JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.29.20

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.29.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:24

I don't think the comeback was directly the result of this happening, but it's definitely part of the reason for it. Whether they're in the huddle or no-huddle they need to keep getting chunk plays. That long TD pass to Johnson changed the game. The Colts seemed to change their coverages and Roethlisberger wasn't afraid to push the ball down the field.

mrbig

2:24

instead of scripted plays, maybe they should open games going "no huddle"? See if the opponent can stop it?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

I would be all for this in the playoffs. But if that doesn't work, then what do you do?

mrbig

2:25

would it surprise you if the steelers lose a draft pick for the tik tok dance... the league has been screwing us all season, so why not be more harsh on the steelers than other teams?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:25

They docked the Saints a seventh-round draft pick for something similar.

roy

2:26

what would be your strategy for re-building our aged and not so physical OL? I would say we bring back Banner and start Dotson and spend a high draft pick on T.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:27

Sounds like a plan to me. But honestly, I'm probably drafting the best offensive lineman available no matter what. Pouncey and DeCastro have one more year left on their contracts. You can't pass up on a future starting center or guard if they're the best available player when you pick.

ValyrianSteel

2:27

Hi Ray, Obviously there will be lots of critique surrounding OC's play calling and the offense as of late. But do you think there is any merit to the thinking that the Offense has some wrinkles that are waiting to be pulled out until the playoffs start, considering they've clinched a spot weeks ago?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:29

I would hope not because they sure could have used a wrinkle or two when they still had control of the 1 seed. That being said, any coaching staff worth its salt is going to bring something different to the table for the playoffs.

Francis

2:29

Please tell me that the Rooney's force some staff changes on Tomlin this offseason, these coordinators are not near up to the standard, and yes I said that when they were 11-0

Ray Fittipaldo

2:29

You'll probably get your wish if the Steelers are one-and-done. Maybe even if they win a game in the playoffs.

SBeth

2:30

I understand why you’d want to make sure Big Ben stays healthy for the playoffs, but wouldn’t it be better for him to play a quarter and recreate what he accomplished in the second half of last week’s game? At least the throwing down field part?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:30

They want him healthy and rested for the playoffs. I'd be surprised if he even threw this week.

art m

2:31

happy new year ray and thanks for your insightful work. randy fichtner is certainly a nice man. although, as a play caller he has the football IQ of a sparrow. Completely predictable as every team knows. The colts game was same ole same ole predictability of the past four games until into the 3rd quarter when clearly R.F. was no longer calling the plays and the colts were then not sure where to defend or how. who was calling those plays in the middle third and forth quarters. b.r. or tomlin or both? thanks ray.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:32

Well, they were in the no-huddle a bunch. Ben calls most of the plays in that situation although he receives input from Fichtner through his helmet. It's hard to come up with an exact number of how many were Ben and how many were Fichtner, but there was definitely more Ben in the second half than the first half.

Lee In SC

2:32

I think the Steelers have as good a chance as any to make the Super Bowl from the AFC. However, I think they could win or lose to any AFC playoff team.

In the playoffs I see them as a favorite if they play the Dolphins, pick-em against the Browns, Ravens, Colts and Titans and underdogs against the Bills and Chiefs.

How do you rate their chances against each of the above?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:33

Pretty much the same way you did although I might favor them over the Browns. And I might have them as underdogs to the Ravens. (And yes, I know they swept the Ravens during the regular season).

livinthedream

2:33

Ray, I am in complete agreement with your suggestion that it is time for Big Mike to give Big Ben the offensive helm and tell him full speed ahead. Hard to understand why anyone would think otherwise.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:33

Agreed.

rman

2:34

Hello Ray. The Steelers found their downfield passing game this past week. Do you think they can find their running game this week against the Browns?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:34

Let's not get crazy.

Steeler in Virginia

2:34

Can the Steelers' slump really be attributed to a team that had already locked up a playoff spot and was burned out due to no real bye and a shifting schedule?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

Not the part about locking up a playoff spot, but the constant schedule changes did take a toll on them. They've been very honest about that. So in a way, if this is a bye week for a few starters then maybe that's a good thing.

Guest

2:35

Good afternoon Ray! What are the odds that going into the draft the Steelers look at a RB within the 1st and 2nd Rd? Likewise, should we be expecting the FO to target OL high in the draft as well?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:35

I'd go OL first round and RB second or third depending on how the draft falls with the RBs available.

The Dude

2:36

Looks like the Steelers made a mistake with Derwin Gray, doesn’t it? Surely there was someone else that would not have been picked up.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

Derwin Gray was maybe their ninth-best offensive lineman at the beginning of the season. They've had injuries. Just because Gray got to play against the Bengals doesn't mean he's future starter material. If the Steelers thought he was future starter material they would have protected him and not exposed him to waivers.

John Sobo

2:37

Ray what team would the Steelers be best suited to beat in the first round of the playoffs?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:37

I'll take my chances with the Dolphins and a rookie QB. Then the Browns.

Joe

2:39

Hi Ray! As we look to the Playoffs, is there any indications that the offense will attempt to stretch the ball downfield passing absent an efficient run game?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:40

I would hope they do. It certainly was a catalyst against the Colts.

Jacque Strap

2:40

Has fan reaction to Cassius Marsh reached Tuzar Skippar levels yet? What do you think about him?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:41

Ha ha. He's well on his way to passing Tuzar. Marsh actually had a great hit on special teams and did not look out of place when he played on defense. Plus, Mike Tomlin was very complimentary toward him today when he was asked about him. Big difference between Marsh and Skipper? Marsh plays special teams.

Greg

2:42

I figured we wouldn't win another game this year, and then Ben slings it around the last half of the game like he was 25 again. Or at least it looked that way. Did we earn the victory and return to form, or did the Colts just fold with all of their missing players? Gene Collier's article about the Colts gifting us the win was extremely well written ... maybe we still are cooked?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:42

Most of their injuries were on offense so Ben's resurgence has merit. How much? We'll see in the playoffs, won't we?

DaquidoBazzini

2:42

Is it my imagination, or is this OL look a little bit stronger with Kevin Dotson at LG? If Matt Feiler comes back, do you start him over Dotson in the playoffs?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:43

Or maybe you start Feiler over Chuks at right tackle.

Yates

2:43

Does Rudolph get all of the QB snaps regardless of his quality of play or does Dobbs relieve Rudolph if he is not moving the team ?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:43

Tomlin only said Rudolph will start. I think you might see Dobbs too.

David

2:43

Appreciate your playoff scenario article today on the many variables on who Steelers might face. What's your gut say?