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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.17.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:28
Welcome to this week's Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:29
Ray: A couple of timeout questions.  1) Was the information that Tomlim got caught up in that delayed him from taking the timeout for about 25 seconds that he was watching the replay like all of us to see how Hurts avoided TJ's strip attempt?  2)   after letting that time run off shouldn't he just have held onto the timeout at that point?  3)  didn't you think he botched the other two timeouts also?  The first one was too soon given how the Eagles were moving the ball and the third one before about a 3rd and 20 really just gave the Eagles a shot at a drive after the FG.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:32
Tomlin never specified what he got caught up in. But you have a good theory. In the press box, we were all wondering how Hurts hung onto the ball. And the way Watt attempted to strip him it appeared that maybe he got the ball out and rolled over without the ball hitting the ground. I wouldn't be surprised if that happened. But in the end, he can't get caught up in that. He needed to call the timeout first. Had he done that he would have had plenty of time to look at the replays to see if he should challenge. After that the whole 2-minute drill was botched. Wilson took a sack and they needed a pass to Calvin Austin just to get into field goal range. If there is 1:50 on the clock rather than 1:17 it's a much different story and likely a much different approach to trying to score a touchdown there.
steelmann58
11:33
Hey Ray  do you think one of the Biggest Mistakes by Mr Kahn was not getting us a Legit #2. And any clue why Mile Williams is not being Used n this offense
Ray Fittipaldo
11:35
The lack of a true No. 2 certainly was evident against the Eagles. The other WRs had a hard time getting open. When they acquired Mike Williams the hope was he could contribute some big plays, but his best days appear to be behind him. When he does play he's barely targeted. And he's not playing all that much. Austin and Van Jefferson play a lot more than he does not to mention the flock of tight ends Arthur Smith likes to use in his various personnel packages. There's nothing Khan can do at this point except pray Pickens comes back soon and injects some life back into the passing game.
Jim (Cosmo) K in Jax
11:35
Is Arthur Smith's use of certain personnel packages based on a rotation, play calls or some sort of bizarro logic where backups see the field in seemingly critical situations? It's difficult to have confidence in certain offensive packages. Also, was Harris benched after his fumble? I know Coach T does that...
Ray Fittipaldo
11:38
Smith likes to use a variety of players. He's done this at pretty much every stop. So that means there are times when MyCole Pruitt will be on the field for an entire series and Pat Freiermuth is on the sidelines. I witnessed that first-hand in the Browns game a couple of weeks ago. That's the kind of stuff that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Freiermuth is probably the team's best pass catcher while Pickens is hurt, and he's on the sidelines way too much. He should be on the field 90-95% of the time rather than the 65-70% he's used. As for Harris being benched, it's hard to say. They only had a few more snaps after that.
Tom P.
11:39
Ray, James Daniels is supposedly gone due to his severe injury and end of his contract; however, he is only 27 and was playing extremely well. Issac Semualo is 31 and showing definite slippage in play. He also has a long history of injuries. Should Daniels recovery be on schedule and be available by mini-camp, would it be unreasonable for the Steelers to sign Daniels to replace Semualo? His injury may lead to a discount and availability.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:41
Not sure they can afford Daniels, who if healthy, should command $15-18 million a year as a free agent. You have Seumalo for one more year at around $8 million. They'll probably draft another guard in the middle rounds this year.
Mike P.
11:41
Do the Steelers need to blitz Jackson more on Saturday to force him to make some quick decisions and take pressure off the suddenly suspect secondary?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:43
You can bet whatever the Steelers have done in the past they'll do against Jackson. He's 2-5 against the Steelers and his numbers are terrible. The Steelers like to keep him in the pocket and make him throw from there to beat them. That's their formula. Unless it's not working on Saturday, I wouldn't expect a big change from what they've always done.
DCSteelers
11:43
Thank you for telling it like it is in your weekly report card!  I’ve been pleasantly surprised this season because the Steelers have been better than I expected.  At the same time, some of the same warts keep coming back up over and over again - Tomlin’s poor clock management, “miscommunication” on defense, etc.  The Steelers way has brought a lot of success over the years, but has it caused them to be too slow to adapt?  I mean, it’s been obvious for years that Tomlin needs help with clock management.  And “miscommunication” has become a meaningless excuse for the highest paid defense in the league - makes me wonder if the scheme lends itself to mental errors?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:45
The defense is complicated, but the Steelers coaches expect their players to be able to learn it and play fast on the field. It doesn't always work out that way. Kenneth Gainwell set up one of the Eagles' touchdown when he was left alone on a passing play. It's not a good sign those types of things are happening in the middle of December. This is when you want to be playing your best football. Clearly, the Steelers defense was not playing its best football against the Eagles.
