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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.11.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:27
Thanks for joining in. Let's get started.
Zach B
11:28
Hey Ray - it's crazy to say but after last night we definitely need Tyler Matakevich back!! I cannot believe we played a guy who's been on his couch for two months on a very short week over LJ Fort who made some plays in the end of the game? Is 44 able to return for the Cheetriots because Spence isn't the answer??
Ray Fittipaldo
11:30
Too early to tell. He didn't practice last week and was ruled out by Friday. But it wasn't just the ILBs that had trouble against the Ravens. It didn't seem like the defensive line was able to get much penetration against their offensive line. It seemed like the RBs were getting free to the second level quite a bit. As always, it's a group effort stopping the run. I kind of knew that would be a tough situation for the Steelers. Never an ideal situation when you have to dig that deep into your depth chart. But give the defense some credit for getting two big stops in the fourth quarter when they needed them.
Zach B
11:30
Ray - where has Bud Dupree disappeared too? Got destroyed trying to set the edge and had one tackle?? With Ryan out we need our other 1st round LB's to step up and atleast ONE of them is no where to be found?? Maybe we are better off with the 39 year old JH on the field with Watt on the left side instead of Dupree. Atleast he will set the edge and rush the passer, what say you??
Ray Fittipaldo
11:32
That's what they did on the final drive. Watt was at LOLB and Harrison was at ROLB. Watt got the sack to end the game. I think that's very telling. You want your best pass rushers in the game in that end of game situation and Dupree was not in there. I'll have to watch the tape to see how he performed in the run game., but obviously no one really did a very good job in that regard Sunday night.
Zach B
11:32
Ray - we need Joe Haden back this week, any updates?? Also, please keep Sensabaugh off the field, please, he's horrible!! Atleast Sutton attempts to tackle and is very capable in press man coverage which is what we played in the 4th Q last night??
Ray Fittipaldo
11:33
Haden hasn't even practiced yet. Maybe he will this week, but that's asking an awful lot. It's only been a month since he suffered that fracture. If he can't go they'll need to play much better in the back end versus the Patriots. What they've put on tape without Haden hasn't been good. I shudder to think what TOm Brady will do to those guys if Brett Hundley and Joe Flacco were able to have big games against them.
mtsteel
11:34
Good Morning Ray and Thanks.  So in your opinion, what can this defense do, other than tackle people, to get better? Or is this what we have, just hope to hang on? Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
11:35
I think this is an important week for Butler. What he tried versus the Ravens didn't work very well. He has a depleted defense that's playing without two very important players. It's not easy, but that's why you pay your coordinator a lot of money. Keith Butler has to come up with a scheme that will limit Tom Brady and the Patriots. I don't think anyone expects them to shut down the Patriots. He just has to find a way to limit his effectiveness. Not sure what they can do given the injuries, but he'll be tested this week.
warriors#9
11:35
IsMcDonald this years Greene?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:36
He does get hurt a lot. Shame is he actually produced a few nice plays before he exited the game.
Kevin Colbert
11:36
Hi Ray, should I use a high pick on a kick returner this year?? what else can I do, its ugly back there huh?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:37
You know the Patriots are going to kick it short too and force the Steelers to return kicks. JuJu Smith-Schuster is back this week so maybe he'll be better. I mean, if you don't catch the ball initially you;re going to have a tough time. That was Bryant's problem. He wasn't in proper position to catch the ball, and when he did he ran sideways. Just hit it quick and get positive yardage.
Chris from Grandin
11:38
Hi Ray, nice effort to come back and get that win last night.  With the Patriots game looming and the Steelers new deficiencies at middle linebacker and well documented ones in secondary I’ve never felt more impending doom on the horizon with an 11-2 Steelers team.  Can you make me feel any better?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:38
Well, the offense is averaging 34 points over the past three games. They scored 39 last night. It just feels like they'll have to score 49 to beat the Patriots.
Chris from Grandin
11:38
How has Sutton looked out there so far?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:39
He doesn't do a great job of turning his head when the ball is in the air. Almost cost him on that Maclin incompletion near the end of the game. But Tomlin and Butler haven't been shy about playing him so he must be doing something right. Or he's just a better option than Coty Sensabaugh right now.
mtsteel
11:40
Ray, What the heck is going on with those play calls at the end of the game?? Thank you sir. I'm sure this will be one of many questions on this topic....
Ray Fittipaldo
11:41
That sequence really could have cost them the game. I know you want to get a little closer to get Boswell into better position, and they hadn't run the ball very much to that point. But to me, you have to play situational football at that point and make the Ravens burn their timeouts. Plus, even if they get 2 yards on 2 running plays it's a 44-yard field goal and not a 46-yard field goal. If you don't believe your offensive line or your running game overall is good enough not to lose yards in that situation then I don't know what to say.
