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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.17.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:51
OK let's get started.
James Ryan
1:51
Thanks for the chats, Ray.. Is it me, or is there more agitation coming from Tomlin at his press conferences? He almost comes off a little flustered too.. His statement on WR's torching his defenses made no sense.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
I cannot remember another Tomlin news conference where so little was divulged. I would imagine he is feeling some pressure and maybe that's why he acted the way he did today. There was almost nothing of consequence to come out of that presser. As for the question about the receiving yards, I understand Tomlin's point about the small sample size. It's only five games. For example, I think the Steelers sold out to stop the run against the Raiders and that's at least part of the reason Davante Adams had a huge game. Honestly, that was the most animated he was during his news conference.
Anthony "Gaspipe" Cas
1:55
I certainly don't claim to know more than Mike Tomlin and his staff. But I'd love to get an in-depth explanation from them about why JPJ isn't starting when Wallace and Peterson have been abused all season. Makes no sense. Now it sounds like Dan Moore might get his job back when healthy. I've been an ardent Tomlin supporter, but he has to go. Do you agree those two rookies should be inserted as starters and never look back?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
The rookies have played well in limited playing time, but there must be something that is holding the coaches back from committing to them as starters.
Yurt
1:56
Good afternoon Ray.  Just wanted to say I enjoyed seeing you with Bob Pompeani on Sunday night.  I hope you will continue to appear on his show.  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Thanks!
the real guest
1:56
Ray, It seems that when the Steelers go to 3 down linemen (redzone D for instance) they use Loudermilk as the 3rd man. He hasn't looked good. Your thoughts on 92.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Loudermilk hasn't stood out at all for me.
Donna
1:57
Hi Ray.  Do you know if any thought has been given to show the people who are asking the questions at Tomlin’s press conferences?  I believe this was done previously and don’t why it stopped.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
It's not a TV show any longer.
artie bridge
1:58
Hi Ray.  I really liked your column suggesting 5 steps the Steelers should take to improve.  Not a question, but one I'd like to add:  have Darnell Washington run routes, especially in the 5 - 8 yard range, and target him. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Freiermuth is coming back this week so not a huge need for that now, but yes he does have some potential there.
The Anti-Cowher
1:58
Hey Ray. It looks like Dotson and Witherspoon have found their way with the Rams. Back in the day, when Steelers left to go to other teams they rarely succeeded. Nowadays, it seems once a player leaves the Steelers they flourish. Does Tomlin simply just not know how to use players correctly? It seems like he gets the least out of talent than any other coach.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Dotson is best served in a power running game. I think that's why he's done pretty well with the Rams. He's in a system that plays to his strengths. The Steelers' system is a lot of position blocking, zone runs, etc.
Zell
2:00
Having Dionte back is likely going to take a lotta pressure off of KP as Dionte is great at getting open especially 7 to 15 yards downfield...  and keep Pickens in single coverage,  agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
That's how it's supposed to work, but I will point out Johnson played in all 17 games last season. And the passing game wasn't exactly akin to the Greatest Show on Turf. He should help, but only to a point.
Divas
2:02
Now that Johnson is returning, I would expect the targets for Pickens to be reduced. Do you expect Pickens to throw a minor fit or two on the sideline…..or do you expect it to be a major meltdown? I haven’t seen anything in his past that tells me he will handle it like a mature professional.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I'm not sure why everyone is waiting for Pickens to act out. He's been a model citizen this season. As for the targets, I don't really know how that will work out. But Pickens could be targeted less and produce more. It's all about usage. If he gets six catches for 130 yards and a touchdown every week it would be great for the Steelers. That's what he did against the Ravens, and I don't feel like they forced the ball to him.
Annual Busts
2:05
The Steelers last 10 first picks of the draft were: Jones, Pickett, Harris, Claypool, Bush, Edmunds, Watt, Burns, Dupree, and Shazier. Every single of them not named Watt has been underwhelming. I understand that organizations miss every once in a while, but 90% failure rate is inexcusable. Are we just bad at drafting or do we not know how to get talented players to play up to their maximum talent level?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Shazier was a good player before he was injured. The same goes for Dupree. Edmunds was serviceable. I guess my point is every first-round pick isn't go to be a Hall of Famer like Watt. But to your point, you can't miss so badly on players like Bush and Burns, either. That doesn't reflect well on the GM.
29342ss
2:07
The presser today was lame. A question like "coach, the team hasn't won a playoff game in 6 years; what is different about this team that makes you think a playoff win is possible?". Or, "coach, your offense and defense are ranked at the bottom of most statistical categories, is winning sustainable?"
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
You know it's not sustainable, so why would you ask that question. I know it. I wrote it earlier this week. If you haven't noticed, Tomlin isn't very interested in these weekly Q&As. But stop blaming the questions.
Paul from Louisville
2:08
Schedule appears to have lots of winnable games upcoming…what are your thoughts on final record?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I said 10-7 before the season. I'll go 9-8 now because I have my doubts the offense will improve.
ZO
2:09
Do you feel MT is simply blowing smoke with his Moore returning to LT duties based on his week performance?  Does this translate to Jones only staying at LT if Moore can't go and not simply because he's the better option?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
No, I think their plan is to play Moore if he's healthy. That's how I interpreted his answer.
TJ
2:10
Run D has been a problem for a while now. Wouldn't defending the pass be much easier if we could control the run? and if so why is one of the teams best Run Defenders riding the bench - Feheko - it makes no sense.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Fehoko is not as versatile as their other defensive linemen who can also play in sub-packages. Fehoko is pretty much limited to the base defense. And yes, defending the pass would be much easier if teams weren't running so well against this front seven.
Patrick
2:11
I enjoy your chats Ray.  Do you think wide receiver will be a position the Steelers will address early in the draft? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Yes top three rounds. They need a quality No. 3 behind Johnson and Pickens and a guy who can develop into a No. 2 in time.
John
2:13
Hi Ray Ray, With the Browns strong showing against the Niners and Burrows seeming to get healthy will the Steelers finish last in the AFCN?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I think all four teams could be within two games of one another by season's end. It's very competitive. The last-place team could be 9-8 or 8-9.
John
2:13
Hi Ray, Will you make the trip to the Seahawks game? If so, do you return home right after the game or spend New Year's Eve in Seattle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Yes I am going to Seattle. And I'll spend the better part of the next day flying home. Happy New Year!
Jed
2:14
Hi Ray, If and when Broderick Jones takes over at left tackle, any chance Moore eventually beats out Chuks? Also, any chance Nate Herbig replaces Cole as the starting center?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
It's possible, but I don't think either scenario you presented will happen this season.
Baghdad_Ben
2:16
Would beating Belichick now release Tomlin's ghosts of the BB/TB era? Would it count?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
No.
Jay
2:18
Hello Ray.  Some say QBs can take 3 years to develop and it is still early to judge KP.  Kenny is 25 and 17 games under his belt.  Maybe he gets a little bit better, but I have a hard time envisioning him being the franchise QB we hoped he develops into.
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