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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.24.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
Merry Christmas everyone. Let's get the chat started. Post your questions...
Utah Jim
10:57
It feels like every decision Tomlin made this season was wrong.  Is this year his worse performance yet?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
Tomlin certainly hasn't had his best season. We can debate the fake punt all we want. I would have punted and forced the Saints to drive the length of the field. I thought the defense was playing well at that point int he game. But there have been so many decisions that have cost him. How about putting Ridley in the game on third-and-2? How about the decision to keep Ben out of the game in Oakland? I could go on and on...
Brad
10:58
Do the Ravens lose to the Browns?  Best guess?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
No. It's in Baltimore. The Ravens have the NFL's No.1 defense and they're playing a rookie QB. It would be a monumental collapse if they lost to the Browns.
Smike
10:59
What's the biggest reason for steelers collapse in so many games this year, and also what do you think needs to be done to fix issues? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
I just think they have to be on their details more. They need to be better in turnover differential, both protecting the ball better and creating turnovers. They need better personnel in the secondary. Better coaching on defense. And I'm not pointing fingers at any of the defensive coaches, I just mean overall. You can't give up a 25-yard gain on third-and-20. The guy was wide open. Who's fault is that. It was obviously a blown coverage. So why aren't they being coached better in those situations. I'd be here forever today if I listed everything. It's a lot of things.
RI Steeler
11:02
If the defense didnt have a history of giving up long drives at the end of the game then I would agree with the fake punt.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
But the defense was playing well at that point, no? I mean, you can argue the officials gifted the Saints 14 points in the game. The first pass interference on Joe Haden gave them their first touchdown. The second one kept a drive alive late in the red zone. So if I'm the coach I take all of that into consideration when I go for the fake. Also, the look can be there for the fake, but the execution has to be perfect by the blockers. It's not enough for the look to simply be there. It didn't look like it was blocked well enough. Or the Saints snuffed it out.
Ike Steelheart
11:05
Ray, be honest. Let's say The Browns win. Are The Steelers capable of win a SB this year? It would not be better to pick in the late 20s the following draft and at least have a shot to real talent in round 1, 2 and 3? If they don't win a SB they will be again picking at 26,27,28!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
I kind of have a similar feeling about this year as I did in 2015, when they needed help to get in the playoffs on the final weekend. They got in, won a game and should have beaten Denver in Denver. They could have won the SUper Bowl that year. I feel the same way this year even though they are unlikely to make it in the tournament. They're good enough to win it all. The Saints didn't impress me. And they're the best team in the NFC? They're very beatable. There is no great team in the league. All of that being said, the Steelers are in this position because they lost to a bad Oakland team, a bad Broncos team and tied the Browns in the opener. If they take care of business in any of those games they're not in this position.
kevin in Punxsy
11:07
Hi Ray.  Will the Steelers management, at least force HCMT to fire and replace some assistants, and will he be required to hire someone to call coaches challenges?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
Not sure, but it feels like they have to do something on defense, doesn't it. It's just more of the same -- blown coverages, giving up big gains on third-and-20. It's the same stuff that continues to plague this team. O while I don't know if Art Rooney II will demand changes it feels like something will happen.
Jay7
11:09
Steelers season is over because of ONE - OAKLAND!  I have been seeing articles over past few years in which we see that these meltdowns will someday cost the season.  Well that season has arrived
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
I don't disagree with you. If I had to boil this down to one thing it's the Oakland game. There were so many thing in that game that mystified me. The decision not to bring Roethlisberger back earlier still doesn't make any sense to me. Their inability to run the ball against the NFL's worst run defense is inexcusable. The offensive line played so poorly in that game. Ramon Foster also allowed penetration on the sack that injured Roethlisberger. That's why he had to miss four series. Foster got beat to the inside. It's the No. 1 rule in pass protection and Foster couldn't do his job.
Han Solo
11:11
I really didn't find a problem with the fake. If anything it leaves your offense, or strongest part of your team, plenty of time to March down and win it. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
I would have punted it.