JerseySteel
11:42
Hi Ray - Martavis Bryant looked lost on kickoff returns last night and seemed genuinely afraid of contact. Also, looked like Ben was mad he gave up on a route. Not a good night for him. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:43
Not a good season for him. Think of how explosive this offense might be if he was the same player he was in 2014 and 2015. He doesn't look anything like that guy. He was supposed to be the deep threat and it doesn't appear he's able to get open down the field. Plus, the Steelers had to sub in Justin Hunter several times. Bryant looked like he was winded or something.
JerseySteel
11:43
Hi Ray  -any update on Matakevich's shoulder injury? Sean Spence looked two steps to slow on most every play last night
Ray Fittipaldo
11:44
We might get an update by Tomlin tomorrow. I talked to Matakevich last week and he said he was trying to strengthen his shoulder. He's had issues with both shoulders in the past. Not sure how effective he would be if he's injured. They have to hope he's a quick healer.
JerseySteel
11:44
Is Walt Coleman's officiating crew the worst in the NFL? I can't remember seeing worse officiating than that over an entire game as long as I can remember. The personal foul on AB was ridiculous
Ray Fittipaldo
11:46
So was blowing the ball dead when Le'Veon Bell stayed on his feet. I thought the pass interference penalty on Artie Burns was bad, too. I know he puts his hands on him past five yards, but that ball was thrown away. There was nothing there. The pass had no chance of being completed.
SteelByDesign
11:46
I know the position change questions are normally out of left field... So I'm sorry for asking... BUT, think there's any chance Keith Butler would take advantage of TJ Watt's speed/pursuit/coverage abilities and move him in next to Vince Williams? I feel better about Chickillo/Harrison filling in outside than I do Fort/Spence/Moats inside. It wouldn't be an unprecedented move.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:47
The thing is, Watt might be your best OLB at the moment. I don't see how you weaken yourself at one position to try to solve a problem at another position.
Ron
11:47
I understand it's a different position, but couldn't James Harrison be worked in as an inside linebacker now that Shazier's out? I understand he doesn't have the speed anymore to drop into pass coverage, but at least he can tackle, and I think he'd be effective in stopping the run and in pass rushing blitzes.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:48
I'm sure they'll look at everything, but if they try that against Tom Brady he's smart enough to check down to one of his RBs and try to get him in space on Harrison. That's not a favorable matchup for the Steelers. Not that Spence or Moats on Dion Lewis or any of those other little RBs is any better.
OHIO412FAN
11:50
Ray, I know we are 11-2 and are on a roll with our offense and team play to find ways to just win games. I have serious drawbacks about this defense, because how are we going to contain and stop Tom Brady and company? This defense is still a work in progress, so what do they need to do in order to slow them down defensively wise?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
I'd try something different than what they've done in the past. Brady's numbers against them are off the charts. So give him looks he hasn't seen a lot. Try some press man coverage. Change up the looks and hope your pass rush is having a good day. If that doesn't happen it's going to be a long day.
Willorn
11:51
Hey ray, long time reader first time questioner. This team just doesn’t quit, one thing different from previous years is they play the full 60 mins they aren’t winning perfectly but it just feels like their time is now. Are you starting to get that feeling?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:52
Ask me that question next week. It's hard not to sense that something special might be brewing, but the Patriots have a way of raining on their parade. Honestly, I'd like to see how they fare against the Patriots before making that determination.
Bill Frazier
11:52
Bell going down was scary. Why don't the Steelers bring Terrell Watson back to the roster? He's got legit game in Bell can't play.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
That was a scary hit to the knee. Saw the replay this morning and he easily could have hyperextended his knee there. That being said, he's the best RB in the league. You have to use him accordingly. They obviously don't have a ton of confidence in James Conner or any other RB on the roster or p squad now. They feel like they have to ride with Bell because he's such a big part of the run game and the passing game. He had another nine catches against the Ravens. He is unreal as a receiver out of the backfield.
OHIO412FAN
11:54
So, is it pretty much almost a given we have a straight path to the super bowl if we beat NE in the next game and get home field advantage?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Not necessarily. In 2010, the Pats were the No. 1 seed and lost to the Jets in the divisional round. The Steelers then beat the No. 6 seed Jets at home. Something like that could transpire again. And let's not print Super Bowl tickets if the Steelers do manage to win Sunday. The Patriots have beaten the Steelers twice at Heinz Field in AFC championship games.
OHIO412FAN
11:55
What happened to Vance McDonald? What play did he hurt his shoulder on?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Not sure, but he didn't come back into the game.
JerseySteel
11:56
Hi Ray - The Steelers had success with quick passes in the first half and built a 14 point lead. Naturally, in the 2nd half - they started each series with a couple of 1 yard runs into the pile, incomplete pass and punt. Any idea why they would go away from what was working to what was not working?
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