You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.21.21
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Good afternoon. Let's get the chat started.
Bernard
1:58
With the Steelers struggles scoring and stopping the run, field position seems critical.  Do you think they make a change at P given these issues and the fact they are still in playoff hunt?  This team has zero margin for error and punting almost cost them the game Sunday.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Tomlin was asked about Harvin today and basically said he smiles in the face of adversity so they've continued to run him out there in hopes of him improving. They signed a practice squad punter a few weeks ago and then cut him after a few days so he wasn't very good either, or they've made the decision they're simply not going to cut a draft pick.
Utah Jim
2:00
Harris only had 14 touches against the Titians. Are they trying to reduce is workload and was it just game circumstances?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Game circumstances. The Steelers only ran 46 offensive plays.
Utah Jim
2:01
With the atrocious O-line can Matt Canada be fairly judged? I don’t know if Bill Walsh could do much better.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I'm pretty sure Bill Walsh could do better.
Mercury.
2:01
Teams seem to be running at will toward the right side of the Steelers defense.  Is Highsmith part of the problem there?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
He's been better in the run game than in the pass rush, but he doesn't always set the edge the way he needs to. I noticed that more than once against the Titans. If he sets the edge properly he makes the running back cut it back inside into the teeth of the defense. When he fails to set the edge there is a huge lane for the back to run downhill.
Rob
2:03
How bad does lt make the steelers look with their head coach blowing the camera a kiss....Personally I thought it was in bad taste considering the recent drama with Claypool
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Honestly, that did not bother me.
Bernard
2:03
Love the coverage and chats.  Have a Merry Christmas.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Bernard!
Utah Jim
2:04
Why was Tomlin covering his face? Nobody else did.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
He's trying to be proactive and take precautions with the Omicron variant causing big problems in other NFL cities.
Mercury.
2:05
Why do coaches cover their mouths when they call plays, but the quarterbacks don’t cover theirs when they repeat the same play call in the huddle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Easier to read lips when a helmet and face mask are not obscuring the mouth.
cougar77
2:06
Big fan of the chats.  Why has the NFL allowed the game to become a rugby match?  In the New Orleans game several guys went behind the QB and drove him forward, out of the end zone, for several yards, for example.  Happens all the time and that used to be illegal. I think it should still be.  Tks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I don't mind it. It's so hard to score in goal-to-go situations. These defensive linemen oftentimes have the edge in these situations because they are as big or bigger than the offensive linemen. And the same goes for trying to get out of your own end zone. The game has its roots in rugby, after all. This small similarity does not bother me.
And I think the Steelers should do it! They never do.
Jacob
2:08
Ray, thanks as always for the chats. Your answers are always so well-informed and respectful. Much appreciated! I understand that we are very spoiled in Pittsburgh. How low does Mike Tomlin have to sink in terms of production to be relieved of command? Yes, we won yesterday but barely, and forgive me, oh Gerry Dulac, if a win is not a win because our team sucks. We win in spite of our offense, run defense, and special teams performance.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
A lot would have to happen to answer your question simply. Even though the results have not been up to the franchise's standard in recent years the ownership  group is behind him. And let's face it, they are facing a rebuild soon. Once that rebuild starts in earnest you want the new QB to grow with the coach and the staff. So unless a change is made after this season -- and I don't think there will be -- it makes total sense to have Tomlin coach the new QB for his first few years.
Jeff
2:10
Ray the Steelers special teams are consistently under whelming.  Has it occurred to anyone that maybe Harvin was really good in college and not so good now because of the coaching?  Same with Jordan Berry in reverse who seems to have found himself since leaving Pittsburgh. I watched Danny Smith for years in Philly and I don't know how he still has a job in the NFL.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Danny can't go out there and kick for Pressley Harvin. Why are we trying to protect the player here? He hasn't performed well. Plus, it's freaking punting. All he has to do is drop the ball and boot it.
