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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.17.24
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Bud
12:05
Hello Ray. You saw the impact both lines made for Philly. With Omar’s assistant, (hope he doesn’t move on to greener pastures), would you guess he try’s to duplicate exactly that in the next draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Andy Weidl wants to build from the trenches out. He wants physical football teams. He's invested high picks in the offensive line and my guess is the defensive line will get addressed next. It won't be all the high picks. They need a WR and a CB too, but DL is the first priority for me.
Guest
12:06
What is pickens and watt status as of now?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Questionable. They practice in a little bit so we'll find out later on today if they do anything. Not that a Tuesday practice means much. What they do on Thursday matters most.
Jim Bow Dean
12:07
Is it an overreaction to say Tomlin’s decision to punt in Philly territory with 11 minutes left and down two TDs his worst in game decision in his career? Mind numbing dumb.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Not at all. I might have gone for it considering the way was going, but he explained yesterday that it was fourth-and-7. When it's fourth-and-seven you probably have to max protect. That means fewer receivers out in the the routes. The logic behind punting there is fine. I think people have more of an issue with Tomlin having confidence in his defense to make a stop in that situation when they had done nothing to that point to warrant such confidence from their head coach.
Jim Bow Dean
12:09
How does roughing the kicker after the punt leads to a first down for the punting team but head slapping someone after the punt does not? So many NFL rules make no sense.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Nothing with the NFL's replay review system makes any sense.
Little snack
12:11
I think many fans had hoped the toss to Najee play had left when Matt Canada did. Seems like it usually results in a TFL, or worse, like it did against the Eagles. What are OCs trying to accomplish with that play choice?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
The play is fine, but Warren has should be the back to run it.
Fort Wayne Nate
12:11
Hi, Ray. Looking at the Steelers/Eagles box scores from diff sites. They have the fumble going on R. Wilson and not Harris. Are the statistician's as blind as the refs were Sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
That will be corrected, if it hasn't already been corrected.
ABNormalville
12:12
If New York can jump in whenever on replay assist, Why can’t they help out on penalty calls? An Eagles player threw like 3 punches at Darnell Washington and another hit Austin with a punch to the head, yet only Steelers get a penalty. Maddening. I know it didn’t impact the outcome but all these awful calls hurt the game overall.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
They can, but the NFL insists its replay officials in the stadium nor in New York had access to any replays showing the punches. Hard to believe, I know, but that's what they're saying.
Alan in Bama
12:13
Good morning Ray, love your Steelers chat. Trying to keep the “you’re never as good or bad as you think” and just wanting to get Sunday’s trashing behind us. Russ didn’t look great by any means but it appeared and Brady commented numerous times that nobody was open. Are the receivers minus Pickens not good route runners, OC’s plan not effective? Your thoughts.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
More to the point, the WRs without Pickens simply are not good enough to succeed on their own. They need Pickens to draw coverage so they can get some open looks. Pickens cannot return fast enough.
Born_in_Pgh_live_in_Philly
12:15
I know the offense is much improved over last  year with the addition of Arthur Smith and Russell Wilson, ... BUT ... why does it still seem so predictable on first-and-ten?    We always start the game with a running play (if not two).  After a chunk pass play for a first down,  we never go play action on first-and-ten ... we always do a running play for a yard or two which is such a momentum buster.   I'm not an NFL guru and I can guess what's coming next a lot of the time, so I'm guessing the NFL gurus can see our formulaic offense as well.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I'm with you. Smith did a good job of breaking his tendencies against the Bengals a few weeks back. He has to do more of that going forward. And it goes without saying, it's a lot easier to call plays when Pickens is on the field.
Seven
12:16
Buffalo and Josh Allen looked superb in Detroit Sunday. Since the Bills are the only one of the top AFC teams not subjected to this ridiculous late season schedule (three games in 11 days), should they now be the favorites to win the conference title and perhaps the Super Bowl?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I thought of that as well. They're going to benefit greatly from this schedule as long as they take care of their business.
Steve
12:17
Ray, Could you tell the Steelers that runs up the middle on every first down are evident to every opponent. In the 50’s it was called high diddle diddle Rogel up the middle-named after the Steelers fullback, Fran Rogel.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Steve! You gave away your age. My dad used to say that all the time.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:18
Since the DB's are getting toasted every week now in 1 on 1 coverages, do they adjust and play more zone down the stretch?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Not for every game, but they certainly have to make some adjustments for teams with qualify receivers.
ABO
12:19
I don't understand the value or strategy of using MyCole Pruitt.  4 tight ends dilutes the value of the group.  Connor Heyward has disappeared, especially as a receiving option even though he has great pass catching hands.  Darnell Washington hasn't been targeted much recently.  And of course, Freiermuth could be a much higher profile receiving tight end in the league. Couldn't that fourth tight end roster spot be much more valuable elsewhere on the field? I just don't get it. Do you have any insight into the strategy and reasons for?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
They like Pruitt as a run blocker. That's pretty much it.
Bern
12:20
First and 30 or second and 20, which puts the defense in a more advantageous position?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I would have accepted the penalty and put them in first-and-30 and said it at the time.
Jim (Cosmo) K in Jax
12:21
Who is your roy for the team? Is beanie still in the running?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I'm going Payton Wilson.
Guest
12:22
Were some of the issues in the secondary caused by Fitzpatrick playing a different role than usual with Elliot out? Maybe he's worth some of that money after all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
The biggest issue for the secondary was tackling. And that has nothing to do with Fitzpatrick playing a different role.
Yogi in Yonkers
12:23
I saw Mark Robinson in kick coverage on Sunday. I didn't even realize he was still on the team. Has he gotten any defensive snaps this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
If he has I don't remember, but he did force that fumble from Cooper DeJean.
MJ
12:24
Do you think TJ Watt will be 1st Team All Pro this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Yes.
LivingInMyFears
12:24
Hi Ray, any update to TJ's ankle?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
They'll have a practice report out around 4 today. That will tell us what he did today, but as I mentioned earlier the only day that matters if Thursday. He's a vet. If he can practice one day he'll be ready for Sunday.
Drunk uncle
12:25
Raymond, what kind of adult beverages Mrs fittipaldo gonna have for you for Xmas & new year
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I don't know yet. Give me some recommendations. I have to go to the store next week after I get back from Baltimore.
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