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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.06.22
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Bernard
2:13
As a B10 fan, I have to admit I was wrong about drafting Heyward, what a nice surprise!  Flipside is the behavioral stuff with Pickens, is this "maturity" or is he simply another diva WR that will end up more trouble than he's worth?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
We'll see how he matures in the coming years. Lots of receivers act out in the same way. It's almost like it's a prerequisite to play the position. Having said that, Tomlin has no issue with Pickens expressing frustration over his role. He gave a very good answers on it earlier today when he was asked about the outburst during his news conference. Here it is:
“I’d rather say, ‘Whoa than sic ‘em.’” Tomlin said Tuesday afternoon during his weekly news conference. “I want a guy that wants to be a significant part of what we do. The appropriate and mature way to express that? We’re growing and working on it. But that spirit, that competitive spirit, the guy that wants the ball, I want that guy.
 
“I would imagine T.J. [Watt] wants to lay the quarterback down more. We got competitors. This is professional football. These guys know they have to deliver. So for a guy that wants to do that I’m not going to make that a negative no matter how silly I think the commentary is or people talking about him expressing frustrations and trying to make it a negative story line. I laugh at that. That’s one of the reasons why we’re continually progressing. We’re capable of tuning that B.S. out.” 
AZ Steeler
2:15
Would you draft a CB or look for one in FA? I ask because the Steelers are historically bad at rating CB talent in the draft.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Yeah but this is a new regime with Omar Khan, Andy Weidl and Sheldon White.
Rich
2:16
Ray in hindsight it seems that the Steelers would have been wise to pick up a veteran receiver (J Cochrery type) in free agency  if they were planning on using Pickett  so early.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Maybe, but I'm sure they were planning on Austin having some role as a rookie.
Jake
2:17
I was amazed another reporter in town actually stated MT should keep Canada?  2nd half Sunday 3 pts!  He needs to go.  Do you see any improvement warranted keeping him?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
I see improvement, but I'm holding off on stamping his approval for 2023.
Minkah
2:17
Ray, admit it, if you were a sleek DB type rather than the road grader type, you would have taken it to the house for 6, and then performed some type of horrendous dad dance.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Nah I'd have done the Griddy.
AZ Steeler
2:18
I read in the PPG yesterday that Pickens has one of the lowest "open" rates in the league. Is that true based on your research / perception? If so, seems as if that temper tantrum was a bit misplaced.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I didn't research or write that. It sounds like a PFF thing.
Jim in fla
2:19
Any chance they ever bring in Ben as offensive consultant.  He knows the offense and dialed up some great plays in the no huddle.  Seems like he would be great complement to the offensive coaches
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Sure. Maybe they can give him an office at the facility, and he can tape his podcast there, too.
doyle37
2:20
Who returns kicks this week ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Hydroplane Deloplaine
DanW
2:20
If we beat Baltimore Sunday do you think we have a legit chance at a wildcard considering our remaining schedule?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Would still be a tough task. They enter this week with basically a three-game deficit to overcome against the Jets., who have a two-game lead on them and a head-to-head tiebreaker. I suppose there could be a tiebreaker situation with other teams too, but the Steelers also lost to the Patriots, who are 6-6. It just gets tough to get in when you have head-to-head losses with other teams in contention.
AZ Steeler
2:22
Dulac stated last week that the Steelers would likely draft and sign back up QB's for next season. Do you agree with that projection?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
They need a veteran backup with Rudolph and Trubisky likely moving on after the season ends. I know Trubisky is under contract, but he could ask for a trade.
Andrew in ATL
2:24
Hi Ray, it was great to be a part of the Steeler Nation takeover of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday! What has been the main factor in the improved OL play as the season has progressed? It is still not dominant but it does not appear to be the liability that it was at the start of the season.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
They're doing a nice job of securing the first level before releasing to the second level. By staying on double teams longer they're taking negative plays and short gains out of the equation.
Jim Bow Dean
2:25
Through 12 games the three ILBs have combined for 5 TFL, 3 QB Hits, and zero sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, or fumble recoveries. What does Flores do?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
He coaches the ILBs.
Defensewinschamps
2:26
Drove to the game from SC last weekend and I can tell you that the falcons were booed when they ran out of the tunnel and that the stadium was 75% without exaggeration Steeler fans. My question to you is have you ever seen a visiting venue taken over like that before in any sport?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Yes I have. The game against the Chargers in the soccer stadium a few years back was similar. Atlanta might be second to L.A. in terns of NFL disinterest. No one there cares about the Falcons, We drove in from the airport area on Sunday morning and there was no traffic and no fans anywhere in sight. It's such a weird thing to witness because the Steelers are a way of life in these parts.
Michael
2:28
the play that DJ non-fumbled, if that play was in the endzone would it have been a touchdown?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
Who the hell knows? It's the NFL.
Ed in Carrick
2:29
Is Wallace and his bloated contract going to be gone after the year?  He looked terrible on Sunday.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
He makes $ 4 million. It's not the worst contract on the team.
Guest
2:30
So they barely beat two very bad teams and now we are headed to the super bowl.Don't think so. But what we have done is move from 4th or 5th in the draft to 12th or 13th. A couple more of these fabulous wins and we will be picking close to 20.And that will pretty much guarantee that 2023 will look a lot like 2022. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
It's the NFL. If I'm a fan I enjoy the wins and worry about the offseason when it gets here.
Howard Hamlin
2:33
Shouldn't a competent OC be able to scheme a weapon like Pickens in to the action? I do not believe Kenny is ignoring him so much as the play design and defensive look dictates that he focus elsewhere.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
Right. It's not all on Canada. Some of this comes with a rookie QB. It takes time.
AZ Steeler
2:34
Based on your educated guess......is Edmunds or Bush or both with the Steelers next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Hard to say because I don't know what other teams can or will offer in free agency if they get there. But if I'm taking a wild guess I'll say Edmunds is back.
Wayno
2:35
Chances that the Steelers run the table and finish at 10-7, 9-8 at worse? Feel like these 5 games are very winnable, especially with the success against Baltimore in the recent past.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
Even if the Steelers go 4-1 to finish 9-8 the Jets would have to go 1-4 because they own the tiebreaker.
AZ Steeler
2:37
Do you feel like Percy Harvin has turned a corner and is finally showing us why he was drafted or was last weeks performance just luck?
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