JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.05.19

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.05.19

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:26

My crystal balls says: 15% for the division and 37.5% for a wild card.

Gravel

2:26

Hi Ray - Two - three years from now, I believe most people will have the opinion that picking up #39 this year was more meaningful than #55. What is your projection?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:28

Fitzpatrick has been great, He's definitely a player they'll want to sign to a second contract. But they have high hopes for Bush, too. When you look at all three levels of the defense they have young playmakers at almost every position. MIght need to get a corner in the draft in 2020 or 2021 because Joe Haden can't play forever, but they are set up well on defense for years to come.

Lloyd's 3-Count

2:29

I remember when Ben took the helm from Touchdown Tommy and we applauded the manage-don't-lose approach. Seems like we're doing the same with Mason. Why can't we appreciate the Ws?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:31

It's different. The 2004 team had a great running game with The Bus and Duce Staley. They could live off that and then ask Ben to make a few plays in the passing game via play-action. This team is completely different. The running game is among the worst in the league. That's putting more pressure on Mason.

Paul

2:31

Hi Ray love your work. Just a comment, why so many criticisms directed at Tomlin & Randy F. Do they not realize we are playing with a backup QB, back up RBs and reserve DL and young WR's? All things considered the coaches and players are doing a great job clawing back to 4-4.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:32

There are no excuses in the NFL. Brian Hoyer came off the bench and almost beat the Steelers on the road on Sunday? There are expectations for backup QBs in this league. They are expected to play winning football. That being said, I get your point. This team has overcome a lot to get back to .500. But it won't mean anything if they don't make the playoffs.

DirtW4prez

2:33

Hello Ray. Over the past 4-5 years, passing fancy hasn't accomplished much in the post season. And again this year, many of the dominant teams have a power running attack with play action passing. Do you think the Steelers can convince BR to accept a power running game when he returns next year. John Elway closed out his career with two super bowls and a power running game featuring Terrel Davis. Seems to make sense with Ben as well.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:33

I'm 100% with you, but you said it. They have to convince Ben to buy into it. And, of course, they'd have to retool the offensive line. It's just not built to play power football. Right now they're built to pass protect.

IkeSteelheart

2:34

Hey Ray, I wanted the Pats to beat Baltimore, but I wasn't that sad either becuase they lost. In fact, I was glad. I know it is going to be hard for The Steelers to make a run for a SB, so any team besides NE. Do you see other team preventing Brady to Will

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

Not really. I picked the Pats to win the Super Bowl before the season, and I'm sticking with that prediction. I suppose the Ravens would be an interesting game if it happened again. We all know Belichick is great in rematches. Just ask the 2004 Steelers. And maybe the Chiefs would be interesting again. That was a very good AFC championship game between Brady and Mahomes. Of course, this year it likely would be in Foxborough.

Tom

2:36

The defense is playing awesome...sacks and turnovers galore. We are still giving up tons of points though. Is that just today's NFL or is the boring "old and slow shut down the run" the best way to really stop offenses?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:36

I wouldn't say tons of points. Maybe a few more than the coaches would like to see. But overall, yes this is a league that's set up for offenses to thrive. Defenses are at a disadvantage because of the way the rules are written.

NC Steel

2:37

Ray, On Samuels' TD run attempt, DeCastro and Nix sealed off the left side of the DL, clearing a path for an easy score. Instead Samuels runs straight up the middle where no opening exists. This cannot be blamed on the QB--DeCastro turned to the sideline and threw up his arms in frustration. What gives?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

I think you're talking about Edmunds, not Samuels. I asked TOmlin about that play, and you're right. Edmunds made a bad read. It was supposed to go outside.

AllanbTN

2:38

Will Jalen Ramsey shadow JuJu the whole game this Sunday? If so, it is a great opportunity for Washington and Johnson to get some downfield targets if MR can make the throws.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:38

I would imagine Ramsey will draw that assignment. And you are right. It will give Johnson and Washington more opportunities in single coverage. They'll have to take advantage.

Jack Splat

2:39

Ray, What is with this D not being able to stop someone late when the game is on the line? I still think Butler is weak on game strategy and making adjustments. Thank you.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

Listen, how about the offense scoring a TD to put the game out of reach instead of settling for 3? I hear you, but it's hard to stop these offenses every single series. The Steelers gave up 6 points in the entire second half, and that TD came after Jaylen Samuels fumbled at his own 30-yard line. The defense is the reason the Steelers won that game.