Robert in VA
11:46
Hi Ray. Season's Greetings and Thanks for the chats. Is Mike Tomlin humble enough to know to ask for help when he needs it?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:46
If he's not, Art Rooney II should give him someone anyway.
11:48
I would not want to play the Ravens for a third time so I'd be good with either the Chargers or the Broncos. The Steelers already beat those teams once this season, and the game would be at home. If I had to pick one or the other I'd go with the Broncos since they have a rookie QB starting for them.
Retire21
11:48
If Steelers win division which is your best case and worst case first game opponent scenario?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:48
Question to previous answer.
brian
11:48
Hey ray,  How do we look at Sundays game?  Morning after, it looks bleak.  But we were driving later in the game for the tie score until the fumble.  The penalties, Tomlin's management with the clock.  But it sure looked like the Eagles offense could do at will what they wanted.  What's your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:50
My take is Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin had a terrible offensive game plan going into the game and never really adjusted. Or did not adjust fast enough. I also have growing concerns with the secondary, especially the corners. They couldn't cover or tackle against the Eagles.
Mike from NY
11:50
Hi Ray. Does Roman Wilson have any chance of playing this year? They obviously need a quality WR out there
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
He's on IR right now with his second injury that required an IR stint. He hasn't practiced much. And when he has he hasn't been all that impressive. Unless there is an injury between now and the end of the season I don't think we'll see Roman Wilson on the field again until next year.
brian
11:52
Ray, are we seeing limitations with Arthur Smith or is he doing the best he can with the cast he's given?  The passes to Patterson in the flat??  Toss sweeps to a 230 pound back trying to get to the corner with Najee??
Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Looks like you've been reading my report cards after games. The Eagles are good, but you need a back who can hit the hole quickly versus a team like that and Harris does not do that. Warren would have been more effective if he had the bulk of the carries in that game. I know this: he couldn't have been much worse. I have no idea what Patterson adds to the offense.
mrbig
11:54
why does the national media think "benching Fields" was such an amazing coaching move? My understanding was Fields was the backup for the injured starter, who returned to start once healthy?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
That's exactly what happened. The Steelers were 4-2 at the time the move was made and Fields was playing well. So that's why there was some surprise at the change around the league. But not for anyone who follows the team on a regular basis.
Bud
11:55
Hello Ray. Which would be your bigger emphasis. Winning the division at all costs? Or resting your most important injured players?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
The Steelers are banged up now. They need those players to get healthy for the postseason. But Mike Tomlin has the right approach. If players are cleared by doctors to play they'll play against the Ravens. The division title and a home playoff game is on the line.
Hi Ray -
11:57
Would adding some fresh bodies to the defense help at all?  Cole Holcomb, Cory Trice, Adams?  Or is this all about TJ Watt - which is understandable?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Trice might help some at corner. He's big and physical and was playing well before his early-season injury. That's one to keep an eye on. Cole Holcomb's 21-day window has not been opened yet so he's a ways away. I know the ILBs didn't play well against the Eagles, but how does Holcomb fit in among Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Elandon Roberts? The likely scenario for Holcomb to be activated to the roster is an injury to one of the others, when, of course, Holcomb is ready to contribute.
Hi Ray -
11:59
Can they use Justin Fields in more roles than the read option?  Wildcat, slot receiver, running back (see Debo Samuels).  Anything to add a threat to their offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
They've been hesitant to do that, but I'd be exploring all of those options while Pickens is out of the lineup. The only thing that complicates it is Fields' abdominal injury.
Hi Ray -
12:01
I've played and coached football except on the NFL level. That said, it's absurd to say that Wilson can't help the passing game because he missed training camp.  Teams bring rookies off IR all the time.  Sign new players from very different schemes at the trade deadline.  He's had 3 months to learn the basics and get some game reps.  Is this young man not an NFL-caliber player? You can't bump Scotty Miller for some playing time.  Didn't this gent run a sub 4.4 at the combine?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
All these guys run 4.4s. Here's the deal: he lacks experience, chemistry with the QBs and an overall feel for the Steelers offense. It happens to rookies who get hurt. Maybe 2025 will be better for him, but I totally understand the reasoning behind redshirting him. He's not ready to help much right now.
Steel Town D
12:03
Thanks for the chats Ray!  Lamar, Mahomes, Burrow.  Are we staring at 0-3 and another 10-7 season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I'd be surprised if the Steelers finished 10-7. Let's see what the injuries look like a week from now before we go all doom and gloom.
Steel Town D
12:04
why is non-losing seasons a thing?  That is the definition of mediocrity.  Only winning seasons should matter.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I do.
Bud
12:04
Hello Ray. In your opinion, is TJ in the top 3 candidates for DPOY?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Absolutely. He's the frontrunner in my eyes. Who has been better this season?
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