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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.17.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Here we go. Let's get the chat started.
North side Jim
1:57
Ray, any thoughts on what happened to the run defense?  Dominant at the start of the season, now is below the line.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
The run defense was horrible in Baltimore and almost as bad in Dallas. I thought it was a little better against the Bengals, who rushed for 136. Still too much, but 36 of those yards came on the fake punt. That's not on the defense. I think Mike Hilton's absence has hurt the run D. He was the team's leading tackler when he was injured. He's expected back this week for the Jacksonville game. And remember, nose  tackle Tyson Alualu missed the Ravens and Cowboys games. They played a lot of sub against the Bengals, but he'll make the run D better against teams that like to line up and challenge in the run game.
STEEL72
1:59
This game against the Jaguars is symbolic for me. If we can handle these Jags and everything trap about them... I feel it puts a lid on them being a thorn in our side in recent memory. Statement game. Would you agree with this?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Maybe from a fan standpoint. I'm sure Steelers Nation remembers well the embarrassing losses to the Jags in 2017. But this is a different game with a completely different Jags roster. There is no Blake Bortles or Leonard Fournette. No Jalen Ramsey or Calais Campbell on defense. And they'll be starting a rookie QB. I'm not saying it will be a blowout, but the Steelers should win this game.
Baghdad_Ben
2:01
Great work Sunday by coaches and players but what's a chat without a complaint? I could not follow that decision to go for two. Waaaay too early in the game and too many scoring scenarios to know if you needed it. Not a factor but that stuff scares me.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I agree with you. Maybe they thought they had a two-point play that couldn't be stopped. But then they throw a fade??? You're right. It didn't factor in the game, but that was an odd decision at that juncture of the game.
Guest
2:02
They talk about this being a trap game, but whatever happened to the Steelers’ once legendary trap game? Why are traps no longer run in pro football?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Linemen are too big on both sides of the ball. Part of the beauty of the Steelers trap game in the 1970s was the athleticism the guards showed in being able to pull and trap defensive linemen. It's a beautiful play from a bygone NFL era. Now the offensive guards are 315-330 pounds and defensive linemen are even bigger. It's hard to move a 350-pound interior defensive lineman even if he's caught off guard.
Baghdad_Ben
2:04
Do you believe there is a connection with our only strong running games having Dotson in the lineup?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I wrote about that last week when I did the player report cards. He was the starter for two 100-yard ground games. I think it's probably too mall of a sample size to make any big judgments, but I did notice Dotson being active in those games. He was the only offensive lineman in a three-point stance and he gets after people. The Steelers need more of that. It's nice to know they have a good backup in place if there are injuries, but it's hard for me to see a scenario where they make a change in the starting lineup. It certainly won't happen as long as they're winning. The last thing coaches want to do is change two positions on the line, and that's what they'd have to do to get Dotson into the lineup. They'd have to move Feiler back to RT and bench Chuks. And I just don't see that happening right now. Plus, Dotson is on the COVID list so it's kind of a moot point at the moment.
BB
2:08
Ray - thanks for the chats.  There doesn't seem like there is much time in between games to do extensive work to improve the running game?  With days off, veteran's days off, extra COVID precautions with virtual meetings, and travel....does not leave a lot of time.  What can they do in between games?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Guessing the changes will be in the scheme and types of running plays that are called. For all those reasons you noted, it's hard to actually "work" on the running game in practice. Teams rarely put the pads on at this point in the season.
Pittsburgh Uncle
2:10
Ray: what are your thoughts on bringing in a former HOF Steeler lineman who was a great run blocker to serve as a consultant? Most of these linemen knew how to run block at some point in their careers.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Did they? A lot of these guys came from passing offenses in college, too. I wouldn't assume they actually know how to run block.
Bert
2:10
If we lose this trap game to the Jags, should Tomlin be fired?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
LOL.
Jeff
2:11
Thanks for the chats Ray.  All this talk about needing a better run game and curious...do we really need it?  We have SO many weapons and even then the weather turns we will still have to pass.  I get you want balance but I can't remember the last time we had so many receiving options.  Can't double everyone!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
You're right to a certain point. They can certainly be a passing team. That's what they should be. But they're going to need the running game at some point to win an important game or two. Mike Tomlin knows it. That's why he was so adamant about working on it this week when he critiqued the team's performance today at his weekly news conference.
