You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.10.20
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Here we go. Let's get started.
fredward
1:52
If Ben can't practice all week, do you still expect him to start on Sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Yes. Mike Tomlin said he would have no reservations about starting him in that scenario. And if he passes his tests the next few days he would be eligible to return and attend the Saturday walk-through. And they could structure that more like a real practice under the circumstances.
Greg
1:54
Do you think we win this weekend if Mason Rudolph is our starting QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Well, the Steelers were 5-3 with Rudolph as their starter last season. But I also know the coaches replaced him with Duck Hodges when he fell behind a terrible Bengals team in Cincinnati. The Steelers came back and won that game with Duck as the QB.
So to answer your question, the defense better come to play.
Justin
1:55
I know it would be difficult to be thrust into the game cold and having to perform in the 2 minute drill, however, I thought Rudolph showed very poor decision making and abysmal clock management.  After the turnover we got the ball at their 39 with a minute and something on the clock and one timeout and we never threated the 30.  To me, it looked like he was completely unprepared and never played quarterback before.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Tough way to enter the game. No real advance warning that he would have to go in. It happened after a turnover. I'm not making excuses for him, just noting that a lot of QBs might struggle under similar conditions. But yeah, that wasn't much of a "drive" and they were lucky to get three points out of it.
Johny the good
1:57
Hi Ray Brian didn’t answer yesterday I hope you do.. what do we do with Rudy? Really bad for us as fans watching him in there.. reminds me of the Jarvis situation with the team patience when there is nothing there.. what’s your view in this matter? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
OK, who is Rudy?
TPhunter
1:57
The backup D-linemen don't seem to be capable of plugging the middle against the run. Did you see any improvement at all there at Dallas?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Not really. The Cowboys ran for a bunch of yards, too. The good news is Tyson Alualu might be back for this game. That development would be huge for the run defense.
Utah Jim
1:58
Why was Watt inactive? With how bad the running game was they should at least try to use a full back. It can’t be any worse.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Tomlin said today Derek Watt aggravated his hamstring injury late last week, which kept him from playing. And yes, Tomlin and others have mentioned how a fullback might help in those short-yardage situations when the Steelers have come up short.
Ben
1:59
Thanks for the chat Ray. What does the tape show of Nelson’s play? He was lights out last year, less so this year. I don’t remember him being a shut down guy with KC. How does it all look to you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
It doesn't appear he's playing as well as he did last year, but I don't think he's having a bad season. Just overall, the secondary has been poor in zone coverage. Guys are wide open in the middle of the field. Can't really pin that on any one player. It's a combination of things such as blown assignments, bad communication, etc.
Utah Jim
2:01
Is Williamson any better at covering wide receivers than the current group of linebackers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
That's not really his strong suit. He's known as a very good run defender around the league. I am told he's good in zone coverage. Can play man, but better in zone.
TPhunter
2:02
How hard is it for Avery Williamson to get up to speed with the Steelers defense with another week of practice hindered by Covid protocol?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
He has a little bit of an edge having played under Dick LeBeau, Ray Horton and Lou Spanos in Tennessee. All three of those guys coached with the Steelers and defensive coordinator Keith Butler.
Silly in Philly
2:03
Hi Ray Ray Fit.  You think MT should’ve kicked that late fg?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Yes. I heard his explanation. Apparently he didn't feel like they could fix the blocking gaffes on the sideline, so he didn't want to give up a block and a scoop and score that would lose the game. I just think you call a timeout there, tell the linemen up front to be aware of the jumping guy in the middle and go up 8.
Silly in Philly
2:05
Looked like steeler fans had a good showing in Jerry’s house, eh?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Quite a good showing yes. They announced a little more than 31,000 fans were in attendance, and I would say 20,000 or more were Steelers fans. They were everywhere.
Tom
2:06
Bengals may be the Bengals, but Burrow is legit ehen it comes to putting points on the board. Can the Steelers offense put up big numbers without getting defensive TD's?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I think this game might be low-scoring given the circumstances. Probably not good for Steelers fans that want to see a blowout after all these nail-biters. I just don't see Burrow lighting up the Steelers defense. And I think the Steelers might struggle some because of all the COVID restrictions this week. And they could really struggle if Roethlisberger does not play.
David
2:08
Just a few weeks ago special teams was a strength and getting high marks in your grading columns. Just a bad game or area of concern going forward?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Definitely a bad game, but also an area of concern. You have to be able to correct mistakes on the sidelines and adjust in-game. This is the NFL. You don't just say we'll get back in the lab and figure it out.
Steeler in Virginia
2:09
What's missing on those deep throws that aren't connecting? Receivers not getting enough separation, or Ben being a little inaccurate? Some seem like they are just being thrown to back safeties off to help the slants later.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
A little bit of both. They have to keep trying. Defense are inviting them to throw deep with the looks they're giving.
David
2:09
The fact that no RB is finding success tells me we either don't have a good RB or the problems lie with the offensive line. Which is the bigger problem in your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
It's probably a combination of both. This is not a great run-blocking offensive line. But the fact that Tomlin used three backs against the Cowboys probably speaks to his desire to see one of them do something.
Denise
2:10
Hi Ray...do you see McFarland getting more playing time as the season goes on?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Why not? Can't be any worse than what's happening back there now.
Yates
2:10
Ray -  Even  before COVID news, I was thinking (hoping) that Rudolph's performance in the Cowboys game would get him demoted.  He is clearly not an NFL caliber QB.  When will Tomlin and Kevin admit that?  Feel much better if Dobbs on the field. Bring back Landry Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Tomlin said today Rudolph will get "the bulk" of the reps, but he also said Dobbs will get a few reps and could play. Tomlin noted Dobbs' mobility when they signed him in September. They could have a few packages for him.
Guest
2:12
Why didn’t the referees call a penalty on Dallas for going over the center on the missed field goal and extra point tries?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Tomlin was asked about that after the game and again today, and he didn't complain about the alignment. He basically said they were outcoached. Crawford was lining up on the inside shoulder of the guard and technically not in the gap of the long snapper.
Nitro
2:13
Ray -  Translate Tomlin's comment about the 4 WR and 1 TE concept reducing the defensive looks they were seeing from Dallas as the reason for going with that approach on offense.  If you are a serious contender for the Super Bowl, your offense needs to be able to carve up any defense.  Does Tomlin's response reveal his lack of confidence in the offense more generally?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I didn't read it that way. He was simply acknowledging the fact that the 5-wide personnel group dictated certain looks from the Dallas defense. Nothing more, nothing less.
Connecting…