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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.29.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Tomlin hasn't mentioned him in a while. His 21-day window has not been opened yet so might not be anytime soon.
epiballo
2:29
Hey Ray - thanks for the chats. Does Harris' explosive running of late persuade the Steelers to resign him when the season is over?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
It could, but he also could be pricing himself out of Pittsburgh the way he's playing.
Upstate NY Fan
2:30
Was the Giants' success in running the ball due to scheme or just great execution?  It seemed like the Steelers linemen were getting moved out of the way at will.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Yeah there was not much resistance. The one thing I noticed was how easily Benton was handled with 1-on-1 blocks.
Jim Bow Dean
2:31
Challenging a scoring play? They could have used that timeout at the end of the half. Stupid.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Yeah not Tomlin's best moment. He has to have someone in the booth to help him. I will acknowledge that was a strange play. There was an optical illusion that he got both feet down because he tapped the one foot twice. I could see why he would want to challenge after watching the replay, but that's why you need someone upstairs to make the call.
Yates
2:34
Ray-  seems like more focus should be on how well the OL has performed with lots of moving pieces.   As a position group is it fair to say the OL has been the most pleasant surprise heading into the bye week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Not at all. I don't think anyone could have predicated Ryan McCollu m would make the team much less be a starter, albeit it due to injury. Mason McCormick was not supposed to start, but here he is right in the thick of a playoff race. I give those guys credit for being ready when their number is called.
SteelersSince72
2:36
Hi Ray, Getting the win is great, even though we couldn't put away the Giants until the end.  Are you concerned about the run defense after last night or could that be a one off?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Definitely concerned. They were the third team to go over 100 yards. The Cowboys and Colts went over the century mark too. And you know what happened in those games.
TVC15
2:37
What will the Steelers record be for these last 9 games? 4-5?3-6?  Better or worse?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
I'll say 4-5 or 5-4. If they go 5-4 they'll be in position to win the AFC North I think or be the No. 5 seed as the best wild card.
TVC15
2:38
On the Pickens TD catch that was reversed to an out of the endzone non catch was he too nonchalant with getting the other foot/heel to touch in bounds or was there just no way he could do anything about it.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Wilson was asked about this after the game. He said there was really nothing Pickens could do, but I think behind closed doors the coaches are probably telling Pickens to get to the ground sooner in the end zone. A knee or a butt cheek equals a touchdown. He's so good at catching with his hands, but maybe in that situation he could have caught it with his body and gone to the ground with the catch. Maybe that's nitpicking though.
fredward
2:40
Hi Ray, has Calvin Austin now established himself as the No. 2 receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
Not sure about that, but he had a great game Monday night. He can be dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Adam in ATL
2:42
Would you say the Steelers are a 3-4 defense any longer?  It seems we play a big nickel almost exclusively, even in obvious running situations, and are unwilling to blitz often.  Also, have we schemed Minkah out of having an impact?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
They are 3-4 pretty much only in the base. I'm not sure what's going on with Fitzpatrick. He had the one nice pass breakup along the sidelines, but was pretty quiet otherwise. Been that way pretty much all season. But they're winning so I'm not sure they want to change much.
TX Pressure
2:43
6-2 is nice!  Now comes the meat of the schedule - final record best guess?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
I'll go 10-7, but they could easily get to 11 or 12 wins with a little luck, a good bounce here or there.
Average Joe
2:44
Ray, it seems around the league, there have been a significant amount of soft tissue injuries.  Do you think shrinking the preseason even more to 2 games will am,e it worse?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
I can only speak for the Steelers, and I think they have an inordinate number of soft tissue injuries. If it is a league-wide problem then someone has to take a long look at the programs that are in place with these strength and conditioning coaches.
JM
2:45
What impact do you think Sutton will have?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
They need better depth in the secondary. Sutton can play outside, inside and at safety. They will use his versatility to their advantage.
Katie
2:45
Hi Ray, were Boswell’s  short, early kickoffs intentional as his kicks usually go into the end zone?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
Appeared that way, yes.
Brah
2:46
Ray - how are the steelers a top 5 defense and fans still complaining?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
They're top 10 in scoring but barely in yards allowed. They have issues. Let's not pretend they don't.
Benson DuBois
2:47
If a receiver has control of the football within the plane of the end zone, why does he need 2 feet in bounds?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Because that's the way the rule is written. I agree with you. Sometimes the whole going to the ground thing is a bit odd, but no one really seems to want to get rid of it.
Guest
2:48
Am I wrong to think we need a "both A-gaps" Casey Hampton type and then move Benton to Ogunjobi's spot?  Or would you draft an Ogunjobi replacement and leave Benton at nose?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Benton is too small to be a traditional run-stopping nose in my opinion. You have to be versatile now and play other positions. I just think he has to play better.
fredward
2:49
Hi Ray, thoughts on the Ravens getting Diontae Johnson for basically nothing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Wow just saw that. I guess it happened after the chat started. They've had trouble drafting and developing receivers so maybe Johnson will help Lamar Jackson. Or maybe his issues will surface there again. He's probably better than Rashod Bateman so good move by their GM.
Fizzo
2:51
Last night had all of the makings of a Tomlin special what was the difference that it did dot rear it’s ugly head vs am inferior team
Ray Fittipaldo
2:51
Not sure I would have blamed Tomlin for that loss had the Giants won. The missed opportunities in the red zone were were the reasons that game was close. If they just go 1 for 4 it's a double-digit win.
Steel Russel
2:53
If the colts can bench Richardson for poor play why can't the colts bench Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
I get it. If Jones is really bad you bench him, but my point is they don't have many good options. You're doing it for Dylan Cook? You're certainly not doing it for 67, who was burned in his one snap last night. If Fautanu was healthy it would be a different story. Jones might not have gotten off the bench if that were the case.
Beal
2:55
It seems the Steelers are connecting on a lot more “easy” passing plays with Russ at QB. Is that due to his ability to make adjustments pre-snap?
Connecting…