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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.17.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
OK, let's get the chat started. Post your questions.
Devin
11:57
What was the atmosphere like at Heinz Field last night?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
T.J. Watt said it was the best atmosphere he ever played in. He said the crowd played a huge part in the game. Still 3,000 or so short of capacity, but those were there made their presence felt.
ALB
11:57
Great win yesterday, but if the Ravens should upset LA Saturday is the Steelers’ season over?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
If the Ravens upset the Chargers then the Steelers would be right back where they were before the Patriots game started -- in must-win mode. The Ravens play the Browns at home in the finale. You never want to count on another team to help you get in the playoffs. The good news for the Steelers is the game is in L.A. and the Chargers might be getting some key players such as Melvin Gordon and Kennan Allen back in the lineup. The bad news: the Chargers are due for a loss. This game is Saturday night so the Steelers will know what's up before taking the field Sunday.
Ryno
11:59
During weekly practices, does the kicker and holder go off by themselves and do nothing but practice kicking, or is the only practice with a full complement of players?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
It's both.
Juice
12:00
Why not try to run it in with Nix ad FB from the 5 yard line in the second half?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
The running game was much better yesterday. I ripped the offensive line for their play against the Raiders. I give them full credit this week. They stuck on their blocks longer. They executed their double teams much better. I thought they had a nice wrinkle with the cut-back zone play they kept running. I can't complain all that much about Nix not being a part of the game plan, but I do remember the sequence you referenced. It didn't turn out well for the Steelers. I guess the takeaway from this game might be the Steelers could have run more. Still hard to complain though given the outcome.
Ike Steelheart
12:03
If The Steelers beat The Saints, are they back in business for real and looking for a serious Super Bowl run?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
That would certainly open some eyes and put them back among the favorites. I think they slipped away from that conversation after the three-game losing streak. But again, if they lose and the Ravens win they might not even be back in the playoffs. It was a good win, but they have to keep the momentum going.
Renegade
12:04
Ray, how much influence did Jim Hermann have on the defensive game plan yesterday?  Does his stick around or was this a 1 week thing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I think a little bit too much is being made of this to be honest with you. They've had plenty of coaches come in during the season in past years. Monte Kiffin, Tomlin's former boss in Tampa Bay, came in for a week or so a few years ago. Others have done it. I think a lot of people are connecting dots that aren't there. Hermann is currently unemployed and he came in to visit for a week. Did they exchange ideas? Sure they did. But it's not uncommon. Plus, it's not like Hermann is some kind of defensive guru. He's an inside linebackers coach. That's it. I don't think he's ever been a coordinator in the NFL.
John
12:06
Ray - when is enough enough on not having someone advise Mike Tomlin on challenges?  0 for the last 10.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I tweeted that yesterday. The replay was inconclusive. The call on the field was going to stand. During the offseason I think they'll discuss as an organization. Maybe Tomlin needs to ask for help. Maybe Art Rooney II takes the responsibility away. I can't imagine they would want to continue what they're doing now.
Juice
12:08
Sorry, step 1 beat NE; step 2 lose to NO; Step 3 get beat by lessor Bungals...Steelerish?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Dang, Juice. I thought I was Mr. Negative.
T. Lazarus Link, aka, The Bishop
12:09
Ray, enjoying the heck out of the win but have to ask: why do the Steelers coaches try to outsmart themselves? Starting Burns and Sutton, watching Samuels burn up the NE defense and then getting pass-happy, stuff like that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Read my story later this afternoon. I have a theory on that.
Tucson
12:09
Who is this Samuels guy?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
He looked like a heck of a running back to me. I know the Patriots are having a hard time stopping the run, but I thought Samuels received too much blame for the Raiders game. That was mostly on the offensive line. It's amazing how teams can find players like this in the later rounds of the draft. He has a lot of skills. Very versatile and looks like he'll be a valuable piece to this offense.
JoeB
12:10
Did Rogers play a lot less in the second half? Seems like they went to the 5 wide look infrequently after halftime and Rogers wasn't out there much.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Yeah I noticed him more early. The game book has him down for 28 snaps. That's a pretty fair amount for his first game in almost a year.
Tucson
12:12
You see how high Haden jumped for the interception?  Wow! Heck of a grab.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
It's gotta be the shoes.
Vinny
12:12
How do you go from playing aweful defense to looking like a championship defense?mind boggling
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Even though Brady was sacked just once I thought they had consistent pressure on him all day. Plus, the Patriots had some costly holding and false start penalties. Playing at home with that crowd definitely was an advantage for the Steelers. That's why you like to have home-field advantage in the playoffs. If there is a rematch in New England, the Steelers won't be able to count on the Patriots having over 100 yards in penalties.
John
12:14
The offensive play calling near the goal line has been questionable this season.  It seems like Fichnter and/or Ben get too pass happy.  Don’t you think they should be running the football more near the goal line since they have one of the best offensive lines in the league and Ben has a tendency to throw interceptions in that area of the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I tend to agree with you. I'd like to see the fullback more down there. I've been on record saying that for a few weeks. It's just not something they've done a lot this year so I don't know if the comfort level is there. But hey, at some point you have to break your tendencies and give the opponent a different look. Maybe Randy Fichtner will unveil that in the next two games and playoffs if they make it.
Matt P Venice
12:15
What is the status of Artie Burns? MT said they felt more comfortable w/Coty's vet presence, but seemed to be playing mostly man coverage and that was Burns was drafted for, have they completely lost faith in him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I didn't see mostly man coverage. They played zone too. More man than usual, but they played zone too. I'd have to re-watch the game to get an exact count. The explanation from Tomlin after the game about Burns was odd. He absolved him of blame on the TD yet he never saw the field after that.
Shane
12:17
I think the Saints are the opponent that I’m hearing most people question the Steelers ability to beat (at least prior to yesterday). Do you think we win this game, and what do you think is the key to winning?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
I think that's because the Saints are very tough to beat at home. Fast track for their skilled offense and noise makes it difficult for opposing offenses. The Steelers are going to have to go down there and play a near flawless game to win. The Saints offense is really good despite some recent hiccups. Their past two games (before tonight) have been on the road. Like most teams, they're better at home. Root for the Chargers Saturday night. Even if the Steelers play well it might not be enough to get a win in the Superdome. The Saints are a legit Super Bowl contender.
Ryan
12:19
Ive seen several people downplay the Steelers performance by saying the Pats beat themselves with penalties. Personally I think the Steelers dominance up front helped lead to the Pats commiting said penalties, your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Yes the Steelers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball I think. That's where the game is won. That's what had been missing for the past month.
Manny
12:20
Still plenty mistakes often everywhere, do you think we can win championship Ray? I know it's far still, but I don't .. What say U
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Pretty wide open field in the AFC if you ask me especially if the Patriots don't get a top 2 seed. If they do I still think they're the favorites. But if not, I think any team that gets in can make it to the Super Bowl.
Kryder
12:21
MT lost his 10th challenge in a row and it would have been 11th if not for the “forward progressed stopped” call on the field. Why do you think he struggles so much determining how to challenge a play that he actually has a chance of winning?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Because he doesn't have anyone in the press box to help him. He watches the video board just like everyone else in the stadium and makes his determination. That's difficult, but it's especially difficult on the road where the other team is controlling what's shown. Other teams would be dumb to show any replays against the Steelers because Tomlin has made it known that's how he makes his decisions.
Chuck in Ohio
12:23
Was that the first time in the Danny Smith era where there wasn’t a special teams penalty?
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