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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.15.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:58
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Artie Bridge
12:59
Ray, I could see the Steelers going 3 - 0 or 0 - 3, or anything in between in these remaining games.  Your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
I'm definitely not picking them to go 3-0. They just have too many problems on offense for me to have that kind of confidence in them. I know this: they better beat Cincinnati because the Colts and Browns are playoff teams and quite capable of beating the Steelers, especially when the Steelers are sputtering on offense.
Scott
1:00
Hi Ray, what are your thoughts on JuJu's pregame logo dances at opposing stadiums? I know it's small in the grand scheme of things, but I think it's a bad look for him and the team. I didn't take him as one to disrespect opponents for the fun of it.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
In my opinion, if professional athletes need extra motivation to win an important football game then maybe they're not built for the NFL. It's silly to think his silly Tiktok dance fired them up to the point that they beat the Steelers for that reason. Should JuJu do that? Probably not. I think one of the older players should tell him to stop doing that, but I don't think anyone will.
Gene
1:04
Hi Ray any word on Dotson’s injury?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
Dotson has a shoulder injury and he is questionable to begin the week. It sounds like he might have a chance to convince the coaches he can play, and they have an extra day this week, which is good because they have a lot of injuries. And it is a shoulder injury for Dotson. It was announced as a shoulder injury in-game. Tomlin said it was a pec after the game and just a few minutes ago he confirmed it was indeed a shoulder.
Tony
1:06
Should we thank the Ravens for beating the Browns,the Browns looked awfully good.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
Um no, the Ravens are better and more dangerous than the Browns. I'd rather play the Browns in the playoffs than the Ravens, and it's looking like the Steelers could play the Ravens. The Ravens have three very winnable games left and should finish 11-5. I think that'll get them the No. 6 or 7 seed. Not good for the Steelers, if you ask me. I'd rather play almost anyone else in the AFC beside the Chiefs.
Tampa Too
1:08
Ray.  What was Ray Ray doing on the opening kick off? His decision to run out from 2 to 3 yards deep in the end zone was awful. Is this his fault? Is it coaching?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
He's been doing it all season, so I have to assume he has the green light to come out in that situation. That was a good five yards deep. I don't get it. He handed the Bills 15 yards of field position with that decision. I know he was playing his old team, but sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
Winning
1:09
To you, is there any noticeable difference in Ben’s performance in games after getting his knees banged up against Dallas? Is there a nagging problem?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
I'd say his throws have been a problem, and it's impossible for me to say if his inaccuracies are due to any lower-body issues. He can't complete a deep ball to save his life, and that's making it much easier on opposing defenses. They crowd the line, press his WRs and don't respect his arm. Until he proves otherwise teams will continue to employ those defensive tactics.
Picksixlisberger
1:11
If a quarterback can’t stretch the field with an occasional deep connection,  what’s to stop a defense from lining all 11 defenders within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and snuffing the run and smothering the 8-10 yard routes?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:11
That's basically what Washington and Buffalo did.
Tampa Too
1:11
Has the NFL been keeping track of injuries this year?  Is there a significant increase in injuries possibly because of Covid changes?  It seems that the Steelers have had more injuries this year than in past years
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
The NFL does track injuries, but they don't release their data until the spring or summer.
dontaye
1:12
do you believe a big part of the run problem is because of the mike munchak departure
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
Maybe a little bit, but I always feel compelled to point out that he was the run game coordinator in 2018 when they were terrible running the ball. It's a mindset and a mentality. All of these guys are vets and set in their ways. They play in two-point stances because they've been doing it for years. No one is telling them they have to change. They don't fire off the ball because they've become so accustomed to pass protecting on 60-70 percent of the plays. And even if they did put their hand in the dirt and fire off and attempt to play power football I'm not convinced they'd have a lot of success. Randy Fichtner said it out loud last week. They're not a line that's built to run. Other than Kevin Dotson, all of these guys are finesse players. Al Villanueva never could run block. Pouncey is a light center that isn't suited to play power, not at this stage of his career. DeCastro looks like he's hurt. At least the Steelers better hope he's hurt. If he's not, he's done.
