You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.13.22
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Welcome and let's get started with your Steelers questions.
Reggie B
1:54
If Mitch is mostly mediocre for the next few games, is it worth giving the rook a shot?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Mike Tomlin was encouraged by the offense and Trubisky. He liked how he took care of the ball and he mentioned leading the drive in overtime. What you deem mediocre, Tomlin might deem efficient.
21-58-66
1:56
Ray-thanks for the chats. How would you rate the guard play this past Sunday and why are the Steelers so reluctant to throw the ball down the middle of the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Tomlin said today the reluctance to throw the ball down the field (all parts, middle and sidelines) had more to do with' ball security than anything. He didn't want to turn the ball over. And I think the fact the Steelers led the entire game had something to do with that. It might have been a different story if they ever got behind. And it very likely could be a different story this Sunday based on the game plan and game circumstances.
BigR
1:58
Hi Ray.  How long is Trubisky's leash?  You can't be considered a playoff team if you only score 17points off of 5 turnovers and 7 come from a pick 6.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Tomlin said they did what they had to do to win the game. Translation: under other circumstances, you might have seen a vastly different offensive approach.
Big Sid
1:59
It seems like Harvin is a different person / punter.  It is safe to say that last year’s performance was truly due to his father’s health?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I think that's fair. He's talked about how last season was so difficult for him.
Scooter
1:59
I know, we won and that covers a lot of sins. Gunnner eventually had a great return later in the game, but doesn't fair catching on our own 9 yard line seems ill advised? Not to mention we had the obligatory holding call on dan moore on the same drive.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I didn't notice an egregious errors by Gunner on any of those fair catches. You have to trust your returners. They know with the spin and hang time if that ball is going to go into the end zone or die inside the 10.
Jay
2:01
Hello Ray, thank you for the coverage.  Always enjoyed podcast with Brian.  Robert Spillane was in as the lone linebacker on many third and longs, over Jack or Bush.  Can you explain or justify the move?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
They like him as a zone pass defender.
Where is My Clark Bar?
2:02
Ray, what were your observations last game regarding our wide receivers? I know its the first game, new QB, etc.....but Pickens especially 1 catch 3 yards is concerning.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Tomlin explained why the Steelers didn't throw the ball down the field. He didn't want to turn it over. With Pickens, his best quality is being a deep threat so you're taking away one of his best assets when you don't throw it down the field. Hey, the Steelers won. I'm not arguing, but there likely is some middle ground there where you can throw it down the field in a safe manner without putting the ball in harm's way.
Hi Ray
2:03
Did the Steelers add anyone for depth at Edge?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
They had some guys in for workouts today and they'll announce later Ryan Anderson is going to be signed to the practice squad. He played for the Commanders the past four season and has four sacks in his career.
GM
2:04
Hi Ray, I'm hoping you can walk me through the Chase last sec touchdown.  How on earth do you leave their best guy 1-1 for the game?!  Ballsy move!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Witherspoon sat back when he should have been more aggressive with his coverage.
Retire 21
2:05
Is 'didn't urinate down this leg?" go on the Top Ten Tomlinisms?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I say yes.
Mercury
2:05
After what you saw Sunday, if TJ can return in a few games and play like himself are the Steelers playoff contenders?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I'm not sure I ever considered the Steelers playoff contenders, but Watt getting back to the field ASAP will certainly help them.
Gene Takovic
2:06
Was Loudermilk inactive due to injury or has Leal passed him in the rotation?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Loudermilk wasn't on the injury report going into the game, but he was dinged up throughout the preseason.
GM
2:07
Ray I'm dying to see a Hard knocks with the Steelers!  Why has the team been so averse to that opportunity?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
They don't want the attention. Plus, they've stayed ineligible by getting the playoffs enough over the years.
The Major
2:08
Good Afternoon Ray:  I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of play from Devin Bush.  I will gladly swallow my pride and take this version for the rest of the year.  Did it finally click?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He certainly played well against the Bengals. Let's see how he does this week and the week after that.
kevin in Punxy
2:09
Hi Ray.  Well, it looks like HCMT's experiment in turning OL K. Green into an NFL center has finally crashed and burned.  What a frigging huge mistake that wasted a 3rd round draft pick.  What the hell was he thinkng?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
He? The GM had to sign off on the pick and the scouts have a role in the evaluation as well. But he's only in Year 2 He could possibly get better in the next two seasons although his being inactive is not a good sign.
KDub
2:11
Ray, enjoy your analysis. What did you think of the O-line Sunday? Any improvement? Hope that it gets better this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Decent in pass pro, terrible run-blocking. That's the cliff notes version.
Ryan
2:12
Good afternoon Ray does mark Robinson get a helmet on Sunday with TJ out
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
We'll see how it goes, but as long as Marcus Allen is dressing I'm not sure Robinson gets a hat. With Watt out they likely want to dress a fourth OLB. So we might see a move to bring someone up from the practice squad.
AZ Stiller
2:14
In your educated opinion, do you think the lack of downfield throws was more a function of the O-line not giving Mitch time for the play to develop or Mitch getting anxious to get rid of the ball quickly?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Might be some of that, but Tomlin indicated it had more to do with conservative play-calling due to the game's circumstances.
Turk in MD
2:15
Thanks for the chats, Ray.  I thought the DL held up pretty well. If healthy, do you believe the run D issues are addressed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
The Bengals ran it well in the first half. They were getting 5 yards a pop for a while there. When they got behind they had to throw it more. Burrow dropped back to pass more than 60 times in that game.
Jack Splat
2:20
Raymond, Alex H looked like a stud all of a sudden. Was it the off-season pickleball regimen?
Connecting…