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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.20.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:54
Good morning. Post your questions and we'll get started.
Ken
9:55
At Mike Tomlin's press conference, he said that he did NOT hear the crowd at the game chanting for Kenny Pickett.  What do you think of that?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:55
He does have headsets on, but I don't think he'd tell you the truth if he did.
Dj
9:56
Will the Steelers fire Canada mid-season. After 20 games (this year/last year) his offense is unimaginative, pathetic and lackluster. People gave him a pass because of Big Ben but half of all points were scored in the 4th quarter last year . Last Sunday’s lone TD was scored in the no-huddle. What is the solution? To keep Canada is to waive the white flag.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:57
It's not the Steelers style to make a coaching change during the season, especially early in the season. But if he did the easy choice would be QBs coach Mike Sullivan, who has experience as a coordinator with the Giants when Eli Manning was the QB.
Stlrwaz
9:57
Ray. I get that everybody in Pittsburgh is chomping at the bit to get Kenny in there, but is Trubisky really the problem? He has not been spectacular, but the offensive game plan is a real head scratcher. Can Pickett do as well, maybe, but doesn't it make sense to develop Pickett, much like KC did with Mahomes? I can wait if we can get close to those results with Pickett.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
I agree that's a big problem. If Mike Tomlin is going to make that change he has to have confidence in his offensive coordinator. Because if you Pickett in there and he has a bad experience, loses confidence or gets injured then it's a bad move. For now, Tomlin said he is exercising patience.
Zburdette34@gmail.com
9:59
I was at the game Sunday, all the Chicago writers were right, Trubisky simply isn’t an NFL level QB. He holds the ball, has horrible mechanics, cannot read a defense and cannot throw a player open with anticipation passes. Pickett, on the other hand, everything just mentioned are his strongest assets he brings to the table and I have a strong feeling all the players and coaches already know these things. How long will it take Mike Tomlin to wake up and start the better player, who IS an NFL level QB?? It better be soon, if he wants to maintain that whole “never a losing season thing”
Ray Fittipaldo
10:00
We all know that move is coming eventually, but it's a matter of the timing. When does it suit Pickett the best? And, as I just mentioned, does the coordinator have the answers if the decision is made to go to Pickett.
Cantpolishaturd
10:01
Is the benchmark so low now that the team and fans have to be patient with the worst offense in the league for three years in a row? Literally every team in the league can throw the ball all over the field. Nothing looks easy for the steelers offense - run game, the entire route tree. It's also increasingly evident that the players are tired of Canada's offense. Tomlin needs to open his eyes and swallow his pride!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:02
You might be right, but I don't see that happening three games into the season. Or anytime during the season. We saw that happen with Adrian Klemm last season, but that's not a typical move the Steelers make.
Steeler Nut
10:02
On Reddit, they’ve posted several videos (not sure how they get them), that show Najee missing the obvious hole against the Patriots.  It’s easy to critique after the fact, but a few of them are pretty blatant.  I like Najee, but are blaming the OL too much?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
Lots of blame to go around in the running game. Najee seems hesitant and I wonder if his foot injury is a factor in his play.
Junior High
10:03
Ray To play the "what if" game: What if last year the Steelers had drafted Creed Humphrey #1, Friermuth #2 and Rhamondre Stevenson #3? Clearly Kendrick Greene was a wasted pick and sorry to all the Najee lovers but he's maybe marginally better than Stevenson, despite his leaping heroics. Wouldn't we have been better served by starting in the middle?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
Perhaps if you believe Humphrey is a franchise type center. Maybe the Steelers missed the boat on him, but 31 other teams also passed on him in Round 1. And about 20 passed on him again in Round 2.
Guest
10:04
Good morning Ray.Any conversation for a stacked backfield? One less wide receiver,but, more run blocking and time for deep routes.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
Just about anything other than what they're doing now would be fine by me.
