You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.12.18
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
OK let's get the chat started. Post your questions...
Ike Steelheart
11:54
Hello Ray, How far can this defense take The Steelers? (no serious injury ahead). Is this team one good CB (opposite Haden) and and one great ILB away of having an spectacular defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Well, they've allowed 21 points or fewer in each game during their five-game winning streak. That's pretty good. I understand the competition hasn't been great, but the defense has played much better than the beginning of the year. Having Coty Sensabaugh at CB gives them stability. He knows what he's doing and is not prone to blowing coverages the way Artie Burns did. As for the ILBs, they've been solid for the most part. It's not their strength, but Vince Williams and Jon Bostic have been solid.
Ike Steelheart
11:55
In order to have an excellent position for the playoffs and a serious run for the SB, do you agree that the only lost that The Steelers can afford the rest of the season is vs The Saints?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
I am writing about this today. Took a break from it to chat with you guys. I think the Steelers can afford one more loss and still get a playoff bye as long as that loss does not come against the Patriots. Look for the story on the AFC playoff picture this afternoon.
Me
11:56
Any word on how Conner is doing?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
No official word. I'm sure he's taking the steps necessary to get out of protocol. The Steelers don't go back to work until Wednesday, but Conner very well could be through the protocol by now. We could find out more from Tomlin at his presser tomorrow.
Mtsteel
11:58
Hi Ray, I heard recently that there's a loophole that will allow Bell to sit the whole season and not be tagged at the same rate as this season. Did you hear the same ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
He already has played five years so he is eligible for free agency. The franchise tag for a third year in a row would be the third-year tag, which is the QB money tag. So obviously, the Steelers don't value him at $25 million for one season. They won't use that, but they could use the transition tag if they're so inclined. I doubt it, but it would make much more sense than the third-year franchise tag.
Black and Yellow
11:59
Is Bell worth the transition tag next year at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
I don't think so. The relationship appears to be beyond repair. Plus, if some team offers him $70 million guaranteed over four years the Steelers wouldn't match it and wouldn't get a compensatory pick.
BB
12:01
Ray - Where did that game on Thursday come from?  Was I dreaming?  I haven't seen the Steelers play like that in a long time......fluke or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
The early pick-6 by Vince Williams was huge. Once the Steelers got the lead in that game they had control. Very efficient performance from the offense and a strong performance from the defense. They had pressure, turnovers and won the physical battle.
Guest
12:02
What percentage of plays were James and Vanimal on the field together. Seems like since a third receiver has yet to emerge they are taking a two tight end approach more often in the passing game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
34 of 58 snaps for James and 25 of 58 snaps for McDonald. James Washington played 46 of 58. Washington has played a bunch of snaps the past two games. Not a ton of production, but they are more comfortable with him in the game.
mats
12:03
we have not faced a top 5 team and won, do you believe we have the potential (talent wise) to win those games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Sure, the potential is there, but they have to deliver when those games come on the schedule.
CaineMAnderson
12:04
Hi Ray, in your opinion which Steeler is most deserving of a “most improved” award from last season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I'd say Matt Feiler. The Steelers are now 4-0 with him as their starting right tackle. He was on the practice squad a few years ago. Made his way onto the 53-man roster as a reserve and now he's a part of their winning formula.
Carlo
12:05
Hi Ray, if Bell does not report to the team and sits out the full season, where does that put the Steelers with the cap for the beginning of the offseason? The leftover cap room from this season gets rolled over to next season, correct? We should be in a pretty good spot.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Yes, Bell's $14.5 million plus Ryan Shazier's $8 plus million comes off the books. They'll want to extend some guys and maybe sign an impact free agent, but they'll be in good shape from a cap standpoint.
CoalportKid
12:06
What happened to all of those roughing the passer penalties we saw early this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Good point. It seems the NFL finally got to the officials and told them to stop making those questionable calls.
Gus
12:07
Why should I believe this team is better than last season's team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Better in the red zone on offense. Artie Burns won't have a big role unless there is an injury. More humble. Better chemistry without Bell. Steeled for the stretch drive after going through adversity of not having Bell and all the drama that went with it...
Bud is Weiser
12:09
Hey Ray thanks for the chata, I know I'm the eternal optimist that alwas says the keg is half full, knowing that, having looked at the rest of the schedule I think we win the rest of our road games with the exception of the Saints maybe and our two other toughest games are NE and SD, both at home. I think it's very possible we go the rest of the way with only one more loss, two at the most assuming everyone stays healthy. that would put us at 12-3-1 or 11-4-1 and a chance for a 1st round bye providing we beat NE. Your thought?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Chances are good if that one loss doesn't come against the Patriots, whose schedule is easy. Don't think the Steelers get a bye if they lose two more games, especially if one of those is against the Patriots.
Jonathan
12:10
Adam Schefter says he doesn’t think Bell will show up by the Tuesday deadline. Why do you think he is in Pittsburgh then?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Rumor is the agent didn't know the rules of the CBA and thought Bell had to play this year not to be tagged again on the second-year tag number. Pretty egregious error if you ask me if that indeed is true.
Mark
12:11
Ray, I think the Jags are the perfect opponent this week, a struggling team that the Steelers will NOT take lightly because of last year's double beating.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
True,  but the Jaguars have Leonard Fournette back and the defense is still pretty good. I know the defense isn't as good as last year, but they're still up there in the defensive rankings. This will not be an easy game for the Steelers. The Jaguars know their season is on the line.
Dirt Winston
12:12
Who covers Gronk for the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
They'll have some options. Morgan Burnett is one of them. I wouldn't mind seeing Joe Haden get a crack at him on occasion. They need someone who can disrupt Brady's timing by getting their hands on receivers and forcing Brady to throw into tight windows. That's what the Titans did. They didn't have to worry about Gronk. That's a big key, but they played a lot of man and got a pass rush. Seemed like a really effective formula.
Carlo
12:13
What is the update on Olasunkanmi Adeniyi? Are they passed the deadline to bring him back from IR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
No, he can be activated anytime. Once he is activated the Steelers have a three-week window to evaluate him before deciding what to do with him.
Will Barnebey
12:14
hey there Raymond, do you see any defensive players makin the pro bowl this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Joe Haden for sure. Cam Heyward has a good shot too. Maybe even TJ Watt if he keeps up his pace.
CaineMAnderson
12:14
What do you see as the greatest strength and weakness of this Steelers team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Greatest strength is the offensive line. Greatest weakness is the lapses we've seen in pass defense. They've declined in recent weeks, but we saw Christian McCaffrey score twice when he was basically uncovered. You can't give easy TDs to good teams. You have to make them earn it. That's my biggest concern with this team. I still think they might be prone to giving up big plays at inopportune times.
mats
12:16
Giving the team 5 days off sends the wrong message to the team, I believe that being concentrate the whole time , training hard, having the goal of Super Bowl that's important, if you don't want physical  training and rest body i would understand, but you can do film or other mental training, what would you say
Connecting…