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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.29.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we will get started
Jack
12:01
What percentage did they run the Dime/Quarter defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Looks to be about 25 percent of the snaps. Burnett played 23 snaps and LJ Fort played 21 snaps. That was a package for longer downs and distances against the Browns.
Alex Los Angeles
12:02
What are the chances that Colbert pulls the trigger and we get a legit corner via trade to make us contenders????
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I don't know the extent of Coty Sensabaugh's foot injury. No update today. That could factor into Colbert's decision-making process if he was on the fence about a deal. Cam Sutton replaced him late in the game. Burns did not play on defense. If that injury is longer term then Colbert might have his hand forced.
Jack
12:03
How many blitz packages did we run? Seems like more pressure on the QB helped our secondary
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Not a lot of sacks Sunday but consistent pressure that hurried Mayfield's decision-making and forced some bad throws. I don't know the exact percentage, but I think some of them were four-man rushes that were just designed well and a free man got the pressure. Four-man rushes are not usually referred to as blitzes even though when a rusher comes free it seems like a blitz. I'd have to go back and chart that for an exact answer.
Cburg Stiller
12:05
How did Burnett do yesterday
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Joe Haden said he was very helpful to the case. He only played 23 snaps, but Haden said his presence was important. He can cover TEs. He is a good tackler and Haden said he's good at communicating.
Devin
12:06
I hate these type of questions now but I'll ask it anyway. Do the Steelers even need to draft a RB high (Rds 1-3) in next years draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I'd say right around where they got Conner. Third or fourth round. You certainly don't need someone to compete with him for a starting job, but you might need someone to compete with Samuels for the backup job although I thought Samuels was very good in his limited playing time late in the fourth quarter.
fredward
12:07
Will Bell see the field for the Steelers again?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
If he reports, yes. But every week that goes by the idea that he'll sit out the entire season gains steam.
Chris
12:08
Hi Ray, any word on Ben's left hand or index finger hopefully not broke and good to go moving forward .thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Locker room opens in an hour. Might get word then but more likely tomorrow when he does his radio show.
Mike
12:08
Hey Ray, how would you assess Joe Haden's performance thus far, especially the last few games? He is clearly our best CB in terms of tracking the ball and making plays in the air. Really like what I've seen recently, what would you say?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I think he's been really good overall. He shut down Julio Jones and AJ Green in back-to-back weeks. He's performing like a shutdown corner.
Jason
12:09
If and when Bell comes back, could you see the team stick with Conner as the starter and move Bell as the primary third receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Maybe not primary third receiver, but I could see a scenario where Conner get more rushing attempts and Bell is used more in the passing game especially when Randy Fichtner wants to create mismatches on LBs or safeties.
Enrique Hernandez
12:10
Could Steelers get a draft pick for Bell if he come back? Which round?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Third-round compensatory pick.
AtlantaDan
12:10
The great John Wooden started every season by teaching his players how to put on their socks and shoes (to avoid blisters).  At the other end of the coaching attention to detail spectrum, does Danny Smith even go over the special kick rules with his players or are they expected to figure that out by going online on their own time?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
First off, if you're playing in the NFL -- and especially if you are a return specialist -- you have to know that rule. There is no excuse for not knowing that rule. Having said that, Danny Smith is going to get criticized for his players not knowing the rule. Maybe he needed to reinforce it more. Or maybe he needs to get a more qualified player in the middle of the field to field short kicks. Rose Nix was there Sunday. Maybe in the future it should be JuJu Smith-Schuster with Switzer and Brown as the deep returners. It's now the second year i a row the kicking team recovered the ball after a short free kick. It happened against the Chiefs last year. Whether you want to blame Danny Smith or the players, it's inexcusable either way.
Mike
12:15
Trade Bell after he signs or just keeep him? Conner has been a very nice and way cheaper replacement! Any thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Bell decides ultimately if he'll get traded. He must sign his franchise tender before he is dealt.
Whydowedothat?
12:15
Why did Tomlin let the clock run down to 15 seconds before calling time out before the half?  And then go for it on 4th down?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I questioned that at the time as well. I think there were 35 seconds on the clock before the play was run. Then JuJu was tackled at the 1. That's 20 seconds that ran off. They scored so it doesn't really matter, but I don't think he managed the clock very well there.
Devin
12:17
Is LJ Fort playing in subpackages going to be a week-in week-out thing? He made some plays at the end of the game yesterday.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Perhaps. I thought he played fairly well in his limited number of snaps (21)
Maryrose
12:17
What is the difference for the Steelers this off-season if Bell plays 6 games this season or holds out all 16 games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
None really.
Chris
12:17
Is Burns on the trading block very poor attitude by saying if they trade me I will still have a job. Your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I didn't hear Burns say that. If he did utter those words it's not a very good look.
Devin
12:18
Are Stephon Tuitt and Cam Heyward finally playing well?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
After the first two Cleveland drives I thought the entire defense played really well. And yes, Tuitt and Heyward were a big part of that.
David
12:19
How would you say sean Davis has played this year? Feel like his name hasnt been mentioned alot but in this secondary this could be a good thing
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I think Sean Davis has played well. You don't see it in turnovers yet, but it looks like he's made a nice transition from strong to free.
Aj
12:19
Did the offense fail to establish the run early? Felt like that was an issue in the first quarter.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
The Browns were crowding guys near the line of scrimmage early in the game. I thought one of the better adjustments after the first few drives was calling a few more plays down the field to back off those defenders. And secondly, getting Conner to chip and then sneak out into patterns. They got a few big catches and runs from Conner in the second half as a result of that.
Clark
12:21
I think that I noticed Fort in on a few passing downs.  Do you know how many snaps he played and in what situations?
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