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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.17.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Didn't realize that. Good for Danny and his units. They needed a good game. Haven't had enough good games this season.
Blackhawk Bob
12:23
Was Gronk made nearly invisible due to the Steelers defensens, the Patriots playbook, or Gronk losing to Father Time .
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Gronk doesn't look as fast or nimble as he once did. That guy has taken a lot of shots over the years. He's endured a bunch of injuries. Maybe that's why Belichick wanted to trade him. But give credit to the Steelers for guarding him too. I didn't see him running free a whole heck of a lot.
Mark
12:25
Ray, Tomlin said the Hogan touchdown wasn't Burns' fault but he permanently yanked him right after it.  What gives?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I didn't really understand his explanation to be honest with you, but I do have a theory that I explore in a story that will be published later this afternoon.
Mark
12:26
Granted the sample size is small and teams hadn't yet gameplanned for him, but Samuel's collegiate talents seem to be translating to the pro game.  In your opinion and with your knowledge of the inner-workings of the Steelers coaches, what are the odds we'll regularly see a RB by Committee with Conners and Samuels, both this season and next?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Way too early to tell. Tomlin has preferred heavy touches for his running backs the past few years. But they certainly have a weapon in Samuels, who can run and catch out of the backfield. He can line up as a receiver too. I think he does that better than Conner, who is more of a check-down guy.
fredward
12:27
So, what exactly happened a) To Artie Burns after Tomlin said he was starting and b) the whole defense on Hogan's walk-in TD?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I started to re-watch the game this morning before the chat. Tony Romo said on the CBS telecast that Edmunds or Haden should have followed Hogan. It looked like Burns was plastered on his man running across the field. It looked like Haden was playing zone. This might have been what Tomlin was referring to after the game when he said he screwed up the communication. It looked like another case where the call was not relayed to all players on the field.
Steeler Nation Michigan
12:29
Hi Ray, Jim Herrmann actually came and studied the Steeler D before he helped lead Michigan to a National Championship, as M's D-Cord, in '97. Is he being hired for the rest of the season/permanently or just a one time thing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
Not sure if he'll be around this week, but it's usually not for weeks. These visits usually only last a week or so.
Guest
12:30
The depth at wide receiver suddenly looks much better, doesn't it?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Great point. I thought James Washington was terrific. If that was his turning point then the Steelers offense could get another viable weapon.
Chuck in Ohio
12:30
A major bright spot last night and future.....2018 draft picks played a solid game. Edmunds didn’t make any S mistakes that in years past have haunted us (Mitchell, Smith) vs Brady, Washington biggest catch of career and Samuels was a star. Thoughts on draft now after just one more game - biggest stage? I’m excited!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Yeah good point. Edmunds played every defensive snap again. This was not the plan for him. They signed Burnett to start. But Edmunds is holding up fairly well. He makes mistakes, but that's expected of rookies. Samuels and Washington coming through like that was huge for the Steelers. I don't think this class will match the 2017 class because Watt and JuJu were so good, but they're making some nice late-season contributions.
John
12:32
Ray - Mike Tomlin having full authority on challenging has reached the point of no return.  It is very difficult to see from the sidelines and if you are extremely lucky, you might get a view on the jumbotron, why the constant refusal to hire someone upstairs to inform you on when to challenge a play?  Seems like a really simple fix to a very obvious issue.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Probably not something they want to experiment with during the season. But like I said before, I can't imagine the front office wanting to see this continue in 2019.
Guest
12:33
Hey Ray, do you know how the Steelers OL graded out against Oakland?  Seemed like there were a lot more holes for our RB last night than the previous week.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Yeah they played much better against the Patriots. They need to play like that every week.
Kryder
12:33
I know everyone is excited the defense held the lead to give us a win but i still thought Brady had a lot of time with those 4 man rushes and he uncharacteristically overthrew his receivers and pats had at least 4 key drops.  I still would have preferred some 5 man blitzes like the pats brought against Ben.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Brady had time on a few occasions, but I think there was consistent pressure on him. He felt it. Maybe they'll mix things up if there is a rematch. They'll probably have to. Brady admitted afterward the Steelers had a few wrinkles that caused some problems for them.
DJ
12:34
Big Ben having a great year, any idea why all the INTs? Is he pressing too much?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
JuJu wasn't open on the first one. He should throw that ball away, run or take the sack. The second one he threw into tight coverage. Brown usually makes that catch, but there was a lot of traffic. I think it's carelessness, the old gunslinger mentality. Call it whatever you want, but the Steelers need him to stop throwing them. They're minus-9 in turnover differential. They have to be better there.
BB
12:37
Ray - Looks like it is the O line and other playmakers on offense....who is going to pay Bell his $17 million now?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Don't worry someone will.
Roy G
12:37
I liked some of the wrinkles in the running game.  Do you think there could be more?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Not sure if you can do that every week. I'm sure the Saints will practice for it. The Patriots did not have that luxury. The Steelers unveiled it for the first time all season. Good teams keep adding new things every week to keep the opposition on their toes.
DJ cain
12:39
Ray could beating the Patriots be good for the Steelers psyche moving forward? Like a good chance of making a SB run?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
I'm not buying the Patriots are in trouble theme that's making the rounds today. If they get a bye they're my favorite from the AFC to reach the Super Bowl. But if they don't I think it's up for grabs.
Gene
12:39
Great Steeler win but the fans deserve some credit too by being as loud as I can ever remember.  Your thoughts Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Check out what T.J. Watt said after the game. He said it was a great atmosphere to play in.
wisconsin Winters
12:40
I still don't like how this team does not play with a lead and the ball very well.  They should have been up by at least 2 scores in the 3rd quarter. What says you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
If not for the INTs and the missed FG they might have been.
Doug
12:40
Ray - I am not letting one 48 FG blind me from what has been an atrocious kicking season for Boswell.  I know the 48 yarder was a big FG, but I am having a very hard time seeing that as a spring board to good season going forward.  Are they brining in more kickers this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I doubt it. If they didn't make the move last week they're not making it this week. Plus, Kai Forbath signed with the Jaguars last week after his tryout here.
LA Matt
12:41
Is there a reason why Big Ben, when the running game is working and  they are trying to take time off of the clock, seems to try to go for it all, especially with it being second down and 5-6 to go? Then, worse yet, when the long pass fails, they miss on third down and are forced to put. It happened at least twice yesterday almost cost us!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
He had guys open on some of those plays that you reference. The one to JuJu near the end was one-on-one coverage. Ben said he had to give him a better ball. Still, JuJu had a chance to make a play on it. That would have put the game away. I don't have a huge issue with it. Sometimes you have to take shots when teams are giving you certain things especially if you like the matchups going into the game.
Kryder
12:43
I’m already upset looking at the Steelers opening day tie and loss to raiders.  We would be 10-4 and in the hunt for 1 or 2 seed.  Man, what a waisted opportunity.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Good point.
Jim
12:43
Ray I think it is clear this team can beat anyone and lose to anyone.  I feel like the talent on the team indicates it is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But when you watch the drastic changes in performance from week to week, it is hard to imagine them getting on a real run. What do you think is the most realistic outcome of the season based on what you have seen?
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