoko and move Adams to DE. Not too many stud DEs left in FA and I think Adams is better on the exterior than the interior of the DL. Your thoughts?
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