Adam T
2:12
Hey Ray, with Alualu back and Wormley back soon, the need to dress multiple young backup D-linemen is probably over. There is however one spot up for grabs... who would you give it to? Buggs aside from a few nice plays against the Ravens has really struggled (and he's injured a bit too). Mondeaux has athletic upside but has also been inconsistent. The guy who really has stood out to me is Carlos Davis. He's an incredible athlete and his speed and burst have flashed in his time on the field. I'm just a fan, but I'd have a really hard time sitting him for the other two young guys.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I'd say Buggs or Mondeaux. Probably Buggs if he's healthy, but he's been banged up with an ankle injury.
Gaius Julius Caesar
2:14
Ray, I've always liked Tomlin as a coach.  A real motivator, leader of men. Believe me, I know.  My one criticism of Tomlin used to be the coaching staff never seem to make great adjustments over halftime.  This year, I've seen a noticeable difference in the 2nd half of games (mostly the first 7 games). Is this attributable to Tomlin just getting better, different position coaches or what?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Thanks Julius. They did a nice job in Baltimore and Dallas by going five wide and dictating protections and coverages although I'm not completely sure the coaches orchestrated that. A more apt description might be giving Ben Roethlisberger the green light to take the game over.
Guest
2:16
Do you think the Steelers will resign JuJu smith-schuster?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I think they would like to, but there could be major complications with the cap.
STOP THE STEAL!
2:17
There is zero doubt that the O-line is best in the league at pass protection... Any chance of bringing Munch in for a run block clinic with the current staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Absolutely, I'm sure the Broncos will sign off on that.
Utah Jim
2:17
Conner seems more effective running behind someone like a pulling guard. The Steelers appeared to be doing more of that earlier in the season and it was working. Why did they stop or am I wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
They've continued to pull their guards and without much success in recent weeks.
@TheHitMan
2:18
Just finished watching the ALL 22 and, jeez laweese, do we need a MAJOR talent upgrade at the RB position. For the layman fan, our running game issues may appear attributable to poor OL play and running game schema.... but the video proves otherwise. Why did we not address the RB position in the draft and/or the FA market!?!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Well, they got Chase Claypool in the second round, and they did address the position in the fourth round when they took Anthony McFarland. If Conner is not re-signed they might have to get a RB with something higher than a fourth-round pick.
vaSteeFan
2:19
Hi Ray, thanks for your time. I know the O-line is jointly responsible for boosting the running game, but shouldn't we see more Benny Snell and MacFarland? It's not like Connor is lighting it up out there.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I'd rather see McFarland because he has more big-play ability.
@EdLev
2:20
Any thoughts on the Steelers gameday fan experience this year? I was REALLY t'd off to find out that the Steelers are not serving serving jalapeño's on nachos at their concession stands this year. They are blaming COVID, but it feels like basic cost cutting to me. It is more important than EVER to ensure a safe AND fun gameday experience! Ugh!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
BRING BACK THE JALAPENOS!
steve
2:20
Thnx for the chats Ray. Conner doesn't seem to have the speed to run outside the tackles. Is it him or are the runs designed to go that way?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
The runs are definitely designed to go outside. They're not working for a variety of reasons, but I agree that Conner's speed to the corner has not been readily evident over the past month or so.
Yates
2:22
There appear to be a few positions that coaches are still sorting through pecking order.  Examples - WR4 vs. WR5 and dime linebacker.  How do you see the pecking order for these 2 positions and/or what are the key variables that come into play based on opponent?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Tomlin said he is living "w3eek to week" when he was asked about Marcus Allen and the dime LB position today. I did find it interesting that Roethlisberger said after the game that he was fighting for more snaps for James Washington. He's probably been under-utilized in recent weeks and that was Ben's way of recognizing him and his contributions. When he is targeted he tends to come through.
Justin
2:23
Not really a Steeler question per se, but why would the Bengals try a fake punt down by 29 only to kick a meaningless field goal?  Made no sense to me.  Thoughts?
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