Mike
2:11
Happy holidays to you and your family.  Appreciate your great work. Last games have meaning, but we know team cannot go far in playoffs (if it makes it).  So, in terms of next year and prioritizing needs, what are you - and what should we be - looking at?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Rebuild the trenches! I start with allocating draft resources to the offensive and defensive lines. There are issues at other positions, too, but I start there.
burghatheart
2:12
Merry Christmas Ray - Thanks for all that you've done for us this year!!   Based on ARII mandate last year of "re-establish and fix the running game", and knowing that this was the request the last two years, how do you feel he would evaluate this year if finish with 8 or 9 wins?  On one side, pretty remarkable that a team with this many issues can win 8 or 9 games... on the other, incredibly disappointing that after two years the running game has actually gotten worse.  How do you feel ARII will rate this year... and what actions should we anticipate?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
You are right. It would be a real accomplishment to win nine games with this offense and specifically this running game. It's almost like they operate without a running game at all. Their best running play for the past month has been a reverse to a receiver. I think for that reason Matt Canada's job is on the line. I'm not sure they can bring him back. And like I said earlier with a new QB coming in, you want that QB to learn from a qualified person. The last thing you want to do is draft or sign a QB and then fire Canada after one season. That would be the completely wrong approach. So, there is a big decision awaiting Mike Tomlin at season's end.
Brian
2:15
Does anyone want to win the AFC North? Let's play the game, prediction on final standings?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
  1. Bengals. 2. Ravens. 3. Steelers. 4. Browns. (I could easily see the Steelers in second rather than third).
Big Ed 71
2:16
Hey Ray, happy holidays to you and yours. Not really a question just a comment. I just don't understand the clock management at the end of the first half. It seems like this has been a problem all year. We could have at least had an additional minute on the clock & coated us at least three points. Coach Tomlin said he was worried about stopping the Titans what can't you do both?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Tomlin was asked about that today. He basically said he's much better at multi-tasking in Year 15 as opposed to when he was a rookie head coach. So he definitely didn't admit he made a mistake. I, for one, didn't think he would. And so, he doesn't view it as a problem.
Chuck from Michigan
2:18
Ray, Steelers running game is pathetic, thanks to the run plays being called.  Najee Harris is as good or better than Dalvin Cook or Joe Mixon, the difference being that the Vikings and Bengals make use of the RB's speed, not just power.  Najee will have a short career if he constantly tries to run over every tackler.  Canada needs some old fashioned Steelers run plays with off/tackle, around the end, two TE sets and quick hitters in the hole. Najee is the second greatest "Harris" Steelers RB.  Appreciate your thoughts.  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
They definitely need to do something because you are right. It is pathetic. Adrian Klemm made some changes. We haven't seen any marked improvement. I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to think it's the personnel.
Troy
2:19
Ray - please tell me how and why Matt Canada is an offensive coordinator in the NFL. I thought that letting Randy go was our best move of the offseason, but I was somehow  mistaken. Matt Canada has benefitting from one geographically convenient good season as an OC in at the college level more than any human in the history of planet Earth. Here is his scoring offenses, by rank, as an OC over the last decade:

2012: Wisconsin OC: 60/124
2013: NC State 98/125
2014: NC State 57/128
2015: NC State 42/128
2016: U Pitt 10/128
2017: LSU 76/130
2018: Maryland 68/130
2019: Unemployment Line
2020: QB Coach for Steelers
2021: Currently 21/32 scoring Offense

This dude has been extremely mediocre his entire career with the exception of his one year at UPitt in 2016. He was fired and called a “mistake” from Coach O at LSU (Yikes). Our offense is as uncreative, inept, and predictable as I’ve ever seen with Ben at Quarterback. WHY IS HE AN OC IN THE NFL?!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Hmmm. There is a reason.
Tampa Too
2:19
Harvin one and done?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Maybe.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:19
Spillane saw 34 snaps on Sunday. Scheme or message to Bush?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I think we'll see more of Spillane over the final games, but Bush won't be benched. They'll just reduce his snaps.
Connecting…