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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.17.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Or maybe the 1 seed!
Pastufka
2:36
Pickens was making plays when covered and targeted. Why not throw a few more his way, even if coverage is tight?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
You want to be thoughtful when you do that. It has to be when he is 1-on-1 with no safety help. In other words, it's a 505-50 ball with him and a DB. And how many times is Pickens single covered in a game? There are two players around him much more often than one.
TVC15
2:37
Who is the better coach? Jim Harbaugh or Mike Tomlin?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Both good coaches, but Tomlin has a Super Bowl rings and this Harbaugh does not.
J-Jay
2:38
I’m of the opinion that many people who are not impressed with Fields to date, are not taking into account the number of penalties that have thwarted a few drives which potentially could have resulted in touchdowns.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
To a certain extent, I agree. But good QBs are able to overcome unfavorable downs and distances. Fields hasn't been able to do that very much in the first two weeks of the season.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:39
Should we at least be optimistic that the running game has started off better than the last two seasons?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Very much so. That's definitely a good sign.
Goose
2:40
Hi Ray, can Roman Wilson help this offense when he returns?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Any warm body would (in the WR corps)
LilWolf
2:40
Hi Ray. Love your work. Obviously penalties were a killer, but do you  think the mile high air had anything to do with the sluggish second half performance by the offense? There was a lot of concern before the game that the conditions might be unfavorable for the Steelers. Haven’t heard anything about it post game. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I don't think so. The Steelers were fine in the first half. That's when the altitude is a little shocking. As the game goes on you adjust and get used to it.
SteelFanInJax
2:41
So are the Eagles worse then we thought,  Atlanta better than we thought or OUR defense actually elite?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I'm surprised the Eagles lost to the Falcons at home. I haven't been impressed with Jalen Hurts since he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl. Since then, he's underwhelmed. I know there is much more to it than QB play, but they're paying him top-tier money and he's not playing like a top-tier QB.
Vicky M.
2:42
Enjoy your chats Ray.  Since Ron Cook has retired, I’m wondering who has been or will be sitting next to you in the press box?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
It's been Gerry Dulac on one side and Jason Mackey on the other.
Marc from Germany
2:44
Hi Ray! I would hope, the Stillers keep BJ on the left side as much as possible from now on and insert him at LT whenever they feel he is better than DMJr. I think some steady sailing is in order, and he will be just fine. Do you see any chance of that happening?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
As I mentioned earlier he has to rep left and right because he's the swing tackle, but to whatever extent they can in practice I wouldn't mind seeing him play more left than right.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:45
Steelers are cooking with undrafted free agents recently. Warren and now Bishop, who looks very comfortable out there. Following in the great tradition of Willie Parker and Donnie Shell. How does that process work? Is it the wild west once Mr. Irrelevant is taken or do these guys have a pretty good idea of where they're going? I thought I read the team had been in contact with Beanie on day 3 of the draft.Thanks, Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
There are conversations had with agents and players before and during the draft. Players like Bishop know where the best opportunities are for them. The Steelers obviously were a great landing spot for him. In other instances, yes you might have a bidding war with another team if you really like a prospect, but usually it's all pretty much agreed upon by late Day 3 of the draft. In other words, when the sixth and seventh rounds are happening.
Matt
2:47
Good afternoon Ray, love listening to you on the Joe Starkey Show. What is your perspective on the Steelers WR situation? Do you think the dynamic will change after Roman Wilson is back and settled after a few games? Or do you believe there is not enough time before the gauntlet and Omar needs to make a move soon? If so, what are you willing to give up for a receiver around Cortland Sutton's caliber?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Roman Wilson might be their only hope. I don't know how realistic it is to land a quality No. 2 receiver during a season. That's what the offseason is for.
Brian in NC
2:48
Thanks for doing these.  It’s only 2 games, and there has been both good and bad.  But now they are playing games that count.  Has anything been surprising to you so far relative to what you thought going into the regular season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
I'm surprised the offense is struggling to score. I thought with Arthur Smith as OC they would be much better statistically than they were under Matt Canada. I know it's early, but they're producing Canada-like performances, and that's not good.
Bulldog
2:49
Who came up with the brilliant idea of a right tackle rotation?  Is there anything good that could have possibly come from that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
Tomlin said at his presser today he was concerned about Fautanu's conditioning in the Denver altitude. Sounds like a bunch of BS to me. I think it was done to keep Jones engaged and to make it seem like it wasn't a clear benching. But that's basically what it was. All around a bad decision the Steelers are lucky that it did not come back to haunt them.
Steel City ExPat
2:51
Hi Ray:  Patrick Queen was a no show again.  Injury? Lack of familiarity with the defense? Surely the Steelers reviewed his film prior to Roquan Smith's arrival? Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
He popped up on last week's injury report with a groin, but he had no official game status for the Broncos game. So the groin is a minor injury it would seem. Your point about getting comfortable in the Steelers defense might be true. It's not easy going from one team to another and learning a whole new system. I'm sure that's part of it.
Phil from Montréal
2:54
Hello Ray. What do you think of Austin III so far on punt returns? Does not look viable.. He's shaky, hesitating and not productive. I think it's a clear weakness that needs to be adressed quickly if you compare with the competition. I really liked Steven Sims 2 yrs ago for example. Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
He's been OK, but they're getting penalized way too much. Even if he does have a nice return it seems like it gets negated by a penalty.
Pittfan
2:55
Hi Ray. I haven't looked at the offensive statistics comparing this year to last. Everything I've heard has them about the same. How would you compare this offense to last year's so far?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
So far the stats are very similar, but I sense there is still belief among players in Arthur Smith.
Upstate Steeler Fan
2:56
I just read your take on Tomlin's "petty" game ball awards, and that perhaps Fields revealed a team tradition that's not for public consumption.  Who cares?  If handing out some "Attaboys" in the locker room helps the team's morale & mojo, why would this need to be kept secret - or for that matter, why is it even news-worthy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:57
Tomlin made it a story, not me. Clearly, he was not happy it got out.
Marc from Germany
2:58
Could Deshon Elliot become Minkahs longtime running mate? Full disclosure: I really really hope so!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:58
He's been really good the first two games, that's for sure.
steelmann58
2:59
Ray if you were the Coach what would be your plan moving Forward with Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:01
Rep him at left as much as possible, rebuild his confidence and drill, drill, drill the fundamentals with him. You have to remember he didn't play a lot at Georgia. He basically had one year of starting experience under his belt. He did have the prototypical size and athleticism you want in the position. Sometimes it takes time for guys to develop. And as much as people don't want to hear it, every first-round pick doesn't turn into a Pro Bowler or All-Pro.
Gerald
3:02
I was always a fan of Jerry Olsavsky.  Is he still involved in football in some  capacity?  Thanks.
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