You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.07.25
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
Well, the Ravens are 14 and playing like crap. That's the biggest reason. The Steelers have to hold up their end of the bargain, but if they can just get to 11 wins they should be in control.
JV
10:36
Can you share some info on why Freiermuth is not being used to his potential?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
It's a mystery to me when he has been so underutilized so far. I get the Vikings game. He's not the best run blocker so they used Washington and Anderson instead, but that doesn't explain his lack of targets and catches overall.
Charlotte John
10:39
Ray, can we assume with Austin out that it will be a sign whether R.Wilson will ever be part of the WR plan?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:39
I wouldn't assume that. Maybe a little but not a lot.
Annie
10:39
Hi Ray,  I was watching a game last week when the announcers said the offensive line ran a trap play.  I seem to recall that the Steelers under Coach Noll ran trap plays.  Do the Steelers under Coach Tomlin run a lot of trap plays?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
It's always in the playbook, but it was a staple of those 1970s Steelers offense. No one runs the trap consistently anymore. The defensive linemen are just too big, but it can be effective once in a while.
Gerry
10:41
I see the Chris Olave trade rumors have resurfaced.  What do you think the Steelers would have to give up in exchange for him?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
I would think a mid-round pick but maybe just a late-round pick because he does have injury issues. He's caught a lot of passes this year (33) but not for a lot of yards and he only has one TD. I'm just guessing but maybe a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
Cdub
10:44
The new kick off rules are ok, I guess.  I liked it better before, but there are more returns now.  Anyway, I was under the impression that for an on-side kick, the kicking team had to let the ref know before hand.  If that is the case, why was Seattle allowed to pick up the ball in the end zone for a score?  Wouldn't that be an on-side kick?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:45
No that was a regular kickoff. Johnson just botched it.
August West
10:46
Any update on QB3 after Skylar Thompson got jumped in London? Has Will Howard healed to the point where he would play if something were to happen to Rodgers and Rudolph?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
I haven't seen Thompson in the locker room to ask him. As a player on Ir he's under no obligation to do interviews either so we might have to wait a while to get his side of the story.
IUP 99
10:47
For all the ways they tried to give away that game against Minnesota at the end I find it most troubling that even for all of Tomlins in game gaffes he’s had, being overruled by his team on the field makes him look like he had no confidence in what he’s deciding during the game. I thought the optics of this reflected purely on his in game coaching despite his ability to speak with such command during interviews. Would you agree or am I making too much of it? His in game decision making continues to be a head scratcher to me almost week after week.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
That happens from time to time. The offense wanted to stay on the field and go for it especially Rodgers. Tomlin was swayed by that. It's not the first time a head coach rethought a decision after talking to his players. The bigger issue I have with that sequence was the play call. Don't just hand off there. Put the ball in Rodgers' hands and see if he can make a play.
Sam
10:49
Ray, the Steelers are very near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense when it comes to yardage per game statistics and more in the middle of the pack on each when it comes to points per game statistics.  Since neither unit seems to be elite, but the offense has much less position-by-position talent than the D, especially now with Austin out, are we simply to rely on all these sacks and turnovers.  I don't know how that's supposed to hold up after the Tour de Ohio for the next two weeks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
What? It's the Browns in a home game and the Bengals without Joe Burrow. They better win these next two games. We were interviewing Teryl Austin last week, and he was asked about that. He said he doesn't put too much stock into yards. He looks at other stats. Obviously points, but he also looks at possession down defense and turnovers.
Tom
10:52
Allen Lazard did not travel with the NYJ team, trade rumors swirl.  He has 4 catches.  What would he bring to Pittsburgh besides some history with AR?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
Another veteran presence. Not sure they need him, but the familiarity with Rodgers might be something they look at.
brian
10:53
Good morning Ray, more of a comment than question.  I am seeing posts from fans that the steelers are going to take the AFCN now and the next two games are going to be a breeze.  Any time I can remember in the Tomlin era the Steelers  can put the hammer down and secure something they end up making life difficult.  Vikings game anyone?  They tend to lose inexplicably to teams they should beat.  I know players need to execute but does this come down to coaching?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
I suppose, but the players have to execute the game plan.
TS
10:53
Good morning Ray. A simple question. Why in the hell would a TE not non for his blocking skills be the edge blocker on field goal/extra point teams?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
10:54
That doesn't take much skill as a blocker. It's just about technique. He does have long arms so that does make him attractive for that role.
Epiballo
10:54
Many fans were screaming for the Steelers to draft Manning from UT. How does that look like now?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
As I answered before, the scouts have to determine if there is real talent there or if he is a victim of his circumstances. I haven't seen enough of Manning and Texas to form an opinion, but believe me there is a lot that goes into it.
Henry Hill
10:55
Good morning Ray; I hope the Steelers do not consider drafting Drew Allar next season; like his coach 'Big Game James,' he never shows up when it matters most.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
Allar is talented, but I am sure teams will be scared off by his play in big games. Maybe he ends up being picked later and he excels in the NFL if he gets with the right coaching.
Retire21
10:57
MT is 8-9 in playoff games. That's the same record Cowher had before the run of four games and the SB 40 win. People forget that Bill
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
So you're saying the Steelers will win 11 games, be a wild card and run the table to the Super Bowl!
10:58
Thanks for all the questions this week. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
Connecting…