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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.29.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Hello, let's get the chat started.
Guest
1:58
More of a comment.  I am sure everyone has noticed the fewer number of offensive holding calls this year.  Well, I found out that this is league policy.  I work with an NFL official and he co formed the NFL has raised the bar on what is holding.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Yes much to the disdain of T.J. Watt and the Steelers, who have still managed to lead the league in sacks. But yes, it was a league mandate of sorts, and it has been a point of discussion since the beginning of the season.
Kevin M
2:00
What is the real reason we aren’t using Derek Watt in situations like 1st and Goal from the 1?   No confidence in him or ??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
I was wondering the same thing on Sunday afternoon. For the second time in a month the Steelers failed to score after having first-and-goal at the 1. After the first failure against Washington, offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said maybe he needed to be more committed to the run. Then, against the Colts on Sunday, they run once on first down (a 1-yard loss by Benny Snell) and then proceeded to pass it three consecutive times, all incomplete passes. I'd love to see Derek Watt as a lead blocker. I'd also love to see him play the part of a rugby player and push Ben over the goal line on a QB sneak. They struggle so much in this area, and they refuse to use a play that is most likely to succeed. (And yes, I know Ben hasn't been 100% healthy.) It's the playoffs now. Do whatever you have to do to win.
BB
2:04
Ray - Thanks for the chats.  The Pats got blown out by the Bills last night, but I noticed that the Pats did have some success running off left tackle WITH a lead fullback blocker.  Is that something the Steelers would notice should they face the Bills in the playoffs, or will they just do what they do at this point regardless?  Plus AV is not considered a strong run blocker so maybe it doesn't matter?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
They've struggled to run the ball all season. I know they haven't used Watt very often, and I am sure there is a reason for it. If it was likely he would make a big difference I am sure they would have tried it by now. They have much bigger issues with the line's blocking the running backs' abilities to hit the hole.
Rich
2:05
I was surprised and impressed that Vince Williams played every snap this past Sunday then i started wondering maybe that is commonplace?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
It's not commonplace for Williams. It was for Devin Bush before he was injured. Ideally, Williams would play 40-50% of the snaps. But they have lots of injuries they are dealing with now and Williams had to play the whole game. The only other ILBs available against the Colts were Avery Williamson and Tegray Scales. And Scales only played a few snaps.
John in Florida
2:06
Snell looks pretty good for a game or two, then lays an egg against Colts. Is that simply who he is, an average and inconsistent back, or does he really need more runs before he gets in the ge
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
That's the way it looks to me, but honestly, this line is so bad at run blocking that maybe it's unfair to judge these RBs. Or maybe these RBs are so bad it's unfair to judge the line. You get the idea: this run game is a big mess.
Rich
2:07
what would you estimate the number of players are that play every snap each week (on their side of the ball of course) thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Well, the QB and offensive linemen always play every snap unless there are injuries. And on defense Minkah Fitzpatrick and the corners usually play every snap. Or if not every snap then 99 % of them.
Retire21
2:08
Have you seen enough of Williamson to want the Steelers to try to bring him back?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He's been pretty good, but where are they going to get the money?
Retire21
2:09
Might we see Josh Dobbs in some kind of wildcat that would worry future opponents if he were active?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Tough with only being able to dress two QBs, but you could see it this week because Roethlisberger will not play.
FC
2:09
Why doesn't Ben just call his own plays for the whole game?  It's obvious Fitchner is WAY OVER his head in his ability to call plays.  It's just so boring and predictable to watch him call a game.  Time for a new OC, agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Honestly, I've been asking this question about the no-huddle for weeks now. I wrote about it after the Ravens game at Heinz Field. It's by far their best offense. But obviously, there has been hesitancy in going to it on a full-time basis. But after the Colts game, where it was obvious again, that the offense was at its best when Roethlisberger was in charge, I think you might see it more often in the postseason.
Dinkinanddunkindonuts
2:12
So the Steelers are going to start Taylor Lautner‘s twin and made that announcement five days early.  That means Buffalo will probably rest their starters accordingly as soon as they see the Steelers game get out of hand making a first round match up with the ravens much more likely. (Sigh)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
This is definitely a scenario, but the Bills strike me as a team that will do everything they can to get the No. 2 seed. They think they have a nice home-field advantage, and I think they'd like to have it in the second round after beating the Steelers earlier this month.
Quinn
2:14
Thanks for all your consistent great work, Ray. Your take on Michael Silver's report of Ben drawing up plays in the huddle? Not a new story, as we heard same story earlier this season -- is this an indictment of Coach Fichner, or just the team letting #7 run the offense (or both, maybe)?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
It's not the first time this year JuJu Smith-Schuster suggested that. I believe he did the same thing after the game in Baltimore. Again, it's obvious to the players and the people who watch the game. You have to think the coaches understand this, too. That's why I think you might see it more in the playoffs.
Carl in Carrick
2:15
Ray, what can you tell us about Marsh, the linebacker who got some significant playing time against the Colts?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
The Steelers signed him off the Colts practice squad. He's a USC guy and has played for a bunch of different teams in his short time in the league.
Bill in SF
2:15
If I was drawing up a list of players the Steelers should sit on Sunday because they can't afford to go into the playoffs without him, Mike Hilton would be pretty high on it. Hard to believe Tomlin will only rest Ben - do you think he'll announce more by Thursday??
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I don't think he'll announce anything, but I think T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and maybe an offensive lineman or two are candidates to sit out along with Roethlisberger.
Retire21
2:16
Be a shame to have Garrett pass Watt in sacks if the latter doesn't even play. Even that shouldn't keep Watt from D-POY?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
There is no way Myles Garrett will win defensive player of the year over Watt. Maybe Aaron Donald, but any comparisons between Watt and Garrett are pointless. He twice the player Garrett is.
Tuitt #91
2:18
Have I "padded my stats" enough to be off the milk carton?  I saw my cohorts TJ and Cam getting double teamed a fair amount - what can I do to win my 1-v-1 matchups?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Good question, but you played much better in the second half against the Colts.
Tim
2:18
If the old playoff format were in play and the 2 seed received a first round bye, I assume all starters would be playing against the Browns ?  Your thoughts Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I think you're right. The bye is the prize. No bye and it's easier to make those decisions that Tomlin and his staff made earlier this week.
MD
2:19
Is Feiler available health wise for the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Feiler cannot return from IR this week, but he is eligible to return for the first game in the playoffs.
Guest
2:20
Ray, who would you say has been the Steelers best offensive linemen this year
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
This should be a multiple choice question with "none of the above" as one of the answers.
Baghdad_Ben
2:21
The talk of drafting a RB is off the mark. Draft O line heavy this year. You have to start there whether or not Ben calls it quits. Any QB or RB with that line will be overwhelmed.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I agree with you. If there are quality linemen available when they pick at No. 28 or wherever they pick they should take a lineman, preferably a left tackle. But those tackles go off the board quick. Just look at what happened last year.
Guest
2:23
Ray, thanks for the chats. Are you able to definitively tell us if the 2nd half explosion against the Colts was directly the result of Ben calling his own plays? And that he didn’t do that in the 1st half?  Seems to be a lot of confusion about who’s calling which plays.  Thx!
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