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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 1.15.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Chowdah Mullaney
11:56
just seems like this all comes back to Tomlin . Great organizational talent engine, and absolutely pathetic coaching.
all trolling aside, how much blame do you lay at the feet of the coaching staff? Pitt is far and away the most talented team in the NFL, but they are routinely unprepared, baited into stupid plays(how bout a QB sneak) of which they actually got away w a few today (2 4th down 40+ completions) and can’t focus on what’s in front of them. People around the Pats organization said all weekend “don’t be surprised if that jag team comes out and knocks pitt out”.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Nice handle, Chowdah. I lay lots of blame at the feet of the coaches, and I start at the top with Mike Tomlin. When he did that interview with Tony Dungy and looked ahead to the Patriots Part I and Part II. That gave his players the freedom to do the same. It was inexcusable for him to do that and a fireable offense in my opinion. I don't know if the Steelers will hold him accountable, but he made an egregious error when he answered that question by Dungy. Haley isn't likely to return and I'm not sure about Butler either. But for me it starts and stops with Tomlin. This season was a bad reality show.
Moose
12:03
Why do we always get out game planned in the big games?  Play calling was terrible on O, the Def was manhandled and had no answers, and once again, Tomlin with horrible in game decisions, specifically the on side kick when we had 2 TO and the 2 min warning.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
There is no doubt they were out coached in this game. There is absolutely no reason a team with Blake Bortles at QB should beat you, especially at home. The defense was out of position. There were communication errors. It was an awful performance. Once again, it starts with Tomlin. He's had more and more influence with this defense in recent years after Dick LeBeau's departure. Where were his adjustments Sunday?
Moose
12:05
Bell is great, but I am about fed up with his antics.  Who brings up next year's contract situation 2 days before a playoff game?  No focus on this team.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
All I know is the Patriots change running backs every year and continue to win. Bell is a great player, but his sideshow is tiresome. He's as guilt as Mitchell with the looking ahead and talking about it. He ought to look back to 2015 and check the success the Steelers had without him. He's not irreplaceable. Running backs are a dime a dozen. Look at the Saints. When did they get Alvin Kamara? Third round?
Moose
12:07
I believe our Offensive and Defensive lines lost that game yesterday.  Don't you think we lost the battle in the trenches?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Definitely the defensive line. Not really sure where you are going with the offensive line. Roethlisberger dropped back to pass 58 times and they protected him well. They could never get into a rhythm running the ball because they were behind so early.
Moose
12:08
Do you foresee any coaching changes?  We consistently have good regular seasons, but lose to terrible teams, and lose to the elite teams in elimination situations.  If the goal is to win titles, something has to change.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Yes and I'm not ruling out wholesale changes on both sides of the ball. When that game was over yesterday and I was in the locker room it felt like an ending to me. I know they have important players under contract on offense and they like some of their players on defense. I'm talking about the whole coaching operation. It felt like it ending and that changes were going to come. You just can't lose a game like that at home when your coaches spouts off about having the most talented team in the NFL. It can't happen.
Moose
12:10
I hate the Pats, but I can respect the fact that they are always 100% focused on the task at hand.  You never ever hear them making comments on opponents 2-3 weeks away, contract situations, or stupid drama.  I credit Belicheck for putting the kibosh on that nonsense.  Don't you think Tomlin needs to model Bill in that sense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
All I know is that this season was a circus and Tomlin was the ring leader when he did that interview with Dungy.
Bryce
12:12
Any chance we see a change at offensive or defensive coordinator? Or both?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Yes definitely one, not ruling out both.
Moose
12:12
If we don't forsee paying Bell an enormous contract, wouldn't it be better to trade him now and get a lot in return for him?  Maybe Ben's replacement?  If we tag him again, we will most likely lose him and get nothing in return. Correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Not how it works. If they don't tag him again he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March. So it's either tag him again and try to work out a long-term deal or let him become a free agent. Only two options.
PC
12:13
Does Haley and Butler lose their jobs? What is most glaring need for Steelers in offseason
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
The most glaring need is for this organization to stop being a clown show with their off-field antics.
DaquidoBazzini
12:14
Hi Ray, I felt like this Defense could implode for quite awhile this year, and it did yesterday. What’s  the chance Keith Butler is fired?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
There is a chance for sure.
Jonah Spencer
12:14
Why does Todd Haley pitch the ball to the outside on 4th and 1 and do the Steelers part ways with him after this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I might be mistaken, but I think Roethlisberger called an audible on that play and he's the one who made that call. Either way, Tomlin said afterward that he was OK with it. And I doubt Haley is back. Can't see him coming back.
Tom88
12:15
Do you think there will/should be changes to the coaching staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Yes 100 percent. As I said before Sunday felt like an ending to me. Sometimes change is good. Things can get stale when coaches are around for a long time. All good things come to an end.
DaquidoBazzini
12:16
What’s the contractual status of Mike Mitchell & Bud Dupree? I think that might be two positions to make a change on this Steeler D.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Mitchell has one year left. Not sure of the cap hit, but I've been a long-time critic of his. Many of my colleagues defend him for his on-field play. I don't see it. Of course, everyone is tired of his talk after what happened with the Jaguars...They have a decision to make on Dupree. They must decide by May if they want to pick up his fifth year option. Either way, he's under contract next season.
Jess from MT
12:18
Going back to the offseason the ILB depth at least appeared to be a concern for the team with them trying to sign Hightower to a big deal as Im thankful they didn't and I know this wouldn't have been a cure all but do you feel they should have made more of an effort to keep Timmons?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
All you needed to know was they went out and signed Sean Spence when Shazier was injured. They had zero confidence that Tyler Matakevich could fill that role. Tomlin pretty much came out and said that to Steelers.com. Don't remember his exact quote, but he made it sound like Matakevich was a sepcial teams player and not a starting linebacker.
Zach B
12:19
Hi Ray - it’s time for one of you in the local media to grow a pair and call for Tomlin’s Head! We haven’t won anything in 10 years with a Hall of Fame QB in his prime. Constantly play down to competition and clearly an undisciplined, unprepared football team all the time. We have a HOF QB, WR and possibly RB and get beat by Blake Bortles at home! And to all his defenders out there saying “look at his record” - that’s because he has a HOF QB. If the Browns had Big Ben they would have at least been in the playoffs this year. This guy needs to go and fans need to stop going to games so little Art gets the message! What are your thoughts, or do you even have the gonads to post this question??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
You should read every answer of mine today. It's all above.
Moose
12:20
Just an idea.  Don't disrespect your current opponent by talking about winning next week's game vs the Pats. Maybe even quit talking smack on social media.  Maybe stop talking a tough game and start playing a tough game.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Couldn't have said it any better.
abowerspittsburgh
12:20
Ray - The Steelers looked so unprepared yesterday, especially on defense. How does the coaching staff explain that in light of the fact that the team had a bye week and that they had played Jacksonville earlier in the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
There is no explanation. It was a terrible performance.
Zach B
12:21
Hi Ray - this team was woefully underprepared and undisciplined both in their communication and how they ran their mouths all year - does that sound like a team that has a solid head coach to you??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
No.
abowerspittsburgh
12:22
No one wants to say this, but shouldn't the Jaguars be given credit for coming up a game plan that neutralized the Steelers' defensive line?  It really exposed how badly the Steelers miss Ryan Shazier and his speed.  This was compounded by poor play by the secondary in missing assignments.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
What does the Jaguars game plan have to do with the defensive line being out-physicaled at the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars offensive line dominated the Steelers defensive line. End of Story.
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