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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.07.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
OK let's get the chat started.
Guest
11:58
On the missed 2 point play.  How much of that play was Watt's pass rush?  Was the rush that strong to cause the pass to be thrown poorly?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Watt certainly had a role in altering the throw. I give him a ton of credit because he's screaming off the edge and Lamar Jackson has to make a quick read and throw. But I also think a good QB makes that throw.
Tom M.
11:59
The OL has been a disaster. Given that, which one or two do you think have done the best of the lot?  It’s a very short sample, but I’m ready to give one vote to Leglue.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I'm with you on Leglue, but let's see how he plays on Thursday. He was good in a very small sample size, but I am intrigued. Among the other guys, I suppose I would choose Trai Turner as the best of the lot. But really, every starter has had good and bad games.
Jay
12:02
Ray, I think the Bengals and Steelers will finish one and two in the division while the Ravens slide further down.   What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Well, the Steelers beating the Ravens made that a possibility, but they still have a 1 1/2 game lead over the Steelers with five games left. The injuries are mounting for the Ravens so anything can happen down the stretch. It's one of those crazy years.
Uncle Larry
12:04
Really what is up with Mason and the team? He is never mentioned, seen or utilized.  Is he on double secret probation?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
He's the backup QB. Unless he is starting for an injured Roethlisberger he's not going to be talked about much.
Ray Guy
12:05
Sincere question -- is there any significant difference between punting in college and punting in the NFL? Seems to me that it would be the easiest of the football positions / skills to translate to the pro level. And yet the Steelers struck out with top college punter Daniel Sepulveda, and seem as if they've done it again with top college punter PHIII. What gives?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I've stopped trying to figure out punters and kickers. Harvin has a good leg, but he doesn't show it off much in games. By the way, the Steelers were trying out some specialists today so maybe the pressure is on for Harvin to perform at a higher level.
Alex
12:07
It sucks the next draft's QB class is really weak. I don't think the Steelers will trade for Rogers or Wilson as it will mess up their cap figure and draft capital. I assume MR will get the first crack but I don't think he is an elite QB who can take the team to SB. With elite defensive players such as Watt, Heyward, what is your secret formula to get to SB once again (invest more in defense vs more balanced roster)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
My secret formula is keeping the defense strong by adding some key pieces there in the draft and/or free agency. And no matter who is the QB next year, whether it's Rudolph, a veteran or a rookie, I'm operating under the premise that they'll  be more game managers than an elite player. So go out and get a high-caliber lineman in the draft and continue to try to build around Najee Harris. And maybe you get lucky and find a QB that can lead you to the playoffs behind that strong defense.
David--
12:10
Washington has provided nothing of late. In fact he probably has more penalties than catches over the last month. Anthony Millers lone 2yd catch was actually impressive. Why won't Tomlin give him a few reps?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Good point on Washington's production. He had one target and zero catches against the Ravens. I am sure they were hoping he would contribute more after JuJu Smith-Schuster was injured. Their lack of depth at receiver after Diontae Johnson has been glaring.
Nick
12:11
Do Steelers do any practice for Thurs night game or just walk thru? Do they do mental reps of plays? Do they travel on Weds eve or Thurs morning?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
They did not practice yesterday,. They are doing a walk-through today and they are leaving tomorrow afternoon for Minneapolis.
Guest
12:12
Thanks for the chats, Ray. Always enjoy them. Did my eyes deceive me or was there more play action and misdirection used in the Ravens game? Also saw somewhere that Ben was calling most of the plays in the second half. Any truth to that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Well, since Diontae Johnson came out and said Ben was calling the plays when they were in the no huddle, I'd say that's a yes. Although they only ran 16 no-huddle plays out of their 57 offensive snaps. And yes there was more play-action against the Ravens. It was effective so I'd like to see more.
Nick
12:13
Is Joe Hayden expected back for Thurs game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
We'll know more after today's walk-through so stay tuned. But it's hard to convince coaches you can play after missing three games with an injury without really practicing.
Nick
12:14
Does the home team have more of an advantage on Thurs game due to no travel?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
In most years, yes. But not this year.
JJ
12:14
Ray:   Thank you for what you do.  Question:  Do we attribute the fact that we were able to run the ball effectively in the 4th quarter vs the Ravens to Mr. LeGlue, or to the possibility of the defense getting tired by then ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Well, Leglue played most of the game. I think it was a combination of things. After a slow start, the Steelers offense did a nice job of possessing the ball over the final three quarters of the game. I also think Roethlisberger's passing success, especially out of play-action, forced the Ravens to respect the pass. That was encouraging because the Ravens have one of the better run defenses in the NFL.
Devin Bust
12:16
At this point does Devin Bust really give the Steelers the best chance to win? I can't imagine that UG3, Marcus Allen, or even Buddy could possibly be worse. He is not even giving them any effort. What is the status of Spillane's knee injury?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Same with Spillane as Haden. Tough to convince the coaches on a short week that you can help the team when you're coming off an injury, but we'll see.
David--
12:16
At 6' 7" would LeGlue be to tall to be in the mix at center? Who is the tallest NFL center you can recall?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
There are not many tall centers, but Leglue said yesterday center was his primary position in high school, and he started nine games as a center in college as well. And he played a lot of center in training camp when the Steelers were dealing with the absences of Kendrick Green and JC Hassenauer when they were injured.
Texan Steeler
12:18
When you have a chance, please tell Danny Smith  to not kick the ball to Nwangu.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I'll go tell him now.
YinzerinVa
12:18
Waking up next Monday 1) Baltimore 8-5 2) Steelers 7-5-1 3) Bengals 7-6 4) Browns 7-6. Go Browns and go 49ers!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
The AFC North is definitely up for grabs.
Jay
12:19
Ray, I think the Steelers should use the "no huddle" offense for the first 2 series against the Vikings to give them a spark.  This will help them get off to a good start.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I wouldn't mind seeing it. I crunched the numbers on Monday morning. The Steelers averaged 8.06 yards per plays in their 16 no-huddle plays against the Ravens. When they huddled they averaged 4.6 yards per play. And many of their chunk plays came out of the no-huddle. There was a 40-yard pass to Claypool, a 13-yard run by Harris and a few others over 10 yards. Keep doing it, I say.
DALTER
12:21
Why hasn't Buddy Johnson had a chance to play?  He can't be any worse than who they already have playing.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
He's a rookie and not yet ready.
artie bridge
12:21
Ray, do you buy Starkey's diagnosis that the Steeler's primary problem is lack of talent, not flaws in preparation, schemes, play-calling, or in-game coaching decisions?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
In some respects, yes. But there have been games when I've felt like the offense has been held back by the play-calling. Injuries have certainly caught up with them. There isn't much doubt about that. But the Ravens have had injuries too, and they're sitting atop the division. I get what he's saying, but it's a competitive league, and you have to find creative ways to win sometimes when things are going against you.
21-58-66
12:23
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  Who supposedly had the coverage assignment on Andrews for the failed two point play?  He was wide open.....don't you think he would have been a prime target....either him or Jackson running it in?
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