Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.29.26
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Steel Sködt
11:02
How much longer are the Steelers going to be okay with these soft defensive shells? That's bound to kill us against any viable passing game. *Any* chance we will see less bend? They have not been remotely competent at getting off the field.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:03
Classic bend but don't break. Will be interesting to see what the game plan is for Sunday. They basically had the same plan for Watson the first time around. And he didn't make many mistakes. And he was efficient and led those three consecutive touchdown drives. That was probably the Steelers' worst defensive game of the season, so I'm sure Patrick Graham will have some wrinkles for Todd Monken this time.
obxandy
11:03
Good morning. When is Roman Wilson likely to be healthy enough to play again? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
He was in the rehab group at practice yesterday for the first time so he's starting the process. He's eligible to return after the Bengals game.
Tim
11:04
As my go to OLine expert, give me your thoughts on current state of Steelers line.  Do you think how it is configured will remain or might Fautanu be better suited at guard and Max at LT?  Investments yielding results but might some tweaking, drafting  be in order?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
As I wrote earlier, I think Fautanu will stay at left tackle for the foreseeable future. You don't ask him to make that move and then move him again. Love Frazier and Iheanachor's future is bright. We'll see what happens at guard. Will they extend McCormmick? He's going to command some money. And will Gennings Dunker be able to step in at the other guard? He's perfect for their style of play, but needs to do some work on his pass protection.
Matt
11:06
Good Morning Mr. Fittipaldo. Do you believe there will be more of a rotation with outside corners in the coming weeks? I am asking this because I saw a major drop in snaps for Everette. I was also surprised because Echols was out with injury. (Although he plays a slot role)
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
Everette is young. He'll have his ups and downs. But when he's playuing well they'll rotate him in.
steelchuck
11:07
Ray whats your opinion on Kevin Jobity.  Does he get a hat at some point and make his NFL debut?  He looked good to me in pre season thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
He made his debut in France and played about 10 snaps. He's a strong pass rusher but needs to shore up his defense to have a bigger role.
Chris
11:08
Hey Ray, thanks for doing this.....what do you think the WR room looks like when everyone comes back? Does Pittman out target and out snap Bernard?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
Hard to say but Bernard has done enough to have a role going forward no matter who returns and when.
Greenwood
11:09
Before the season, I asked if the DLine would be Heyward, Black, Benton. My thought being Black is a bigger body in the middle, and Benton has the build of a 4 or 5 technique. I, as you pointed out, completely (and shamefully for me) forgot about Harmon. Now, with Harmon out, it seems my original post has proven to be a good lineup. Question, do you think when Harmon comes back that they go back to Benton on the nose rotating with Black, or will Benton rotate more with Harmon?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
They like the versatility with all of those guys so I think you'll see them mix and match with roles. But Black was very good inside against the Saints.
Fletch
11:09
Good morning, Ray. Thank you for the chat. They have an opportunity to take first place in the division and go into the bye at 6-2. If accomplished, do you think this team has shown it is better than originally anticipated or is it more a product of a weak early schedule and they'll show they can't compete with JAX, BAL, CIN, DEN, BUF, and KC and will be 1 and done again IF they make it to the playoffs.  Thanks.
Jim
11:10
GM Ray, Do you expect to see #11 back this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
We haven't had the opportunity to interview Pittman since the injury, but he was in the locker room yesterday and seemed to be in good spirits. I don't know what that means, but I'm not closing the door on him returning at some point this season.
Steel Curtain
11:11
Why can’t we move Watt around or even throw a stunt in more often ?   It just looks like he try’s same outside rush ever pass play.   Hes not winning 1 on 1 like he use to.   Confuse off line more try different schemes
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
They do stunt with him. His procution is up, but the consistent pressures are down. Some of that has to do with QBs getting the ball out. Some of that has to do with him getting chipped and double-teamed. And some of it has to do with Watt getting older.
TVC15
11:12
Hi Ray, There are ambiguous hints by some writers that Troy Fautanu is injured worse than then the dumb public knows.  Is this true?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
He hasn't been on the injury report. Could he be dealing with something that is nagging? Sure. No one is 100% at this time of the year. But I wouldn't blame anything on an injury at this point.
Fletch
11:13
DK hasn't lived up to his contract and really hasn't shown he has the ability to live up to it. Is the dead money associated with his contract too high to use him as trade bait in the off season? Do you think he would yield a 3rd if someone was looking for an experienced No. 2?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
Yes.
KMan
11:13
Good morning Ray!

Are Fautanu's issues at LT still a matter of "growing pains", or are we starting to see signs of a failed experiment? He was solid at RT, and I know that he was LT at Oregon, but for a left handed QB. Just wondering if LT at NFL might be a bigger (too big?) ask for his skillset or body type. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
Growing pains. He went into detail about some of the differences. If he got beat inside at right tackle, Rodgers could see his guy coming and avoid the rush. Now, if he gets beat inside, Rodgers is getting sacked and probably hit pretty hard. There also are nuances with handwork that no one on the outside understands. But it's rral and it's part of his transition. Things were a lot simpler when everyone taught the Joe Moore two-handed six-inch punch. Now we have all these offensive line coaches teaching one-handed punches and trying to time punches. I'm not a big fans of it. Fautanu was introcueed to that at Washington (not Oregon) and Pat Meyer also was an advocate of the one-handed punch. It just complicates matters. We need more Joe Moore disciples in the league!
Jersey Danno
11:18
Would anything less than a Super Bowl ease the agony of being swept by the Browns?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
Ha ha probaby yes. They haven't been swept by the Browns since 1988.
Walnut Bobby
11:18
Why do you mention a win Sunday makes a trade for WR?  not disagreeing, just curious.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
I'm just saying they'd be atop the division but they know the toughest part of the schedule is coming and they need to keep getting better. They go make the same move if they're 5-3, but there would just be more doubt about the roster if the Browns swept them.
Epiballo
11:20
Pickens made a great TD reception last game, but his snaps were reduced. According to one report, it was because he wasn’t blocking on plays. Did you see anything on this. Great talent but I am glad he is gone.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
He's a gifted player, but he'll never be an elite player because he doesn't do the little things well and he's not a team player.
Tom P.
11:20
Ray, can the Steelers afford to pay the upcoming contract year players, Frazier, McCormick, Wilson, and Fautanu—5 year option?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
Sure they can. Will they sign all of those guys? I'm not sure, but you won't have Rodgers' contract, or Queen's or likely Ramsey's. They'll be able to maneuver the cap. They always do.
TVC15
11:22
Can the Steeler beat the Browns if they just improve their tackling? They were getting gashed in the first game.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
Tackling is going to be huge in this game. The Browns are very good after the catch and after contact with their RBs. And the Steelers have struggled at times with their tackling as we saw in the first game on that Thursday night in Cleveland.
11:23
OK I have to head out to practice soon. Thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll do another chat next week.
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