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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.6.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Good question. I'm a big fan of play-action. It just doesn't seem like it's a big part of what they do under Todd Haley.
truesteelerfan
2:23
Ray - do you think Ben's eventual replacement is somewhere in the NFL now - perhaps a young backup who will get signed as a free agent, or is he still in the NCAA?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Still in NCAA.
Jake
2:23
how good is JuJu for the Steelers locker room, we always read about the negative types and how they can be a cancer to a team but JuJu seems to be the complete opposite. Even Ben seems impressed by him as a person.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
No doubt. He has brought an energy to the locker room. It's been a positive. He has an infectious personality.
Joe B
2:24
If Bryant is the deep threat, why do the run his routes horizontally way more than vertically?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I wish I knew. I'd just run him deep 15-20 times a game. Target him on half of those, draw coverage away from Brown on the others...
Me
2:25
Ray, If u had to pick your biggest concern with the Steelers, what would it be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
The scoring issues on offense. They need to figure that out in the second half. Can't rely on your defense to hold the opponent to 20 or fewer every game. They're going to have to outscore a team or two at some point this season. They have the personnel to do it.
Joe B
2:26
Are Goff, Gurley, and Austin better than the Steelers' Bs? Are Wentz, Blount, and Agholor? I don't think so in either case. But those offenses put Steelers to shame in terms of creativity, game planning, etc. Given the talent, isn't Haley holding this team back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Let's see what happens in the playoffs before we crown the Eagles and Rams the next great thing in NFL offenses.
Burgh
2:27
Leveon Bell has def proven his worth and importance. We win when we run. Has he earned 15 mill a year and will steelers pay?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
He'll earn $14.5 million if the Steelers tag him again. Close enough.
JerseySteel
2:27
Hi Ray - if the Steelers activate Sutton after the 3 week trial - does Sensabaugh go?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Don't have a great feel for that right now. They've been lucky with injuries back there. They'd have to feel really confident in Sutton to let Sansabaugh go. Sutton hasn't practiced more than a handful of times since the spring.
truesteelerfan
2:28
Why such a short leash for Eli on punt returns?  AB dropped one also - but he wasn't looking into the sun like Eli was.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
I just think they want someone back there who won't drop the ball. It's as simple as that. I don't think they care if Brown fair catches every punt.
Eric
2:29
Can DeCastro and Pouncey both be all pro this year?  Both have monster years.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
Yes both have played very well. Would have to check who else is playing well at their positions, but it's happened before. I think they were both first-team All-Pros a couple of years ago.
Roger
2:30
Do you expect bryant to resume starting role this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I expect Bryant to play this week. Not so sure about a starting role. I think Smith-Schuster has earned that with his play over the past few weeks.
Net1a
2:31
Isn't this point in the season a good gauge of what Tomlin's Steelers are really made of? As you say above, we all know how the Steelers have performed against mediocre teams. Now's the time to put the pedal to the metal in each of the remaining games--Chuck Noll style. If they don't, would you see this as fair damning criticism of the coaching staff?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
Tomlin's teams have almost always performed well in the second half of the season. I expect the same this season. Everything is set up for them to have a really good second half.
Mike
2:31
Ray, outside of the patriots, do you see any other AFC contender (KC, Tennessee, Buffalo, Jacksonville) as a major threat to the Steelers getting to the SB?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
Chiefs and Jaguars. The Jaguars came into Heinz Field laid a whupping on the Steelers last month. How easily we forget. And the Chiefs have a good team. The Steelers have their number, but that wouldn't be an easy game even if it was played at Heinz Field.
GjSteel
2:33
Hi Ray....who out of the rookies do you see making the biggest second half contribution?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
JuJu Smith-Schuster. He's been excellent in the first half of the season.
GSK
2:34
With Tuitt coming back how do the Steelers get Javon Hargrave more snaps?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
That's the hard part. In order to get Hargrave more playing time you have to take Tuitt or Heyward off the field. Maybe you do that this week because Tuitt is playing for the first time since missing two games with a back injury. But otherwise, it's tough to get snaps for him when they're not in base personnel.
Rod Rust
2:35
If the Steelers play zone against bad QBs what happens when they plan man to man against Brady if they haven't been perfecting man to man...won't they get destroyed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
I had the same question last week so I asked the coaches and the players about it. They don't seem very concerned about turning to man coverage without practicing it very much. They said it's easier to play man than zone.
JJinOhio
2:36
In your opinion, what is the weakest position on the current Steelers roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
No real weaknesses that I can see. If I have to pick a position where I'm concerned about the depth I'd say safety and receiver.
Sheff
2:38
Who is the real audience for Pro Football Focus?  Do teams use the data or compile it themselves for their own players?  Do journalists buy into the product they sell?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
A lot of teams use their services because they don't track the minutia and it's an easy way for them to get that information. But I guarantee you teams aren't relying on Pro Football Focus for player evaluations. They do that on their own.
Sheff
2:39
Is there any doubt that AB is the best WR in the NFL?  The others who could possibly contend for the title are all having bad/injured years.  What is your opinion on the subject?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
I agree. Brown is leading the league again in yards and catches. Even when the passing game is struggling -- as it did for much of the first half -- Brown managed to be productive in most games.
Sluggo
2:41
How far do you think the Steelers can go in the playoffs if Roethlisberger does not improve his level of play?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
AFC championship game. Probably need him to play well if they want to get to the Super Bowl.
Tom burney
2:42
Do you believe Ben's struggles this year can be drawn to inconsistency from the pass catchers? Outside of Brown I feel like were a bit overrated at receiver and lack a reliable tightend
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