JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.17.20

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.17.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:24

Zac Taylor is a young coach. Maybe he doesn't know any better. But that's kind of a bush league move.

Joe

2:24

Are the running game problems primarily related to the offensive line execution, James Conner, or coaching strategy? It sounds like Tomlin thinks it’s the former, but I see a lot of designed runs to run at or outside the tackle by a back (Conner) who’s pretty slow comparatively and dances a lot without hitting any holes quickly. Why not try Snell and McFarland more if they want to start the run parallel to the line and just design north-south runs for Conner?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

It's a combination of all those things you mentioned. I'm looking forward to seeing the changes this week, but this Jaguars secondary is bad, and the Steelers should take advantage of it.

Cain-Arkansas

2:27

Ray is it time to give McFarland or Snell more reps are RB? We will need a strong Run Game come playoff time because if we play KC whomever wins T.O.P will win the game

Ray Fittipaldo

2:27

Tomlin said today he is committed to Conner as his starter. We'll see if that was the dreaded vote of confidence or whether he truly believes Conner is still the guy to be the lead runner in this offense.

'Double Divot Dewey'

2:28

Thanx for the chats Ray.........do you think that the running game can be fixed with the personnel the Steelers now have on the team? Is it mainly the blocking schemes? A third and one or two seems like it should be successful 80% of the time.......what do you think?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:29

I think they have to call more inside, quick-hitting runs and forget about some of the outside concepts they've been running because they're not working.

TominPunta Gorda

2:29

Hi Ray, a couple weeks ago Mondeaux looked good at fullback. Maybe the should use him in 3rd & short more often.Anything to help the run game.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:29

Derek Watt is healthy now so he's the fullback.

STOP THE STEAL!

2:30

What's the travel sched to hot n humid Florida & is hydration being emphasised more this week?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:30

Two waters and a gatorade.

George in OKC

2:30

Morning Ray! Do you think the Bengals stacking the box to stop the run had something to do with the wind? Forcing Ben to stand in the pocket and sling the ball against a poor secondary doesn’t seem like a very intelligent game plan.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:31

Tomlin hypothesized today the game plan was implemented because they wanted to see where Roethlisberger was after a week of no practices. But after Roethlisberger threw for 250 on them in the first half you'd think they'd make some changes.

Donna

2:32

Hi Ray..Coach Tomlin said that Chris Wormley injury has healed. Do you anticipate him getting a helmet this week andsignificant playing time as long as he is healthy? Thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:32

Tomlin indicated that would be the case.

Ike Yinzer

2:32

Hey Ray, I saw Avery play some downs and I wasn't encouraged at all. Lack of practice with the team or that's pretty much what you get with him?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:33

I didn't see him get in until late in the game so I certainly wouldn't judge him on those meaningless snaps.

Tunch

2:33

Which linemen are performing the worst in terms of run blocking? Appears to be Chuks and Pouncey?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

You could have listed all five of them and I wouldn't have argued with you.

Tunch

2:34

If you had to choose, do you like Feiler better at guard or tackle?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

I think he played better at tackle, but I acknowledge he took one for the team by moving to guard.

Marcus Allen

2:35

Any thoughts on how I fared out there? What does it say that I got playing time in front of Avery?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

It says they view Avery as more of a two-down LB, which is what everyone kind of knew anyway.

MjB

2:35

I always read the opponent's city newspapers the day after the game to get a feel for how they viewed the game. The overwhelming content seemed to be focused on late hits on their rookie QB, who by the way, took the high road. I saw very little of the game. Were there a bunch of late hits, or is that how you sell newspapers in a town that has to claim the Bengals as their team?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:36

I didn't notice any late hits to be honest with you.

Jeff

2:36

Is Feiler at risk of losing his job to Dotson? i agree with your comment about pulling well early in the season but he seemed to really get pushed around last game. Do you think he has a short leash?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

As I mentioned earlier, coaches don't like to make changes when it requires two players moving. And I believe this would require Feiler going back to RT and Dotson moving to left guard. I don't see them benching Feiler entirely.

Pittsburgh Uncle

2:37

Ray: will Derek Watt be back this week? Could help on the running game.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:38

He played fullback and special teams versus the Bengals. In fact, he had the first hit and stood up the punt returner when he fumbled early in the game.

DaquidoBazzini

2:38

Hi Ray....What’s happened to Jaylen Samuels. I thought he had a nice rookie year, but has been called on little since,

Ray Fittipaldo

2:39

He's more of a pass catcher out of the backfield than a pure runner, and they're not even using him as a pass catcher. He's pretty far down on the depth chart.

WPASTEEL

2:39

No one seems to think that not having Devin Bush is the biggest reason the run defense has slacked big time. You never mentioned it on the 1st question and I have seen other writers not mention it as well. I think its the biggest reason! Any after thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

Yes I agree with you, but they did a nice job against Derrick Henry and the Titans. That was the first game without Bush. Spliiane made his first start. Bush is definitely missed.

Guest

2:41

Ray, lots of folks, including Ben, are concerned about Ben's deep game but have you ever seen Ben have a better short (under 30) game?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

He's been very good with the throw-it-short, run-it-long concepts they're using on offense. And, by the way, that deep ball to Diontae Johnson was pretty darn good the other day.

Lambert Lunatic

2:42

Hey Ray, I’m an eternal optimist, but let’s be real. Some at the PG have mentioned this line is BUILT TO PROTECT BEN, so they’re not going to match up well against a good run-stopping D-line. That’s also why Ben rarely gets sacked. I get worn down suggesting we have to run better. Why take something that’s an embedded weakness and try to turn it around mid-season? Why not keep playing to our strengths, win games, and be good with that? This line does get great matchups sometimes in the run game, and when that happens, coaches take advantage. When they don’t, Ben takes over and we usually win.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:43

Because at some point you're going to need to get a yard like the Baltimore game, like the Dallas game. They've been fortunate to win some of these games without a good running game. I like that Tomlin is acknowledging the problem and attempting to fix it. I'm not convinced he can, but I think he's right to have a sense of urgency about it.

STOP THE STEAL!

2:44

I thought he left the NFL/Broncos my bad.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

Last I heard Munchak was on the COVID list in Denver.

STOP THE STEAL!

2:45

I'd like to see Ray Ray get the ball in space on a 5-7 yard slant rather than the ineffective sweeps.

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