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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.31.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:00
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get it going.
mrbig
10:00
Is it too early to predict the same result as last season... stumble through these last games, possibly a playoff spot then 1 & done?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
I definitely think they're on course of an 8-9 or 9-8 season. Would be surprised if it's anything else. And yes, 9-8 in the AFC would definitely come down to tiebreakers. Steelers 3-2 now against AFC teams.
Mar
10:01
How have Joey Porter look think he going be a good corner for us
Ray Fittipaldo
10:02
I think in time yes. As for right now, he's good enough to start ahead of Levi Wallace, which Tomlin confirmed yesterday.
Tom
10:02
Why do you think Tomlin, who won a Super Bowl with great coordinators in Lebeau and Arians, changed to preferring staff level coaches? Sort of like in hockey Coach Sullivan winning using young players to spark his team to two cups but now only wanting and losing with old veterans.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
My theory is he doesn't know how to identify or recruit good young assistants or those quality guys simply don't want to work for him because they don't view Pittsburgh as a franchise where they can advance their careers. And who could blame if that's the case.
Mar
10:03
Kenny Pickett doesn’t look like the answer I’m getting really concern if this keep up we need to start looking at other options he missing easy throws it’s not all on Matt Canada if the qb can’t do basic throws
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Right now, he's not looking like the guy. He missed the first throw of the game. He missed Pickens shortly thereafter and he missed Johnson in the end zone. That can't happen. And I know some of you will argue Johnson should have caught the first pass of the game. Watch the replay. It's high. It would have been an above average catch. The QB has to put that on the receiver and be happy with a 30-yard pickup on the first play of the game. He was wide open. That ball has to be completed. Now I don't think it's all on him. He doesn't have a good offensive line or a good running game so it makes his job more difficult, but he does have to display more consistency in the easy throws that are there.
Francis
10:06
Good morning Ray.  Do you know if any NFL quarterbacks call their own plays?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Not from the huddle, but there are a few who have freedom to call audibles at the line of scrimmage.
Donna
10:06
Hi Ray, do you think the Steelers will make any trades today?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
If the right one presents itself, then sure. They're open for business as Mike Tomlin said yesterday.
artie bridge
10:07
So Ray, Assuming Kenny is medically cleared to play on Thursday, 1) who would you start? and 2) if Kenny, how short is his leash?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
If he's cleared then yes I would start him. But it is a short week, and Tomlin is going to want to make sure he can run the offense without any issues before making that decision. Sounds like it will go up to Wednesday or maybe even gameday.
beer_baron
10:08
It's painfully obvious to anyone still subjecting themselves to these offensive displays that the offense is fatally broken (with or without Kenny).  Will anything change, or should we expect the same results with maybe 4 or 5 more wins?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Same results and maybe 4-5 more wins.
Matt
10:08
Why is it that other NFL teams are starting their rookies right away and Steelers ease them into the lineup?  It’s not like we are a top contender with loads of talent.  A .500 ball club should be giving these guys a chance to learn on the job so they are more experienced next year.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
Different teams have different philosophies on that. The Steelers felt like they had good players at CB and OT and they went with those guys early. Now Porter is starting midway through his rookie season. Not the case for Broderick Jones, but I still think he'll get to start at some point this season whether by injury or performance. Still 11 more games to go. It's a long season.
Lou
10:10
Hi Ray. What do you think of TE Darnell Washington and why do you think the Steelers aren’t trying to have some plays for him? Something simple like chip and pop out for a 5 yard catch in the middle? Basic!!!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
I don't think he's an accomplished receiver or route runner.
Guest
10:11
Do you think Pickett is "injury prone"?  He's played about a season of football and he's been knocked out of quite a few games.  I personally don't like trend.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
He's not a big guy so that will always ben an issue I think. That's why they have to continue investing in the OL. They have to do that regardless of who the QB is because they need better players up front.
JERRY
10:12
This offense has been terrible for years. When will Tomlin start getting the blame? First, it was Fichtner's fault now it's Canada's fault. The common denominator is Tomlin.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
Right. It's his job to identify quality young coaches and get them in position to coordinate offenses and call plays.
Guest
10:13
Good Morning!  It appears to be that Coach Tomlin is putting partial blame for Sunday's loss on our Defense for not making splashy enough turnovers because we were not in a good enough position for our offensive Offense to score from them.  How long will Mr. Rooney put up with this debacle of a coaching staff before he forces making changes?  How long will before the Defense starts taking the losses out on the offensive Offense players and coaches? I feel like a HOF player like TJ may never have the opportunity to go to a Championship Game let alone a Super Bowl.  How long before TJ decides to ask for a trade?  Shame on Rooney and Tomlin for allowing this to happen!  The Steeler Nation, the City of Pittsburgh, and the Steeler players deserve better!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:14
You're right about Watt. They're wasting his prime years with this subpar offenses they roll out year after year after year. As for the comment on the turnovers and how they weren't the kind that "teed up the offense" I just think it's Tomlin acknowledging how bad the offense is. He knows the defenses not only has to turn the ball over they have to either score or return the turnovers into the red zone. Pretty sad state of affairs, if you ask me.
TheStandardisContinuity
10:15
They don’t have to make a decision on Pickett until after the ‘24 season but Tomlin/Khan/Rooney have to be wondering if they should be considering a QB in the next draft right?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
Yeah but as we've seen you're not getting a top guy if you're picking 15-20. No offense to Pickett or Mac Jones, but the guys with elite talent are going top 5 or at the very least top 10. So if you're committed to drafting a QB in this draft -- and it's a very good draft for QBs -- then you have to make a big move to go up and get one.
KN PHOENIX
10:16
Hello. Thank you for the chat . If Pickett cannot play on Thursday , why Mason cannot be given a chance to start ? Trubisky is too careless with the ball . Even a good defense cannot win you a game if you start throwing interceptions . Just being ahead on depth chart in front of Mason is not a good enough reason to start . Or is it that Tomlin likes trubisky too much to give a chance to Mason ? Thank you .
Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
Tomlin likes Trubisky's professionalism, experience and his running ability. He also likes Rudolph's professionalism and experience, but he doesn't have the same type of mobility.
K in VA
10:17
If the Steelers make a trade today, what position would be of the most help - outside of Offensive coordinator?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
CB or WR. Probably CB.
KN Phoenix
10:17
Hello . Thank you for the chat . How long do you expect Minkah too be out of the of the game ? Is it a hamstring tear ? Do they need to get a safety before the trade deadline ? Thank you .
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
We'll know by tomorrow or the very latest on Thursday if it's an IR worthy type of injury. If it is, they'll make a move before the game to open up a roster spot. I know the MRI was yesterday, but haven't heard the extent of the injury. Could be more information forthcoming today.
mrbig
10:18
We are all aware of the Canada criticisms... what do you think of the other 2 coordinators?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:19
I think Austin is fine as a DC. And other than Danny Smith not getting another punter who is more consistent I can really criticize his performance this season. Special teams have ben pretty soild.
Kenneth G.
10:21
I enjoy your chats.  What is Isaac Seumalo’s contract situation?  With the disappointing play of the offensive line, do you think he could leave in free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:21
He's signed through 2025, but there is an out in the contract after this season. It would require the Steelers to take on an $8.25 million dead cap hit, but that's at their disposal if they need to execute that.
Tim
10:22
Who bears the responsibility of finding our next OC?  Please tell me it is not soley on Tomlin.  His track record of talent evaluation and coaching hires stinks to high heaven as evident by a non existent coaching tree after 17 years.  Even the Charlie Brown xmas tree had 1 bulb on it!
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