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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.18.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:54
I do believe that's the case. I think he had six in the previous two games against them.
Dave Moody
10:55
I've been a Steelers fan since 1975, that's a lot of football, and out of all the teams I've witnessed in those 50 years of watching them,  this team is the one I trust the least. They're too inconsistent, too incohesive, and too incapable of stringing together consitant, complementary football.  Everything seems to be at fault: Coaching, effort, timing, preparation, and execution. Am I wrong, or are you seeing the same things I am? I  still love 'em, but this team is special for all the wrong reasons.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
They are very inconsistent, but I don't know if it's the most inconsistent team I've seen in the last 50 years. I'm not even sure it's the most inconsistent team I've covered, and I've been on the beat since 2012.
J D
10:56
Ray,  will Rodgers play this week or will he be out for an extended time?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
Mike Tomlin is doing his presser at noon so we might get an update then.
AK
10:57
For the fans who are so eager to declare Steelers' draft picks as busts, what is a reasonable time period to evaluate for such a judgement?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
I'm of the opinion only first or maybe second-rounders can be busts. Just too much projecting if you go any deeper into the rounds of the draft. For a first-round pick, if he's not getting it by the middle of his second season or definitely by his third season then he's definitely trending toward being a bust.
AK
10:59
Pierre has played better than Slay this season, hasn't he?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
In the short sample size we have? Yes for sure.
Tom
10:59
Granted seeing Washington rumble through defenders is awesome, but isn't the point to get to the end zone? Yes, the defender flew 3 yards but you were both out if bounds. That is a win for the flying guy, right? Understandably there is a lot of "preserving your body" in the NFL, but confoundingly also a lot of "pay me the most."
Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
He was toeing the sideline before he bowled over the final defender. I would argue he actually did a great job of staying in bounds on that play. He was bracing for contact with the second defender. What that guy shied away from contact he managed to keep his balance and stay in bounds. Watching that play live or on replay I never once thought he could have cut it back and got more yards.
TXSteeler
11:01
Ben S, who is a good football player but not good receiver, has one catch this year. It is occupy when he’s in the game they are running or running a play were he is designed as a decoy/screen blocker. It’s a clear tip to the defense. Why does he keep getting offensive snaps?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Until they spring him for another big play like they did in the opener against the Jets. I'm sure they're setting something up to break their tendencies.
TVC15
11:02
Hi Ray,  Can the Steelers fend off the Ravens for the division title?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:03
If they sweep the Ravens my prediction is they'll win the division. If they split with them I think it might come down to tiebreakers.
KJ
11:03
Watching George Pickens this season and, in particular, last night makes me wonder if the Steelers truly understood how to use the guy. I know he was a negative presence here and showed very little maturity, but is my perspective correct? Because I feel the same about the usage of Metcalf and Freiermuth...
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
He's been trouble in Dallas too. He did not start the game last night for disciplinary reasons. He's not going to work out anywhere over the long term. He'll sabotage himself at some point.
Rich in Hawaii
11:05
Aloha Ray. Mason did a good job Sunday, but I find the talk of him being a better option than AR vastly premature and ridiculous. People forget he’s the same QB who got sent to the bench by Duck, couldn’t beat an 0-7 team when called upon in ‘21, nor moved the needle in his Playoff appearance or in his year in TN. I’m glad he’s back as he is a very good back up and a stand up guy, but can’t we just hope that AR can get back in the huddle as soon as feasible with this hand issue? Despite his recent struggles, if the Steelers have any shot to succeed in the playoffs or even get there, it’s with the future HOFer in the pocket, not the fan favorite backup. But Mason should be good to keep the offense steady temporarily.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
He's not the same QB he was in 2019 when he was in his second season. He's much better. I'm not one of those people who believe he should start either, but I believe he can help you win if Rodgers is out for any period of time.
Joe
11:07
Even after the game Pickens had last night I'm happy that they traded him..sometimes talent isn't enough. Eventually I think he would have had issues with Metcalf and would self destruct..plus who knows maybe we get a reciever next year in draft who is as good  or close..you agree
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
I agree.
Tampa Too
11:07
Ray. I thought that Rudolph looked better in the pocket than Rogers did this past weekend. What are your thoughts on that and should Rudolph start the next game?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
I would agree with that. Rudolph has a lot of poise in the pocket and is willing to stand in there.
Ty Hink
11:08
Ray, dugger is awesome and seems like he fits in very well here. Why do you think the pats let him go for almost nothing?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
Vrabel did not think Dugger or Peppers fit his defense. It happens. He's done a nice job for the Steelers since he arrived.
The Ghost of Noll
11:09
Would you agree that the Steelers could use a RB with enough speed to break the long run?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
Any team could use that. Overall, though, I like this RB room. They are versatile, have elusiveness in the open field ad run hard. What's not to like?
11:12
10 might get it done. The Ravens still have to play the Patriots and Packers and of course the Steelers twice.
AK
11:13
It seems to me if the team is going to get rid of a TE in the offseason, Smith is the obvious choice.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
And yet he continues to play more than Freiermuth in most games. He did again against the Bengals. In 35 snaps, he had two targets and no catches. I'm not sure why he plays so much when he doesn't produce numbers for the offense.
steelmann58
11:14
hey ray do you think Pierre deserves to stay at CB even when slay comes back?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
He played well against the Bengals. I wouldn't take him out of the lineup.
J D
11:14
Ray, totally agree with your running back comment……they are a good tandem!
AK
11:14
Apparently, the Ghost of Noll missed Warren's 35 yard run?
@MatthewAlan6621
11:15
Trice playing this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
His 21-day window is closing soon so they'll have to make a decision to put him on the 53 or keep him on IR for the remainder of the season. I suppose you can never have enough corners, but I'm not sure where he fits in especially if they have plans for Asante Samuel.
AK
11:17
I don't understand why Smith plays so much either.  Freiermuth is way underused.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
I tend to agree.
Marvin P
11:18
Hello Ray.  Ramsey may not be a shutdown corner anymore but it seems he’s the emotional leader of the defense ala Porter, Sr.  Is he the teams most indispensable defensive player at this point of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
He's been excellent in his new role as a safety and he's been a good leader all season. The CB1 experiment did not work out great, but I still think he'd be good in the slot. Just a matter of whether the Steelers want to mess with the formula that is working at the moment.
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