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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.08.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Yeah not sure why his snaps decreased. Bet they go up now though. Tomlin is not happy
Brad in Seattle
2:25
I'm sure you'll be getting a lot of questions about the dropped passes, but is this fixable? Is it a lack of focus or over-confidence that they'll make the play before making it? And is this "short passing game as a replacement for a running game" style of offense even sustainable either way?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Usually dropping passes is a lack of concentration. So yes, those problems are fixable. However, Tomlin might need to get the attention of Johnson and Ebron by reducing their snaps until they start catching again.
Melanie
2:27
It is not looking good Ray.. Don’t you agree that if they don’t get the one week bye (1st seed) we won’t get to the SB.. even with it we might not but without it we are done.. this team looks tired!! We need to win last 4 basically.. hope dolphins win this weeks favor.. thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
I agree. If the Steelers don't get the bye I don't see them playing in the AFC title game. If they do then all they have to do is win one game to make it to the title game. Huge difference although the way they've played the past two weeks makes me wonder if they can beat anyone in the playoffs.
Timmy Colorado Springs
2:29
I think if the Steelers had played on Thanksgiving, they win last nights game.  The WFT had like 11 days of rest vs the Steelers 4.  (WFT also played on Thanksgiving).  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
I think you're onto something, but Tomlin said today good teams overcome those scheduling irregularities.
JIM
2:30
Ben seems to use the same snap count on every play throughout the entire game.  Wouldn't it be useful to change things up and maybe draw the D offsides in key situations?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
He's been pretty good at that over the years. That might have helped last night against the Washington front.
Gregg
2:31
Couldn’t they have at least tried a toss sweep to McFarland on one of those plays at the 1-yd line? You’d think someone with a 4.42 40-time would get that chance.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:31
I know one thing: Snell's not the answer.
Igor Larionov is Back Baaabeee
2:32
They went from looking virtually unstoppable to virtually downright awful in a matter of what 2 or 3 weeks? That is unimaginable and unacceptable.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
It's so weird. I thought these past two games were "stat-padders." At least that's what Stephon Tuitt said.
Guest
2:33
Tomlin said, They can catch the ball or be replaced by those that will catch it. Who would that be since everyone is dropping the ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:33
I can see them doing less with TEs and more with WRs down the stretch.
Franco
2:33
Hello Ray, I realize the offensive line is built to protect Ben, but how can they not at least win a yard when it counts. Is it that bad, in terms of the run game? If so, Steelers are in serious trouble.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:35
Ebron missed a block on the fourth-and-1. It didn't look like he even knew he was supposed to block Chase Young. I don't fault Snell on the first-and-goal. There wasn't much room there. On second-and-goal I thought he should have gotten into the end zone. He let a DB tackle him. That's not acceptable.
pdxJaxon
2:35
Ray, I dont remember who said "Its less about the Xs and Os and more about the Jimmies and Joes", but my guess is that this is the issue.
We just dont have the right folks on the team....thoughts ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:36
That was a favorite saying of Joe Paterno though I'm not sure he coined the phrase. And yes it appears they are not up to snuff at several positions, most notably on the offensive line.
Sean from Cape Cod
2:37
Hi Ray, I'm asking my question again. Why did Claypool only play 1/3 of the offensive snaps?? Was any reason given?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:37
No reason given.
Yates
2:37
Hi Ray -  If 41 misses some games, and 51 is not great in coverage, what is our plan B?  27 not the answer.  Does Brooks get more snaps?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:38
Yes, Williamson would have to step up. In sub-packages they'd have to lean on 27 and/or Brooks.
Fran
2:39
Ray, with the increasing  number of tipped passes, is that the fault of Ben, the receivers or the offensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:39
Ben and the line. The opposition knows the timing of the offense. They know the ball comes out quick. Many times they're not even trying to rush. They're trying to get in position to bat down passes.
Greg
2:40
Why did the Steelers not attempt to score with nearly 2 minutes left in the first half?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:40
They didn't need to score. They just needed to get a first down. When they couldn't do that, it opened up the door for Washington to score just before halftime.
GM
2:41
Not sure if you have a different explanation, but what happened at the end of the half?  To me that should've been at least delay of game!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
The officials made a mistake and gift-wrapped three points for WFT.
Walter Sobchak
2:41
I agree that a bunch of changes in December when you are still top seed doesn’t make a lot of sense. How about after losses to Buffalo and Indy, heading into a big Cleveland game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
If the coaches really do believe change is necessary they have to do it now. They can't wait. There is no sense in doing it later in the season. You have to try to fix the problems now and win games.
PAMMY WHAMMY
2:43
Why don't we see more of Derek Watt near the goal line?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
You do, but much of the time he's lined up on the wing.
Jud
2:44
Seems McCloud is still shaky on returns.  Time to try Diontae or someone else?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Yes it's past time.
Mad steeler
2:44
Defense still got pressure without bud
Ray Fittipaldo
2:44
Did they? I know they had a few sacks, but Alex Smith made some plays in the second half.
Walter Sobchak
2:44
Don’t get me wrong - I like Ben and appreciate what he has done. That said, shouldn’t a guy making his money be able to make more plays? Can’t connect deep and way too many tipped passes.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
Yes. He was playing pretty darn well the first 9 games of the season. The past two have been bad.
Greg
2:45
Which offensive linemen are not performing in the running game.  It can't be all 5.
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