JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.01.20

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.01.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:30

Hard to say at this point because as you point out it's been a small sample size. I can tell you the Steelers believe he progressed well from year 1 to year 2.

2:30

Was there ever a good explanation given by the league for this last switch to Wednesday? Could it really be because the Ravens players threatened to "strike"? I find that hard to believe.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:32

The NFL says all decisions made with player health and safety in mind. But as mentioned above the Ravens did take things into their own hands with their complaints and getting the union involved.

Timbo

2:32

Hey Ray - If Steelers and Chiefs both end up 15 - 1 and both teams lose to AFC team, then “strength of schedule “ would be the deciding factor. Does that sound right?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:33

Yes that is right as long as the Steelers' only loss is to Washington. In that case, the Steelers would be the top seed because conference record is second tiebreaker after head-to-head.

Guest

2:33

This just in: Steelers/Ravens game moved to Thursday at 6:30 am.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

I believe you until I saw a.m.

Yates

2:34

Ray - If asked, do you think Tomlin or anyone else in the Steelers organization would give a direct answer to the question, did the NFL consult with the Steelers on approach to rescheduling the Ravens game? The Ravens gaming of the COVID situation should not go with severe repurcussions - one person's point of view.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

No. Not on the record.

Guest

2:35

Do the teams like the Steelers do contact tracing to see where Conner and Tuitt contracted the virus and would the team ever share the information with the public?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:36

Players wear tracking devices while at the facility but not at home. The data from the devices is useful when they decide who close contacts are.

Vs KC

2:37

Remember when James Harrison owned Eric Fisher in that divisional game. You almost felt sorry for him. Ha ha. Fisher is still there. Who will own him this time? Watt or Dupree?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

Getting ahead of ourselves a little, aren't we?

Guest

2:38

Last week you said you expected the game would be played Thursday night because NBC had spent so much money on it. Now they’re playing it in a soap opera time slot because of a Christmas tree light up??

Ray Fittipaldo

2:38

This is explained in the story I am working on.

TP Ranger

2:39

With the Chiefs on their tail and unlikely to lose again (maybe at NO if Drew Brees is back), do you think that makes the possibilty of the Steelers going undefeated more likely?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

I don't know about more likely, but they won't be in position to rest players like some teams in other years when they clinched home field in Week 15 or 16.

Tom from VA

2:40

Hey Ray - It seems to me over the years (and this year specifically) that the NFL dumps on the Steelers because they know that the Rooneys and the Steelers will do the 'right' thing, not complain and just take it. Am I just paranoid or perceptive?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

Paranoid. For years, fans in Seattle thought the league dumped on them for the officiating in Super Bowl XL.

Jeff

2:41

Adding on to all the CB questions...what the main difference in skills between slot corner and regular corner? Or is slot corner simply your 3rd best CB

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

Slot corners often need specific skills sets to deal with the smaller and shiftier WRs that usually occupy the slot for offenses. That's why you sometimes see outside corners come inside to play when receivers like JuJu Smith-Schuster line up in the slot. Different defenses have different approaches on how to defend in the slot.

STEEL72

2:42

How effective do you think RGIII can be, still is, will be... versus our tough defense? They cannot run all game.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:43

Why not? They ran for 223 last year when RGIII was the QB and Gus Edwards was the RB. They'd be dumb if they came into Heinz with any other game plan tomorrow.

Mercury

2:44

Obviously the NFL will do everything in its power to avoiding forfeiting games, but if a game was forfeited would players get paid for it?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

My guess is yes but probably only after a court battle with the NFL.

Leo Lee

2:44

Do you think once this rescheduling mess passes, do you see the NFL stripping the Ravens of a pick and awarding it to the Steelers?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

They'll definitely be docked a pick, but it won't go to the Steelers although that would seem fitting.

Francis

2:45

What does the team do with their two first round safeties? Decision time coming up soon...

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

Fitzpatrick is the top priority, but Edmunds comes up first. Will be interesting to see what they do with the fifth-year option. Before this year I didn't think they'd pick it up. Now maybe they will.

Adam

2:46

Will this 9 day break suffice as a mini bye week for the players?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

Not really although Tomlin said they were trying to use the rest as a positive when he spoke with us on Sunday.

APK

2:47

I've been asked if the Steelers are 15-0 going into the Browns game but have the #1 seed clinched, would they rest players? I told the person that it's premature, but if that scenario occurred, I guarantee, Tomlin will rest players, that a chance at the Super Bowl is more important that winning a meaningless game, even if it is to go undefeated. Do you agree?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:48

Great question. If you do that you're resting your starters for two weeks because the top seed gets the playoff bye. That can be problematic. We saw that happen with the 2005 Colts.

APK

2:50

Do you think the Steelers would play their starters for a half?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:50

That sounds feasible. Or have Ben hand the ball off a bunch and not put him in harm's way.

Herm Edwards

2:50

Tell APK you PLAY to WIN THE GAME!!

Ray Fittipaldo

2:51

Thanks Herm?