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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.23.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
Welcome and let's get started.
Jim Bow Dean
11:00
Is next year’s starting OL from right to left T. Fautanu, M. McCormick, Z. Frazier, B. Jones, and D. Cook?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
Jones at guard? He's never played there. I'm good with everything you have except for left guard. Not sure what they'll do there, but they'll have options. They already know if it's a good year for OL in the draft or they can fill via free agency. Seumalo is having a good year, but he's getting older and injuries are a constant issue.
Jim Bow Dean
11:02
Have you ever seen a game with that many OPIs? I think there were at least four.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
I'm sure there have been others, but why should we be surprised the NFL officiating was a disgrace. The final play took the cake. Not only did St. Brown push off, but Ramsey and Porter stopped his forward progress and pushed him back to the 5-yard line before he flipped the ball to Goff. The play was dead. Many of the Steelers, including Porter and Ramsey, stopped playing. I don't know what the solution is, but it's so obvious they don't have qualified people in some of those positions. They made a big to-do about nothing. All they had to do was say "offensive pass interference on No. 14. The game is over."
Soggy
11:05
Good Morning & Merry Christmas Ray.  Is the 3 game winning streak the real Steelers or are we just waiting for Lucy to pull the football from out in front of us & revert to the same old Steeler recipe.  (December fade & playoff loss)
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
I think they've discovered a few things that might lead to continued winning. The run defense has been excellent the past two games against two very good running teams. The running game on offense also has been very good. When you add in the calculated risk taking on fourth downs I think it all adds up to a much different team. Those fourth down calls are so important. If you make them they can change games. The Steelers did not score a touchdown, but they took off the final 9:37 of the quarter against the Lions when they converted two fourth downs on that one drive. Playing keep away for nearly 10 minutes against the NFL's No. 1 offense is very smart strategy.
Takoma Tom
11:08
Since Metcalf is out the last two games can the Steelers get AB on work release from prison to fill in?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
Ha ha, it might come to that.
Carl in Carrick
11:09
Happy holidays Ray.  I don’t understand how DK can get a 2 game suspension when other players have done worse and were not given the same suspension.  Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
Examples? I know about the Lamar Jackson one from earlier this year, but the fan contacted him first. I think that's why the league did not discipline Jackson.
Jay B.
11:09
IF we make the playoffs and have any success do you see any scenarios where Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh next year with some more weapons?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
If he wants to come back I think the Steelers would be nuts not to re-sign him.
Lucas
11:10
Do you think the league will reduce DK’s suspension to one game?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
Those rulings don't usually go in favor of the players, but I was surprised at the length of the suspension so maybe if he has a convincing argument the NFL will bring it back to one.
Sergio from Mexico
11:11
Hello Ray. Love the work as always.
we can’t seem to make life easy for us… a chance for the title an DK gets suspended for 2 weeks. Who do you think will step up…? Adam thielen or MVS or both?  Happy holidays!!!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
I suppose Roman Wilson comes back, but he'll just be a depth player. Basically, everyone moves up in the rotation. I guess MVS is most similar to DK in terms of the type of player they have to replace so he might get more snaps and then everyone can stay in their roles. We'll have to wait and see how they proceed.
Tyler
11:13
Hi Ray, any idea what it will take to keep Gainwell next season?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
I say give him the Jaylen Warren contract. Two guys playing on the same deal.
Sam
11:13
Hi Ray.  If Saturday night goes the Steelers way, what if anything do you think changes in terms of snaps, active/inactive etc.  It sounds like the players want to play no matter what, but wouldn't you maybe give Kaleb Johnson 7-10 touches, definitely keep TJ out another week (if he could have even returned) and do anything you could in the quick passing game to keep Garrett away from a 42 year old with a broken wrist?  Merry Christmas!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
If the result goes the Steelers' way Saturday night there are only so many guys who can rest. You have to field a team and play a game. If I had to guess Watt would be down. Maybe Rodgers. Probably Heyward. I'd sit Hightsmith too. And yes, I'd feed Johnson 30 times. Keep Warren and Gainwell healthy for the playoffs. They can dress, but I would not play them a lot.
Ty Hink
11:16
Ray, it's incredible what a difference Harmon makes as far as stopping the run. After several games with him back it can't be a coincidence. Could you see Steelers getting one more stud DL in the early rounds to shore it up even more?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
I haven't delved too much into my draft prep so I couldn't tell you if this is a good or bad year for DL. But I'm all for building up the D-line again. Heyward can't play forever so they need to find a replacement for him eventually.
Daredevil
11:17
I know Cook hasn’t played much, but do you think he will be given a chance to start at left tackle next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
If he continues to play this way yes.
Jay
11:18
Hi Ray! First I want to say that I think the DK suspension is too much.. maybe a game, or a hefty fine - but 2 is too much.. hoping maybe an appeal gets it down to 1 game.. With that said, if the Steelers lose the next two games due in part to DK being out and offense not being able to score, and the Ravens win out and make the playoffs in our stead.. the toughest job in Pittsburgh may be DK's publicist - will not be a good look for him! Hoping that does not play out but this is a complete vibe killer for a team that is hot!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
I agree. What he did was very selfish. It should have never happened. I don't care what was said. Walk away.
Fort Wayne Nate
11:19
Morning, Ray.
If the Steelers had also been called for a penalty at the end of the game vs. the Lions and it had been offsetting penalties, would there still be one play left or would it still be the end of the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
Offsetting penalties would result in an untimed down.
CT ART
11:19
Does James Pierre get his job back when he returns? Samuels beaten again for at least one TD
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
Pierre hasn't practiced in two weeks so I'm not sure that's even a possibility this week, but if he healthy I think he'll be considered to start again.
CT ART
11:20
Take a flyer on Alan Lazard with DK out?  Big body. Good blocker. Familiar with AR.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
Maybe but then you'd have to make a move and remove someone from the 53 before the playoffs. I kind of like what their depth receivers are providing. After Sunday there is no way I'm cutting Scotty Miller. That guy came in and helped them win the game. Maybe there is another position where you can trim the roster, but it's tough this time of the year with all the injuries.
Bill in Charleston
11:22
Thanks for talking time for all of us die-hard Stiller fans. Do you see any remote chance that DK could have his suspension reduced to one game?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
There is a chance, but I don't think it's a great chance.
Line to Gain
11:22
Shouldn't the Steelers have somebody like Dom whom the Eagles have to help keep things straight/safe on the sidelines? Do the Steelers have somebody like that to keep an eye on situations like the one Metcalf was involved in?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
Yes, the Steelers have their own security personnel on the field with the team. I'm not sure what they were doing when Metcalf walked over to the fan, but they obviously were not near him.
J-town Johnnie
11:23
Ray, love the chats.  The Steelers seem to be playing their best football the last 3 games & It seems that teams playing well at the end of the season play well in the playoffs. Do you think the Metcalf suspension will derail the momentum?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
We'll find out, but I kind of want to see how the offense plays in Cleveland without him. The defense has been just fine without Watt the past two games. Good teams find ways to win when their best players cannot play.
Yates
11:25
Ray- Should the Steelers more frequently have 14 and 30 on field at same time since both can be receiving threats?  Also, should A Smith consider playing Scotty M over 19 even if 19 is healthy because AR seems to have better chemistry with him?
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