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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.12.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
The last eight games in the series have been decided by seven points or fewer so I'm not expecting anything else in this game.
Bob Kohrs
2:23
The TV replays were not good on the fake punt. Would Pierre have scored?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Too much air on Killebrew's pass for that, but it would have been an easy first down
Yuri
2:26
Hello Ray.  Coach Tomlin said Calvin Austin has a “twinge.”  If unable to play, who would replace Austin returning punts?  Thank you Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Seems like Austin will play Sunday, but they have options on the roster and practice squad, including Jamal Agnew, who signed to the p-squad earlier today.
Flyhalf10
2:27
Ray: Reporting in from DC.  Johnny "offsides" Newton quoted in the Washington Post today saying Zach Frazier had a tell just before he snaps the ball that let him tee off all day Sunday.  Pass it on when you get the chance, or not.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Well, the only time I noticed Newton all day was when he lost the game for the Commanders so I'm not so sure Frazier's "tell" was exploited.
2:29
Newton's "tell" is his football IQ is zero.
JP
2:29
While it's only one game, unless Mike Williams is responsible for a future loss, the trade is already a win because I do not believe we win the game without him.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I agree. Calvin Austin had run that route all week, but he's a small receiver. That kind of route is better suited for a taller receiver who can track the ball the way Williams does.
Hanna
2:30
Hey Ray, enjoy your work.  Any idea what kind of shape the Steelers will be in cap-wise going into next season? I’m wondering how much money may be available to sign free agents.  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
I don't have exact figures, but the cap won't be an issue. Not sure if the money will be allocated to free agents or not because they have to pay a QB and Watt is due an extension.
Tim and Maria
2:31
Good afternoon Ray.  We would like to know what a typical day is like for you on the day or night of a Steelers game.  We thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Arrive early to the stadium. Two hour before kickoff, we do a pregame chat to keep our readers up to date on what's happening with injuries, news, etc. Watch the game. Write report card and then another story on a big play or player from the game. Usually done writing by 7 p.m. If we're on the road, I go back to the hotel to tape a podcast for the following day. If it's a home game we typically tape the podcast the following morning.
Jason
2:33
Hard knocks is going to be fire!!! Do you know when the first episode airs on HBO? Are you looking forward to it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
They tape this month, and I believe the series airs all December.
Kalamazoo Dave
2:34
Hi Ray, Thank you for the chats. Do you expect Mike Williams to get more targets against the Ravens?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
I think with a full week he'll have a bigger role this week, but as for number of targets, who knows? It will depend on how the game unfolds.
TJ
2:35
Hi Ray, do the refs seem worse this year or is it just me. TJ no call in endzone for what should have been a safety, D Jackson hold on FG, and Queen and Bates offsetting penalties - there was some major holding on that play at point of attack. I know its league wide but the inconsistency is maddening. I know refs jobs are hard but these misses seem pretty obvious.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
And yet Joey Porter was flagged on every other play. That's why I laughed at the people who said the Commanders got screwed with the spot at the end of the game. That was the only call the Steelers got all game.
Emilio
2:36
Hi Ray,  After the first few games of the season, TJ Watt looked to be in contention for league MVP,  but lately, while still very good he has not been as impactful. Is it because of scheme, injury, age?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
It's the offensive schemes that are attempting to limit his effectiveness. First of all, the ball is coming out quick. Secondarily, he is seeing a lot of double and triple-teams.
Upstate NY Fan
2:37
Two related questions: Is Derrick Henry most effective when running plays between the tackles, and do you expect Elandon Roberts to log more snaps on Sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Yes, Roberts played more than Payton Wilson against the Commanders because they preferred to see the Steelers' base defense. They did not sub much, which kept Roberts on the field. Not sure if the Ravens will do the same, but either way this is an Elandon Roberts type of game.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
2:38
Here is what I am hoping for.  Ravens are down 35-31 and it is 4th and 8 from the Steelers 30.  Diontae is wide open in the endzone due to a broken coverage and drops the pass and Steelers win.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Or he catches the pass at the 1-yard line and is tackled at the 5. #wrongwaydiontae
John from Toronto
2:39
Hi Ray. Any word on when Corey Trice Jr and Montravious Adams might be back in the line up? They would be some nice depth pieces to add for the stretch run.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Tomlin said Trice has a chance this week, but he did not mention Adams at his news conference today.
TJ
2:40
any chance we bring up Feheko for this game as well as give Mark Robinson a few snaps in obvious run situations. have to smash that run to have a chance this weekend and it will be easier said then done.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
Fehoko is a possibility, but they haven't been subbing much along the defensive line. The only backups to play versus the Commanders were Isaiahh Loudermilk and Dean Lowry, and they played a combined nine snaps.
Guest
2:40
What’s timeframe for Highsmiths return?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
2-3 weeks.
John from Toronto
2:41
Hi Ray. Your colleague Paul Zeise wrote today he thinks the Steelers are legitimate Super Bowl contenders now with Russ Wilson at QB. Do you agree with him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
I do, but I like their chances a lot better if they can win the division. But either way, there is a different feel for this team than others in recent years that sneaked into the playoffs with a 6 or 7 seed. They feel dangerous with Wilson at QB.
Ryan
2:42
Good afternoon Ray what do you think about the play of Patrick Queen he looked good against the commanders on Sunday Go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Queen was excellent, and I'm sure he'll be pumped this week to play against his old team.
Guest
2:43
Hey Ray, Cameron Sutton hasn’t played in a real game for a while, so his limited snaps were understandable. But he has been practicing weekly and seemed like the best option when D. Jackson was ruled out. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
He only returned to practice last week so that might have been part of the reason for going with Pierre as the backup outside corner. Sutton was allowed in the building for the final four weeks of his suspension, but he could not practice. All he was allowed to do was train with strength and conditioning coaches and attend meetings.
Oliver Putnam
2:45
The Steelers released Terrell Edmunds last week to make room for Williams and Smith. Did anyone pick him up? Was he added back to the Steelers PS?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
He was not added back today. They signed RB Jonathan Ward and WR Jamal Agnew to the practice squad.
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