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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.22.22
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Mentzer
1:55
Is William Jackson III still out with a back injury? Is he an upgrade to the corners we have?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
The Steelers are hoping he's an upgrade over the corners who are playing now. That's why they acquired him. However, he's on IR for at least two more weeks. The Steelers can start his 21-day window  to return after that.
doyle37
1:56
Will the Steelers be getting any compensation picks for the 2023 draft ?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
The Steelers are not projected to receive any comp picks in the 2023 draft. If you remember, they were quite active in free agency in the spring with the acquisitions of Mason Cole, James Daniels, Levi Wallace and others. Myles Jack does not county, by the way, because he was cut and then signed by the Steelers. Those signings are not calculated into the comp pick formula the NFL uses.
Jim
1:58
The defensive backs have been bad for years, everyone but the Steelers coaches and front office could see it, why haven't we rebuilt the CB situation through free agency?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
They did this year, sort of. Levi Wallace signed a two-year deal worth $9 million. Unless you want to spend $20 million a year or more on the top corners on the market those are the types of guys you're going to get.
Chicago Steel
2:00
Pickett seems to check all the necessary boxes to be a franchise QB except for arm strength. Does his arm strength concern you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
His arm strength and lack of accuracy on intermediate and deep routes concerns me too. Maybe that will improve as the chemistry with his receivers and tight ends gets better, but he's not very good in that area now.
Guest
2:01
Hey Ray.  Can you fit 8 pounds in a 5 pound bag?  In all seriousness, can anyone in the press conference room translate what he says?  Why does he try to talk in riddles?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
That was a new one. Back in my day, the 10 pounds in a 9-pound bag reference was aimed at, um, let's say husky players who didn't look the part in uniform. "He looks like 10 pounds of $*** in a 9-pound bag."
Guest
2:03
Ray, last years Super Bowl champs are now tied with the Steelers and six other teams for the second pick in next years draft. How does that happen?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Super Bowl hangover, injuries, first-place schedule. If the Rams and Bengals both miss the playoffs -- and that could happen given the Bengal's schedule down the stretch -- it will be the first time since 2016 when the previous year's Super Bowl participants did not make the playoffs. The Broncos and Panthers did not qualify for the postseason after they met in Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.
Jim
2:05
The trade up for Isaiahh Loudermilk looked bad when it was made and looks worse now, agree? Where is he?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
The sidelines. I tend to agree with you. He had an injury in camp and hasn't been able to move past Chris Wormley or anyone on that depth chart. Maybe we should have seen this coming when they spent $10 million on Larry Ogunjobi only hours after Stephon Tuitt retired. That should have signaled what they thought of Loudermilk -- at least at this point in his career. Maybe he'll get better. I remember when Kevin Colbert drafted him he said one of the biggest reasons was his size. He is a big human being. But you have to be able to impact games when you play, and apparently he hasn't done that enough to the coach's liking.
Mentzer
2:07
After having a future hall of fame quarterback it's tough to watch a rookie play. Do you think Pickett has what it takes to be a playoff caliber quarterback or is his ceiling to low for that?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He's only six games into his career. There will be plenty of time to talk about that next year. I will say this: he's not making enough plays to help this team win. Maybe that will change as his experience grows or as the team surrounds him with better players. But it's definitely not happening now. There has been virtually no difference between Pickett and Mitch Trubisky when you look at their stats and effectiveness moving the team.
Jim
2:09
In hindsight should we have moved on from Colbert sooner? This team is fatally flawed with a lack of talented depth.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Not a great final few years for Colbert, but he was excellent for the 16-18 years before that. Plus, you have to factor in the dip in the salary cap due to COVID. That really hurt the Steelers because of the way they structured their contracts. And there were some retirements that maybe caught him off guard. I'm talking about Pouncey and DeCastro. That doesn't mean he's given a pass. I've long argued they should have rebuilt the line sooner, but there were some circumstances that could explain why they didn't do it earlier.
Yates
2:11
Hi Ray -  What DB package was most exploited this past Sunday?   Would Sutton in slot and Pierre on field be better option than Maulet?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
In hindsight, yes. Maulet gave up a lot of catches in the game.
Mentzer
2:12
Do you think TJ is still getting his feet under him after being out so long? They only used one guy on him most times and he really looked winded sometimes.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
He missed almost two months. I would imagine he is.
doyle37
2:12
Shouldn't #18 be a slot receiver instead of the #1 WR ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
He doesn't have to play the slot, but I think George Pickens has more No. 1 receiver qualities and should be that guy in time.
DALTER
2:13
Hi Ray,  Just wondering why the Steelers can't make adjustments after half time and also the running game seems to be getting better, so why not try to run the ball more to  keep the clock more on our side??  The longer we keep the ball the less time for the opponent to score. I just think game management stinks!!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
You hit the nail on the head there in regards to Matt Canada's play calling coming out of halftime. Shorten the game, play keep away from Joe Burrow. He gets too cute. He thinks he's coordinating a college offense, and he's going to fool people with window dressing. He isn't fooling anyone.
Jim
2:14
There is talk of how Cincy schemed Higgins open, is that what a real OC does? Wouldn't know because we don't have one. Should Tomlin be held accountable for his ridiculous choice to bring back Canada?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Accountable? Not sure what that means. If you mean being fired. No. That won't happen. But if you mean some oversight on the choice of his next OC then 100% yes.
Mentzer
2:15
If you were the defensive coordinator Sunday would you have double covered Higgins? He was seemingly always open.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Yes, especially after he hurt them. I think they missed an opportunity to make an in-game adjustment. They seemed more concerned about taking Tyler Boyd out of the game, which they did until late in the game when he made a few plays to help the Bengals win.
Yates
2:16
Ray-  What was fan engagement level in first half of the last game?  Attendance level?  Will fan behavior impact how much of an overhaul Rooney demands this off season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I thought the crowd was very good in the first half. The announced crowd was 66,000 in paid tickets but probably more like 60,000 in attendance. Those that showed up cheered loudly in the first half and then directed their anger toward Matt Canada in the second half.
Thomas
2:17
When can Leal be back?   Would like to see more of him down the stretch.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
He can return anytime now. He's in his window to return. He was good early in the season before he was injured.
Kris
2:18
Good day and thank you for your time Sir!
After 1.5 seasons the players give some input to the OC on plays they think will work and suddenly some plays start working... Same as last year when Ben ran his own plays...
Seems like a great offensive design but no idea on how to implement it...
You?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Great offensive design?
Kris
2:19
That contract for D. Johnson sure is looking like a bad one... Any chance they can get a bottle of ketchup for him after the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Who's taking on $36 million in salary over a two-year period for a guy who hasn't caught a touchdown 10 games into the season?
Guest
2:20
It seems by halftime the opposition has figured out the Steelers offense and defense.
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