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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.26.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:50
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we will get started soon.
Adam
11:53
How critical was this loss in terms of playoff seeding? In terms of winning the division?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Not sure it will have a big impact on the division race. The Steelers still have a nice cushion over the Ravens, who might have to win out to win the division. In terms of seeding, it was a huge loss. They were the No. 2 seed entering the game. Now they're the No. 4 seed. They'll likely have to play on wild card weekend now. And they're on a collision course with the Chiefs if they win their first playoff game.
jlockepitt
11:55
Do you think Ben is calling all of these passing plays in the red zone or at least influencing these calls?  Seems to me Mike tomlin needs to over rule this and run the ball inside 5 yard line.  Too many defenders in a close area to consistently go empty or 4 wide.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
Read my story later this afternoon on this very subject. I'll tweet it out when it's published. I'll give you a hint. We're on the same wavelength.
Adam
11:56
Why have the Steelers been so sloppy with ball security. Nothing makes you miss Bell more then when Connor fumbles. Bell never fumbled.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Yes, another bad fumble by Conner. This was one more inexcusable than the one in Cleveland that contributed to the tie. In addition to leaving his feet and putting the ball at risk he missed the cut that would have led him straight to the end zone. He didn't even have to deal with the defender who caused the fumble. Just a bad day all around for the Steelers. I'd argue Grimble's fumble was even bigger. He had the ball in the wrong hand, was hesitant and then admitted afterward he wanted to run the guy over. If he played in New England, he'd be out of work today.
Tom 88
11:58
The Steelers lost because of turnovers, but I found a lot of the offensive play calling to be a little "indulgent" and much more complicated than it need to be.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
I definitely think you have to run the ball more. If you're going to be so pass heavy, mix in a draw once in a while to keep the defense on its toes. After a while they didn't even have to think about defending the run. Randy Fichtner needs to pull in the reins a little and get some control especially in the red zone. If he's in total control of those plays calls then Mike Tomlin needs to have a sit-down with him and discuss a new approach.
RealSteel
12:00
What has happened to AB as a runner? He used to be an electric runner after the catch, like a punt returner. This year, he looks totally different running. He runs kinda hunched over & stiff. Reminds me of Mike Wallace a bit. Any insights?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I haven't noticed that, but I'll watch for it. Opposing defenses are paying a lot of attention to him. I know that. I think that's part of the reason JuJu Smith-Schuster is having such a big year. I thought this game more than any other demonstrated how they're hurt by not having a viable No. 3 WR who is a deep threat. Yes, Switzer stepped into the void yesterday that Washington continues to vacate, but he's not a deep threat. The Steelers need to find someone to make some plays down the field other than JuJu. I'm not a big proponent of going back to Hunter, but Washington has been a disaster of late.
John DD
12:03
Hey Ray, have the Steelers been doing anything "different" with the middle of the field in the last two games?  We've been gashed up the middle lately.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Well, Stephon Tuitt has not played. I'm guessing that is part of it. I'm also not a big fan of their execution on run blitzes. When Bostic and Williams run blitz they just put their head down and run into the blocker. Then the running backs just run right past them. I'll have to ask Bostic this week about their philosophy behind this. It just seems like shooting the gap and keeping your head up is a better option. Or maybe taking on a block in the traditional way and seeing if you can shed and make a play. But just running full steam into a lineman and expecting someone else to make a play seems foolish to me. And I'm not blaming Bostic and Williams. Maybe they're being taught that way. I'm going to ask this week.
BB
12:05
Ray - The middle of the filed open all on day...where was the defense?  Edmunds made a lot of tackles buy way downfield.  Also, Lindsay was laughing at the Steelers defenders asking them if that was all they got....no physicality!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
The run defense has definitely been a problem the past two games. Tuitt's absence is a factor. But one player can't be that important to a defense. They need to find ways to buckle down until he gets back in there.
Adam
12:06
Ben blames the final INT on a fluky play. It seemed like a terrible call to me on the goal line.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Not sure it was "fluky". Careless? Yes. The rhythm of the play was thrown off because of the bad snap. In that situation you have to tuck the ball and run or simply throw it away. You had one more down to tie the score. You can't throw an interception there.
