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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.05.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:57
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Tom
9:57
If Tomlin does get fired, do they have a team that will turn around quickly? I don't see the fans having patience for even three years that it may take to become competitive again. You?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
Well, they don't have a quarterback so I don't think there is going to be a quick turnaround. I guess they have to hope Pickett gets a lot better or they'll have to sign a free agent or use another high draft pick on a QB. And I actually think fans will have patience if the organization moves on from the coach and/or the QB. That's what many of them want,
Arnold from Turtle Creek
10:00
Cole has been snapping horribly all year. Not just a few low snaps but all over the place. It has to affect timing and negate advantages of shotguns looking for the ball. Shouldn't coaches see this and at least be under center a little more often?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:02
Yes, but they feel like they run better out of the shotgun so that's why they're not under center more. And there are not many options if they wanted to replace Cole this week. Nate Herbig likely will be playing left guard if Seumalo is out.
William H Grove
10:02
Tomlin said most of the league uses shotgun on 4th and short. The whole copycat league is why majority of teams are average at best. For a decade, teams tried to use passing offenses of Brady and Manning with the likes of Carr and Tannehill on their teams. If your center can't snap shotgun effectively and your qb doesn't scan field well, should you really copy what others teams do?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:02
William, that's a pretty solid observation.
Steve
10:04
The local banter is trade Tomlin to Carolina for a draft pick. Is this wishful thinking or something you think the Rooneys would do?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
Likely wishful thinking unless both parties came to some sort of an agreement that they mutually wanted to go in a different direction.
Peter H
10:04
Hi Ray.  I know TJ is going to play Thursday but do you have an idea of how far off 100% he is?  Same about Minka.  This worries me as much, maybe more, than the other injuries from Sunday. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
10:05
No one setting foot on an NFL field in December is 100% healthy. Everyone is dealing with something I can assure you.
artie bridge
10:05
Ray, Five games remaining:  which do we win, which do we lose?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
W,L,L,L,L
Guest
10:06
Is Kenny 2 Gloves inability to finish games becoming a concern for the front office? What happens if Mitchell comes in and lights it up...what then?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
Then they ride with him. The loss to the Cardinals put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Yogi in Yonkers
10:07
Mark Robinson’s days numbered? If not for all the injuries would he even have a job at this point?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
It certainly appears they don't believe he is ready yet.
Yogi in Yonkers
10:07
As a Penn Stater I’m very happy to see Trace McSorley as a Steeler. But seriously, was he really the best available QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
For a short-term emergency QB teams want smart guys who can absorb an offense and be ready in case two guys go down in front of him. And McSorley has some experience.
Yinzer Esq.
10:09
Do you think that Najee Harris has earned having his fifth-year option exercised?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
I don't know if he's earned, but the head coach likes him.
Fan in South Carolina
10:09
Hi Ray!  Thanks for the chat.  New England used to be the team we could never beat in the playoffs.  I would love for Pittsburgh to beat New England.  In terms of returning next season, is this game more important to Tomlin, or Belichick?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
Tomlin because if he loses to the Cardinals and Patriots back to back anything would be on the table for management
Rob
10:10
While I’m sure he’ll get another two years, have you seen enough of Kenny to know if he’s the future or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
Starting to think he's not.
Lambert’s Teeth
10:10
Despite the more recent seeming delays in HCMT’s contract renewals is there any realistic scenario where he is not renewed?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
Sure, if both parties realize it's not working there could be an amicable parting of the ways. But I have no idea where Tomlin's head is on that subject.
Jps717
10:12
Ray, thanks for the chats.  I watched MNF and realized that in 2 years KP has never had a game as good as what cincys Browning had in his 2nd start.   KP just doesn't look like he's improving.   Happy feet in the pocket. Constantly fails to see open receivers, etc.  Do they bring in a highly qualified OC and try to save him or begin looking for a new QB solution?  It appears that Tomlin whiffed on Canada and KP.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:14
I think you have to hire the OC and trust his opinion on Pickett to be honest with you. And if the new guy says he wants another QB to compete with Pickett I think you have to go out there and get one.
RAM
10:14
Hey Ray thanks for your time! I have been a Tomlin defender for years now but I’m starting to wonder if he is the best thing for the his team. I know the players love him but that might be the problem. Like any good manager, you can be friendly to the employees but you can’t be their friend. Is he just too much “one of the guys” and not enough “The Man”? Seems like these players need a solid kick in the butt. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:15
Sometimes things go stale with coaches who have been around a long time. It doesn't mean he turned into a bad coach. It's just that sometimes coaches have expiration dates. Look at what's happening in New England.
Canebrake
10:15
If Trubisky has 3 TD passes in each of the next 3 games and leads Steelers to 28 points per game with NO Turnovers.....does he start even if KP is ready to come back?  Good day
Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
Without a doubt Trubisky would remain the starter. How could Tomlin look his players in the eye if he want back to Pickett under those circumstances?
Central Issue
10:17
Hello Ray....I know people are focused on the Matt Canada mistake. That was a big one for the last 3 years...but how big of a mistake was it, in retrospect, that they have not adequately addressed offensive center and given that they are an organization with such a rich history at said position?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
I'm sure they'll address it in the offseason. Cole only has one year left on his contract anyway. They can easily move on from him if they want or just make him their top interior backup next season if they sign or draft a center.
Mr Rooney
10:19
Speaking of Jake Browning, does hie performance last night change the calculus on the Steelers chances of winning their 2nd matchup with the Bengals?  Perhaps we need to see 3rd-string QB's before we can safely promise a Steeler victory?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:19
Of course it does. The Bengals have a professional offense with a well-respected offensive-minded head coach.
John
10:19
What is with all the national media blather about Tomlin for Coach of the Year?  Am I taking crazy pills here?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
I don't think anyone is banging that drum after the loss to the Cardinals. Even the most ardent Tomlin supporters aren't saying that this week.
John
10:20
Who is the worse 1st round pick? Kenny Pickett or Tim Tebow? At least Tebow wasn't Faberge Egg fragile.
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