You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 1.22.18
powered byJotCast
Ray Fittipaldo
11:51
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
cjp
11:51
how can we continue to watch our defensive coaching staff continue to get out-coached, poorly evaluate/develop talent, make no in game adjustments and just get all around embarrassed in big moments with no changes.  We put up 42 on Jax and fire our offensive staff?  We give up 45 to jax, listen to defenders for the second year in a row talk about missed assignments, no adjustments, not knowing where to be in week 18 and no change to defensive coaches????  It's a total disgrace for this organization and Tomlin to continue this charade
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
Well, they didn't actually fire anyone. Todd Haley's contract was not renewed. Richard Mann retired. But to your point about the defense they have to change a few things. You are right about the communication errors and mental lapses. Good defenses don't have those problems. So the Steelers have to get smarter players to execute their assignments or they have to make their defense simpler. But you shouldn't lose to a team like Jacksonville because your defense allowed 45 points. It should not happen. The same Jaguars team only scored 10 in these same playoffs against the Bills and 20 against the Patriots.
Moose
11:55
The Steelers loss hurt, but I'm almost glad it happened.  When you disrespect your opponent, don't focus on your job at hand, tweet about next year's contract holdouts, and miss practice without any accountability, THEN WE DESERVED TO LOSE!  What say you Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
I tend to agree it's a bad idea to talk trash and tweet, but I can tell you the head coach and the players don't feel the same way. Tomlin came out and said as much at his season-ending presser.
Moose
11:56
With the new OC, I assume we will keep the same system, but the only thing that will differ is the relationship with Ben?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
I am sure Randy Fichtner will add his own personal touch to the offense, but yes the move was made so there would be some continuity. Why change offenses when your QB is 36 and still playing at a high level?
Moose
11:57
The Jags took a page out of the Steeler's book and played too conservatively with a lead!  Why do the Steelers play prevent OFFENSE when we are up by only 2 scores and a lot of time left to play?  It kills momentum and lets teams hang around.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
The Patriots played great situational football Sunday. They pinned the Jaguars deep, stopped the run and made Bortles beat them by throwing. That's what the Steelers should have done, but they could never get the running game under control. That's why they lost. The Patriots were kind of stunned early in that game just as the Steelers were. The difference is they made some good adjustments, played good situational football and completed the comeback. The Steelers could not do that. If the Steelers were able to tie that game against the Jaguars they would have won. As soon as the pats went ahead I knew they'd win because it was then on Bortles to win the game and not manage it.
Moose
11:59
Why wasn't Porter and Lake terminated within 24 hours of our loss?  Is Tomlin's seat officially warm?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
I don't think it's warm, but there should be sufficient reason for ownership to ask Tomlin to clean some things up with his operation. I don't think that's too much to ask.
DaquidoBazzini
12:00
Hi Ray, I’ve seen a couple guys that cover the  Steelers in the past week say that they think Mike Mitchell will be back. What do you think and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
I guess it all depends on how they approach free agency and the draft. Mitchell is a $8.1 million cap hit for 2018, the final year of his five-year contract. The Steelers can save $6 million by cutting him. Those are the facts. But you can't just cut him and replace him with Robert Golden. You have to have a plan to replace him whether in free agency or the draft. Remember when Will Gay was tortured by Brady in the 2017 AFC title game and everyone thought he had to be replaced? Well, there he was in the loss to the Jaguars missing an assignment on the TJ Yeldon dump-off. I said it then about Gay and I'll say it about Mitchell this year. If he's on the team next season and playing they won't win a Super Bowl.
Dj Cain
12:04
Ray thanks for the Chats! All this y’all about Bell and his contract, do you think we have seen the last of him in a Steelers jersey?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I think they value great players. He's a great player, an All-Pro. But I think they can win without him if they want to go down that road if they feel like he's worn out his welcome. They did it in 2015. Running backs are replaceable.
TK
12:06
I still don't understand why they released James Harrison.  He showed yesterday that he can still rush the passer, and I don't get why they didn't play him on the left side instead of Bud DuPree.  I know they want DuPree to develop, but it would have been nice to have Harrison pressuring Bortles in the JAX game.  Why do you think they released him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
That's still a good question. If he indeed was sleeping in meetings and being a disruption at work then the Steelers had the right to do that. However, the timing to me is odd. Why do it so late in the season if he was doing these things all along. Why not suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team so he could not play for the Patriots? The other odd part about the timing is how the Patriots were involved. The Steelers play the Pats Dec. 17. The Steelers cut him Dec. 23. I wonder if the Steelers have surveillance video from Heinz Field of Harrison on the 17th. Did he speak with the Patriots on the 17th at any time? We saw something similar to LeGarrette Blount. Wink, wink, nod, nod, get yourself released and we'll use you.
DaquidoBazzini
12:10
I have not seen a word from Art Rooney Jr since the loss. Is it possible  that we could still see Defensive coaching staff changes?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Art Rooney II will speak with the media before the end of the month or early next month. He does it every year. And while things could change with the defensive staff it's apparent that Tomlin's preference is to keep things the same.
David C.
