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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.8.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Bruce
11:57
If the Steelers were to trade L. Bell to the Eagles would Darby be the best player for them to target?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
The Eagles have been one of the team most prominently mentioned in connection to Bell. I think the Steelers would do well to get a second-round pick. This idea of getting a player as well is a bit optimistic. And it all might be a moot point if Bell doesn't accept the trade and decides to sit out the entire season.
David
11:58
How do you think Terrell Edmunds has been? Seems like he is progressing nicely throughout the season
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Edmunds has received a baptism by fire due to the Morgan Burnett injury that has kept him out the past three games. There have been some rough spots, but Edmunds has made a few plays too. It's a tough spot for him. They expected Burnett to start and for Edmunds to come in to play in sub-packages. But overall, I don't think they've been disappointed in his development.
scott in dallas
12:00
Does the defense have enough talent to improve with it's personnel gaining playing time together as well as better implementation by coaches or is there too little talent?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
The defense played great Sunday. That was a very good offense they faced. Much has been made of the Atlanta injuries, but they were all on the defensive side of the ball. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu and Devonta Freeman all played, and the Steelers did a really nice job defending them, especially Jones, who was held without a catch in the first three quarters. Now it's only one game and they'll have to repeat that performance if they want to get back in the playoff hunt. But it's amazing what some pressure can do to help a secondary. The Steelers don't have great personnel in the secondary, but it can be good enough if the pass rush is consistent. The Steelers need a more consistent pass rush.
DaquidoBazzini
12:02
Maybe Vince Williams shouldn’t be a 3 down LB. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I had that thought as I was driving in today. Maybe L.J. Fort should play more in longer downs and distances. He was good against the Falcons. But then it becomes a question of whether Williams or Bostic comes off the field. We'll have to wait to see how that situation unfolds, but they might have found something in Fort in the sub-packages.
CanadianSteelersFan
12:04
I noticed that the Steelers have been utilizing their backups throughout the games this year. Guys like Fort, Chickillo, Sutton, Big Dan, etc have been making an impact. To me this speaks volumes to the coaching staff being able to recognize their players strengths and weaknesses or is this just the coaches subbing players more frequently? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I know for a fact that new defensive line coach Karl Dunbar believes in a rotation for his players. I think what's going on in the secondary is more out of necessity than desire to play a bunch of people. Tomlin and Butler have been unhappy with Artie Burns so they've rotated Sensabaugh at CB. And the injuries to Burnett, Hilton and Haden have meant guys like Sutton have seen more playing time. As for the OLBs, I kind of like Chickillo for a few snaps here and there. He's solid, and it gives Watt and Dupree a chance to get a blow.
scott in dallas
12:06
Could the elbow injury that was reported earlier in the season be causing some of the issues with Ben in the passing game, especially in regards to the connection with AB?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I haven't heard Roethlisberger use that as an excuse.
Ryno
12:06
I saw Jesse James throw a couple good blocks yesterday. Is he making a strong case for the Steelers to make him a really good contract offer in the offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I think James has a chance to sign a second contract with the Steelers, but I don't think it would be for big money. If they can get him for three more years for $3 million or so a year they should do it. He splits snaps with Vance McDonald and has carved himself out a nice role with this team. If he's looking to make more than that he might have to go elsewhere.
Happier Rich
12:08
Should Haden shadow everyone's #1 from this point forward?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
A.J. Green is very similar to Julio Jones so I would imagine they'll employ a similar game plan this week. That would be very sound coaching considering the Bengals don't have TE Tyler Eifert, who was lost for the season with a leg injury. I'd force Andy Dalton to beat me throwing to the likes of Tyler Boyd and whoever else is at his disposal.
Happier Rich
12:09
Why aren't we seeing James Washington get any separation?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Well, he's not the fastest guy in the world. He runs in the 4.5s. He was successful at Oklahoma State because he went up and got a lot of contested catches. He hasn't been able to make those with the Steelers to this point. But in his defense, he hasn't been targeted a whole heck of a lot either.
Ryno
12:10
How much more time will pass, and how many more ridiculous calls for roughing the passer will be made until the league finally makes an official adjustment?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Tomlin said something after the game about the officiating. I wrote a story 10 days or so ago on the rouging the passer penalties and Tomlin wasn't all that interested in making strong comments about it. Tomlin and his peers have to be more vocal about the situation. If they don't they're only hurting themselves and the product that's on the field. There should be n all-our revolt about what's going on in the NFL right now. We need Tomlin and other coaches to do that more.
ALB
12:12
Has Ben met McKinley yet?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
People were talking about Takk McKinely leading up to the game, and I didn't get it. I didn't like him coming out of UCLA and the only time I noticed him Sunday is when he got hurt and had to be helped off the field.
Happier Rich
12:13
Seems the big difference on D yesterday was putting Haden on an island with Julio, and it worked.  What else did they do differently yesterday?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Well, for starters, they got to Ryan. They sacked him six times, hurried him on five other occasions. They were hitting him too and making their presence felt.
Brian Los Angeles
12:13
Do you honestly think the Steelers will make the playoffs and if so do they have enough to win it all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
It's going to be an uphill battle to make the playoffs because they got off to such a bad start. But the AFC North, while improved, is still winnable. I'm just not going to bet on the Steelers because the early losses and tie put them in a really tough spot.
DW
12:14
Ray, what do you believe is the organizations concern level with Boswell at this point? He's obviously been great in the past, but is clearly off this year with another missed PAT yesterday.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
They have to be concerned. If they get into a close game they'll need him to deliver. I just think he has to put a couple through, get some confidence and try to forget about what's taken place in the early part of the season.
12:16
He's had a groin injury that has bothered him since training camp. He has missed the past three games. At this point, with one more game to go before the off week, that they would sit him out again this week versus the Bengals and hope to get him back for the second half of the season.
Happier Rich
12:16
Is Morgan Burnett ever going to see the field?  I would have to believe his experience would really help.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Question to previous answer
tom
12:16
i know the d played good yesterday, but i still don't understand why matthew thomas wouldn't be in on passing situations over matekavich?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
For the most part, Matakevich played in the base and LJ Fort played in the subpackages. I just don't think they feel like Thomas is ready from a mental standpoint to execute the defense.
Devin
12:17
Should we be concerned or indifferent that our next 3 games are division games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
They need to win these games. At the very least they better win two of three. If you look at their history, they don't make the playoffs very often when they don't have a winning record within the division. Right now they're 0-1-1 so they better get to work.
Geo Net
12:18
Hi Ray. Great team win yesterday. Do you agree the keys to Steeler defense are Haden and Heyward? (Watt is a beast). Must win at Bungles next week if any chance at Division.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
If the Bengals win they'll be three games up in the win column after six weeks. They'd have a really hard time winning the AFC North if they lose. Their schedule is so difficult in the second half of the season.
Will
12:19
Finally a good game this season for the 1st time this season hopefully they can continue to play well in Cincinnati and who do you think is the blame for the penalties in the first 5 weeks also I didn't agree with the rougher the pass yesterday didn't even think it was close what do you think do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
The roughing the passer penalties, as Tomlin said, are a "joke." We'll see if the NFL cleans up the mess it has created. History says they won't and we'll all be forced to watch an inferior product. That's what Roger Goodell and his underlings do. They set out to ruin a great game. That being said, the hands to the face penalties are undisciplined penalties. Bud Dupree had two Sunday and Stephon Tuitt had a costly one the week previous vs. the Ravens. Those and other penalties of that ilk can't happen for the Steelers.
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