You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.01.19
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Yeah that was bad. Not sure if that was on Mason or Randy, but I agree the QB has to have to freedom to change a play that won't work.
Frank
2:30
How do you see this paling out if MR keeps improving, team continues to win, youth movement taking precedence, and Ben looks to return next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
It's one win. Against the Bengals. Let's slow down.
Renegade
2:30
I read that we could potentially lose the 3rd round comp pick next year for Philly cutting Fort. We could pick it back up if we cut Moncrief. If Fort sticks with Baltimore and we still cut Moncrief, could we potentially get an additional comp pick beyond that 3rd round pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
It's so hard to figure the NFL's formula for compensatory picks. I read that as well. I suppose if that's true it might make sense to cut Moncrief because it doesn't seem he's a good fit here. But honestly, I'm not even sure Kevin Colbert knows for sure what the league will do.
VAsteelersFan
2:32
Hi Ray, is Arty Burns playing at all? I see him dressed and on the sidelines, but never hear his name (thankfully) during the game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
He plays on special teams.
Daniel
2:32
Do you think 2 DL linemen package can stop the run? I saw Heyward/Tuitt as our only DL in a lot of situations and I am not sure if this should be our package against the run.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
That's their nickel or dime package. They bring in an extra DB and sub out the nose.
NVsteelers723
2:34
So what happens if Mason takes us to the playoffs , next year do we have a QB controversy?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Again, let's slow the roll a little bit. It was only one game.
Dave W
2:34
Good afternoon, and thanks as always, Ray.  Appreciate your time.  First quarter of season - who you have for MVP on O and D?  TJ Watt or Tuitt on D maybe, and on O . . . ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Watt has been really impressive on defense. Tuitt too. Those are good calls. Not sure if I'd pick an MVP on offense to this point.
Mike in MD
2:36
It feels like Bush had a few games that he was trying to get used to the NFL, so he was slower and tentative.  I thought he played fast and looked plenty up to the challenge of stopping the run and passes last night.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
I agree. He was decisive in his reads. He played fast. That's what they need out of him.
VAsteelersFan
2:37
Ray, Booger remarked last night's game was a "coming out party for Devin Bush." It did seem like he was everywhere. Were you impressed? Maybe he's overcoming the learning curve?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
I think we all knew the talent was there. It was just a matter of getting comfortable.
BigAl
2:37
I get that Hilton makes some good plays in run stoppage here and there and the occasional blitz off of edge, but it seems to be undeniable that he’s a bit liability in coverage. Do you get any sense that perhaps they’ll start playing Sutton more in early downs if offenses wisen up and start simply picking on Hilton our the gate? What seems to be the coaches’ hesitation having Sutton as their primary NB option? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Right now it seems like Hilton is the first-down nickel and Sutton is the second-and third-down nickel. So to your point it seems like they're onto the fact that he's struggled in coverage.
Jack Lambert's tooth
2:38
How did o line look/grade out last night?  Bengals' d line is a strength yes?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I think the wildcat masked some of their deficiencies in the run game. They need to get better in basic run formations. Until they do that I'm not sure the offense is going to be effective on the whole.
Bob
2:39
Maybe Boswell for offensive MVP?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Good call. He's 7 for 7 on field goals.
2:40
I think he played well too. But we saw at the end of last season that there were issues with his coverage abilities. Sutton is a capable guy. I'm OK with them switching on and off.
Mike in MD
2:40
I know  that an earlier commenter said that Hilton is a liability in coverage, I actually thought he played really well last night.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Question to previous answer.
FoolBack
2:40
Ray, would Rosie Nix have a more of a role in this offense when he returns, or has his window passed due to injury?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I think they'd like to use him because they think he'd help the struggling running game. But Tomlin seemed to say today that Nix will miss another game with that knee injury.
Bad Form
2:41
How much do you think the stagnant offense hurt the defense in weeks 2 and 3? I thought they were on the field too much and it hurt them late in both games.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I agree. That's why you heard Tomlin say things like "staying on schedule" today at his news conference. They needed consistency in their offensive approach. The wildcat helped in that regard. But they can't count on using the wildcat or any other gimmick from week to week. They have to get better in regular personnel.
2:43
Well, Mason never played under center at Oklahoma State so I'll go with no this season.
rman
2:43
Hey Ray,  Did you notice on the 4th and 1 play failure in the 1st quarter that the o-line was standing straight up?  What was the plan there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I'm at a loss when it comes to these new-fangled ways coaches draw up the run game. I spoke with Al Villnueva about it last week. He said he's envious of teams that allow their linemen to get in three-point stances all the time. But the Steelers aren't going to change their approach in the middle of the season. They have to run what they run.
Steeler Joe
2:44
Do you get the impression Rudolph's lack of downfield passing is by design or circumstances?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
I think it
2:45
I think it's by design. Fichtner definitely had a conservative plan for the Bengals. But I also don't think Rudolph is comfortable pulling the trigger in some of those situations.
Neal
2:45
What would you go with: spy on Lamar or zone defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Even if you spy Jackson he's athletic enough to make your best athlete miss in open space. So I'm not sure that's the answer. I'd try to keep him in the pocket and maybe play zone and just have those LBs and nickel DBs be aware that they'll have to come up and make plays if he breaks contain.
Vastillet
2:47
Al Riveron strikes again?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Is this a question from last week?
Connecting…