You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.5.18
powered byJotCast
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
OK let's get started.
Ryno
2:06
Thoughts on Watt so far this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I'd like to see more consistency from him. He's had a couple of big games. He's been quiet in a few others. I thought he did OK yesterday. He was going against a backup tackle and got the job done.
BB
2:07
Ray - My imagination or was TJ pretty well handles by the back-up right tackle yesterday?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
I wouldn't say "well-handled". I did notice Dupree more than Watt, but I noticed Watt a few times. I guess in a perfect world they're each getting three sacks in that game, but those tackles are on NFL rosters for a reason.
Mark
2:08
Ray, after the Steelers lost at home to the Ravens to fall to 1-2-1, I thought they should fire the GM and the coaches and trade the players for draft picks.  Do you think fans are glad I’m not running the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Ha ha. I think we all had some criticisms at that time. Some of which were valid and had to be pointed out. They've straightened things out and the bengals and ravens have taken a step back. Still a long ways to go, but they're in the driver's seat in the AFC North.
Drew
2:09
Your best guess as of today...does that tie help or hurt the Steelers as far as playoff seeding goes?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
They won't be involved in any tiebreakers. That takes some of the headaches of late-season scenarios out of the equation. In the big picture, they tied the Browns, a team that should beat. So I guess I'll look at it as hurting them because that's a game you can't give away. Up 21-7 with 7 minutes to go. You have to close that out.
Ryno
2:11
The longer this goes, the more I'm thinking Bell is not going to show up this season. So far he has done nothing that makes sense, and that's why I'm thinking he's not showing up. What do you think the odds are of him actually sitting out the season? Can't imagine there's any way in his mind he is going to make back the 14 and a half million dollars on his next contract.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
We will find out in 8 days. If he does not report by Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. he is ineligible to play this year. I don't have a feeling one way or the other. I find it hard to believe he'd forfeit all that money, but he's done it for nine weeks. What's eight more?
SMF
2:12
Hi Ray:  Do you think the Steelers will finally put in Josh Dobbs i short yardage?  He is same size as Lamar Jackson.  He cam spare Ben from stupid injuries on 3rd and 4th
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Right, because those Lamar Jackson packages are working out so well for the Ravens.
TampaToo
2:12
Ray. Thanks again for the chat. I really think Ryan Switzer has been a great find for the Steelers this year. He’s been very good on the return team and also effective as a receiver every now and then. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I like him as a returner. Probably more so as a punt returner than a kick returner. He had the gaffe on the free kick and I'm not crazy about anyone coming out of the end zone. He's done that a few times. But he had a big return out to about the 37 or 38 Sunday. He's been good.
Raw Data Addict
2:14
Hi Ray, thanks for the chat. Without a doubt the Steelers time of possession & 3rd down conversions have greatly improved from last season. ¿Who is this attributed to? Randy Fitchner, Ben, improved play on the O-line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Well, the offensive line is playing great. And I think it's a combination of other things as well. Randy made a few tweaks to the offense that have helped. Ben has settled down since turning the ball over too much early in the season. It's been a good formula for the past four games -- run the ball well, stay in manageable downs and distances and score points.
BB
2:15
Ray - some very tough games ahead and most on the road.  Good thing the Ravens and Bengals still have to play each other one more time so one of them gets another division loss...how do you see it playing out?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I think 10 wins probably wins the division. That means the Steelers would be 10-5-1 and win it. That's probably only good enough for a No. 3 or 4 seed. Doubt they get a bye if that's their record. But I do think 10 wins will win the AFC North
Pammy Whammy
2:16
Hi Ray, A lot of drops yesterday,  did emotion get in the way of execution? Looked like the Vanimal wanted to run over some people before he caught the ball...
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
And JuJu. The JuJu drop might have been bigger. Could have had more points on the board before halftime.
Henry in Blawnox
2:17
Is Ben taking more chances in Fichtner’s offense as compared to Haleys?  When he went down yesterday the season flashed before me eyes
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
After that scare maybe he does throw the ball away. I don't think you want to take too many chances like that. Get down to live another day or throw the ball away.
Nick
2:17
Any thing new in MT press conf today?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Coty Sensabaugh is the starter now. Artie Burns is officially a backup. Burns has not played a defensive snap in two weeks so it was rather obvious, but Tomlin confirmed it this afternoon
Alan in Nashville
2:18
With all of the artificial deadlines missed, is it just possible that Bell is not in very good shape or possibly isn't ready to take a drug test? Something is different this time and the worst thing that could happen is he shows up and looks terrible. His future contract situation would be a mess. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I don't know what's going on. Not a lot of people do, including those inside the Steelers offices. He is subject to a drug test upon signing. I don't know if that's the reason. I doubt it. He didn't have any problems after 2015.
Bubby_Blister
2:19
Is Sensabaugh really that much of an upgrade over Burns?  He couldn't be worse, I know.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
He doesn't have the mental lapses. He's solid. He's also the best they have so they're going to roll with him until something changes.
Henry in Blawnox
2:20
James Washington catches 2 passes yesterday for 17 yards, but is on the field the majority of offensive plays.  Step in the right direction?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Yes, I think so. He did injure his knee so we'll see what happens on a short week, but a good step forward for him.
BB
2:21
Ray - Edmunds looks like a liability in pass coverage....just a rookie but do you think it will improve?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Well, they drafted him in the first round so it better. Tomlin said this afternoon that Morgan Burnett will be in the mix to start again once he is healthy. Not sure if that will be Thursday night or the game after? He's played in the past two games. No issues with the groin to my knowledge. Tomlin said he's worried about exposing Edmunds to too much too soon because sometimes rookie have their growth stunted with too much early playing time if negative things occur.
Winning
2:22
Out of Carolina, NE and NO, which defense is going to give the Steelers the most trouble in your view?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I'm tempted to say Carolina, but it's a short week. The road teams usually have a tough time in these Thursday night games. The Patriots tend to give up yards but not points. I guess the Patriots because of their track record against the Steelers.
Steve
2:23
Tough schedule remaining.  What is your prediction of final record?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I think they'll go 5-3 in the second half so 10-5-1.
Retire 21
2:24
Saw Big Mac on the bench shortly before Jesse's big catch (almost muff) play. Vance came with a reputation in SF for the drops and he might have come close to a big one Sunday similar to earlier this year. Was he hurt, in a rotation or pulled from the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
McDonald played more than James. I think McDonald played 51 snaps and James 35 or so.
John
2:24
Did JuJu get concussed on that hit?
Load More Messages
Connecting…