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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.24.24
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John from Toronto
2:39
HI Ray. Does McCormack move into the starting line up this week? Anderson is the most versatile lineman and the swing tackle now from a back up perspective. If we lost him we could be in big trouble.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
That's a very good point. They'll play the best player, but like I said earlier, don't be surprised if McCormick starts.
Ryan
2:40
No fire Tomlin and Meyer questions this week.  What has changed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
3 AND 0
OL Rotations
2:41
Ray again appreciate your insight. The Steelers have now gone 2 weeks in a row with an OL rotation two weeks ago at RT this past week at G. I don’t recall this happening much in the last probably 30 years in Pittsburgh, if ever. Are you for or against this rotation?  Seems to hinder continuity.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
It does, but the are committed to playing these rookies because they like them. They're the future.
Emilio
2:42
Hi Ray, What is the biggest change between last year's defense and the one that is playing this season? Are we a Heyward injury away from regressing to last year's level?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Injuries always play a big role, but I think Elliott is an upgrade over Neal. And so far Jackson is an upgrade over Wallace and/or Peterson. Lots of season to go though.
Rob in CT
2:44
Is anyone else surprised that we're only 1.5 point favorites against Indianapolis?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Maybe the Irsays will pipe in noise like the RCA Dome days. Home-field advantage!
Leon
2:44
Ray, I'm glad they're winning, but you take away the safety screwing up on that 55yd TD pass to Austin and it's the same stat line as weeks 1 and 2. Does Russ still give them the best chance for a competent offense this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
We'll have to wait and see but Fields is doing everything they've asked of him so far. Tough to take him out of the lineup now.
Black N Gold
2:45
The Steelers played really well on Sunday. That said, are people overlooking the fact that the Chargers lost both starting OTs, their QB, and Bosa during the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
The Steelers lost a bunch of players too. Also early in the game. It happens every week in the NFL.
Ryan
2:47
Do the Atlanta and Denver victories look more impressive now than they did a few weeks ago?  Both of those teams are moving the ball and scoring more since?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
I think so. The Falcons had the Chiefs on the ropes. Not really impressed with the OC there. Gotta come up with some better plays on third- and fourth-and-1.
Leon
2:48
So let's say Highsmith is out a few weeks and Herbig continues to set the world on fire, do we see playing time shift? By the time Herbig is eligable for an extension they can probably get out of Highsmith's deal without killing them on dead money, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
If it plays out that way, yeah. Highsmith is a really good player though. Let's not lose sight of that.
Otis' dad
2:49
Should we start looking into flights to the Superbowl, or is that a bit premature?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
Hey, it's the 50th anniversary of the Steelers' first Super Bowl winning team. And that game was played in New Orleans, just not at the Superdome. It was played at Tulane Stadium because the Superdome was still under construction. The first Super Bowl at the Superdome came three years later when they Cowboys beat the Broncos.
Chet
2:51
Great chat as always, Ray. I realize Minkah is a sacred cow around these chats, but honestly couldn't they pay a midlevel safety half of what he makes and get the same production? No picks, no splash plays...what am I missing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
I get it, but offensive coordinators consciously avoid throwing his way too or choose wisely when they do attack his side of the field.
Benson DuBois
2:52
As good as Fields has been, I don't think his style would work well in a late game deficit situation.  Looking ahead, would it be reasonable to envision a "relief pitcher" role for Russ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
All sorts of scenarios could unfold. Remember the 2015 Broncos? Peyton Manning was benched in favor of Brock Osweiler. Manning eventually got his job back and led the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
Chet
2:53
follow up on the Minkah question - didn't offensive coordinators also avoid throwing Ed Reed or Troy's way, and they still were much more conspicuous than Minkah is
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Yes, but the Steelers choose to deploy Fitzpatrick as a deep safety. They moved Polamalu around the defense. The Ravens did the same thing with Reed.
Francis
2:54
I'm excited for Herbig, I always thought Highsmith was a solid but very unspectacular player on a defense that requires spectacularness out of that position. Pay cut coming in the future?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Can we let Herbig make his first NFL start on Sunday first? Geez.
Otis' dad
2:55
I'm sorry, as great as Minkah is, Troy was a unicorn and any comparison with or to him is completely unfair.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Agree.
OK thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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