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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.13.20
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Diehard in motown
2:18
thanks for the chat ray.  So have to admit was surprised at eagles line play this past week on both sides of ball.  Any possibility they’re significantly underrated, or just a less than average day on the Steelers part?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Well, the Eagles defensive line is really good. Not sure that's a surprise. I was a bit surprised that Jordan Mailata did such a good job against Bud Dupree, who had just one sack and that sack came late in the game when the Eagles were in desperation mode. Lane Johnson was banged up and only allowed one sack to TJ Watt. I was expecting Wentz to be harassed more than he was.
Tony
2:20
Will the Steelers have to double team M Garret this week just try to keep him in check
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Double-teams, chips, yes. They should give some help.
Tom in Dallas
2:20
So far, the Steelers have done what is expected, and that's win games against lessor teams, which is something that has been a problem in recent years.  What is your current view of final record, based on what you have seen so far and how the schedule looks now that we have seen the competition?  11-12 wins is doable?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I said 10-6 before the season, but I think 11 or 12 wins is definitely doable, especially if the offense continues to play mistake-free football.
Tommy A.
2:22
Will the Steelers entertain the idea of trading with the jets to get Bell back? Especially, since his monetary  value is less than when he left pittsburgh. Would he want to come back to an organization that he had success with? The running backs we have now are not bell type caliber players not even close.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
The Steelers can use some help with their running game, but I don't think Bell is the answer. Not at this stage of his career. He appears to be shot.
Raymund 111
2:22
Ray, 3rd & Long same old story that never ends defensively. it’s so frustrating to go over and over year after year.. is this repairable in your view?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
It better be, or they're going to have a lot of losses once they start playing some better teams.
DirtWinston4Prez
2:23
Always enjoy your chats and articles, and especially your analysis of offensive line play.    While most of us are amazed at how well Claypool is fitting in, I think Washington should also be getting some good notice.  His gutsy touchdown effort showed a lot of good things.  Great effort, great balance and athletism, grit, and most interestingly great presence of mind with ball security as he was making his final push into the endzone.  It may seem like a weird comparison, but when I see great athletics and great fundementals it reminds me of the good old days watching Jack Ham.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Thanks Dirt. Washington made some plays early in the game against the Eagles then Claypool kind of took center stage. Mike Tomlin talked about selflessness today and this receiving corps seems to have it. You look at the stats and other than Claypool no one is having a great year. But they all do their jobs well and make plays when called upon.
Skwirl23
2:24
Is there any safety help on the roster?  Edmunds hasn't looked the best last couple weeks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Sean Davis. But I'm not sure they'll make that move.
J-town Johnnie
2:25
Ray,  I watched the KC, LV game & liked they way LV played defense against Mahomes.  My question is why do the Steelers blitz so often instead of playing more zone coverages?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
I was thinking the opposite when Wentz completed that third-and-17 in a zone between Hilton and Haden.
Guy
2:25
It is starting to look like this is the most formidable Browns team in a long time, do you see them as a legitimate contender for the division.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Not sure about that, but they could be in the conversation for a wild-card berth.
Chris in Washington
2:26
Do you think Pouncey will play Sunday, or will the rookie need to make his first start?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Tomlin did not rule him out today. Said he might not practice early in the week but indicated he has a chance to play. Definitely something to monitor later in the week.
Scott
2:27
What was the knock on Claypool ahead of the draft? He certainly has the measurables to have been a first round pick. Thus far he has shown hands,  and an understanding of the game to go along with his size and speed.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I think a lot of GMs are going back and checking their notes on him because clearly he is playing better than a mid-second round pick.
Brad in Seattle
2:28
Going into this season it felt like the defense was the strength of the team, and as long as the offense was better than last year, they had a real shot at being a contender. It feels like that's flipped flopped a bit. However, they seem to be playing complimentary football in the sense that the offense seems to make a play when needed and the defense makes a play when needed. Can you win a championship like that? or do you think the defense is sitting duck with the way they've been giving up big(ish) plays and long third downs? (I guess the next three weeks will say a lot)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
Sure you can win a championship like that. Look at what happened in Super Bowl XLIII. That was a legendary defense that gave up 23 points, including a late TD to Larry Fitzgerald. That Steelers offense wasn't great all year, but Ben Roethlisberger led a legendary drive for the winning TD.
Awesome STEELERS
2:29
What are our chances of Winning this game?? Your thoughts?? We Need this Win!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Win the turnover battle and shut down the Browns running game, and I think the Steelers win. Don't do that and it becomes dicey.
George
2:30
Stopping a passing team is nearly impossible in todays NFL. Our D just needs to slow them down enough and create to let our offense do their damage, right?  We can go far with our combo D and Off, what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
There might be something to that, but if you give up third-and-17 and third-and-12 often enough you're going to lose. Those are situations where you have to get off the field. And the Steelers failed to get off the field in those situations on Sunday.
RJT
2:31
I know when blitzing, if you don’t get to the QB there are going to be receivers open. However there were multiple times in the eagles game where the Steelers were only bringing 4 and the secondary was still getting beat. Is it time to be concerned with the secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Yes that's what I mentioned a few questions ago. Wentz kind of knew where the soft spot was going to be and he exploited it. If that keeps happening you have to switch it up and bring some pressure in those situations.
The Joker
2:32
Riddle me this - I am Joe Haden and they are facing 3rd and 17. I play 10-12 yds off of the line and then drop back another 10 yds in coverage? I have the safety over  the middle but still turn my back to the outside and the receiver? When they covert it easily just as I turn around, should I be surprised? Am I in the wrong scheme or did I just lay and egg there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
This is the play I am talking about. Hilton is in the underneath zone and Haden over the top. He is concerned with the deep ball so he turns, but Fulgham runs a simple 18-yard pattern and picks up the first down in rather easy fashion. It's one thing to tip your hat to an offense when they make a great play, but I don't really think that was a great play by Wentz. There was plenty of room to drop that in. Way too easy in my opinion. That's where I disagree with Tomlin and his penchant for praising the Eagles. Sure, give them some credit, but let's not pretend the Steelers didn't goof on a few of those.
Cade in Carrick
2:34
I thought McFarland’s speed and quickness may have netted more yardage in the running plays between the tackles than what Conner was able to get.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I agree with you and tweeted something to that effect during the game.
RJT
2:35
What should the Steelers do to sure up their secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Play better. The '79 Steelers aren't walking through that door.
RJT
2:36
could you see the Steelers tagging Dupree again and letting Ju Ju walk?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
I don't think they'll tag Dupree again. I think they'll just insert Highsmith into the starting lineup and draft another OLB to groom as a good backup behind he and Watt.
Nick from VA
2:36
I feel like the O-line has been pretty good this year overall. A lot was made of them losing Munchak after the season before last. I feel like the new coach has settled in nicely this year, what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
I agree with that for the most part. The run-blocking needs some work, but we all know that's not their forte.
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