Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.17.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:59
Ray: Steeler Nation has been pretty optimistic that Fautanu-McCormick-Frazier could be long term anchors to a top offensive line.  After Sunday, I am really starting to have my doubts.  Sure two of them switched sides, but that was in April.  How would you evaluate the play of those three?  Is it maybe impossible to do when Cook and Anderson are so far below the line?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
It was not a great first outing for anyone on the line. The running game sputtered and there were some issues in pass pro. Maybe chalk it up to it being the first game of the season. But you are right. The Steelers invested three draft picks in the first four rounds of the 2024 draft on those guys, and they're hoping they can become the foundation for the line of the future. They're not quite yet there as a group.
Josh
12:01
How far will the Steelers let this JPJ situation go on before they would start to fine him for missing games now that his injury designation has been taken away?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
We'll see on Sunday. If he is a full practice participant today or tomorrow then that will signal to me McCarthy believes he is ready to play. At that point it would be up to Porter to decide if he's going to suit up. If he refuses then the Steelers would have to make a decision. Either way, this is coming to a head soon.
NcRob
12:03
Hey Ray! Thank you for all you do! You keep me informed here in NC! Here is the obligatory question about the  24 negotiations... do you think that the new Defensive scheme of more zone coverage is limiting what the Steelers feel 24's worth? He's much better in M2M than zone. Maybe that is a factor?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Maybe that's part of it, but every good defense incorporates man and zone schemes. And just because Porter has played mostly man in his first three seasons doesn't mean he can't play zone. He just hasn't done it a lot of it.
Footballtahn
12:05
Ray, the steelers oline doesnt seem to be very good this year. Would you rank them average or below average based on what you have seen
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
After one game? Below average, but there are 16 games left. I think they'll improve.
Ray/OC
12:05
Mr Ray:  A couple of things from Sunday, Rico is no Gainwell.  Metcalf can and will play better, right??  Thx!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Totally different types of backs. If you were expecting another Gainwell then you'll be disappointed. Dowdle is a good between-the-tackles runner and can grind games out if you have a lead in the second half. As for Metcalf, I think you have to temper expectations. He's probably not a true No. 1 receiver, but he's capable of putting up some big numbers if he's "on". He was not "on" against the Falcons. He was off.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:07
Ray: I thought Atlanta's defensive plan was excellent.  Load the box and press the WRs.  That clogs running lanes, prevents quick passes, totally eliminates WR screens, and can confuse protection schemes with multiple potential rushers.  I suppose the flaw in that defense is that it is easy to beat deep.  I counted 6 times that Rodgers delivered absolute dimes downfield on 3rd or 4th down that would have been big gains or TDs.  One drew a big DPI, one was a missed call DPI, Metcalf had 2 drops and a failure to stay in bounds, and Wilson dropped a 50/50 ball in the end zone  Aren't they going to have to go more like 4 of 6 than 1 of 6 to consistently beat this type of defensive scheme and do they have the WRs to do it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I agree. Looking back, it was a really good plan. I was surprised at how many times they left Metcalf singled up on a corner. If Metcalf makes some of those plays we're talking about the opposite. But that's the chess match. You come up with a scheme and commit to it. Metcalf didn't make the plays, so the plan worked.
Lou
12:09
Hi Ray. Is the Steelers O line just average? They made all these top picks yet they seem just ok at pass pro and not so good at run blocking. Do we need until game 4-5 to pass judgement?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Let's give it some time, but it feels like we should be seeing these guys on a different level after two years in the league. And we haven't seen that yet.
Retire21
12:10
Under “winners” last week, was it too early to call the field conditions in that category? After watching the Pitt game the day before in the downpour I was ready for the worst..
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I haven't heard any of the players complain about the playing surface, and special teams coach Danny Crossman  said the grounds crew did an excellent job to get the field in playing shape after all the rain it took on Saturday afternoon and night.
DJ
12:11
Hi Ray thanks for the chat.If the Steelers are no longer negotiating with JPJ, then the remaining explanations for the current situation are that they are either being exceedingly accommodating with him, or they are actively trying to trade him (and thus keeping him off the field to keep him healthy).  Which do think is closer to the truth - or is there a third option?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I think they are trying to accommodate him and give him some space and hope he comes around to playing. The Steelers do not want to trade him. The only way that happens is if Porter forces their hand.
