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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.19.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
lamberto
1:55
call it crazy but maybe just maybe the run game picks up with finney in there for the next 3 weeks??
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
The run game has excelled when Finney has played in the past, but most of those starts have come at guard, not center. It's a different position.
Goldstar
1:56
With all the WR injuries and Switz on IR, I'm surprised they didn't bring in an experienced guy who knows the offense like Eli Rogers - any insight into why he wasn't brought back?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
I'm guessing they think he's done. No one else has signed him either.
Tom88
1:57
Based on his play so far, do you feel Rudolph can be Ben's eventual replacement?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Too early to tell. Tough to evaluate him with no running game, with the young WRs learning on the job, etc. I know people want instant analysis, but I think we'd all be better off if we just let it play out.
Utah Jim
1:58
Is this the worst Steelers offense you have ever seen?  Maybe it's a case of recency bias, but I can't pick worse one over the last 45 years of following them.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Well, I did some research on that and... you'll have to wait until later in the week because I'm writing about that very subject. I don't want to scoop myself. But rest assured there have been offenses that have been worse than this one.
thomastown
2:00
There’s been a lot of talk that Bud’s performance is increasing his price tag too high for the Steelers. Doesn’t the opposite also apply to Juju and Conner? Doesn’t their performance this year lower their expected price tag from what it might have been at the start of the year when they were both coming off Pro Bowl seasons? With at in ind,
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
Yes, it does with JuJu. If he had another great season he would have been in position to sign a huge second contract. I still think the Steelers want to sign him, but he won't command top dollar. I never really thought they were going to sign Conner to a second contract.
NM Steeler
2:02
Hi Ray, does Boswell have a strong enough leg to kickoff deep into or out of the end zone? If so, could someone ask Coach Tomlin about the ineffective short kickoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
He does have the leg to kick into the end zone on most occasions. I know some of those short kicks are designed. I don't know how many, but many teams employ that strategy. They want to kick it high and short and let their players get down there so the returner doesn't get to the 25.
Ryan
2:03
If the Steelers dont make the playoffs do you think there will be any changes to any of the coordinators or staff? (Not Tomlin obviously) special teams coverage units have been poor and Fichtners playcalling leaves a lot to be desired (though I doubt he goes)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I highly doubt they'd make a change at coordinator. I don't think they want to start over with a new coordinator when Ben only has a couple of years left. This is his offense and he likes Randy. I do think you'll see Art Rooney II come out and make a statement such as we have to run the ball more effectively, or something like that. He's said similar things in the past, and I think he'd be well-served to say it again. I don't care how good the Steelers are with Ben when he's healthy. You need a good running game, and the Steelers don't have one.
AllanbTN
2:06
What is the most important change the Steelers could make on offense this coming Sunday to be more successful (or less awful)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Benny Snell? He's been cleared to practice. At this point, what would it hurt to give him 20 carries? No thing else has worked.
Ryan
2:06
Ray I think RB needs to be a priority in the draft need to take one in round 2 or 3 imo. Conner cant stay healthy and Samuels is more of a pass catcher than true everydown RB. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I think you might be onto something. They also should take an offensive lineman and maybe a WR with some of their early picks. This is supposed to be a great year for WRs. And we've seen what this offense looks like without Antonio Brown. If they can add another quality WR to the mix they should do it.
thomastown
2:08
Not sure if you saw it, but the “no pass interference” call on the pass to Hopkins in the Ravens game was totally ridiculous. Not sure if Riverton is still reviewing these, but don’t you think that person should be fired? Is there anything the owners can do to force Goodell doing something since they’re the ones ultimately responsible for this mess? It didn’t affect the final outcome of this game but if it continues, it likely will affect a significant game down the the road. Don’t they realize how much this makes them look like total fools?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I saw it. It's been that way all season. Calls you think will get overturned don't. It's a mess. The NFL should make a change there, but I doubt they will.
Jack Splat
2:09
Ray, With this current line up on offense how many of the remaining games can they win? Has to be the least talented side of the ball since Ben took over.  How do you see it?   Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Well, if JuJu and Diontae Johnson can make it back for the Cleveland game I think they can win that game. It's not like the Browns are a juggernaut. That was a one-score game in the fourth quarter until the bad INT by Rudolph that set up the Browns' third touchdown.
Matt P Venice FL
2:10
In 30 years following team, I do not ever recall us “poaching” anyone from other team’s practice squads, slight chance we found a Willie Parker (Whyte runs 4.3) and an Eli Rogers (Deon Cain)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
It doesn't happen often, but it demonstrates the dire straits they are in right now with all the injuries.
Mike in Portland
2:11
Ray, I feel like last Thursday could be a turning point for Mason.  Am I crazy to think that if he plays angry/with a chip after last weeks incident that he can turn a corner and lead this team on another win streak? Still waiting for it to "click".
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I don't necessarily correlate a QB playing angry to playing well. Can he use it as motivation? Sure. But I don't think getting too fired up for the next game is a good thing for a QB.
TXSteeler
2:12
Steelers worst in league on 3rd/4th & 1 (40% below league average, let alone the top). Has anyone bothered to ask Coach Tomlin or Fichtner about this?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Tomlin was asked several questions about it today. He said they can do some things to help the line, but sometimes it's just a matter of winning the battle with the guy in front of you. And too often the Steelers haven't done that this season.
Mark from L.A.
2:13
Ray, I though the fact that Garrett hit MR late, and was continuing to lay on him, gave MR sufficient cause to try to remove him.  And if that involved some grabbing at his helmet, so what?  I think a fine on him is not warranted.  It doesn't seem much attention is given to not only the late hit, but late hit and lay on you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I agree with you. He doesn't deserve to be fined. But the NFL apparently will.
Luke S
2:14
Why do You think thé offensive Line has performed so poorly This year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Great question. I think their collective age is showing. Some of those players simply are losing a step. It happens to everyone. I also think it's a line that was built to pass protect. The Steelers threw the ball more than any other team in the NFL last season. They planned to throw it as much this season until Ben got hurt. There are good pass protectors on this line, but I don't think there are very many good run blockers. I think they need to address that during the offseason.
DuckDynasty
2:17
Will the Duck get a fair shot at quarterbacking the Steelers if Rudolf does indeed gets a one game suspension ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Rudolph isn't getting suspended.
Steve in NC
2:17
Hi Ray, one of the most disturbing things i saw during the game (besides the weaponized helmet) was during the worst of all that fiasco, i saw Vance McDonald on the field just standing and watching about 10 yds away and then slowly meandering towards the PIT sideline, while most of PIT players were running in for support of their teammate.  Changes my opinion of him ALOT.  Wondering if you happened to notice that, and your take on McDonald's lack of action in this circumstance
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I'd have to go back and watch the video. I didn't notice that. I will say I want others doing what Maurkice Pouncey did if I'm coaching that team.
Lori
2:18
Ray we know the games have to be played and no game is easy .. however do you agree that Sunday is a most? Losing would mean season over realistically speaking .. losing to the worst team in the league..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
You're right. The Steelers probably don't recover if they lose that game.
Bob R
2:19
Ray, would it surprise you to see Garrett's suspension reduced on appeal? How about Pouncey's?
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