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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.25.22
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Jana
2:33
Any news on Calvin Austin???
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Only that it's "highly unlikely" he play against the Eagles this week. That's what Tomlin said today.
Jimmyh
2:34
Steelers D to begin games looks confused. Even when healthy.  Do we have scheme issues or need more speed?  Seems it take to long to adjust speed of game.  Go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Tomlin spoke to Sunday's slow start and blamed it on never competing against Tua or Mike McDaniel. Once they got a feel for how to defend them the Dolphins didn't have the same type of success.
Tom
2:35
Ray, has Rooney become the new “Nutting.”  He’s fine racking in the big bucks & winning just isn’t as important anymore? How else do you explain an experienced owner watching this OC?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
This is a first, Tom. Comparing Nutting to Rooney. LOL.
Unstellers
2:36
Hi Ray, Chances they go with another punter at some point this year? Harv in’s inconsistency is maddening
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
It's very maddening, but they see potential in him. Even after those 23- and 36-yarders he boomed a 57-yarder. He has talent. He just doesn't seem to punt under pressure well. Not sure that can be fixed, but I'm not sure they're going to give up on him this season. Maybe after the season if he doesn't improve.
Travis
2:38
Ray….is it really that hard to hand the ball to or throw a screen to Calvin Austin?  Why is Tomlin so scared?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
While I think the WR corps has struggled as a whole I'm not sure about this Austin is the Savior stuff, either. He missed the final month of camp and the first month of the season. It's hard for any player to come back after missing two months, but it's especially tough for a rookie.
Greg
2:40
"Even then, they'd have to play the final nine games with Miles Boykin or Cody White as the No. 3 receiver." So ... no hope Calvin Austin is going to swing in here and throw his hand in the pile this year (realizing he missed the preseason)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
The picture Tomlin painted today does not make that a likely scenario.
Franco
2:41
Hey Ray, thanks for the chats, is it safe to say it is a re-build. Hopefully not a long one. Only a few pieces and a new OC.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Yes. As I mentioned earlier this is not a total rebuild. They need to get better on the offensive line and the defensive line and they need a No. 1 corner.
Kevin
2:42
Does Trai Essex have it right when he said the Steelers only call the same 10 plays over and over  in a game ?   It looks like an offense you would see in a high school game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Trai Essex merely retweeted Dan Orlovsky. It's Orlovsky who seems to think Canada is in over his head. I don't think he's the only one.
Guest
2:43
Ray, thoughts on potential Assistants who worked with Coach T in the past: Jim Caldwell and/or Jay Gruden as next year’s Offensive brain trust?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Caldwell is 67. I could see Tomlin picking his brain, but I'm not sure they'd want someone that old. Plus, he hasn't even been in the league since 2019. I think they need to find a good coach who can mentor Pickett and be around for a while. He needs stability and someone who can scheme things up better than the current OC.
Bob in NJ
2:45
If the Steelers have no intention of using Austin, why did they waste a draft pick? Canada said he would not know what to do with him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Austin is under contract for three more years. I still think they like him, but they've seem to determine he can't help them this year.
Randy
2:46
What is your opinion about Najee Harris .
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
I think he's off to a slow start in part because he was injured early in the season. I also think he needs better blocking and has to hit the hole harder.
Jake
2:50
If they let Canada go now and elevated Sullivan what changes could we expect?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
In-season? Not many in terms of schematics. But a new voice could be good. And players might respond to him better. Not that he's Bill Walsh or anything like that, but I don't think there is a lot of belief in Matt Canada right now among the players.
Ed in Carrick
2:51
What happened to Snell?  Is he even on the team anymore?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
He is. He plays on special teams.
Bill in SF
2:52
So is it really the OC or the talent on the offense side?  Understandably lesser talent players will not perform at the same level as high talent players, but isn't it the job of an OC to scheme and call plays that maximize the talent he has?  Do you see Canada doing that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
No.
Zburdette34@gmail.com
2:53
Ray - do you believe if we fired Canada at the Bye and allowed Sully to be the play caller moving forward it would be the best thing for the team moving forward?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
I don't think it would be a bad thing, but the Steelers usually wait until after the season to fire coaches.
Unstellers
2:54
Levi Wallace has been terrible, and the makeshift secondary they played against Tampa seemed like an improvement. Is he looking at losing some snaps to one of the practice squad guys that stepped up?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
He has a shoulder injury so it might not matter.
John
2:55
Ray, I guess Tomlin would rather throw away an entire season than fire Canada because his (Tomlin’s) ego would be bruised because he’d been proven wrong about the hire.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
*two seasons
Ok thanks for all the great questions today. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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