Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.05.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:28
Good morning on a bye week. Let's get the chat started.
Bill in NJ
10:28
Ray, how many of Aaron's picks have actually been his fault? I can only think of one that "might" have been on him. He appeared to over throw Wilson but we don't know if Roman had the proper depth on his route. It looked like Rodgers threw it to a spot and Wilson wasn't there. Am I missing anything?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:29
And I think there was one in Cleveland that Denzel Ward picked off. I think Pittman ran the route. But yes, other than those many of the turnovers have been on the receivers or tight ends.
Pittfan
10:30
Hi Ray. No one was a Tomlin fan more than me. But I must admit there is a refreshing vibe with the team right now. Patrick Graham's name is starting to come up in head coaching conversations. Tomlin rarely if at all had head coach candidates on his staff. A lot of people also forget the 12 - 5 seasons Mike M. had in Dallas. If not for an inept owner who knows how far he could have taken them. It's way too early to grade but it looks like Art and Omar made the right choice.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
So far so good. I think you see this sometimes with coaching changes. A different voice can make a big difference. Things undoubtedly got stale under Tomlin. And credit for him to resign. The Steelers were not going to fire him.
rick51244
10:31
It would seem to me that we are a WR1 away from being Super Bowl contenders.  Our defense and running game are playing at a high level.  If we had a true WR1 it would have a positive impact on the passing game, obviously, and our running game.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
I agree, but they're not getting a No. 1 WR at the trade deadline. I think this is why you draft and develop and don't make trades or sign free agents. You don't know what you're getting. You might as well get these guys young and bring them up in your program.
Jeff M.
10:32
Hi Ray, do you expect another complicated negotiation with a former 2nd rd pick. Did the Raiders overpay for Linderbaum make the upcoming Frazier contract more difficult? I think Frazier is becoming a better player than Linderbaum if he isn't already.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
Price of doing business. Frazier is one of the best centers in the game so pay him. He's the anchor to your young offensive line.
Jeff M.
10:33
Do you know if the Steelers would get a comp pick if Graham got a HC job this off-season? Do you think he should get some interest?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
Yes they would although I would have to go back and look at where the pick would be. I think there are a few good head coaching candidates on this staff. McCarthy nrought up Tom Arth back in the summer.
AL
10:34
Hi Ray, I feel like the fact that we have 2 WR coming back from injury is looming over the Steelers and may cause them to not make a trade for a WR. Not to put anymore into the defense but going into the second half of the schedule I don't think bolstering that secondary is a bad idea. What do you say?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:35
I wrote about a couple of rookies who are making an impact in the secondary. I get you might want a veteran presence if there is an injury, but Robert Spears-Jennings and Daylen Everette are making some nice contributions  https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/05/steelers-rooki...
MikeLo
10:35
Ray, when are the guys on IR eligible to return?  Specifically, Harmon, Pittman and Wilson
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
Pittman and Harmon after the Bengals game and Wilson after the Philly game.
Len
10:36
With his speed and ball skills would Peyton Wilson be someone whose position could be changed to safety?  At safety he could be used all over the field similar to The Ravens Kyle Hamilton.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
He could be the next Ryan Shazier!
Johnny D
10:37
In the past when the Steelers had an excellent running game, (Franco/Bettis) when the Steelers were in the Red Zone, everyone knew that they were going to run it down the other team's throats, and we did it anyway. When will the current regime get the picture that we now have the horses to do the same?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
Hopefully in Cincinnati. It's long overdue.
J D
10:38
Ray, the Steelers are getting wins with a strong running game and a run stopping defense.  To compete with the those ranked in the top five, do you believe they need to be stronger in another phase, and if so, what would that be?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
Red zone and goal-to-go offense for sure.
chuck Mac
10:38
Ray, I struggle with the criticisms of A Rod week after week...as he wins with much of his weapons injured or dropping passes.  This guy has made the season fun to watch and hopeful for me.  The idea that MR, Howard or Allar is a better alternative is nonsense.  Why is there not more celebration of the results??
Ray Fittipaldo
10:39
I agree he's playing very well. Even when things aren't going well he's not forcing things and making mistakes. He has a good defense. He realizes that so a punt is not a bad play sometimes.
CV Kid
10:40
The defense is playing lights out, zone schemes together with consistent D-line play seem to be working.   If you’re advising DC PG, what modifications do you make for Joe Burrow so he doesn’t carve up the zones?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
He already beat Burrow once this season so I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. Maybe a wrinkle or two, but the Steelers have had some success against Burrow over the years.
JR in SC
10:41
Good morning Ray. Why are players always characterized by where they were drafted? The only difference is how much they were paid. Does Jaylen Warren being undrafted really matter?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
Not anymore, but it makes for a nice storyline when they're younger. Everyone missed on this guy, why? etc.
QB Trade
10:41
I saw that ESPN said that although it's not expected, Rudolph could be traded.  Seems to me that's click bait.  The Steelers are not going to trade their only backup with NFL experience, agreed?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
Why would they trade their backup QB when Howard and Allar have no NFL experience. That's why they kept Rudolph -- in case something happened to Rodgers.
epiballo
10:43
Hey Ray - thanks for the chats. I see a lot of speculation about which big name WR the Steelers should target before the deadline, but no one really believes they would, do they? It just isn't their way.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
Depth move if they do make a deal.
J D
10:43
Ray, this year with all the rookies contributing brings back memories of the super bowl years when many 5th round and undrafted picks like Mike Webster, Donnie Shell, Larry Brown, Steve Furness, Sam Davis, and Dennis Winston played.  They all contributed to those victories while the first two made the HOF.  Do you see a correlation or am I just a diehard fan dreaming?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:44
Good observation. This rookie class has been good. I think a lot of people scoffed when they kept 11 rookies, but almost all of them are playing. The only ones who aren't are Allar and Heidenreich. And Allar was never going to play a role this year.
Warren fan
10:44
Is Warren one of the best all-time undrafted players?  Who would you say are the top 5?  I assume Shell is #1?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:45
For the Steelers? Yeah I'd say Shell for sure. He's in the Hall of Fame. They've had so many undrafted free agents who have developed into really good players.
Ryan
10:46
Hi Ray.  Guess I am eating my words midway through this year as I didn't think they could plat as well as they did.  Do you feel they could keep it up the rest of the wsy?  Playoffs or super Bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
There are some signs this team could be different. Writing about that for Sunday. But we're only eight games in and the tough part of the schedule is coming up after the bye.
epiballo
10:47
Does it seem that QB injuries this season are way up over past seasons? What happened in Baltimore is unbelievable! Can you give us some perspective on this? The second half of the Steeler schedule seems much less daunting.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
Look no further than the 2019 Steelers. Roethlisberger is hurt early and then Rudolph goes down too fairly early in the season. It was Duck Hodges time! We'll see how good of a coach Jesse Minter is. TOmlin was able to pull off an 8-8 season with Hodges and Rudolph. Let's see what the Ravens can do.
Silent Bob
10:48
Hi Ray - How do you think Omar's draft day 'blunder' will go down in history? Since I-Max has been on the right side, their running game has been the best in the NFL. Bernhard's one of the better rookie WR's in the NFL. Seems like they'll both be long-term staples on this team. Do we call it 'better lucky and good?'
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