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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.18.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Let's chat.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
1:59
Should the Steelers consider moving Cole to LG and start Hassenauer at C? Dotson just doesn't seem to be a starter. The play Pickett was injured sums up his play. Not only was he called for holding, he let his man get a clean hit on Pickett.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Well, they don't have many good options if they want to make a change. Dotson has been OK, but I think he and Moore have struggled the most among the starting five. Your suggestion would mean making two changes to fix one problem. Coaches don't like to do that even though Cole has experience at guard. So I don't think you'll see that.  The other options are Jesse Davis or Kendrick Green. We all know Green struggled mightily in camp and in the preseason games. He hasn't even dressed for a game this year. Davis has as a backup guard and tackle. I just don't think they want to go to Davis now. Maybe in the future.
Javi
2:01
Hello Ray. Not a huge sample size but whats your current thoughts on Pickett? Any glaring flaws or weaknesses that have been revealed with start of career? Any upside that has surprised you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Way too early to tell. I liked his poise and leadership when he came in during the Jets game. I didn't place a lot of blame on him in the Bills game and he got knocked out early in the third quarter of the Bucs game. So really not a lot of time to evaluate.
Stuck-in-Philly
2:03
Ray, good afternoon.  I have now had the opportunity to watch the Steelers / Bucs game twice.  Nevertheless, I remain unsure whether:  (i) the Steelers played well enough to deserve to win; (ii) the Bucs played poorly enough to deserve to lose; or (iii) the game should be filed as a 60-minute exhibit to the definition of "parity" in the NFL dictionary.  Regardless, my overall conclusion from the game is that it is very likely to mean nothing in terms of the remainder of the Steelers season.  Aside from an improved return game and Claypool's "missing" picture being taken off of the side of the milk container, do you disagree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Parity definitely exists in the NFL. There are 10 teams that are 3-3 after six games. And many others within a game one way or the other. It was only one game, but it is a game they can build upon. When you win games like that (big underdog, etc.) it tends to solidify the locker room and restore belief in the approach. Doesn't mean they'll win in Miami or Philly, but it could be an important win if they go a different direction from here.
ev
2:05
Hi Ray, It was reported that Trubisky was benched after a heated exchange with Diontae Johnson in the locker room at halftime against the Jets.  Was that the reason for the benching or was he benched for a spark as Tomlin indicated?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I don't think that part of the story is known yet.
SteelCurtain
2:06
With such a weak running game why aren’t they trying more use of an OL as an extra blocker as aTE ( like they used to do with Banner)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
They brought in Trent Scott a few times against the Bucs as an extra tight end. Could they do it more? Sure, but I don't think an extra tackle is going to solve their problems with run-blocking.
Steel Russel
2:07
Hi Ray - If we add Minkah to the starting secondary from this past game to we actually have something to build on?  That secondary played way better and against Tom Brady.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
The starters will get their jobs back when they're healthy, but I thought James Pierre played really well. He started last season as the No. 3 corner, lost his job and then didn't play much until the Bucs game. At least now they know they can turn to him in the future if there are more injuries.
Utah Jim
2:09
Did Tomlin really pull Mitch during the Jets because he got in an argument with DJ? Seems silly.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I agree that would be a silly reason to bench him.
CanadianSteelersFan
2:09
Have you come to expect these types of results from the Steelers? Lose 4 winnable games in a row and then beat Tom Brady with a practice squad. They always seem to win once they are left for dead. Do you believe they can win again in Miami, or should we brace for a letdown?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Miami has lost three in a row. It's Tua's first game back after missing two with a concussion. Lots of uncertainty for the Dolphins headed into this game. I think they're good, but I'm not convinced they're a playoff team. They have to prove they are.
epiballo
2:11
Will Fitzpatrick play against Miami? They're going to need him to try to contain the Dolphins star WRs. Pressure Tua and that gets easier.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Tomlin said he is scheduled to work some in practice this week.
Uncle Larry
2:11
Mitch T wasnt that good.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
He had a QB rating of 144. Let's not fool ourselves. He played well. Those third-and-long conversions on the final drive won the game.
Tim
2:13
Ray, is there any possibility that Mr. Rooney had anything to do with Tomlin moving to Kenny Picket?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I don't think that.
doyle37
2:16
If the Steelers could draft a stud LT do you think they could move Dan Moore to LG ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Possibly, but he hasn't played guard. He was a tackle at Texas A&M.
Guest
2:17
Do you think If Philly wins the Super Bowl? The will always say Nick Sirianni isn’t a good coach because he had most of Doug Pederson’s team on his roster. Isn’t that what we do here in Pittsburgh?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Little bit early for Super Bowl talk, but the Eagles have a good roster.
Gene
2:17
Any news on when Calvin Austin is going to play?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
No. They have seven more days to evaluate him before they have to make a decision. He'll either remain on IR for the rest of the season or be activated to the 53-man roster.
Alan
2:18
Hi Ray. What’s more of an off-season priority? Left guard or D-Lineman?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I think they need to address both lines in the draft and in the early rounds.
Steve
2:19
Gerry Dulac wrote a good one yesterday and observed the Steelers approach to handling players after concussions became more cautious after the Tua situation .  Do you think they are being influenced by the negative sentiment/anger over concussions and the Tua situation?  Should they be influenced?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Tomlin made it pretty clear today Pickett will play Sunday if he is cleared. Maybe it was a reaction to Gerry's story. I'm not sure, but he was firm in his commitment to Pickett as his starter.
N. Davenport
2:20
I read the PFF article and it highlighted the play of Edmunds. Has the eye test matched those results for you? Is he going to get a much better deal in FA if his season continues like it has been? Would you be in favor of pairing him with Minkah long term?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Six games is a relatively small sample size, but I will admit he's played better. I'm not sure he's a Steeler next year though.
Bring Back Weegie
2:22
Hi Ray - Were you surprised J. Warren did not get more work on Sunday?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Not really. RB touches can depend on game circumstances.
TV
2:23
With all of the scrutiny surrounding concussions around the league. do you think Mitch gets the start against Miami?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Not if Pickett is cleared to play.
Sunner in Orlando
2:25
When will the Steelers know when Kenny is out of concussion protocol? If he is cleared, who do you start?
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