JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.18.24

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.18.24

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Darnell

2:29

Ray, admit it, I've shown more on the receiving end of the proverbial equation than you thought likely.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:30

Yes and you've done well when the opportunities have come your way. Shades of Eric Green the way you rumble down the middle.

BPOS

2:30

12 targets to Pickens, 4 targets to 3 other WRs. Why carry 6 WR's when you won't throw to them and why was there a big fat zero targets to Mike Williams.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:31

Skowronek is one of their best special-teams players so he's going to dress. They dressed Miller because Pruitt was down, and he only played seven snaps. It's hard to make an impact when you played that much and don't even get a target.

BPOS

2:32

Russ has to get the ball out quicker for sure, but man did it seem like there was a guy in his face instantaneously after the snap while Jackson could have written a novel with the time he had in the pocket. Ccan we expect any line improvements?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

Any improvements will come by those who are currently playing. Troy Fautanu could come back in the playoffs, but that's a long ways off. Broderick Jones is not going to the bench. Mike Tomlin made that abundantly clear after the game and again today at his news conference. He just has to get better. They're not making a move there. Dan Moore seems to be coming back down to earth a bit, and he faces another tough matchup on Thursday with Myles Garrett. I think getting the ball out quick should be a priority until the line proves it can play better.

Mike from NY

2:35

Hi Ray. Did Mike Williams even play yesterday? I was watching on a bar and never noticed him on the field. It's not like the other receivers were playing well

Ray Fittipaldo

2:36

He played 25 snaps and did not receive a target.

Guest

2:36

Is it concerning that Wilson was unapologetic when talking about that brutal almost game killing interception? I was thinking he would say, yea bonehead throw i won't do that again, but he said he was just trying to make a play? I get it, but not in that particular situation, just dumb.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

If he didn't realize it was a bad mistake then he surely will be told that by the coaches. Tomlin made it clear today Wilson made a bad decision.

Guest

2:39

What is wrong with the O-Line? Seems like pass protection will be a real issue come playoff time.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:39

They have seven weeks to get it straight. Maybe max protecting more is the answer. I know it will be this week with Garrett on the edge.

Steve!

2:40

Ray, Should the Steelers regularly use Fields inside the opponent’s 10?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

I wouldn't just limit it to goal-to-go situations, but yes I'd start there to see if he can be more effective in the red zone.

Jesse, Tarentum

2:41

Were you surprised hearing Tucker’s comments about the field? Obviously, the conditions didn’t bother Boswell. I think the field has held up well this year, particularly with Pitt and the Steelers playing at home over the weekend. Thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

Maybe Tucker should go find a team that plays in a dome. It's November in the north! Field conditions are not going to be great anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line. The conditions were worse in Washington by the way. A lot worse.

Guest

2:42

So we go out and get a legitimate #2 receiver, then don't use him? Any idea when we could see Williams get some targets?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:43

I think they have to play him more and play him more when Pickens is on the field. I didn't break that down, but it seems to me with two deep threats on the field the opposing defense would have to make some decisions, leaving Williams in 1-on-1 coverage or leaving the middle of the field open. That's the first adjustment I'd make this week assuming Williams knows the playbook and can be counted on from a mental standpoint.

steve

2:44

From the TV angle I saw it appeared that Washington could have have jumped and caught the ball that was intercepted in end zone. Was that the case? Was it a bad TV angle or did Washington just forget to jump?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

\Tomlin was asked about that today and put no blame on Washington. He simply said Wilson should not have thrown the ball there. In hindsight, yeah he should have jumped or tried to break up the pass, but he's a blocking tight end. He's not in that situation all that often.

Shane in Colrain

2:45

Did the Ravens bad DBs really lock down all of the WRs not named George? Or did Russ not have time to find them open?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

I'm leaning toward blaming the protection, but it's not a secret the receivers are lacking.

Shane in Colrain

2:46

Still a lack of targets for Muth. How do you explain this?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:48

I can't. They should target him more. Maybe they should play him more too. He only played 58% of the snaps. I get it He's not a great blocker, but maybe that's something they have to live with. He might get open more if he's out there in more running situations and they break some tendencies and throw.

Brian in NC

2:50

Thanks for doing these. Against a D that is at the bottom against the pass and near the top against the run… would you have passed more yesterday?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:50

Their identity is running and being physical. Their passing games goes off that.

Benson DuBois

2:50

Is Boswell the team MVP?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:51

You can't give the MVP to a kicker, but he's probably a close second behind Watt at this point of the season.

Turk in MD

2:52

I take back any criticism of Patrick Queen. He's a keeper. How good does Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen as our every down ILBs next year look?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:53

I wouldn't be so quick to discard Elandon Roberts. He's good in base and I'd bring him back for a couple of million. Wilson can play more than he does, but as long as he doesn't lose a step I think Roberts provides value to the team.

Sam

2:53

Love your post-game grades. Do you give better grades if they win?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:53

Not always, but it usually works out that way.

bwalker

2:53

This team has a riches of ST players. Killebrew, Dirty Red, Skow, and Patterson plus good FG, P, and LS. Don't remember it being this stacked in a long time.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:53

You are right. Their special-teams players are difference-makers.

Stash

2:54

Ray, do they fly to Cleveland or hit the pavement?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:54

They've always taken a bus to Cleveland and I don't think that changes for Thursday night games.

2:55

Ok thanks for participating in this week's chat. Back to my normal Tuesday time next week. Brian will chat with you tomorrow.

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