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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.15.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Let's get started.
Benson DuBois
2:01
Tomlin's comments today surely made it seem like Wilson will start on Sunday.  Do you have a similar read?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Yes. I'm not sure why he didn't come out and say Wilson will start against the Jets, but everything he said during his news conference leads me to believe we'll see Wilson debut as Steelers Sunday night in prime time. Fields did not play well against the Raiders. The passing offense is 28th in the league. From a timing perspective it makes sense, too. You have two consecutive home games followed by the off week. Now is as good a time as any to make the switch.
Eric Carr
2:03
Ray do you think the QB switch is the correct call? I do! Hopefully it sparks the offense
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Wilson was signed to be the starter. With his injury lingering for months, it's almost like people forgot that. He wasn't brought here to compete with Justin Fields. He was brought in to be the starter. Wilson is a professional passer. He should make the Steelers receivers better. The play-action game should be much more effective. The running game should benefit too once Wilson and the receivers get on the same page. The only wild card is this: Wilson playing behind a patchwork offensive line. I have to be honest. I'm a little concerned about that, but if he can get out of the pocket to extend plays or simply throw the ball away when there is pressure then I don't think it will prevent him from excelling.
Eric Carr
2:06
Ray do you think we will still see Fields in select packages this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I think they will have a package or two in, but there is no way of predicting how much Fields will or should play. It will depend on game circumstances. But I could definitely see them putting him in the game in certain goal-to-go situations. And if you do it against the Jets you force teams to prepare for the possibility week after week.
Natzey
2:08
Great work as always Ray! Shouldn’t Tomlin keep Fields starting because he can still run and the Steelers don’t have a reliable WR for either of them to throw to?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
George Pickens might be the biggest beneficiary of this move. Pat Freiermuth a close second. They definitely need more out of both. They still need someone to step up as the third option in the passing game.
MIke B from Cali
2:09
How would you rate Dan's Moore Jr's play the first six games of the season?  Have you seen improvement in him this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I have seen improvement. He still has his moments in pass pro, but it's the NFL. Other guys are paid to get around him. The biggest issue on the line is no longer Moore. It's Broderick Jones. I was expecting him to be much better this season, and clearly he's not.
Dt
2:10
Hi Ray, i know it’s early, but am I crazy to think that it’s a bad idea to let Moore and Daniel’s walk in free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
They have Seumalo for 2025 and Mason McCormick so I'm fine with letting Daniels walk. Moore likely will price himself out of the Steelers' range in free agency. So they better hope Jones takes a big step in his development. If you watch him you can see there is a lot left to be desired with his fundamentals and technique. I think he skated by in college because he was a superior athlete and has great size. You can't just rely on that in the NFL.
Black dog in Vegas
2:12
Having just watched the Steelers beat the Raiders in Vegas and watching our quarterback first hand, what makes our coaches think that Justin Fields is a good quarterback? A good athlete maybe a good quarterback I think not. Terrible throw's and lousy awareness. Please let us see if Russell Wilson can get these receivers the ball.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Your wish appears to be coming true this week.
Patrick
2:13
What’s the main factor for the likely QB switch, slow starts or overall sluggish offense or both? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Tomlin dealt with the slow starts and the sluggish passing game numbers. I think the INT that was negated by the rouging the passer penalty and the three missed throws in the second quarter were the biggest factors. You need your QB to make those throws. Fields missed all three. That was eye-opening to me, and I'm sure it rang some alarm bells for the coaching staff.
Upstate NY Fan
2:14
Do you think Zach Frazier is out for the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
No. Tomlin characterized him as "week-to-week" in his news conference a little while ago.
Rocky B
2:15
With all the fan’s trade talk focused on WR2, don’t you think trading for a couple of O-lineman (backups or starters) would be just as important?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
The good ones are starting for another team. That's why you build depth. The Steelers have depth. It's being tested, but they were prepared for something like this.
Tex
2:16
it’s clear the Steelers need to trade for a WR before the deadline. Mike Williams is going to be available now and he was planning on a visit to the Steelers earlier. Do you think the Steelers would still be interested in him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
What if Wilson comes in and makes Pickens and the other WRs look much better. Maybe your tune will change. I honestly don't know if it will happen like that, but I'm sure people inside the building are curious about it too.
Neither_X_nor_O
2:17
Broderick Jones some times whiffs on his block too... havnt seen anything like this ever
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
A year and a half into his career, it's definitely concerning.
Rocky B
2:18
Why was Roman used so little?  Doesn’t know the nuances of the offense, and they didn’t trust him to run the correct route?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
He's a rookie trying to get caught up. It takes time.
TX Pressure
2:19
So the Russ experiment blows up as we have the same issues - then what? Kyle Allen?  Trade for Kenny Pickett - it's not a QB problem its a coaching, O line and depraved talent at WR problem.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Why are you so convinced?
Tex
2:19
Minkah was in a sling postgame walking to the busses but I didn’t hear Tomlin mention him today. Any update on that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
No. He was injured early in the game and returned after only missing a few plays. The sling likely was precautionary.
Andy
2:20
Ray, did we whiff on BJ?  The scenario is looking quite feasible.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I'm not there yet, but a No. 14 overall pick should be much further along in his development.
Stairway to seventh seed
2:21
Ray: is it too early to write off Roman Wilson?  Sure he missed a lot of time, but he is playing behind what has to be one of the worst WR groups in the NFL and maybe one of the worst in the last 5-10 years.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I'm not going to judge him after one game and after he missed five weeks with a high ankle sprain. Maybe his role will increase in the coming weeks. They could definitely use a quality option in the passing game.
Martian
2:23
Hey Ray - thanks for the chats! Fair to assume with D. Adam now off to the Jets, the WR room is what it is, and no savior in sight?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I heard they're in talks to bring Frank Lewis and Jimmy Smith out of retirement.
Little snack
2:24
At this point, PFF grades aside, is it fair to say Dan Moore is the Steelers best offensive player?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Zach Frazier was the best offensive lineman before he was injured. Moore next.
Rock Daddeo
2:24
Would it be safe to deduce that switching to Wilson means the Steeler leaders have come to the conclusion that Fields isn't the long term answer?
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