Ted Lasso
12:12
Ray, why do you think Troy F is struggling at LT? Didn't he play that position for years at the college level?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Yes he was a left tackle at Washington. And it's early in the season. Let's remember that.
Jim Bow Dean
12:13
Over the last couple of seasons, it seems TJ got chipped on nearly every passing but not so much against Atlanta. How much of that is on the opponent and how much is on him moving lining up in different spots?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Every opponent is going to have a different plan. On the INT return for a touchdown, he did elude a chipper before he engaged with the tackle. I'd be careful if I was an opposing DC. Watt looks like he has a lot of juice left. I still think he sees his share of chips and double teams.
John from Toronto
12:14
Hi Ray. Who will play LT is Troy F can't go? Cook and Max at RT?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
In the event Fautanu does not play then Dylan Cook would go to left tackle and Max Iheanachor would step in at right tackle. Mike McCarthy said a little while ago before practice that Fautanu will be limited today.
Daniel
12:15
Thanks for doing the chats.  What unit really needs to step up this week if we are going to go on and road and beat the Patriots?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
The defense. Just as it did last year in Foxboro. I don't have much confidence the offense will be able to go in there and put up a lot of points.
Gene
12:16
Do you see Bernard playing more this week and do you think Washington gets more targets!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I don't expect Bernard to play more. Maybe a few more snaps but no big change in his role. As for Washington, he missed practice yesterday due to personal reasons so we'll have to see if he's out there today.
Tim
12:17
As my o line expert, who along the Steelers line has the most potential to be an all pro consistently?  Been some time since we saw the likes of a Pouncey, Faneca, etc that we counted on for stellar o line play year in year out.  Too much invested recently to not see some gains.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
If anyone can do it, I'd say Zach Frazier, but All-Pro is the elite of the elite. Either way, I'd say Frazier can become a top five center in the league. He might already be close to accomplishing that.
RAM
12:19
Hey Ray, thanks for the chats! When will this horrible officiating end? What recourse do teams have for this? All I’ve ever seen is that they acknowledge the bad call and move on. And if players say too much about it they get reprimanded.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
The NFL could go back to reviews for pass interference, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of momentum for that. That's really the only solution. I also think the league should have these guys be full-time employees. Make some of these guys choose between being lawyers and businessmen and NFL officials. That would require a bigger financial commitment from the league, but you might attract some better officials who want to pursue officiating a full-time career.
Gene
12:22
Do you think the Steelers running game needs to improve or the OL needs to block better.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
I lean more toward the OL blocking better.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:22
Ray: since it had to be rebuilt in 2021, the Steelers offensive line has mostly been terrible.  This despite an enormous draft capital investment and now 4 offensive line coaches.  Other teams seem to want the cast offs as Moore, Jones, and Dotson all garnered picks and/or big contracts.  Is there a common denominator?  Could it be poor facilities that prevent optimal strength training?  That seems like a stretch, but what else is it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I don't think the facilities have anything to do with it. A weight room is a weight room. For whatever reason, they've had a tough time developing linemen who land second contracts. Think back to the Pouncey, DeCastro, Gilbert, Villanueva era. All of those guys got second and/or third deals. They've had a hard time replicating that success.
SMP
12:25
As to O-line, I know we need to be patient, but like 95% players, the player will pop by year two. Why can’t we get O-Line right. Any guess. Initially I thought coaching but this long with so many draft picks, maybe we just have drafted wrong guys.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Just seems like they're missing on some guys. Looking back, trading up to get Broderick Jones wasn't a great call. He only made 17 starts in college and came out as a redshirt sophomore. They believed they could mold the talent, but Jones just never took to the coaching. And that was under Pat Meyer and James Campen. After a while, it's on the player and not the coaching.
DetroitSteel
12:27
Hi Ray, thanks for the chats. While I could add my voice to the dozens of others asking about Joey Porter, Jr., I would like to ask about #99. What are your thoughts on Derrick Harmon? Stats were not great vs Falcons, and he didn't seem impressive in the pass rush. Was he eating up blockers to free up TJ and Highsmith? Or is his play a concern?
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