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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.25.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
Good morning. Let's get the chat started.
Carl in Carrick
10:32
Good morning Ray.  The problems with the Steelers offense and defense:  Are they a matter of scheme, coaching, players, combination of these?  Thanks.  Happy Thanksgiving.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
Happy Thanksgiving! I would say it's all of the above. When you hear players in the locker room talk about scheme and players not being put in good positions to succeed that's not a good thing. When you hear alumni such as James Harris refer to the defensive scheme as "trash" that's not a good thing. So yes, the coaches and their schemes play a big part in this. And I don't absolve the players of any blame in this mess. They have to be accountable too.
Barry in Md
10:34
Can players on the sidelines more specifically an inactive call time out. If yes why didn’t Roger’s do so when he saw the illegal formation. During the Pitt game conversion between referee and replay officials were televised, would the NFL ever allow that
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
The head coach must call the timeouts from the sideline.
Grace
10:35
Hey Ray, don’t know if this is a valid comparison, but I’ve noticed many successful college coaches adapt their schemes to the strengths of their players. The Steelers don’t seem to do this.  For example, I think this is one reason Pickens is much more comfortable and successful in Dallas than in Pittsburgh.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:37
It's not an apples to apples comparison. In Dallas, Pickens has CeeDee Lamb to take the pressure off him. He's putting up big numbers because teams have to pay attention to Lamb. Pickens didn't have that here. Should the Steelers have gotten more out of Pickens? In a perfect world, yes. But he didn't show up to work on time. He missed meetings. If you're Mike Tomlin or Arthur Smith, would you build your game plan around someone who may or may not know his assignments, be in the mood to play that week, etc.? I know it's a hot topic because Pickens leads the NFL in receiving, but it was not going to work with him here.
Jim Bow Dean
10:38
Can you please explain the logic behind charging a team with a time out for an injured player with the clock stopped?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:39
The rule is in place to players don't fake injuries, but they didn't account for an injury (or fake injury) following an incomplete pass and a stoppage in time. It seems like a common sense thing, but the rule is the rule. Mike Tomlin is on the competition committee so he knows it well.
Blonde Bomber
10:39
Ray - thanks for the chats.  Do you think that the Rooneys are concerned that  Green Bay Fans this year  -  the 49er fans last year  - as well as the Bills fans this weekend are taking over huge sections of Acrisure?  When you settle for mediocrity you get a fan base that spends their money and time elsewhere. Season ticket waiting lists are a thing of the past. Here's hoping they make changes that are necessary.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
I'm sure they are concerned, but there is nothing they can do about it. People can do with their tickets whatever they please. I'm sure there are people who pay for their season ticket package by selling one game such as this week to the Bills or a month ago to the Packers.
brian
10:41
Hi ray, I know you are getting so many questions regarding fans frustrations.  The Rooney family has been loyal through the years. That's a good thing, to a point. But they held on to Troy P. too long and Ben as well and now, it seems, Tomlin.  Was Troy and Ben under the current owner?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
Yes. Art II gas been running the team on a day-to-day basis pretty much since the start of the century or shortly thereafter.
Takoma Tom
10:42
The Steelers should use the rest of the season to evaluate players and coaches since major changes need to happen.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
They're tied for first place with the Ravens and have two games left against the Ravens. I know it doesn't look good now, but maybe in a month we can talk about the future. They still have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs if they can get their stuff together.
Annie
10:43
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.  Ray, have you heard if Broderick Jones is expected to play?  What is your opinion on how the offensive line is playing?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
Tomlin is holding his presser at noon today so we'll get an update on injuries then. When he was injured in-game it was announced as a stinger so he should be fine.
Stairway to seventh seed
10:44
Ray:  Before the 2023 draft I was skeptical of the idea of taking Porter for the "nepotism" concerns.  I now think he clearly has shown that he has the talent to have been a late 1st round pick, but I wonder if Tomlin's affection for him has led to another problem.  After three years, Porter is still handsy with his technique (and his coach often defends that to the media).  A lot of these youtube expert videos point him out as the guy that missed the assignment or played with the wrong leverage when someone gets wide open.  He still can't catch that well and now when he does he is carrying the ball in one hand.  Do you think Porter plays like the son of a soft parent coach on a little league team with no fear of repercussions for mistakes?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:45
Joey Sr. was not a "soft" coach to his son growing up. Ha ha. I'm sure Joey Jr. could tell us some stories. He has the talent to succeed. He's had two DBs coaches. It's their job to teach him the proper technique, and it's Joey's job to follow through with it.
Turk in MD
10:47
Thanks for the chats, Ray.  Has it ever been more clear this team needs a real QB1?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
That's the plan in the spring.
Lanny
10:47
Thanks for doing these chats.  I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Spencer Anderson.  Do you think he has a chance to start next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
Well, Isaac Seumalo's contract is up after the season and Anderson is the logical choice to replace him. But I'm sure he'll have some competition for the spot in the form of a draft pick or maybe a free agent.
Linebacker Lounge
10:48
With the money spent on the D, are the Steelers getting their moneys worth?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
Of course not. They're the NFL's highest-paid defense and they're near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed.
MikeinCLT
10:49
Ray, Andy Reid is a great coach who left the Eagles and both parties have done well after. Dungy left Tampa for Indy and both parties did well. I think the Steelers and Tomlin are at the same point. Tomlin is a good coach and can win somewhere else but it’s time for both parties to move on. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
Everyone has an expiration date. Even Chuck Noll.
Darla
10:50
Hi Ray, hope you have a nice Thanksgiving. On the Steelers sideline, who makes sure the right players are on the field when a play is called?  Would it be a position coach? coordinator?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
The players stand next to the OC so they can hear the package and run onto the field. It's not that complicated.
Lee In SC
10:51
Hi Ray,