Retire 21
11:12
How do judge Ben’s year? He leads the NFL in passing yards, has his most TDa ever and will 5,000 yards next week. But the TOs! BTW, I think Ben is at an even 500 sacks now, behind only Elway and Favre, remarkably similar QBs.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
Ben was excellent yesterday. I think that's why it's frustrating for fans. He craved up one of the NFL's best defense. Throw for 380 with three TDs and no INTs. Why doesn't he play like that every week though? Why is he careless with the ball in so many other games? They'd be a five-win team without him, maybe worse. He's not the reason they're in this predicament. But his inconsistencies do hurt this team. He most certainly contributed to them being in this position.
Guest
11:14
Hey Ray! Given the team's likely playoff absence, how likely are we to see a defensive staff overhaul? Butler, Porter, Olsavsky, Bradley all gone?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
If I had to guess, I think there will be changes. I don't know about wholesale changes, but I think there will be changes.
Jerry
11:14
Steelers always gets beat in the turnover battle. I think it's the old Lebeau scheme that doesn't work anymore. Next year they need to change the scheme. Your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
They need to do something to create more turnovers. And it's not just the dropped INTs. There weren't that many dropped INTs. Butler has referenced that. They need to be in position to make more INTs. They're not close enough to receivers. They're not good at breaking on balls. They're not good at making plays on tipped passes. Just look at the Mike Hilton play yesterday. If he goes up in the air and catches the ball at its highest point he makes that INT. Instead, Brees comes in and breaks it up. It's about awareness. It's about having some football savvy. They need more players with savvy. And they might need a different approach with the way they coach.
Mike
11:17
Score prediction for Browns-Ravens? Do you think Jackson will fold under pressure probably the biggest game of his life ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
Ravens 24, Browns 10.
Jay7
11:17
Why did Tomlin fake punted it.  He could have had better odds with the offense and 5 yards.  Agree with Tomlin logic, but bad play call which gets coaches fired
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
Nothing typifies the Steelers special teams more than Rosie Nix getting up and celebrating after he came up a yard short. I mean nothing.
Han Solo
11:18
Ok so the season is probably over now we can start talking draft? What is the Steelers #1 need heading into the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
CB. They need to extend Joe Haden, but they also have to get their next No. 1 CB. Draft someone and let him learn from Joe. If you have to move up to get the player you want, do it. Just can't sit back again this year. And don't be afraid about drafting someone from a smaller school. They had a chance to get Darius Leonard, but they took Terrell Edmunds instead. Edmunds might turn out to be a good player, but Leonard might be the defensive rookie of the year. And he plays ILB, their biggest need last year. So what if he went to South Carolina State? Trust your scouts. And if your scouts didn't believe in him then ask them tough questions this winter about why. He could have made a big difference with this defense.
Ike Steelheart
11:21
Ray, How many years of good and competitive football do you think Ben still has? How short is the window for another SB?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
Two or three years maybe longer. Brees is still playing well and he's approaching 40. Ben will turn 37 in March. They're wasting some of his best years, but it's not like the window is closing right now. In a few years, yes. But not right now.
Utah Jim
11:21
Should Tomlin had challenged the Thomas incomplete call that Burnett recovered?  Sure looked like a fumble.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
Yes I thought he should have. He should have someone in the booth to help him. Art Rooney II should demand it.
Rod in Indy
11:22
Merry Christmas Ray! Pick one reason for Steelers results this year:
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
Just one? OK lack of focus for the Oakland game.
Alan
11:23
Steelers biggest needs this upcoming offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
Secondary. Have to upgrade there.
Brandon
11:23
I know the refs weren't the only reason the Steelers lost, but are there any repercussions for poor calls that cost points (Saints twice, Chargers, once)?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:27
I never heard of anyone being reprimanded for the Chargers game. I suppose they could reprimand the official who made the pass interference calls. But what good does it do to complain about the officiating. The owners should have demanded a change in leadership last year. They decided to keep Alberto Riveron in charge. As long as he is in charge there are going to be on-field problems with the officials and there are going to be questions about his reviews. I'm not suggesting he is corrupt. But he seems inept. Why do you think guys like Dean Blandino, Gene Steratore and Mike Perreira go work for TV? They go for the money. They make much more money working for networks. Digest that for a moment. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry and they lose their best people to TV because they're unwilling to invest in their officiating.
Han Solo
11:27
What a weak season to not make the playoff. Is Baltimore the most dangerous AFC team? Who makes the superbowl from the AFC?
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