Mike
1:16
Hey Ray.  I really enjoy your chats.  For at least the second time this year, JuJu danced pregame on the opponent logo.  I don't see anything good coming out of this from a team perspective.  Both opponents said they noticed this and it motivated them.  Why is this nonsense still allowed to happen?  Why hasn't any coaches or players put a stop to this?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
Tomlin was asked about it today. He said it was the first time he had heard of it. I find that hard to believe, but whatever. He went on to say professional athletes don't need motivation to win a game. I referenced that above. It's Harry High School type of stuff. But as I said earlier, and I'll repeat it again, Roethlisberger or Heyward should tell him to knock it off.
JD FLA
1:18
What are the Steelers going to do to get pressure from the right side. Turnovers are created from pressure and Highsmith is going to be good but not good enough in his rookie year.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:19
You're right. I didn't see Highsmith do much against the Bills. He needs to turn it up a notch. You know who else needs to turn it up? Stephon Tuitt. He was the Invisible Man against the Bills. I didn;t even know he suited up.
MG
1:19
Is there anything to report on Dotson's condition and how long he'll be out? If the Steelers are going to be forced to rely on a 3rd string guard, on an already weak line, for the rest of the season, that would seem pretty dire, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
Hassenauer is serviceable, but yeah Dotson returning would be good because he's probably their best run blocker.
Zavata
1:20
Ray, what do you make about the Booger comment that the OL is soft? And do you think the run game was slightly improved when Dotson came in?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
He's right. They're Charmin soft. And he's not the only one saying it. I saw Bucky Brooks make the same comment during or after the game on Twitter. And you know who else said it today? Mike Tomlin. He didn't come out and use the word 'soft.' But he did say the Bills were more physical than the Steelers "in all facts." In football, that's code for "you're soft."
Lou
1:21
Hello Ray!  Maybe Ben isn't totally washed up yet, but his arm isn't there, he's got a bum knee....would it make sense and would the team rest him just this week to see if Mason can do something if he's needed this season?  Seems like a good time to do it....rest for Ben, reps for Mason, and who knows....if push comes to shove this season, maybe Mason needs to take over.  I seem to recall in 2019, Pre-Helmet-Smash-Head, that his numbers were on par with Brady....which was good!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:22
Maybe after the AFC North is clinched. But if I'm the Steelers I'm trying to avoid the Ravens in the playoffs so I do what I have to do in those final two games.
Tim
1:23
Bigger offseason priority, o line or running backs? Third, fourth and fifth round running back selections are hopeful selections we have made in recent years. Time for a premium selection at rb or start w o line?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:26
They need a left tackle because Villanueva's contract is up and there is no reason to bring him back. That's an important position, so I wouldn't be surprised if that's their first pick. Good RBs can be had in the second round. Heck, almost any rounds or even in undrafted free agency. If you have a good run-blocking like a UDFA could work. Not sure what's going to happen with DeCastro so maybe you don't draft a guard if he comes back. Same with Pouncey. No sense in drafting a center high unless he's going to start as a rookie. Maybe you draft someone you like in the third or fourth round and groom him behind Pouncey for a year. But yeah, I'd definitely invest some picks to rebuild the line in April. It's a must. I think they might even be a year or two late in addressing it.
Picksixlisberger
1:26
Have the Steelers brought in any OL prospects with all the injuries?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:27
They have Derwin Gray on the practice squad. He's a guard. Not sure they'd sign anyone else unless Dotson can't play.
MG
1:27
If you were forced to place a bet today, who would you pick to be the starting QB for the Steelers on Opening Day next season: Ben or a player not currently on the roster? I no longer think option B is a longshot. (And I don't think Rudolph is any option at all)
Ray Fittipaldo
1:27
If you given Ben a good offensive line and a running game he can play for two or three more years. If they don't, he won't be very good. So I guess we'll find out after the season.
Josh
1:28
Do you think the Steelers draft a QB in the next draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:28
Depends if Ben signs an extension. If he doesn't sign an extension then I could see them taking one. If he signs an extension then I think they do everything in their power to maximize the remaining years with him and build a talented team around him.
CanadianSteelersFan
1:29
If I was told in September that the Steelers would finish 11-5 with a playoff spot I’d be pretty excited! Just a little perspective to talk some of us off the ledge. Do you think we can still make it to the Championship showdown with KC if we get a healthy roster?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:30
If the defense gets healthy the Steelers will have a puncher's chance to get to a title game. I'd feel much better about them if the offense showed some signs of life in these next three weeks.
rman
1:30
Hello Ray.  I tire easily reading comments that advocate cutting 4 to 5 players that have been all pro and firing coaches because the Steelers have lost 2 games.  Can you keep those comments to a minimum today?
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