Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.05.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
Better lucky then good. I'm sure that will be a storyline for years to come.
KMan
10:49
Good morning Ray!

How is Fautanu's progress coming? Is is starting to settle in a bit better over the last couple of games?

Another question: the O-Line appears to be starting to excel at run blocking. Are they improving in pass pro too, or are they (still?) a below average unit in that area?

Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
This line is much better at run blocking than pass blocking. Still some issues there, but that's minimized when you run the ball so well. As for Fautanu, he's progressing. It was always going to take time.
NYSteel
10:50
What is happening with Metcalf? He has certainly dropped some easy balls.  But the play calls and routes for him look so off.  Am I imaginin it?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
The fades are Rodgers force feeding him the ball. I cannot imagine Mike McCarthy sits back in meetings and thinks that's a good idea. And it's weird because Rodgers is such a stickler for details. Some of these balls aren't even catchable. They're landing out of bounds and Metcalf isn't even looking for the ball. I certainly think that's something they're talking about during the bye week.
NYSteel
10:52
Is a WR trade worth it if it is a 1-year rental?  They are drafting so much better now even in later rounds. The draft picks feel so much more valuable.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
They won;t give up much if they do make a deal. Sixth or seventh rounder. Maybe a fifth.
Ryan
10:52
Ray does Gabe Rubio still dress when Harman comes back since Joseph day is injured
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
They're going to have to make some decisions but yes he will because Joseph-Day is still on IR. Jobity probably goes back to being invactive when Harmon returns.
Epiballo
10:53
Given the Steelers record and that this is Rodgers last season, could that be a motive to go all in and bring in a top tier WR at the trade deadline?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
No.
Tom in LA
10:54
DK gets off the line well—who can stop him?—then goes where he’s going. No shake or fake. Do you see this, and wouldn’t a little cleverness to his routes help?  And of course. catch the ball.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:54
if he hasn't figured it out now with how many different position coaches, he's never going to figure it out. He is what he is. Can't cry about it. Just have to put him in positions to succeed.
Turk in MD
10:55
Hi Ray.  Since they are not going to get a WR1 in a trade, wouldn't the right adjustment be to not treat any of the WRs as WR1 but interchangeable pieces?  MM talked about that in his intro presser.  Wilson is coming back at some point.  Germie is player very well.  They are scoring points.  I think they score more if they don't target DK 10+ times/game.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
You might be right on that, but he plays almost 100% of the snaps. He's going to be out there and you have tim target him sometimes.
Fletch
10:56
Indication from reading PG articles are Omar is more likely to stay the course than make a trade unless one materializes that is a great value and can't be passed up. If true, is this a mistake. The Bengals stand between them and another division title. If the Bengals upgrade at the RB position, the Steelers are playing for a WC seed.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
The Steelers won the division and had a home game last season, and it didn't matter. They still got boatraced. I'm not downplaying the mportance of playing at home in the playoffs, but the Steelers have a game that travels. You always worry about loud crowds and communication problems, but having a good running game and a good run defense travels in the playoffs.
Legionofdoom
10:58
If we gave up 3/4 for downs wouldn’t we get  maybe a 4th round or so comp pick back down the road?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
It would depend on the contract he signed in free agency, but I don't think they're looking to trade a 3 for someone like Downs. He's a rental who will be here for nine games and the playoffr run.
Adam
10:59
What do you think about the ceiling for this team?  I love the regular season upside but a playoff win still seems unlikely.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
A couple of big differences between this team and TOmlin's teams the final few years: how the defense is playing. They always had talent, but this defense is shutting down the run almost every single week. As a result, they lead the league in sacks. They're in the plus in turnover ratio too. They do a lot of things well that translates into postseason success.
Adam
11:01
We seem to have forgotten the need in the secondary.  I recall Tee Higgins man handling ASJ and requiring reshuffling.  Are you concerned about the top end talent?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
Bengals pose problems for every defensive coordinator. You have to minimize the damage in those situations. You saw Everette used more in the first game. Maybe he'll be used more in this game too. But this Bengals offense is good overall. Their TEs are big parts of the passing game too. They are tough to defend.
Randy Steele
11:02
Likely too soon to discuss seriously, but do you think the Steelers will skip trying to find a starting quarterback during the next draft? They will likely be drafting late in the first round. Wouldn't they be better off seeing what they have with their current combination of Rudolph, Allar, and Howard, and drafting someone who might fill a greater need?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:03
All depends on ow they feel internally about Howard and Allar in comparision to the guys who are coming out. If McCarthy really likes one of the college guys then maybe they try to put together a package to go get him. But if not, yes it seems like next year will be an opportunity for Allar or Howard to get the reins.
Fletch
11:04
Do you think Rodgers downfield accuracy has declined? He has missed a fair amount of open opportunities and on some completions, better ball placement would have been TDs instead of long gains.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
Maybe here and there, but there have been far more drops than misfires. I think we can all agree on that.
Adam
11:04
Would you trade Mason Rudolph right now for a 3rd or even 4th or do we need him as the main backup?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:05
Who is making that deal? The Ravens are trying to get Brissett. No one else really needs a starter right now. The Eagles are cooked. They're not going to do it.
Yates
11:05
Hi Ray. What over under would you put on Steelers Bengals game and for the Steelers to win they must hold the Bengals to how many points?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
A high number. Maybe 45. And I'll say 24. Bengals score more than 24 and it's going to be hard for the Steelers to win on the road.
Adam
11:06
Why cant we get the TEs even more involved in the passing game given the lack of WR production.  I feel like the 1-2 punch of Pat and Darnell could compare well with what the Pats did with Gronk and the other guy who shall not be named.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
We certainly might see more of that in the second half, but they're stepping up and making plays when called upon. Rodgers likes to spread the ball around so I don't think you're ever going to see a ton of targets for anyone other than Metcalf.
Hopefully in CA
11:08
If the Steelers do trade for a WR, someone like Josh Downs.  Would that push Roman Wilson to the #5 WR on this offense?  Would it make sense to offer Wilson and 5th round pick for Downs?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
That's the misconception about acquiring Downs. He has no history with Rodgers. He's here for nine games. It's going to take time. He'd be insurance. If Wilson comes back healthy he goes bck to his old role because he earned the t rust of the QB.
Buddy Dial
11:09
Will the nfl ever consider making holding between the tackles legal ? Less judgement would seem to be better
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
It's really not all that hard to officiate. Just call it if the arms are outside the framework. As an offensive lineman you know you have to keep your hands inside the framework.
Adam
11:10
Do we trade for a vet RB giving up a late round pick as insurance against an injury.  Who would we target in that case?  Maybe bring back Najee?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
Um no. Their RB situation is really good as is.
Josh
11:11
Good morning Ray. I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around why the Jaguars would even consider trading BTJ to any contending team in the AFC, especially the Steelers whom they play soon, and the chiefs who could very well be a team the jags would meet in the playoffs at some point. If BTJ isn’t being a distraction or causing a scene, why wouldn’t they just wait until the offseason to move on from him? And I get that if they get an offer they can’t refuse from a team that changes this landscape. But I just don’t see the benefit for them to trade him in the AFC what so ever. The NFC would make more sense if they want to move him.
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