I posed the same query to Brian yesterday and wondering what you take on this is.

It’s looking like it will take 10 wins win the North/make the playoffs. This means the Steelers need to win 4 of the next 6 games.

I do not see that happening.

I see 2 nearly certain wins (Cleveland, Miami).
I see 2 almost certain loses (Buffalo, Detroit).

This means they need to sweep the Raven which we almost never do.

I guess my questions are:

1)    How many wins do you see the Steelers getting in the remaining 6 games?
2)    If they miss the playoffs or again get in and are one and blown out is it finally time to blow things up and do a rebuild? And I do mean blow it up. The O is in the midst of being rebuilt while the D is aging and not up to the standard.

Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
I think they can definitely win two more to get to 8 wins. Maybe they'll split with the Ravens to get to 9. I'd be shocked if they find a way to get to 10 after watching them play for the past month. There is just no consistency on either side of the ball.
Linebacker Lounge
10:54
Who has been the Steelers best OLman so far? 76?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
I think so yes.
Silent Bob
10:56
Hi Ray - can you explain in layman's terms what Queen was saying about the schematics?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
In essence, he was saying the coaches aren't putting the players in positions to succeed. He was blaming the coaches.
Paducah
10:59
Is the real Steelers problem ownership?  They have the smallest coaching staff. When the team travels, it’s always for minimum amount of time ( some teams head west days earlier than Steelers for games). They won’t fire coaches earlier than contract end.  This all suggests they make decisions based on financial considerations instead of team progress.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
I don't think what you say is 100% true. For example, Art Rooney II wanted the team in Ireland for the entire week. It was Tomlin's decision to go on Friday. If Tomlin wanted to go early to the west coast, for example, I don't think ownership would say no. If they can gain an edge I'm sure Art II would sign off on it.
Chrissy
11:01
Hi Ray, my husband is of the opinion that the Steelers offense is too predictable.  Do you agree?  Happy Thanksgiving, what‘s your favorite turkey day food?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
Candied sweet potatoes. And yes, it's conservative. I'm not sure all of the blame goes on Arthur Smith either.
elcid97
11:03
Patrick Queen openly criticized the defensive schematics on Sunday. That has to be tip of the iceberg of frustration in the locker room for that to come out on camera, right? How long can Tomlin have the forever job if the side of the ball that is his expertise is now ranked at the bottom of league?
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