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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.11.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Because they were backed up near their goal line because of poor kickoff returns. They go heavy in those situations. Maybe they should reevaluate after watching the tape this week, but they've been consistent with that all season. When they're backed up they go heavy and try to run the ball out.
Ali
11:57
Do you think playing a 3/4 defense is a disadvantage against Brady? It seems edge rushers don’t disrupt him as he just steps up in the pocket. Seems Heyward and Tuitt will have to provide a lot of pressure up the middle against Brady.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
This is true. Heyward, Tuitt and Hargrave have to come through this week.
Ryan
11:57
Ray 2 Questions. 1. How amazing has Tomlin been this season? After the Jax disaster there was talk we'd be lucky to be 8-8. Amazing job. 2. Since Fort is the better coverage ILB think he sees more action against the Pats?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
That might be a good call, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Brady audible to runs in those situations if that's what the Steelers do. They ran well against the Steelers last season. Stopping the run is going to be key this week. The Bengals had 130 on the ground and the Ravens had 152. That's why too much. If you don't make teams one-dimensional it's much harder to play pass defense.
Hulderman
11:59
Ray, I heard the Steelers said Leveon had a quad issue, it looked like a hyperextended knee on t.v., do you have any more info yet?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
None today. They are off today. No player access until Wednesday, but Tomlin might have some info. tomorrow at his weekly presser.
Hulderman
12:00
Ray, a couple weeks ago I mentioned that I feel that the Steelers offense was ready to pounce, now I feel that Martavis is about to go off BIG... what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Not sure what gives you that feeling. He doesn't seem to get open very much.
Hulderman
12:00
Ray, the run that Ben has had since the Jags game has been pretty special, and really vintage Big Ben, can you speak to how lucky the Steelers are to have Ben Roethlisberger at signal caller?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
That's why they pay him the big bucks. He's a future Hall of Famer, and he's been playing great for the past month.
ALB
12:01
Ray, does the Shazier situation completely change how the Steelers look at the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Way too early to tell on that. We have to wait to see what his doctors say about his recovery.
Hulderman
12:01
Ray, is the absence of Joe Haden been as big as it appears to me it's been? The pass D has really struggled in his absence.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
It certainly seems that way, but Joe Haden can't cover the entire field and make tackles for the other defensive backs. Sean Davis and Mike Mitchell have to be much better than they have been. There are just way too many big plays in recent weeks.
Hulderman
12:02
Ray, Boswell has had a nice stretch of games in the clutch here recently, can you a recall any other kickers in the Steelers history being as big for such a continued stretch of games?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
No I cannot. I can't ever recall a kicker being placed in those situations. He has been great in pressure situations.
RC
12:03
still not sure how steelers won that game once ravens went up by two scores in the 4th qtr. but real nice to see ben connecting on big throws to bring them back. Need a big game/pressure from OLB Watts and Dupree or Mr. Brady will continue the long passing roasting of steeler secondary.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Pressure up the middle is more important this week. Brady doesn't like pressure up the middle.
Matthew
12:03
It was obvious Spence/moats aren’t the answer, why not put golden in there as a dime backer?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
They tried Gay doing that. But he's too small to hold up against the run. But maybe they'll have to do that this week against Brady. That's why the defensive line has to play a lot better this week. Can't have RBs getting to the second level with such ease if Gay is going to be a LB.
Skip in Homestead
12:05
Ray, Sixty-six (66!!!) pass attempts by Ben last night? NE is rated 24th against the pass, can we expect this same number of attempted passes next week?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
NE has been much better defensively in the past month or so. I'd argue those numbers are skewed from some bad early-season play. The Steelers have to be able to keep Brady off the field, too. That's where having a good running game comes into play. They might have to turn to that Sunday.
FlaFan
12:06
Hi Ray, really missed JJ S-S last night, Eli seems lost, thoughts?  Also, great TD catch for Nix!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
JuJu Smith-Schuster's return certainly will help in the passing game and the running game. He's a big part of both.
touchback
12:07
What did you think of the 2 point conversion play from the 1 yard line?  A run?  That could have cost them.  I'd go for 1.  Way too early at 9 min.  They were down 9 then.  Still, they won!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Didn't have a problem going for 2 there or the call. They were on the 1 because of a penalty. They tried a pass initially. It looked like Bell had a crease to the inside and he tried to bounce it outside.
Paul
12:08
Call me crazy, but wouldn’t Mike Mitchell be the best option at MLB? He loves putting his hat on people, & he’s decent enough at coverage compared to other options. Plus Golden has filled in for him at safety already. Is this something Tomlin & Butler  would entertain?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Same scenario as trying Watt at ILB. You take a starter away to try to strengthen another area. I'd be afraid you'd be weakening your defense overall if you did that. Then again, it's not like Mitchell has been great in the back end of the defense. Who knows what they'll do. They're leaking water big-time though.
touchback
12:09
Which do you prefer more with the coin toss: the ball to open or to defer?  I prefer to defer.  Like having that ball to open the 3rd quarter.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Yeah I like to defer because it gives you the chance at the double score -- one at the end of the first half and then again to open the second half.
It really doesn't matter. If the Pats lose tonight and they beat the Steelers they'll still be the No. 1 seed with two weeks to go.
Coachjpat
12:11
How horrendous was the pass interference call on Burns during the Ravens last TD Drive?  That was perfect defense and he got flagged for his effort.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
We discussed that earlier. One of many questionable calls by officials last night.
Ryno
12:11
Your vote at this point for Steelers Rookie of the Year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Can't go wrong with JuJu or Watt. I'd have said JuJu a month ago, but Watt is coming on strong.
Guest
12:12
I've read this suggestion before, but remind me again: Why wouldn't Dupree be an option at inside linebacker?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
How do we know he'd be any good at it? He's not exactly the most physical player in the world.
guest
12:12
Ray, Our defensive ranking is much higher because of early season play, since then we have been terrible, I think the Pats D is much better as we are set to face off. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Yes. What you said is true. Steelers have to get some things corrected in practice this week.
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