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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.19.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
OK here we go with your questions.
Buzzard Bill
10:58
Hi Ray,  I think that the Seattle game was a model for how to beat the Steelers.  The Seattle running game showed just how soft the Steelers are against the run.  There is no great benefit for the linebackers to drop back in pass coverage if the opposing team can just crush them inside.  Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
I'm writing about it this week so I looked it up. The Steelers are tied for ninth in the league in run defense. I agree with your assessment of the situation. They need to do a better job against the run, but I don't think it's as dire as you make it out to be. I'm not sure if it's personnel-related or it's their philosophy of playing coverage more often. I think it's obvious they miss Tuitt and Alualu. That's a big part of the equation, but I think sometimes they guard against the big play and let some teams get yards in the running game. And as you can see if you look at the stats there are plenty of other teams that are worse than the Steelers defending the run.
artie bridge
11:02
Ray, put on your prognosticator's hat and predict Steeler draft priorities for next spring.  Here's my take (order dependent on talent available):  ol (especially guard); nose tackle; defensive backfield (especially safety, but could be effected by Haden's status).. Your turn.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
You can make a case for a lot of defensive positions. I think you need to add young talent on the defensive line. I think that's a must, preferably a guy who can play end and nose because that versatility is needed. I can also make a strong case for corner given Haden's situation. Then, of course, I'd go offensive line early and maybe often. They're going to have a lot of needs. They'll have free agency to address some of they because they'll have the cap space to maneuver, but it's going to be an important year to restock some positions and get better in some areas.
ev
11:05
Hi Ray, thank you for the chat opportunity.  The way the Seahawks ran the ball in the second half, does not bode well for the after bye week matchup against the Brownies.  Tackling fundamentals aside, which is chronic league-wide,  the defensive front and the ILBs were just terribly overmatched by the Seahawks O line.  For some strange reason, they felt the necessity to throw in their later possessions, but had they kept with the run, it would have been a brutal defeat, wouldn't it?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
I agree. Their offensive coordinator lost his mind late in the game and in overtime. They win easily if he sticks with the run. The Steelers were powerless to stop it. They need to improve there, no doubt, but the Browns are a little banged up at the moment. Kareem Hunt went to IR with a calf injury. Nick Chubb is coming off an injury and they have some injury issues on the offensive line.
Ralph LA
11:07
What went wrong with the Steelers defense during the 3rd quarter that allowed Seattle to run so easily? Scheme or players screwing up?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
I think both. They played a lot of nickel and dime, which leaves you susceptible against the run. But no matter what the personnel is you have to play better. I don't care if you're playing with seven defensive backs you can't let a team gash you for 130 rushing yards in the second half of a game.
Johnny Cakes
11:08
After all the games this year it’s becoming really obvious that Ben doesn’t want to get hit. Quarter Backs get paid to step up in the pocket and hold the ball that extra second and he’s not willing to do that.  It’s really time to give someone else a chance.  I’m in the minority but it’s really painful to watch.  When is it enough?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
He held onto the ball and tried to make a play late in the game and fumbled. It could have cost the Steelers the game. He's far from perfect at this stage of his career, but this team isn't going to win with Ben winging it like he used to. This team is going to win with a stingy offense and an offense that does just enough. That's just the way it is.
MTScott
11:09
Did the Steelers want to be careful with Washington coming back from an injury - very surprised how much McCloud played at WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
I think that was a big part of it. Washington was limited all last week in practice coming off that groin injury. They like to prepare with healthy players, and Ray-Ray McCloud practiced all week. I'd be shocked if Washington isn't more involved if he is healthier coming off the off week.
Ralph LA
11:11
Has Boswell ever opened up about what went wrong in 2018 and how he got back on track?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
Not really. He's a terrible interview and does everything he can to avoid speaking to us. When he does interviews he says very little that's worthwhile.
MTScott
11:11
Why did Highsmith have to play all 63 defensive snaps - thought they had a rotation for him & TJ using Ingram?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
Highsmith was asked about that yesterday and just said he was felling good and the extra snaps didn't bother him. Watt had a few snaps of rest, but they definitely played Ingram fewer snaps than he had been getting.
MTScott
11:12
Do you expect the NFL to admit that the Refs screwed up with stopping the clock at the end of the 4th Qtr?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
Ha ha. No.
21-58-66
11:13
Ray - Good game for the outside backers....not so much for the inside backers.  They looked sub-optimal against the run....the whole group.  Is that what they are or more the losses on the defensive line that have allowed the opposing O-Line to get the second level and knock them off the ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
Well, this is why the loss of Vince Williams is going to show up once in a while. For all of his warts in coverage you could throw him in there and he'd help you stop the run. Listen, Schobert was acquired for his ability in coverage. Bush is small and is never going to be a force against the run. If Tuitt and Alualu were healthy their inefficiencies against the run wouldn't be highlighted like they are now. But they have injuries up front, and they haven't quite figured out a solution quite yet.
Steeler in Virginia
11:15
Ray, can you help us understand how the typical bye week goes? Do they practice at all this week; do the players get the game plan for Cleveland this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
They are practicing today and tomorrow and then they get a four-day weekend, as mandated by the CBA.
Alan from Indy
11:16
With Ben, and possibly Ju Ju, Ebron and others gone next year, how will the cap space look for rebuilding?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
They'll have plenty of cap space to make some moves. It could be one of their more active free agency periods as a result.
Bernard
11:17
With the DL banged up, the ILBs really need to step up against the run.  Are they capable?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
They haven't been the past few games, but they need to be until Tuitt comes back. If he comes back.
Bernard
11:17
Odds Steelers pick up Bush 5th year option at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
I'd say 30-70. If he plays better he'll increase the odds.
Ralph LA
11:18
I assume that time is limited to get ready for the next game, but does the whole team go through a post-mortem to see what happened during the last game?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
Of course. They look at the film the next day, make corrections and then move on to game planning for the next opponent. Or this week, working on those corrections in practice.
ctmascaro
11:20
Hi Ray, I'm excited that the team has gotten back to .500. I want to get your thoughts on the defense. Our safeties are ranked #34 & #39 by PFF and the ILBs are so far down the list I think practice squad guys are ahead of them. Going into the bye, do you expect any adjustments there and I thought Loudermilk made difference on Sunday. Do you expect him to get more snaps?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
The ILBs definitely have to get better against the run. The safeties will come around I think if they get into more favorable downs and distances, which I think would create more opportunities for turnovers. Fitzpatrick excels in those situations, but they haven't been ahead enough or played well enough when they've had leads.
Picksixlisberger
11:22
Ray,        What is the short/long term benefit of playing an immobile, inaccurate, aging veteran quarterback in a new offensive scheme that hamstrings the OC in what he can/ can’t run?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
The chance of winning games, I presume, because they'd have moved on from Ben after last season if they believed Mason Rudolph was going to give them a better chance to win.
OrangeFlameBulbs
11:23
Any updates on when Tuitt is going to return?  Could obviously use him on the DL.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
No and I doubt they'll start his clock this week during the off week. These practices tend to be on the lighter side.
mrbig
11:24
looks like Tre N has replaced Hilton very well... yes?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
He's playing well for a rookie, but I wouldn't say he's replaced Mike Hilton.
Lord of Carson.
11:24
Hi Ray.   We are watching a hometown QB whose arm and mobility is shot.  A historically bad Seattle defense largely bottled them up and held them to 3 yards and a cloud of dust passing offense.  I can't imagine better defenses aren't going to have much more success against a team that can't run half its playbook.  Can you see any way the old man gets benched this year?
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