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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.08.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
For the past three games he's stood on the sidelines in street clothes. That might change this week if James Washington is out with his shoulder injury.
Nathan
2:49
Even after Tomlin botching clock management, timeout/challenge management, and situational coaching in general, how much, if any, pressure has he gotten from upstairs to adjust?  I know they hired Teryl Austin, but does Tomlin actually listen to him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Austin was hired to help with replay reviews. I can't say he was brought in to help with clock management too. At least I've never heard that. That's on the head coach to have a feel for that.
Tom
2:50
Ray,  What am I missing with Conners?  Average RB who is careless with the ball.  Just do not see him long term as the answer.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Not looking like he'll get a second contract at this point especially when they're going to have to pay T.J. Watt and JuJu Smith-Schuster from the same draft class. You can always find another RB.
iowasteelerfan
2:51
Is it the returners, or the blocking schemes that are causing our kick return woes - looks like there is simply little to no room to run - your observations please?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
I agree with you. There doesn't appear to be a lot of running room for the returners. Then again, I don't think they have dynamic returners. A lot of times, the returners made the blockers look good because they're so fast or so good at finding creases.
JoeB
2:52
Minkah pretty much proves that Davis is average to below-average, doesn't he?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
I mean yeah, but we already knew that, right?
JoeB
2:52
Do you disagree with Tomlin's OT decision? 10 minute overtime, it seems you should want as many possessions as possible, which means receiving, and a chance to end it without the other team touching, which means receiving. He gained about 14 yards on his decision, which was not worth it in my opinion.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
Yeah, but as Tomlin pointed out, what if you start at your own 15, go three-and-out and give the Ravens the ball at midfield after a punt? Then Tucker boots a 45-yard field goal to win the game? Then the game is over. I trust that he has a good feel for his kickoff return game, offense and defense to make that decision. I'm not saying he was right or wrong, but I see his rationale.
Jr High
2:55
Why not play Finney instead of Foster?  He's been strong every time he gets in there.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
Because they signed Foster to a two-year, $8 million contract in March.
Jason
2:56
How does a national reporter print the Skins will go after Tomlin and still be taken serious?  I guess something to grab the headlines.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
BINGO!
John
2:57
Tired of hearing that Mason Rudolph is not comfortable playing under center. This is the NFL. Since when is it not the coaches responsibility to get him comfortable under center, if they NEED him comfortable under center?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:59
Agree with you 100 percent. Not a knock on Rudolph either. I understand he didn't play under center in college, but he needs to learn how to do that. The same goes for the offensive linemen being comfortable playing in two-point stances because that's what they've done for the past five years. I was floored when Randy Fichtner said that last week when he addressed reporters. If you play offensive line in the NFl part of the job requirement is being able to play in a 3-point stance. If you can't then I'm going out and finding someone who does. It's a pretty basic part of being an offensive lineman.
CanadianSteelersFan
2:59
In my opinion the game was lost in the first two possessions when the Offense went 3 and out AGAIN and followed up with an interception. We spotted the Ravens 10 points in a 3 point loss. Why do you think the team always comes out so flat? Happens every week.
Ray Fittipaldo
3:00
Sounds like you read my report card. I agree with you 100 percent.
Steve in OH
3:00
We were at the game and didn't have a great replay.  However, in the 4th, it looked like the Steelers got a safety.  I haven't seen anyone talk about it.  As I understand the rule, the whole ball has to get out of the end zone for it to not be a safety and it did not look that way.  That would have been huge - 2 points and the ball.  Why didn't Tomlin challenge?  Was it clearly not a safety?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:00
I would never put my trust in Alberto Riveron to make the right call on a review. Plus, it was very close. It appeared the ball crossed the goal line. That's all that has to happen. Just the ball. Not any part of the body.
BamBam Murray
3:01
What ever happened to Artie Burns?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:01
Artie made a great play to pin the Ravens on the 1 in the fourth quarter. Would have been a huge play if the Steelers won. And hey, he might start this week if Steven Nelson can't play due to his groin injury.
Steve
3:01
Who played better against the fast 49ers defense: Rudolph or Mayfield?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:02
Definitely Rudolph although he struggled mightily early in the game when the Steelers had a chance put that game out of reach. The 49ers turned the ball over so much early, and all they could manage was six points off two field goals.
JJ
3:03
Seems as though our defense is improving. Any idea where we stand after five games ?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:03
I know they're first in turnovers forced with 12. (The patriots also have 12). And I'm sure their yardage stats are improving after the past two weeks.
Bill in SF
3:04
Watched the 49ers execute a running game to set up play-action passing. Watched the Colts use a running game to completely dominate KC.  Watched the Patriots do the same thing last postseason?  Why to the Steelers refuse to commit to it with back-up QBs to save the season?  Can't believe this line is not capable.
Ray Fittipaldo
3:05
Great question, and I'm beginning to believe they're not capable of doing it. If not, it's coaching malpractice not to try it the way the defense is playing now. It's exactly what coaches do when they have young quarterbacks. So the fact that they haven't tried it lends to me to think they don't have the personnel to execute it.
Dj Cain Arkansas
3:05
When are we gonna admit the O-Line. Miss Munchak bad?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:06
The line was bad in the second half of last season too. At least in the run game. I've detailed that numerous times.
Steve
3:06
Ray, Is McDonald hurt again?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:06
Don't think so. Tomlin mentioned him today, but he said something to the effect that he came through the game OK.
ypar70
3:08
Has anyone asked the coaches why MR runs the offense from shotgun the whole game?  But on Sunday I saw Duck under center a few times and also he used play action.  Is running shotgun the whole game actually counter productive over the course of the whole game?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:09
I looked at the play-by-play. I counted two snaps from under center for Hodges. All of Mason's were in the shotgun. Fichtner was asked about it last week. He basically said we built this offense around a Hall of Fame QB and then he mentioned Mason played in the shotgun all the time at OK State. I get it. Your players are used to it. Your young QB feels comfortable. But if playing under center will help others then I think you have to do it.
JoeB
3:10
Chances that Rudolph plays Sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:10
Not high.
3:11
OK I went overtime this week! And I still couldn't get to every question. Thanks for joining in and we'll do it again next week after the Chargers game.
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