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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.20.17
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Yinzer in Germany
2:43
In your opinion, is Bud Dupree playing well enough so that the Steelers will go for the 5 year option?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Tough call for me right now. I think the fifth year option for him is in the range of $9 million for one season. That's a lot of money. Dupree has played OK this season. Not great though.
Steeler_in_VZ
2:44
Hello Ray. Longtime reader; 1st question: What are, in your opinion, the probabilities of having some of next games flex-out (GB, @CIN) or flex-in (NE) prime-time (8:30 pm)? Any notices on Joe Haden's timetable to be back? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Green Bay and New England games will remain in their original time slots. Cincy too. The only one that can be flexed out is the Ravens game.
Al in Nj
2:45
The remaining games on the Jaguars' schedule all look winnable. If the Steelers lose a game to NE or anyone else, that lose to Jacksonville could end up costing them more than just their pride. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:46
You are right. But I will point out that the Jags have to play Seattle (at home) and the Titans (on the road). And they already lost to the Titans 37-19 earlier in the season.
Ben O
2:46
what did you think about the steelers running the no-run, all pass offense against Dick LeBeau? Follow up, if they know that is how to beat their defense, why do they keep doing the same thing against Tom Brady?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
They've done the same thing vs. Brady because they didn;t always feel like they had the personnel to match up with the Pats man-to-man. That might be different this season, if Haden plays in that game. They might try it even if Haden doesn't play.
CBS protected that game a while back. It's not moving.
Sheff
2:47
Does CBS want to keep the Steelers Pats in the 4pm slot or could it be flexed?  Also are there rules against one team having too many prime time games?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Question to previous answer.
Guest
2:48
It's pretty clear from the questions that we fans have a complex --
insecurity, fixation -- about the Patriots. Do the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:49
Wouldn't say it's a fixation, but they know the Pats have stood in front of them in years past. They'd like to end that. But I wouldn't say it's similar to any fan reaction.
wood rodson
2:50
I say the only hope is another team knocks the Pats out of the playoffs. Brady and BB eat up the Steelers 3-4 zone D. The Steelers coaching staff has shown it can't match wits with BB and adjust. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
That happened in 2005 and 2008 and 2010, the most past three Super Bowl trips for the Steelers. Denver beat the Pats in 2005, the Pats didn't make the playoffs in 2008 because Brady missed 15 games and the Jets knocked off the top-seeded Pats in 2010. So I see where you are coming from. But I also think it would be sweeter for the Steelers if they could exorcise those demons on the field against the team that's been their nemesis.
Guest
2:52
I noticed that the Patriots have nothing but divisional games left, except for the Steelers. I don't know what that means, but it just seemed weird.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
It means they play Buffalo twice, which means those two games are in the bag. The Bills are fading fast.
JamesinNYC
2:52
Hayward and the line more important to besting Brady than the OLB?  Generally he hates pressure up the middle right?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Correct. The Falcons did a great job of rushing inside in the first half of the Super Bowl. That one DT had three sacks. Might have been MVP if not for the Brady comeback, or as  I call it, the Shanahan implosion.
Sheff
2:54
The worst thing about the Pats is we likely have to beat them twice at home or once on the road.  Honestly, I don't see one being easier or harder.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:54
Don't know what will happen, but from a writer's perspective the best storyline is losing to them at home in December and then winning there in January to advance to the Super Bowl. I know the odds are steeper in that scenario, but that'd be one heck of a story.
2:55
Thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll do it again next week after the Green Bay game.
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