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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.26.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I think every NFL coach has some arrogance about him. You ever see how Mike Ditka used to treat Chicago reporters? Especially after losses. Tomlin is no different. Don't ask me why he admitted it today. It only makes him look bad.
Ego Much?
2:24
Did I just hear our head coach say something along the lines of a college player being lucky to have dinner with “a man like him”? That narcissism is one of the things that I believe has led us to failure over the past decade. Do you think his arrogance and ego get in the way of making smart business decisions with drafting players, cutting players, preparing gameplans, etc.?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I did catch that. Not sure he meant it to come out like that, but yes it came across in a manner than made Tomlin looks narcissistic.
Jeff M
2:26
Can we pump the breaks. This last win feels a lot like the second half of last season. Steelers showed a competent offense and coupled with their strong defense were able to barely beat an NFL bottom feeder. Do you think there is a valid reason to be optimistic or its more likely they will crash back down to earth when they play better teams?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
I would agree, but maybe it's a good sign they're getting to their identity in Week 3 this season rather than Week 10. And if Pickett and the other young players can continue to get better each week maybe they'll be better in November and December and January.
Jeff M
2:28
Pre snap teams are walking extra men into the box daring the Steelers to throw the ball. Pickett does not even seem to consider checking into another play even if a run play has no chance to succeed. Is this a lack of experience with reading defense pre snap or is he just not allowed to change the play?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Tomlin was asked about this today in reference to Pickett being able to change plays at the line of scrimmage. And his answer was somewhat telling. He said it's on the coaches to call better plays because they're also aware teams are playing with heavier fronts and loading the box. You can look at it two days. 1. Tomlin does not yet trust Pickett to change plays at the LOS. 2. He has a coordinator who isn't always getting to the right plays. Kind of an odd thing to say in the circumstance if you ask me. I think the goal for any team developing a young QB is to trust them. I don't know a perfect timetable for things like the freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage, but Year 2 doesn't seem like a big ask.
James Ryan
2:31
Thanks for the chats, Ray. At what point in the season do you think Tomlin finally lets the rookies get their chance? Benton is much better than Adams, Porter may need some time, but he will be better than both starting CBs, Broderick Jones cant be worse than what Dan Moore is providing. It feels like its time for all 3 to finally get larger roles. Especially if this team wants to be competing in January.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
He talked about that a little today at his presser. Benton is getting an opportunity because Heyward is out. The others might not have those opportunities now, but they have to be ready to take advantage if they do happen.
Miles McGuire
2:33
Hi Ray, Thank you for the chat! More of an global NFL question. With every team attempting to build a deep D-Line room, utilizing a 7 man rotation. Why do you think NFL offense's dont adopt a rotation on the O-Line? Breather here and there.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
For continuity sake. Offensive linemen have to be on the same page at all times. They have to be able to communicate with each other, make calls and sort things out in milliseconds. Defensive linemen have to communicate, too. But oftentimes, the communication is not as intricate and detailed.
SMF
2:35
Hi Ray;  Thanks for the chats.  Do the Steelers have an "eagles-like" push play for third or fourth and 1 downs. I thought they used it some last year against Ravens and Raiders, but not this year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
They executed a push play that resulted in an easy first down on Sunday night when Allen Robinson came in motion and pushed Pickett forward on a third-and-1.
AtlantaDan
2:36
Ray - thanks for the chatWhile it was good to see improvement from Kenny Pickett and the offense, is rolling Pickett out “to get Kenny moving” a long term solution that defenses will not catch up with quickly, given that it arguably takes away half a field of passing opportunities and reinforces the tendency of the Matt Canada offense to use the sidelines more and center of the field less on passing downs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Not necessarily but a commitment to the run game and play-action off it can be something that benefits them every single week.
jps2417
2:38
Hi Ray, The pick-six that Pickett almost threw to Marcus Peters. Looked to me the blame should be directed more toward Heyward for running the wrong route. Is route-running a general problem with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Pickett and Heyward definitely were not on the same page. Can't say who was at fault there because there's a lot that goes into those reads.
Rocky,
2:39
Thanks for your chats Ray.  Why aren't they using our new TE?   He could be used for blocking or catching an easy pass in the red zone?  Do you think they'll use him more against Texas?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
They're using him as a blocker much more than as a receiver. I think in time he'll be targeted more, but not sure if it happens this Sunday.
Kenny in SD
2:40
J.J. Watt is being inducted into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor this weekend and who better to come in and rain on that parade than his little brother, T.J. What's your over/under for T.J. Watt in sacks this week? 2.5?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
2.5 is a big number so I might go under. However, every week it seems like he has a chance to get three or four.
Punky Brewster
2:44
The Steelers offense put one good drive together and had one splash play to Austin. The rest of the game looked a lot like the first two. The Raiders defense has been terrible so far. Why are so many people acting like they turned the corner?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
No turnovers, commitment to run game, play-action off the run game. They scored 23 points in the first three quarters and then had a bad fourth quarter. That's how I look at it.
Robert Saleh
2:45
What would it take to get Mitch Trubisky over here?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Pass the Sauce.
Ed in Carrick
2:46
What does PFF have against Watt?  Their calculation is flawed if they just say he only wins 16% of his plays but Garrett et al win twice as much.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
The easy solution is to stop paying attention to what they have to say.
Jeff
2:46
I ask, with the season being 17 games over 18 weeks- isn't it more desirable to keep getting better and peak in December than to be good early? Maintaining seems to me, to be much more difficult especially for a young team... your thoughts Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Of course, that's the goal. And it's much better to grow when you are winning games. Tomlin certainly referenced that today in his presser.
Silly in Philly
2:47
Ray Ray.  The “eye ball” test tells me that Jaylen Warren is the better suited RB for this offense, at least right now.  Are my eyes deceiving me??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
No your eyes are not deceiving you. Harris has to be more decisive and hit the holes quicker and harder.
Wayward
2:48
What's your take on the oline play and the potential to improve?  Last year Meyer to do a good job getting it stabilized.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
The offensive line has to be more consistent getting movement up front, but they also need the RBs to run hard.
Ed in Carrick
2:48
I read a report tha Harvin leads the league in punt yards. Could that be because of so many 3 and outs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
That's the only reason. He's punted more than anyone else I bet too.
Tampa too
2:49
Any chance we can trade Gunner to the Bears for a second round draft pick next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
I'll make that suggestion to Omar.
Jeff
2:49
good day Ray... when will we see a signifant Broderick Jones sighting?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
It will happen, but perhaps not as soon as you'd like.
Big Sid
2:50
Interesting in your thoughts on getting B. Jones in at tackle - neither Moore or Chuks have shined and it feels like a waste of a first if we don’t get him in there soon.
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