12:11
What are the chances that the Steelers use the non-exclusive Franchise tag on Bell? Also, would any team even consider giving up two first rounders for a RB in the NFL today? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
That's an option, but if you do that you had better be prepared to pay him that guaranteed money because who in their right mind would give up first-round picks for a Bell when he's only guaranteed to play for that team for one year?
Moose
12:12
The Pat's best quality imo is their discipline and flexibility.  No other team game plans better vs their opponents strengths and weaknesses.  You never know what the Pats are going to look like from week to week.  Doesn't it seem like Tomlin is stubborn and sticks to the "we are just gonna play our game" mentality?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
They do make good adjustments. That's what they always do. They're not going to beat themselves. The opponent has to do it. Teams have come close this season. The Steelers had them beat before the infamous Jesse James play. The Jaguars were up 10 in the fourth. But you have to finish the job against them. With Brady at QB, they'll always have life.
David C.
12:14
Will Mike Mitchell become a cap casaulty? How much wiggle room do the Steelers have in cap space (dependent on Bell's contract situation)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
They'd have to rearrange some things, with Mitchell being an example where they could save $6 million.
David C.
12:15
Is Hargraves size a concern when trying to execute a 3-4 scheme? Do the Steelers need to get a true nose tackle to fix their run defense? (Would they ever consider switching to/incorporating more 4-3 schemes if Shazier doesn't return?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
That's a good question, but you have to look at how they've drafted in recent years. They've taken two 3-4 OLBs in the past three years in the first round. Yes, I know they could move inside if they go to a 3-4, but is that where they are at their best? I don't know. The Steelers have to get better at stopping the run. They're not going to make a change at either DE spot because they have too much money invested in those guys so Hargrave is the obvious place where they could make a change. If Vita Vea from Washington is there at No. 28 they'd at least have to consider taking him.
GeeNo
12:18
Hi Ray – While I believe Tomlin is a good coach (how can he not be with his records?), there are definitely steps he needs to take to go from good to great.  I wish I knew all of answers (like how to stop playing down to competition, how to manage the last 2 minutes of a game better) but I’d hope Mike reflects on this.  However, it seems like his answers to questions are either dismissive or defended by something like “we won’t live in our fears.”  Do you get the sense the coaches try to improve themselves as well as the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Of course. And just because he is dismissive with the media doesn't mean these issues are not addressed behind close doors with others in the organization.
Andrew
12:18
Hi ray!  I like the moves made with the staff on offense. Why nothing on defense?  The defense was a disappointment and their ranking was not a true reflection of performance.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
A lot of people are asking that question. The defense was having issues before Ryan Shazier was injured. When Shazier went down they became even worse. Looking back, it obviously was a bad decision to think Sean Spence could walk in and start for a contender after being out of the NFL for two months. Why didn't the Steelers have better depth behind him? Look at the Patriots. They lost Dont'a Hightower early in the season and had players on the roster step in for him. They weren't great, but they got the job done and they're in the Super Bowl. I know you can't have quality depth at every position because of the salary cap, but there had to be a better option than Spence. Moving Watt or Dupree inside and playing Harrison certainly was an option though Harrison's antics might have prevented that from being seriously considered.
Carlo
12:22
Ray, what are your thoughts on the defensive adjustments made by Tomlin and Co after the Shazier injury? Seemed like they continued like he was still out there but we had no player that matched his speed and athleticism. I found it pretty obvious but thought changes would eventually be made at some point. It's hard to watch how the Pats adjust so well in game and we can't adjust over the course of half a season and into the playoffs (after a bye).
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Read above. Watt or Dupree moving inside might have been a better option. Play Harrison or Chickillo outside.
Jasonh
12:22
For Coach Tomlin not to see the need for change on the defensive staff is concerning to me. Joey Porter has been a distraction previously and Bud Dupree has regressed. Our pass defense has blown assignments regularly and is toward the top in the league in long pass completions and Artie Burns has regressed. Also seems to me it’s time for a new DB Coach too. Seems like Tomlin is being obstinate.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I don't disagree with you on some of your points. It just might be that they believe in the defense and the players are failing in their execution. The players have said that over and over since the loss to the Jaguars. They believe in the defense. They just made too many mistakes and there were too many mental lapses.
Moose
12:23
Can we draft more quiet football guys and less barking social media guys?  Can you imaging Aaron Smith, Troy P, or Heath talking crap before the game or recording locker room footage for their followers?  I'm tired of players more worried about their brand than their team/job.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
Sounds like a good idea to me, Moose.
Jasonh
12:24
I think a message needs to be sent by the Steelers to the team (Tomlin included) that the only way they get back to the Super Bowl is to be a more disciplined team. Don’t resign Bell and release Mitchell. Use the freed up money to get James Farrior level talent in free agency at safety and rb. Draft inside lbs and rb in the top 3 picks. Steelers need to go back to being a Team to get back to the Super Bowl.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
I think there are people who agree with you, Jason.
John M.
12:25
Are the Steelers going to do nothing to fix the paper curtain defense? To keep the same players and coaches and expect different results seems like a recipe for failure once again.
Load More Messages
Connecting…