Adam
12:08
Why can’t this team score in the first half of games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Yeah especially in the first quarter. They need to score earlier and then maybe some of these games wouldn't come down to the final seconds. Three of the past six games going back to Cincinnati have come down to the final play or close to it. When you play in that many close games one or two will go against you.
John DD
12:09
Steelers win division at 9-6-1, get the 4th seed and win the Wildcard before losing to KC or New England.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Sounds like you're counting on the Ravens to lose twice more. Could happen, but I certainly wouldn't count on that. With three home games and a road game vs. Oakland the Steelers have to find a way to get to 10-5-1. I'd feel much better about the division if that was their final record.
Tom
12:10
Ray,  Any concerns with Conners?  Not sure he is the long term answer.  Fumbles are becoming an issue.  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Certainly not a good couple of games for him. Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner might want to involve him a little more earlier in games to help him, but I'm not going to make excuses for his play or the fumble. He needs to be better.
Salami Phil
12:11
With the way Chukks played yesterday, does that make Gilbert expendable this offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
It was only one game. And they helped him on occasion with chips from Conner. But obviously he held up. Obviously, Gilbert's injury history is troublesome. You can't commit big $ to someone who doesn't get on the field a lot. And unfortunately for Gilbert, the Steelers draft, sign and develop linemen really well. It's starting to look like he might be expendable especially if this knee injury keeps him the remainder of the season.
Jim
12:13
Can we trust our backs to protect the ball IF we make the playoffs????
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
They better. I'm not exactly trusting the QB to protect the ball. Not the way he's played the past two weeks.
TXSTEELER
12:13
Why do you and others keep saying they should have run more? 500 plus yards. Moved up and down field atvwill. Tried two runs at goal line on last series (one stuffed, other bad snap) - turnovers cost this game, not run/pass discrepancy. Seems like pandering to vocal minority
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
No. I disagree. It's about situational football and the Steelers don't do it well. The Patriots do it extremely well. That's why they're a top 2 seed every year and play for Super Bowls while the Steelers haven't been to one since 2010. The Steelers need to tighten up their execution and play sound situational football. They're really bad at it right now.
Chet
12:15
Ray, I was at the game yesterday, I couldn't believe it when I saw the final stat line for Ben of almost 500 yards. Outside of the JuJu TD it was all dink and dunks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Roethlisberger has played really well for most of the season, just not in the red zone and especially not in the past two weeks. They have to get that cleaned up.
Ryan
12:16
Good afternoon Ray is there any update on Tuitt or update coming tomorrow
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Not yet. The locker room opens at 1:15. Might have one afterward or tomorrow when Tomlin has his news conference.
AtlantaDan
12:16
Disappointed by the lack of faith in the running game - first and goal on the three on the last series - why not just run Conner on first down?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I agree with you. If you're going to pass down there you have to have better plays than the RPO that was picked. Other teams seem to get guys wide open down there. The Steelers seem to struggle to get guys open in goal-to-go situations. All the more reason to run more down there. But the Steelers refuse to do it. In fact, they don't even pretend they're going to do it.
JoeB
12:18
Seems like the less-experienced Steelers came up small: Grimble (fumble), Connor (fumble), Washington (dropped bomb), and Fichtner (weird RPO call at the goal line). Can they learn from this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I made that exact point on Twitter Sunday night. It's up to the young guys to learn from their mistakes. They also have to show some mental strength and not get down because of their mistakes.
Cburg Stiller
12:20
The last two opponents look like they're ready for the shovel passes and quick slants at the goal line - time to change up the goal line strategy a bit?  At least a little more Conner & Rosie smashing it in maybe?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I'm on board!
ValyrianSteelers
12:20
Hey Ray, good luck dealing with the wrath of an inconsolable steelernation today. I admit to yelling at the TV as they repeatedly Plaxico Burressed themselves with very flukey turnovers and unnecessary leaping non-catches. But after a terrible nights sleep, all things considered, I truly think the team is still in a good place. Can you please 1) help reassure SN that the sky isn’t falling and 2) ask Ben to kindly stop throwing picks in the EZ? Thanks!
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