JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.29.20

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.29.20

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Ray Fittipaldo

2:44

My gut says the Browns beat the Steelers and the Bills beat the Dolphins, which likely means the Browns come to Heinz Field next week. But as you know if you read the story, there are lots of possibilities.

Yates

2:44

What differences in role do you see for Spillane and Fieler when they regain health and return to the field?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:45

Spillane steps back into his starter's role when he is healthy. I suspect Feiler will too, but Dotson might have something to say about that.

Reid

2:46

Ray, would a Dolphins loss to the Bills and a Ravens win put the Ravens in the #5 seed?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

In most scenarios, yes.

David

2:46

Steelers are obviously 5-0 versus Ravens, Browns, Titans, and Colts this year, but which is the best matchup for them? Or none of the above would rather see the Dolphins?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:46

I'd rather see the Dolphins.

J.P.

2:47

Hi Mr Fittipaldo, What happened with Claypool? In the beginning he was awesome and considered by many a potential off.rookie of the year and then bang, only being targetted a couple times a game. Is it off the field issues or B.R. having something against him. Thanks

Ray Fittipaldo

2:48

None of what you suggested. And they sort of rediscovered him against the Colts.

GreekSteeler

2:48

Hi Ray, who would you rather see in the playoffs? Cleveland or Baltimore and why?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:48

I'd rather face the Browns because I'd rather face Baker Mayfield than Lamar Jackson.

putinbatch

2:48

sorry i didn't get a chance to ask last week, but am I incorrect in thinking that the Bengal's hit on Juju that made him fumble should have been penalized as an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit

Ray Fittipaldo

2:49

It looked that way. He definitely contacted Smith-Schuster's head first. But it was close.

kcquinn

2:49

Should Mason Rudolph play against the Browns without a helmet for safety reasons?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:49

We have a winner for best question of the chat!

Joe

2:49

What are the odds that we will invest in a RB and OL with our 1st and 2nd Draft picks?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:50

I think you'll definitely see them take an OL with one of their first two picks. Not so sure about RB. Depends on who is available.

Chilly Billy

2:50

Will Ben continue to call the plays now that it has been established he is far more capable than RF?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:51

We shall see on Jan. 9 or 10.

Southside Jimmy

2:51

Hey Ray, who gets your vote for Steelers MVP? Thanks Ray.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:51

I'd cast my vote for TJ Watt.

Chilly Billy

2:51

How do you see this weekend playing out and who will be the Steelers first playoff opponent?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:52

So many scenarios, but I think there is a decent chance it's the Browns.

Utah Jim

2:52

Can you explain the clock management at the end of the first half? If they lose that game Tomlin would be taking a lot heat and rightfully so.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:53

Tomlin explained today he was taken aback by the Colts taking a screen pass 68 yards a play or two earlier. So he wasn't all that convinced the Colts could not convert third-and-18, which really tells you how the defense played in the first half.

Chilly Billy

2:53

If Najee Harris were available when the Steelers pick in the first round do you think the Steelers would break tradition and select him?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:53

Depends if all the top offensive linemen are gone. I like Harris, but I'd rather get him in Round 2.

Wolverine from Ellwood

2:54

Why is the punt coverage so lame? It could (should) cost them a game.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:54

It was god awful against the Colts. I couldn't believe what I was seeing out there.

Pipers Fan

2:54

Was Tomlin out foxed at the end of the first half?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:55

He claims not. He said he didn't have complete confidence his defense could stop the Colts on third-and-18.

Greg

2:55

Will this weekend give us a better idea of what MR could offer us, or will people still keep saying he needs more time to show us whether he could be QB1? I'm just not impressed that he has "it"

Ray Fittipaldo

2:56

I'm sure it will help their evaluation. Tomlin and Colbert have been on record saying it was hard to judge him last year with everything that happened.

daniel

2:57

Losing Fred Johnson, Derwin Gray seemed avoidable. I know these guys are either FA or late round pick, but letting our OL asset walk away seems pretty stupid.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:58

Unless they came to the determination Danny Isidora was better. And if we're going to compare Gary and Johnson, let me be on record saying I think Johnson is the better prospect.

2:59

I think the sack that forced the Colts to kick a FG was huge. If they scored a TD there, they would have been up 24 and the Steelers would have lost, agree?

Ray Fittipaldo

2:59

Probably, yes.

Mercury

2:59

Has McDonald really slowed down that much or do they just not want to use him as a receiver anymore? Just two years ago he had 50 receptions.

Ray Fittipaldo

2:59

He definitely doesn't have the same juice he had two years ago.

Ray F

2:59

If the Steelers win Sunday they are much less likely to play Baltimore in first round, don’t you think that’s reason enough to play Ben?