RyanD
10:05
Hey Ray-Watching the game this weekend I couldn't help but notice Trubinsky rarely if ever goes through his progressions.  He was staring down the receivers like a rookie qb all game and then if they weren't open he'd force the ball, take a sack, or hit his checkdown.  Not sure I see a lot of growth as a qb from Trubinsky like we were hearing when he came from Buffalo.  Would love to hear your thought?  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:05
Trubisky did not play well. I gave him a D-minus on my report card. But I also think the conservative approach to game planning and play-calling is a part of his struggles.
Jeff
10:06
Do you think the Steelers are unwilling to spend the money on coaches or is Tomlin more unwilling to have established offensive coaches work on his staff who may challenge him? The offensive line coaches have been horrible save one and the past two offense coordinators have not established any offensive identity with little pushback from Tomlin.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Or maybe unable to lure top offensive assistants.
Ed Barr
10:06
GM Ray, thanks as always. So is it Canada, Mitch, the OL or a combo of all?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
Combination of it all, but the coordinator has the most power so I place more blame on him than anyone else.
coachjpat
10:07
Who ultimately is making the conservative offense play calling?  Canada is OC, but Tomlin seems to give him cover after each game.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Tomlin is involved in the planning and game-day calls.
Javi
10:08
Hello Ray. Can Trubisky be pressing too much knowing there is a highly touted 1st Round QB ready to step in if he keeps struggling? Seems he doesnt want to take any chances or way too conservative after watching some film of game vs Pats.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
If he does have that mindset he should do a 180 and starting let it all hang out a little more because if he doesn't produce more yards and points it's going to be Pickett time sooner rather than later.
coachjpat
10:09
Ben + Canada = inept offense;  Trubisky + Canada = inept offense.  Definition of insanity = doing the same thing and expecting a different result.  When would the Steelers even consider making a change at OC.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
New regime with Omar so I don't want to speak in absolutes, but as I mentioned earlier it's not their style to make a change in-season.
Lou
10:10
Hi Ray. Is there an update on Calvin Austin and when he returns do we think he’ll have a positive impact on the offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
He can return after the Jets game. Has to miss the first four games of the season. No updates but I'm sure we'll get one closer to the start of next month.
Bill in Va.
10:12
Hi Ray. Love your work. Just an observation I am surprised that nothing is being said about Muuuuth not catching that perfect pass that hit him in the face mask near the end of the 1st half. Had he caught the ball the drive would have continued and perhaps the Patriots dont even get the ball back on their scoring drive to end the half,
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
If you're talking about the one when he was running toward the sideline, I don't consider that a drop. Tough throw and would have been a touch catch.
Paul from Sacramento
10:13
Hi Ray, Love your chats and insight.. (also the podcasts with Bats) Wolf and Max Starks mention that they think the line is improving and need at least week 4 to see where we are as a unit. Do you think that Mitch is just having trouble reading the defenses? He "seems" to have some time in the pocket but just checks down to the closest receiver. why not the down field shots? Is it him or the offensive scheme?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:14
I think it's both. Maybe they need to have a conversation with him to let him know it's OK to take some down the field shots. Otherwise, it's going to be very easy to defend this offense.
Arnold Ziffel
10:14
Rumor has it that Matt Canada is Joe Walton's illegitimate son.  Any truth to the rumor?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:15
Come on Arnold, give Matt some credit. At least he didn't get outscored 92-10 in the first two games of the season.
SC Steeler
10:15
Good morning Mr. Fittipaldo.  Thanks for the chats and all of your work covering the Steelers.  Is there any hope for the OL?  They seem to do ok on pass protection, which to me seems like it should be more difficult and require more cohesion between new starters than run blocking.  But they look bad on running plays.  Especially on short yardage situations it seems like the BEST they can manage is a stalemate against the defense.  There is no "push" downfield.  Not a football expert by any stretch of the imagination but I'd think that is more a problem of individual strength and/or technique rather than them playing together for a few more games.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
I just think they lack high-end talent up front. And it comes through in their execution and their lack of push.
Kenny
10:16
How many more games before Pickett starts? There's no way Tomlin can ignore the noise. Trubisky is terrible and his decision-making is even worse than his throwing.
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