JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.24.21

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.24.21

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Ray Fittipaldo

12:30

What's the use of cutting him now? You cut high-priced guys in the offseason so you can use the funds on another player. They can cut him next and save some $, but they'll have to take a significant dead-cap hit in the process. Seems like a good bet right now they'll do that.

Doug

12:30

Ray. I love Najee toughness but at times does he look slow? I’d love for him to make someone miss past line of scrimmage. I know many are not blocked up but I haven’t seen a lot of juice like you see from even a guy like Joe Mixon

Ray Fittipaldo

12:31

He's still learning. I think the explosive runs will come. But remember, Le'Veon Bell wasn't a big home-run threat, either. And he was one of the top backs in the league when he played for the Steelers.

12:32

Wow, you really think they'll cut Tuitt loose this offseason?1

Ray Fittipaldo

12:32

I think it's a good possibility. Only one year left on his contract.

Chris

12:32

Have you been following the OLB we cut (Roche, Jones)? After seeing this ragtag defense wondering if we’re having remorse.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:34

I haven't all that much. Heard he's doing OK. I think the fan base is getting Tuzar Skipper Syndrome. Let's all take a breath and realize we're talking about a sixth-round pick who has yet to assert himself in the NFL.

12:34

If they cut him loose, who would replace Tuitt? Alualu, Loudermilk?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:34

Bring Alualu back for the final season of his deal. Insert Loudermilk as the starter and draft one in the first or second round.

MrSamsonite

12:35

Hi Ray. It was nice to see Derek Watt lined up at fullback on a short yardage play that resulted in a TD. Any chance we’ll see more of that in the future?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:35

God I hope so. I've had enough of the jet sweeps on the goal line.

Buzzard Bill

12:35

Hi Ray, I'm still shocked over the poor defensive play against the Chargers. The play that sticks out in my mind was of Cam running down the field to tackle Herbert on the 10 yard line with no defensive back in site. It was almost comical if not so disappointing. Don't you agree?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:35

They were playing with a lot of backups and reserves. I wasn't expecting them to play all that well.

Lloyd's 3-Count

12:36

In some ways, Bush's struggles are to be expected after ACL surgery and COVID protocols. What I can't understand is why Schobert has struggled as much as he has, for as long as he has. Can you take a guess as to main culprits to his fall-off in production from previous years?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:37

Maybe because he's playing in a new defense and a fifth defense in six years? Shouldn't be an excuse because the Steelers talked him up as a sharp guy who can handle that aspect of the process. And maybe he's just getting older and slowing down.

Ralp Kiner

12:38

Ray Last week we lost because the Bears "tricked us' by using their coach as a play caller. This time Mike said he made the mistake of going with 7 db's. Will AR be content to retain a coach who cannot alter a game plan on Sunday afternoon? Don't any of you press conference attendees ever inquire ? Am I asking too much of MT?? As always, I appreciate your work.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:40

Art II isn't available in-season very much. He usually talks after the season ends and at the owner's meetings. Tomlin serves as the team spokesperson during the season. It kind of always been that way.

Renaldo

12:40

Ray, it seems to me that the offensive coordinator has two responsibilities, designing and scheming plays for the offense, and then calling plays on game day. Would it be fair to say that Canada has put in some good stuff, but his game day calling is not up to par?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:41

I would definitely say his play calling on game days has received some just criticism.

76steelers

12:41

Happy Thanksgiving. When the backup quarterbacks get practice reps,do they run plays based on their skill set and the matchups created by their skills, or do they runs plays and formations based on the starter's skill sets ?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:41

The offense basically stays the same although there will be certain plays the backups are more comfortable with and some adjustments are made with that on the fly.

Jimbo

12:42

Shouldn't we all take a deep breath and realize that this is just an average team? They have holes at QB, OL, DL, ILB, and in the secondary. A losing season wouldn't be so bad. In fact, it would allow them to get a higher draft pick to get top rookies, then add talent with their cap space in FA.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:43

What's the fun in that? They're squarely in playoff contention in an absolutely wide open AFC. Will it be an uphill battle? For sure. But it's a heck of a lot better than being the Jets or Jaguars and selecting at the top of the draft every year.

Bernard

12:43

If Ben returns for another season how does that impact their draft or free agency plans this offseason, if at all?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:43

It would merely mean they can address OL, DL and DB in the first few rounds instead of maybe drafting a QB in Round 1.

Ron

12:44

Rewind to the tie against Detroit. You have a more mobile QB in Mason. You have a rookie center whose snaps have been off. It’s raining, and you have a mudder of a 240 lb back with at least two tight ends that can block. Why go shotgun all the time? In the next game, they are going shot gun on first and goal from the five.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:45

You do know Mason Rudolph never operated under center at Oklahoma State, right? Or almost never. Can probably count the number of times on one hand. It's not just Mason. It's an epidemic at all levels of football. Many QBs come up without having done it, aren't forced to do it in college, either so it's an issue in the NFL.

Bernard

12:45

How much better does Green have to get from a fundamentals and strength perspective to offset his obvious size limitations. It seems bleak early unfortunately.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:46

He has a long way to go with his run-blocking.

Bernard

12:46

Does Baker Mayfield, given what you've seen of him thus far, have the makings of a varsity NFL QB?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:46

No, Uncle Junior, he doesn't have the makings of a varsity athlete.

Marvin

12:47

James Washington just can't seem to get on the field, looks, etc. Is he really a fourth option

Ray Fittipaldo

12:47

Not looking like one right now. Has had an opportunity with Smith-Schuster out of the lineup and really hasn't taken advantage.

Bernard

12:47

Which player(s) on the OL have the most upside? How aggressively do they have to address this group in the draft or free agency?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:48

I take a tackle high. You can get a good starting guard in the second or third round.

Bill in SF

12:49

Thanks for the response. I wasn't really talking about no- huddle stats, though. I was talking about the critical last 2 possessions. But to put it in stat form, 7 plays, -14 yards total.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:49

I have been highly critical of the possession after they stopped the Chargers on downs. They get the ball on the 34 with 3:43 on the clock, and they throw it three straight times. It was idiotic.

Marvin

12:49

They shut down the vaulted Cleveland running g game and get gashed by the lions, Seahawks and chargers. What's up

Ray Fittipaldo

12:50

Two-thirds of their starting defensive line is on IR and the ILBs have underperformed.

Bernard

12:50

Have a great holiday and thank you for the chats, always great!

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