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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.20.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
Another bad game or two and you might see a change, but be careful what you wish for. Tomlin better believe the results will be different with Pickett, and I'm not so sure they will be with this scheme.
Mitch
10:17
Throwing into double coverage across the middle. Sliding down feet first prior to an important first down. Throwing deep on 3rd and 2 and short on 3rd and long? Did you expect this much in-game dysfunction from Mitch? Let alone the lack of talent.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
I gave him a pass for the Bengals game because he made a few plays to help the Steelers win. He was a game manager and they won. He's not getting a pass from me for the Patriots game. He was bad.
The GM
10:18
Good morning Ray, is there a reason why the OC isn't involving George Pickens in the Offense? Is Canada trying to use too many WR's groupings?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
It's not rocket science. He's their most gifted receiver and yet he has six targets in two games. It's baffling.
Stephen
10:18
Anyone seen Pickens lately? You know, our best wide receiver. Why in the world is Mitch ignoring him?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:19
Trubisky intimated they're not on the same page. Well, get on the same page, I say.
William Munny
10:19
While everyone is (rightfully) blasting the offense, the defense was relatively uninspired and flat against a bad New England offense. While we can attribute a healthy portion of that to Watt's absence, were the Patriots doing anything schematically to neutralize Steelers' D?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:21
You say "uninspired" but they held the Patriots to 17 points and one of those touchdown drives was 20 yards. The other TD came on a 50-50 ball. Did they get off the field at the end of the game? No. That's not good, but how many times can you ask them to step up and give the offense chances? You really think the offense was going to score if they got the ball back with two minutes to go?
Terry
10:21
More carries for Warren and less for Najee behind this o-line? He's faster to hit the holes and faster to the outside which is what this line needs.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:21
You might be right, but that's a tough sell when you spend a first-round pick on a RB.
Coyote
10:22
Hi Ray, and thanks for your excellent reporting and observations.
why is it that the Steelers are consistently vulnerable to passes over the middle?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:22
They were playing two-high safeties for much of the game to take away the big play from the Patriots. When you do that you're going to give up yards over the middle if the coverage isn't tight. That's what happened.
And a lack of a pass rush didn't help.
Bella
10:23
Do you have any insight as to how the offense play calls are determined during the game?  Does Canada have complete autonomy?  Can he be overruled and by whom?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:23
By Tomlin.
Tom in Dallas
10:23
Week 1, the lowest score by a winning team is 17  points, and the Steeler offense scores 16.  Week 2, the lowest score by a winning team is 16 pts, and we score 14.  While the defense is very good, we will struggle to win many games if the offense is only scoring 14-16 pts each week.  Mitch looked good on the one series where they scored a touchdown.  Seemed liked he was letting loose a bit. What do you think we need to change to move the ball better and score more points?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:23
Go with tempo more, but I don't get the idea they'll do that.
Pizza Steve
10:24
Good morning Ray - I think part of the run game issue is that Harris doesn't hit the designed hole with ferocity enough for anyone to know whether a particular play would've worked or not. Pausing at the LOS is maddening. Bang that thing up in there big fella and let's see what happens. Ask Jerome...
Ray Fittipaldo
10:25
Yes, that's been an issue. Mason Cole did an interview yesterday and he said the line has to develop more chemistry with Najee so they know how to block for him.
Todd Haley
10:25
This offense has been on decline since 2019, but over ‘21 - ‘22 thus far the Qb, OL combo, and skill player composition (well above average) has had no tangible effect. This is all about Canada being way in over his head and MT not knowing how to set vision. As the NFL trends to points and D constraints, PIT moves to largest D:O disparity in league and runs a game management system.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:25
Hi Todd.
Pat Flynn
10:26
Hi Ray, even if Kenny Pickett plays, would it make a difference considering the anemic play calling? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
10:26
Not sure, but we might be closer to finding out.
Jordan B
10:27
This might be a simple question but why cant the Steelers run the ball successfully?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:28
Scheme and then lack of high-end talent up front. They need to use their draft resources on offensive linemen.
Will
10:29
Hello Ray.  So we've heard from multiple players that “All we can do is run the plays that are called and execute better.” We also heard several players talk about needing to have schematically better options to run the plays that they are best at running.  It appears the players are all questioning the game plans and play calling, but Tomlin seems to be on board with what Canada is doing.  I'm mystified why the Steelers has spent so much draft capital on very capable skill players (Claypool, Johnson, Pickens, Freiermuth, Harris) and yet does not put them in positions to excel.  Tomlin says we have to execute better, true, but I believe in order to execute better you need to be running a play that allows you to do so.  Claypool and Freiermuth would own the middle of the field with the matchups they would get.  Pickens and Johnson have shown the ability to stretch the field.  Yet all we see are dump off passes and out patterns.  The offense is the same as last years...Pathetic!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:29
Is there a question there Will? If not good observations!
Ed in Carrick
10:29
Do the Post Gazette sports chat guys have a set time to do chats on their assigned days?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
I usually try to do mine at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, but I had to move it up this week because of the condensed schedule on the short week. They are practicing until 2:15 to day and then have open locker room following practice.
Ed in Carrick
10:30
When is Rooney going to lay down the law and have Tomlinson fire Canada?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
My money is on after the season.
Jay Daven
10:30
Has anyone interviewed Canada on the offensive woes, or Tomlin?  If so, what are they saying?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
Tomlin was asked and spoke on it at his news conference yesterday. Canada is doing an interview today at 11:45 so stay tuned to post-gazette.com
Omar
10:31
Ray, is it just me, or do you think that Belicheat is foaming at the mouth to reel in Claypool if he departs the burgh at some point?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
I don't know. I saw he had some complimentary things to say about him in the run-up to the game. I don't see much there from Claypool and Belichick certainly doesn't have a strong track record with receivers. Maybe he'd tell him to add 20 pounds and use him as a tight end. I could see that.
Ed in Carrick
10:32
Why get these shiny toys like Pickens and Freiermuth and sign Johnson to big contract then not use them. The game plan cannot possibly be just get 2 yards then let defense win the game. But that sure seems like it. Rant over.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
Good rant, Ed.
Hi Ray
10:32
As a former player and coach, when I listen to the players talk, more than doubt has crept into their minds.  A lack of belief in the strategy is a dangerous thing.  Do you see this as well?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:33
Yes I do. Cole was careful not to throw Canada under the bus yesterday, but he certainly got his point across. The players want some direction from their coordinator and coaching staff.
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