JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.08.24

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.08.24

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:00

Let's get started.

Middling Mediocre Mike

2:00

Why does every good receiver the steelers ever had in the Tomlin failure era - turn into a diva and wreck team morale / cause internal problems? Would you agree there is so much more happening internally than reported. Wouldnt you think after 17 years of coaching Mediocre Mike would have learned anything?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:03

You are right. There is definitely a pattern although I will point out Tomlin is not the only coach who has to deal with mercurial receivers. The Bills had to trade Stephon Diggs because he was a pain in the neck. We can go all the way back to Terrell Owens and the Eagles and many before and after him. Tomlin said today he handles Pickens behind closed doors and does not broadcast punishments. That's fine, but there is something fishy going on with his situation. Tomlin passed off his snaps on Sunday night as workload management, but he seems to be providing cover for Pickens.

Vincent LaGaurdia Gambini

2:03

Do you believe Russ Wilson will start a game this year without Fields getting injured? If you were the coach, and they are both healthy, who would be your QB?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:04

Yes I do. Wilson was signed to be the starting QB. Fields was acquired only after Kenny Pickett requested a trade. So there is a pecking order here. Credit to Fields for playing well enough in the first five games to remain the starter for now, but the Steelers will be looking for an opening to get Wilson in there. And they might not be looking long. Fields did not play well against the Cowboys. He hasn't played well early in games all season.

Rookies Starting

2:05

Ray, its been shown over and over that Tomlin doesn’t like to start rookies right away and often its specific to high picks (i.e. Troy F., Brod Jones, JPJ). Can he explain why Beanie Bishop, an UDFA no less, is not only starting, but is still playing even though he's really struggled? Its not like they don’t have cap space. Another Tomlin “make it make sense” decision?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:08

When it comes to playing rookies they are all different cases. You point out Troy Fautanu, but they inserted him as their starting RT two weeks into camp. Only an injury forced him out of the lineup. But to answer your question about Bishop I got the sense in camp they did not want to go the veteran route again with their DBs. They went down that road with Patrick Peterson and it did not work out all that well. They wanted to see what they had in the young guys because they only had to play half a season because Cam Sutton is coming back from his suspension in a few weeks. Maybe it was the wrong move, but that's my sense. If Sutton was suspended for an entire season I doubt Bishop would be starting. They'd have signed someone for that role and paid him accordingly.

2:09

Hi Ray, trying to get on board with Queen who i thought was a very solid player but how do explain him getting outplayed by Elandon Roberts and Peyton Wilson?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:11

It is taking some time. There are reasons for it. He has a lot on his plate as the QB of the defense. He is making all the calls and has a lot of responsibility. Some of the issues in coverage are because of poor communication. He's new and he's probably not playing fast because he has so many other responsibilities.

Ty Hink

2:11

Really don't see the difference between matt canadas offense and this one under smith. I'm sure he's being told to be conservative but you're going to lose games you should win. Should not take the 4th quarter to realize we gotta start passing and take some shots

Ray Fittipaldo

2:12

They took plenty of shots early in the game. Fields and his tight ends just did not connect. You can make an argument they're targeting the wrong people when they take deep shots, but if you watched the game you know Arthur Smith broke his tendencies and threw a lot on first down against the Cowboys.

TVC15

2:13

Hi Ray, Was Tomlin's made up gibberish answer to why Pickens had reduced snaps against the Cowboys an insult to even the most casual fan's intelligence or do most people believe he was telling some strange counterintuitive truth?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:13

If you haven't figured it out by now Mike Tomlin does not lose any sleep over lying to you during his news conferences.

Upstate NY Fan

2:14

I enjoy reading your weekly report card grades for the various offense, defense and ST groups. Through the first 5 games this season, what grades would you give to each of the rookies that have played significant snaps?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:15

Frazier B+. He's been more than solid. Payton Wilson B. He's outnsapped Elandon Roberts as a rookie. The coaches are showing trust in him. I'll give Mason McCormick a B as well.

Atlanta Dan

2:16

Hi Ray Thanks for the chat. Latest drama with Pickens (video indicating taking plays off, reduced number of snaps, “Open ******* Always”) just business as usual or potentially building up to the Steelers deciding to not only passing on giving him the big contract but potentially trading him this offseason to avoid the hassles associated with having him on the roster in his 2025 contract year?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:18

I might be in the minority, but I never really had a strong sense Pickens would sign a second contract with the Steelers. Only a select few WRs have done that over the years -- Hines Ward and Antonio Brown are probably the two best examples. Many others, including Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes and many others moved on after their rookie deals expired. I ask you: is Pickens more like Ward and Brown or those others I mentioned?

Steelers Nation Jersey Chapter

2:18

Ray, do you see the steelers kicking the tires on a guy like Anthony Barr or Justin Houston due to all the injuries at the outside linebacker position?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:19

They probably should, but Tomlin made it sound like elevating guys from the practice squad was more of an option.

TVC15

2:19

I know this is probably just a pipedream but is there any chance the Steelers would make an in-season trade of Tomlin to the Jets?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:20

QUESTION OF THE YEAR! CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

Atlanta Dan

2:20

Hi Ray Thanks for the chat. Are you surprised that Minkah Fitzpatrick went public with his request to simply the defensive calls to reduce the chronic communications issues rather than take that up in private with the defensive coordinator & head coach?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:21

No I'm not. When Fitzpatrick speaks his mind it's usually calculated. He wanted to get a message across and I'm sure they'll take his thoughts into account. He's well-respected in that building.

Steve in Canton

2:22

Will Roman Wilson see any action on the field this season?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:22

At some point yes, but he's not a teamer so it's been tough for him to get a helmet.

Art from NC

2:22

Hey Ray- During his absence, I believe we are seeing Highsmith's true value in not only keeping TJ from being triple-teamed, but in his ability to stop the run. Herbig is a great situational rusher but doesn't seem to have the size to defend the run consistently. What are we looking at for this week with both of those players possibly out?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:22

Good call. Highsmith is excellent at setting the edge.

scooter

2:23

Ray, Thoughts on Najee? I really thought he would have a breakout game with their injuries on D. Is he a victim of being the bell cow for years and just lost it? First it was Warren, now even Patterson make him look awfully slow. He appears to line up 9-10 yards deep on every play, build no momentum and fools no one.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:24

He does not have great field vision. I think things have to be blocked up pretty well for him to get good yardage. And things haven't been blocked up really well all season. At times, yes, but not consistently.

Steve in Canton

2:24

Ray - What's your take on trading WR George Pickens to the Raiders for Devante Adams and a pick?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

I'd have done it yesterday, but I'm not sure Adams wants to be here. That's a big part of any trade. Just like Brandon Aiyuk, Adams isn't going to go somewhere he doesn't want to play.

Ryan

2:25

Good Afternoon Ray. Any idea on the last time the Steelers won a game where you could sit back and relax in the 4th quarter?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

2005 AFC championship game

Steve in Canton

2:26

Is ILB Cole Holcomb eligible to play yet? Or is he even close to being ready..

Ray Fittipaldo

2:26

They have not opened his 21-day window yet so I think he's a ways away.

2:27

Do you predict that it's Russell Wilson time? And, if they do go with Russ, do you think he starts or is the backup and comes in if the offense can't get it going after the first few series?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:27

If he's the backup this week it could happen anytime.

Steve in Canton

2:28

Making any time for the tiki bar and pool side at the Vegas hotel?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:28

Probably not. I don't land until around 6 Saturday night.

epiballo

2:28

Would you have blitzed Prescott on that last play from the four?