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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.11.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started.
MD
1:58
Ray:   I think Cam Heyward is a declining player who will make over $30m total in 2023-24.  He has only been involved in one playoff win in his career (he was injured in 2016).  Could he be moved to a contender for a 2nd or 3rd rounder?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
He's a team captain. They're not going to do that. The solution is surrounding Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt with better players.
Dave in NE PA
1:59
If the offense continues to not score points, will we see another QB switch to possibly MR? Or let KP finish the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Pickett is the present and future franchise QB. (They hope). Let him take his lumps and learn on the job. All rookies make mistakes. Pickett will make his share. But the upside is he'll get them out of his system this season and he can be a better player in the future because of the experience he's gained.
Mark in Texas
2:00
Thanks for doing the chat Ray! Do you think the Steelers will win a game before TJ Watt returns to the starting lineup?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Doubtful, but I'd say their best chance is in the next two weeks against the Bucs or Dolphins. The Bucs game is at home, and Tom Brady and their offense is struggling. If not this week then maybe next week in Miami depending upon the QB situation down there with Tua and Teddy Bridgewater, both of whom are in concussion protocol.
Andrew from Johnstown
2:02
Hey Ray. If the Steelers are 1-7, even 2-6 going into the bye, do you think they'll hold TJ out even longer to make sure he's 100% healthy? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
No, when he's healthy he'll play.
Rick T
2:02
Ray is it just me or does Najee seem to be too fat & slow this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I don't know about too fat, but he doesn't look very good. Tomlin opined today that his missing several weeks of camp hurt him. I'm not sure I buy that. He also said Jaylen Warren will continue to play. And I'd imagine if Najee's stats don't improve soon, Warren will get more snaps and more carries. He's been the more productive back in the first month of the season.
Alan
2:04
Hi Ray. If you had to pick between a top 10 D-Lineman or O-Lineman for the Steelers, which position do you think is more of a need for Steelers? (Perhaps all of the above)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Obviously, it depends on the player. They need better players at both positions, but if you're pressing me I'll say defensive line. Ogunjobi is on a one-year deal and Heyward is getting older. Plus, it doesn't look like Loudermilk is progressing as they hoped. That's not to say the Steelers can't upgrade over Chukwuma Okorafor or Dan Moore. They certainly can, but the defensive line needs an influx of younger talent.
Jeff
2:06
Thanks for the chats Ray and love grades after the game.  Great point on MC not adjusting when behind.  I can live with going conservative when you have a commanding lead but now is your chance to air it out.  If it is unsuccessful then we can blame it on the players.  Not sure how much more of MC play calling I can take!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Not sure you have a choice, Jeff! Tomlin said today he's not making a change for the sake of making a change.
Guest
2:07
Hey Ray.  Tomlin has always preached that the jump in play from year 1 to year 2 is significant.  Players such as Najee, Chase, JuJu, Moore, Green, Loudermilk, Harvin are just some of the players that have taken steps backwards.  How is our player development that consistently bad?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Well, that's a good question, although I'd take JuJu out of that mix. But you make good points on Loudermilk, Green, Green, Harvin and Claypool. Those players are regressing rather than progressing. And that's not a good sign. Maybe that's why Tomlin opened his news conference today and said there are no quick fixes and painted the picture this rebuild is going to take some time.
Guest
2:10
One thing about the Steelers is they have always played with heart, effort, and pride in the past even when the players are not great.  That is gone.  The old Steelers are dead and the organization is now the Team Formerly Known as the Steelers.  Yet.....we change nothing.  How can Rooney watch this and not do anything about it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Rooney is watching and changes will be made. But they're likely to come after the season, not in mid-October when the fans want scapegoats. As for the effort and pride angle, Tomlin is aware of the criticism from Ryan Clark and others, but he said that's their job. He's not overly concerned with the accusations his players quit in Buffalo. He just doesn't put a lot of credence into stuff like that.
MrCJJr
2:11
Hello Ray. Thanks for the chats. Do you think having a starting rookie QB is a part of not wanting to part ways with Canada during the season? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
No, not wanting to part ways with Canada is more of an organizational philosophy. The Steelers rarely make coaching changes during the season. Afterward? Yes. Sometimes many changes are made to coaching staffs.
Zamo
2:13
hey Ray!  Najee is either not healthy or playing poorly. Either way, I think it’s time for coaches to do the right thing and play Warren. Najee is a plodder and this team needs big plays and not 2-3 yards.  Please tell me they make this change until Najee gets healthy or his head out of you know what…..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Well, don't expect a change because Harris is still listed as the starter. But you could see some subtle adjustments. Maybe it's as simple as Warren getting a few more snaps or few more carries each game. Warren has played well and it's obvious the coaches like what he brings to the equation.
Yancey
2:14
Would a 3-14 type season really be a bad thing? They definitely could use 2 picks in the top 35, and it also might be a dose of reality a lot of folks in that building need.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
For a team that is rarely in that position and values being a contender every year, yes it would be a bad thing. However, in terms of team building and amassing better draft capital, that would most certainly be a good thing.
Stillers1963
2:16
Thank you for the Q&A chat.  Seeing that we do not have a 2023 5th or 6th round draft choices and have many holes to fill (i.e. "rebuilding") do you think the Steelers should trade some of the players who aren't "untouchable" and/or are on attractive contracts individually or as packages (where possible) to obtain a few additional mid round picks, 3rd thru 6th, prior to the deadline? My list of avail would include but not be exclusive to  (Bush, Wormley or Ogunjobi, Claypool,  Rudolph or Trubisky, maybe even Dionte Johnson)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Maybe some of those guys you mentioned could be dealt away, but I'm fairly confident Diontae Johnson won't be one of them.
Tampa Too
2:17
Ray. As much as I like Tomlin as a coach I did not understand his thought process in the first half when the Steelers were behind 24 to 3 and they had a fourth and five deep in the bills red zone  and he decided to attempt a field goal. At that point the defense couldn’t stop a runny nose.  Why not go for it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
This is a question many of us in the press box had. Didn't make a lot of sense then and doesn't make a lot of sense now.
fvicchy@yahoo.com
2:18
Hi Ray, thank you for the chats. My question is ...What is your opinion on if offensive coordinator M. Canada should be replaced immediately to save this STEELER'S season ??        FVicchy
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
You can wish all you want, but Tomlin said today he's not making change for the sake of making change.
Joseph
2:18
Was Big Ben hiding all the problems we are seeing with the Steelers on the field? It is beyond confusing how the organization has not invested in linemen on either side of the ball for at least 5 years now and it seems we are reaping the consequences of that.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I think it's fair to draw the conclusion that Roethlisberger covered up many of this team's warts over the past few years. That's not to say he should still be this team's QB. They had to move on and get Pickett, or someone like him, to be the future of the franchise.
Magicmushroom
2:20
If Kenny does not get better during the year, could you see Pitt going after one of those much hyped QBs coming out next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
He'd have to be reallybad.
RyanW
2:20
Say we do get a top 10 pick as its looking like, do you trade down and get even more picks and really stack the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
The Eagles rebuilt by stacking up on high draft picks. And Andy Weidl comes from Philly. So you might be onto something.
Mike Balzwich
2:22
Hi Ray- Do you think that maybe a WR would have a TD if Canada would call for a pass into the Endzone?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
There was the one to Johnson where he failed to get his feet inbounds, but you make a good point. His play-calling has been conservative to say the least.
Nater tater
2:23
Have you ever seen a game before where the losing team has more offensive plays ran and 12 more minutes of possession but still lose by 35 points?
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