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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.20.17
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FrankZ
2:16
What's all the fuss about how to beat the Patriots and Tom Brady in Dec.  Seems we have the defensive players on board to do it. Perhaps D.C. Keith Butler can develop a scheme to take Brady's rhythm out early in the game. Like 3-4 sacks. Ray, possible?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Sure it's possible. The most important players in that game will be Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt because getting an inside pass rush against Brady is vital. He doens't like having rushers at his feet.
JerseySteel
2:17
Hi Ray - while I think he is doing it for the wrong reasons, I think Jerry Jones is bringing to light some issues with Goodell and it is good to challenge his reign. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Jerry Jones isn't going to win that battle. The owners are expected to sign him to a new contract with or without Jones' blessing. Goodell might be getting some bad P.R. because of the stuff that was leaked about his demands, but the other 31 owners aren't going to listen to Jones on this matter. He's whining about the Zeke Elliott suspension. Meanwhile, two of the highest profile teams in the NFL went through similar things. There was Deflategate with the Kraft family in New England and there was the Roethlisberger suspension in 2010 without any charges being filed. Both families went along with the suspensions. They might have disagreed with them, but they didn't threaten lawsuits or try to overthrow Goodell because of them.
Hendershot
2:20
Ray, 1st time questioner. Please tell me the Steelers coaching staff know's what it takes defensively to beat the New England Patriots?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I think they have an idea of what it takes. A few teams have been successful against him. So there is a blueprint. Do the Steelers have the personnel to pull it off? And can they execute the game plan? That's to be determined.
SCKID
2:21
Is Bud Dupree becoming another Jarvis Jones?  Seems at this point in the season it is looking very difficult to give him any big extension.  I personally feel we should play more Chickillo and Moats on that side during the game.  Any thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Dupree hasn't had a great year by any means, but I wouldn't necessarily compare him to Jarvis Jones. He is more productive than Jones. Maybe not as productive as a first-rounder should be, but still more productive than Jones was for the Steelers. As for picking up his fifth-year option, that's no slam dunk at this point. Will be an interesting offseason decision for the front office.
Hulderman
2:23
Do you ever get the impression the offense is laying in wait, and is going to pounce in the playoffs? I feel like a lot of the chatter has been by design to make outsiders think we are in shambles.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
Believe me, that's not the case. You have to win as many games as possible during the regular season to get the best possible seed in the playoffs. No one is "lying in wait". Realistically, the Steelers could be anywhere from the 1 seed to the 3 seed. I don't think they'll be 4 or lower. And we might not know what seed they'll be until the final weekend of the regular season. Have you seen the schedules of the Pats and Jaguars? Not all that difficult.
So Cal Steeler Fan
2:25
Hi Ray....in your view, is there much drop off when Golden or Wilcox play in Mitchell's absence?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
The Titans hit  on two big plays down the middle of the field in the second half. Coty Sensabaugh gave up the 75-yarder, but he said the Titans coaches schemed that up pretty well to take advantage of a tendency in Steelers coverage. So not sure if that was Sensabaugh's fault or Golden's fault. Certainly, they could use Mitchell when he returns from injury. There is a reason he's been a starter from the time he arrived here in 2014. They like him.
Chify
2:27
Seems like TJ Watt and Dupree aren't getting as much pressure as earlier in the year but Heyward and Tuitt are getting more.  Is that scheme or just who is playing better?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Not necessarily the scheme although Watt and Dupree drop into coverage every so often. But you're right. The OLBs haven't gotten consistent pressure in the past few weeks.
FreeTankCarter
2:29
Is there anything different about this years team that makes you think they can beat NE in the playoffs?  A lot to like about this team, but they haven't really faced any great QB's.  Not sure if I can take another embarrassing loss to NE in January.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
The pass defense is better. Will it be good enough to beat Brady? We'll find out in a few weeks. The pass rush has been better, too. They're healthier now than when they played them in the playoffs. That will be a big part of this.
412 in the DMV
2:30
Why do the Steelers never run a QB sneak on short yardage?  Every other team uses it at a 99% success rate.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
The Steelers don't like to subject their QB to what they feel are unnecessary hits.
Steeler4life
2:31
I think this is the 3rd time Justin Hunter has been moved off Practice Squad how does his pay scale work being on and off all the time.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Practice squad players earn a weekly salary. So nothing is guaranteed beyond a week a time. If you're on the p squad you make a decent amount of money (over $100,000) if you;re on there for the entire year. But it's not guaranteed. They can move you on and off as they wish as Justin Hunter has found out.
SB or Bust
2:32
Any possibility the Packers game is close for the Steelers?  Unless Ben throws 5INT's, I just can't see it - but again I thought that about the Bears game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
It's at home and in primetime, when the Steelers almost always win. I can't see it, but this is the Steelers we're talking about. We know their history in these types of games. Remember the 2014 Bucs became to Heinz Field and won. Anything is possible.
JohnK
2:34
I see the Pats being better than the Steelers and the Eagles being better than the Pats.  You?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:34
Time will tell. That's why they play out the season. I think the Pats are better than the Steelers right now but they'll have to prove it on the field in December and maybe in January, too.
DWA
2:35
I think this team is built for no huddle offense, whether they like it or not, it's a strength and should be used until someone can figure out how to stop it. Do you think running the no huddle can fix the redzone issues?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Not completely, but it might help down there. If you like matchups as you're driving down the field you can stay in the no huddle to keep the personnel the same.
jim
2:36
I am extremely worried about Brady, this team gives up way too many big plays and I think Brady will exploit that. Do you think we have the ability to tighten up the ship before then?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
Sure. If Joe Haden comes back for that game that'd be a big help too.
WPASTEEL
2:37
Defensive has definitely improved this year but the tackling has been horrible. Worst I can remember. Any thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
The tackling has not been good. It's hard to practice now with the new practice rules that are designed to limit contact in practices. I know the Steelers are bad tackles, but a lot of other teams are, too. I think the inability to truly practice tackling is a big issue.
Kevin in Punxsy
2:38
I hope that Joe Haden is available and ready to play against the Pats. Do you think this is possible?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Possible? Yes. Likely? Well, that's another story. I think he's a longshot to play in that game, but I do think he'll be back this season.
Boborino
2:39
Has the offense finally turned the corner, Ray?They looked great for the last six quarters of ball.  BTW they will have to be all that and more to beat the Pats in January.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
I need to see more than six quarters. But the Tennessee game was a good start.
jim
2:40
Paul Ziese says that the rest of the teams in the AFC aren't in the same league as Steelers and Pats. I say our record says different since losing to the Bears and Jags. Isn't it this type of thinking that leads the Steelers to overlook teams?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
I would include the Jaguars with the Steelers and Pats. Their defense is legit. Not saying they're better than the Pats or even the Steelers, but I think they'd be a difficult matchup in the playoffs because of their defense.
Infantile Grisnile
2:41
I would think the key to beating NE would be to hit Brady early and often?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
And pick him off and keep him out of the end zone...
Coachjpat
2:41
Looking at the schedule - I don’t see the Patriots losing a game beside the Steelers game. Do you feel the way things are setting up the Steelers will need to win out for the #1 seed.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:42
Yes, it's looking that way. They might be able to lose only one and still get the 2 seed. Jacksonville's schedule is rather easy, too.
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