Jeff

2:40

Thanks for the chat Ray. Is Boswell kicking short on purpose or are we actually trying to kick high and short in hopes of pinning them behind the 25? seems he has more short kicks the past couple games, wasn't sure if by design

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

That's a good question. I'll ask Danny Smith if I see him this week. Other teams are still able to reach the end zone although this is the time of the year when kickoffs do get shorter.

Gravel

2:41

Hi Ray - Any chance Rosie goes to IR? When is Sean Davis eligible to return to roster? Any idea whether to not Sean will return to roster this year? His injury did not seem to be season ending?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

I didn't get the sense they were think IR for Nix when Tomlin talked today. Obviously, aggravating a knee injury is not ideal, but he seemed hopeful that Nix might be able to play. As for Sean Davis, where does he play if he comes back? He ain't playing safety.

9 Mile (WA) Mike

2:42

The Steelers always seem to have slow starts with strong 2nd and 3rd quarters, followed by 4th quarter letdowns requiring nail-biting finishes. Is this coaching or is it player mentality related?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:43

Not sure, but they know they have to fix it. Tomlin talked about it after the Colts game. The starts have been terrible. You can't win consistently when you're behind all the time.

9 Mile (WA) Mike

2:43

Goal-line plays. Why bunch up the middle and try to run it that way when the sides are wide-open? I see this a lot around the league. Everyone knows its going to be forced up the middle yet no one chooses the outside. I am talking from the 1-yard line.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

I addressed this a few questions back. On the Edmunds 2-yard loss from the 1, he made a bad read. It was supposed to bounce outside. DeCastro sealed the edge. If you watch the replay, he throws his hands up in the air when he realized Edmunds stuck it up inside. That play has to go outside when the guard seals the edge and doesn't kick it out.

Picksixlisberger

2:45

Ray, With the way Bud is playing, that $9,000,000 mistake looks a little more like a good buy than a lemon. Your thoughts.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

I agree. Money well spent so far.

Lloyd's 3-Count

2:45

Love me some Juju, but I've heard people say his lack of production is due to everything from fellow receivers to no Ben. Has anyone actually dissected his play? He's often away from the play so I can't even tell if he's open.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

Tomlin was asked about JuJu today. He said he's winning some one-on-ones. He likes his professionalism, etc. It's just a combination of things. I still think he's a No. 1 WR, but he needs help and he'd be much better if 7 was throwing him the ball. It's hard to deny that.

Steve

2:46

Tomlin throwing challenge play 2nd time was foolish. Based on time left and Colts driving it was obvious we’d need as many TO’s as possible. Don’t you think these decisions are why people question Tomlin’s coaching? I like him btw

Ray Fittipaldo

2:47

Yes, I said the same thing in the press box. It was going to be hard anyway. Going 75 yards in 1:14 even if yoou have two timeouts instead of one was going to be hard. But I'd still rather have the timeout than waste it on a challenge that was going to be hard to win.

elcid97

2:48

Hi Ray! I've read that Patricia and Belichick cracked the code on McVey's offense last year and the rest of the league copied the approach this season. Basically, you run a 6 man front and one LB. The front takes away the stretch run plays that led to big play-action passing. Question: If that's the code, how do we do that with our personnel esp given Tuitt injury? We have a bad history against stretch run plays. How do we match up given we mostly play 2 down linemen and 2 LBs as a front?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:49

Not to mention they just had some difficulty defending a similar offense in San Francisco a little more than a month ago. You have to stop the run in this game. If not, Goff could have a big game.

'Double Divot Dewey

2:49

The last game the Steeler's started strong in was the Frisco game - and we lost that one. Do you see a strong start this week? Watching the first quarter or two has been gut wrenching!

Ray Fittipaldo

2:49

Strong start in the Chargers game, too, but I get the point. They need to start better. I wrote about that today.

Jerry

2:50

I think when Davis comes back we should play him and Fitzpatrick together and bench Edmonds! Your thoughts

Ray Fittipaldo

2:50

They won't do that. Plus, I'm not convinced Davis is better than Edmunds.

Paul from Louisville

2:50

With Moncrief gone, any chance we bring up the wr from practice squad?