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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.21.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:59
OK let's get the chat started.
Bernard
12:59
Were you surprised at how much success Carr had throwing the ball?  Was the DB exposed a bit or just the result of so many starters across all levels of the defense injured?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
I think a lot of it had to do with the injuries. The Steelers started the game without Devin Bush and Joe Haden. Then during the game, T.J. Watt injured his groin and did not return. When Watt was playing the Raiders weren't doing much. Once he left the game, they kind of took advantage. That's the way it goes. Injuries are a part of the game.
Bernard
1:00
At what point do we get concerned about Bush and injuries?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
That's a fair point. He is a smaller guy and could struggle with injuries. Lots of players tear ACLs. There's not really much you can do to prevent those types of things. The soft tissue injuries are worrisome because his speed is such a big part of his game. He has to be 100% to run around and be effective.
VaSteelersFan
1:02
Hi Ray, did Matt Canada really force the whole team to learn a new lexicon just so he could roll out the same feckless 2020 offense again? Ben is still in shotgun, they still dink and dunk, they still can't get a 1/2 yard when they need it. Do you find this bewildering??!!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
Not sure bewildering is the right word, but I have not been impressed with Canada through the first two weeks. The Steelers have scored three TDs in the first two weeks. They've scored a total of seven points before halftime in those games. There is no running game. There is no rhythm to the offense. Canada has to put his players in better positions to make plays. How about throwing the ball to Pat Freiermuth more often? How about getting Najee Harris involved in the passing game earlier? How about drawing up some plays to take advantage of what the defense is doing. The Raiders were penetrating hard with their front early and often. He needed to call some screens to take advantage of their overzealousness. I'm just not impressed so far.
VaSteelersFan
1:05
Hi Ray, thanks for your time. Has Tomlin and Co. ever explained his (or their) rationale for paying Derek Watt $3 million to . . . a) never use him, and; b) simultaneously struggle with running and pass pro ? Make it make sense!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
Tomlin was asked about Derek Watt today. Not about his salary but his usage. He basically said some weeks he'll be involved more than others. And Sunday was one of those weeks when he wasn't going to be involved much due to matchups.
SMF
1:06
Hi Ray:  Thanks for the chats.  The Steelers were really Horrible last year on third and fourth and 1.  In the LVR game they had 4th and less than a yard at their 34 with 8 minutes left down by 9.  They punt.  If you can't make 1 yard with the game on the line.  Go Home.  The Raiders had several one down or punts and made them all with Carr.  But if you looked, he made 2 or 3 yards each time all on the surge of the line.  Ben or any back would have made the single yard with the Raider line surge. Tomlin seems too stubborn to fix this and it will cost many games this year.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
Good observation. Tomlin always talks about not living in your fears. Well, it's clear he has no confidence in his offense after that decision.
Nate from Fort Wayne
1:08
When the Steelers scored and made it a 16-14 ball game. Do you think they should've gone for two and tried to make it a 16-15 score? It ended up being a 2 score game at the end when it could've been a 1 score game.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
That's a good point although coaches usually go by the chart. Not sure what the chart says for that situation, but I agree with you.
NC Steel
1:09
After watching the game on Sunday, it seems like 90% of the problem with the running game is that the OL isn't blocking well. Agree? We may have to pay for the young O-linemen's OJT with a losing season this year, but if they progress then it may be for the best long-term, as we can use 2022 high picks on other postions. Harris was an excellent pick-up too...thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
There is plenty of blame to go around, but I agree with you. The offensive line is struggling.
Brian
1:09
Just a comment. I don’t see the offense has changed at all from last year. Ben is still in the shotgun and throwing 6 yard passes. Unbelievable!! Okay we threw 2 long shots. But we drafted a stud running back and give him only 10 touches. I watch our offense and it is brutal. You watch the other teams and they don’t seem to at least move the ball. I think Ben is saying the right things but is refusing to change. Time for a change!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
They completed two deep balls, but they threw it deep and missed some opportunities. Chase Claypool had one 52-yard catch, but he could have caught two others. They were difficult catches for sure, but your best players find ways to make plays. He needs to start making more plays for this offense.
Yankton Ern
1:11
Ray, I think we all know that #7 will be the starter as long as he’s a member of this team.  That being said, wouldn’t a more mobile quarterback be advantageous with the yAlso a quarterback that efficiently throw the deep ball
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
No. 1, they don't have a mobile QB on the roster so it's a moot point. No. 2, I'm not saying Roethlisberger is playing well right now, but his receivers could help him out more. See what I just wrote about Claypool.
Leecanon
1:12
How can steeler coaches make a decision on run game when they have Najee run ball 10 times ALL game doesn’t seem like a commitment to run game to me. They gave up before game started
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
Too many negative runs or runs for no gain or one yard. That's not going to cut it. You can't continue to bang your head against a wall if it's not working.
DaquidoBazzini
1:15
Ray- I think the Steelers have a pretty good group of WRs, but they are not consistently getting open. What do you see there from up above during the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
You hit the nail on the head. It would help if teams had to commit more to the rush than just four. But the Raiders generated pressure with four and dropped seven into coverage. It's harder to find holes in the defense when that happens.
ChasingPain
1:16
Hey Ray! Why we don’t throw to the intermediate routes!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:16
Throw to Freiermuth!
Nate from Fort Wayne
1:16
Do you think we need to look at tape from the Todd Haley years and figure out ways to maximize Najee Harris not only in the run game but the passing game like we used to do with L. Bell. I feel like dump off throws to him in the middle might open up the passing game a little more to JuJu and the others. or at least give Ben a nice dump off if the pressure is hot.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:16
I agree with you. Get him involved early in the passing game.
Paul from Sacramento
1:17
Hi Ray, I really appreciate your insight and podcasts with Brian. What do you think is Canada's reluctance to using Watt in fullback formations? I thought he was pretty good with the Chargers.. and saw him a couple of times as a decent blocker. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
When you use a FB you have to take another skill player off the field. I'm  not against using Watt, but someone like Eric Ebron or Diontae Johnson or Chase Claypool are going to come off.
Goldylox
1:18
Hi Ray   Could you ask Mr. Colbert not to trade away any more draft choices because after this season the Steelers will need 3 firsts and 4 seconds to build a contending football team. Thanks Ray
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
Dialing Colbert now...
Tom
1:18
Ray, why so much zone when Carr started to heat up in the second half?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
I think a big part of it was Haden's absence. He's a quality cover guy. They were playing with some guys that don't have his experience or skill level.
MikeM65
1:20
So how many millions do we have in hurt players for the defense?  Seems tough to compete when a lot of your top-dollar players aren't playing.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
I would agree and that's why the Raiders eventually pulled away. The Steelers were playing with a lot of rookies and first-year players by the end of that game.
Jim
1:21
Should Colbert have concentrated more on bringing veteran Olineman this off season? Can't could on rookie 3-4th round picks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
They were up against it with the cap before DeCastro was released. It's not like they had a ton of money to spend in free agency.
Kevin
1:22
Hi Ray,  D. Johnson casually stepped out of bounds on the deep ball he caught.  Where's the drive to fight to get as many yards as he can especially that close to the goal line ?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
I thought something similar, but on the replay you can see his momentum was taking him out of bounds.
KJ
1:23
What is the status for the Steelers' 3 defensive starters (TJ, Bush & Haden) for this week?
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