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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.30.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
2:41
Yes they do. He was really effective as an extra rusher. They don't have that now whoever plays in the slot.
Guest
2:42
Thank you for the Chats. What grade would you give Russell Wilson for his play this year with the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:43
Overall B or B-, but he needs to get back to where he was before this three-game losing streak. He needs to protect the ball first and foremost. This is not a team that plays well from behind.
Guest
2:43
The Steelers offensive scheme used in the first Bengals game was quite different from all other games, and quite effective.  Why haven’t the Steelers used it since and will they use a similar, quick pass first to RBs and TE, in this game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:45
All opponents present different challenges, but what I liked from that first Bengals game was the way they came out throwing and took advantage of some easy things the Bengals were giving them. And they got Pickens involved in the game early. I think they have to get back to that on Saturday and the postseason. Don't force the ball, but have a plan to get your best players touches early in the game. That goes for Jaylen Warren and Pat Freiermuth too. I really don't care if MyCole Pruitt or Connor Heyward gets a touch early.
Greg
2:46
Hi Ray.  I watch all these other playoff teams and the defenses have really locked in and are playing aggressive smart football.  Why is our defense so vanilla?  Why do we keep having missed assignments?  I feel the coaching is the main reason and Austin and Tomlin are a big part of the problem.  If the Steelers get blown out in round 1, don’t you think Rooney should fire Austin and mandate that the collective (Rooney, Kahn, Tomlin) hire a new DC and Tomlin stays out of it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:47
Tomlin has been the DC since Dick LeBeau retired. I don't think the Rooneys are putting the toothpaste back in the tube. Tomlin wanted more say in the defense, and he has it now. It's not going to go in the other direction. Why would be concede that at this stage of his career?
Reiser
2:48
Hi Ray, does Joe Burrow have a chance to be MVP or is it primarily between Allen and Jackson and maybe Barkley?  Who’s your pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:48
Burrow has the numbers, but Jackson and Allen are the favorites because their records are much better.
Billybob
2:49
Calvin Austin has been above the line, correct or no. If no, why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:50
Austin has been really solid. I think he's a good No. 3 receiver. The problem is this season is the Steelers don't have a legit No. 2 receiver.
Scottsdale Tommy
2:50
Ray, In your opinion, how did this defense fall off the cliff.  Especially these long 10 minute drives where teams are just toying with them, running out the clock. stunningly embarrassing for the highest paid Defense in the league.   Happy New Year
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
Stubbornness, slow to make in-game adjustments. Injuries played a role, but every team is dealing with injuries this time of the year. The Chiefs played without Chris Jones, and they didn't miss a beat against the Steelers. The great teams don't let injuries become an excuse.
DM Jr
2:52
Ray, is my free agent stock trending down now that I'm revisiting my turnstile-like tendencies?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:52
Yes but some desperate team will still overpay for your services.
Stash
2:52
Ray, the proverbial ceiling for Broderick now appears to be an average NFL starter. Concurrence on your end?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:53
Too early to say.
Jim Bow Dean
2:53
Maybe it’s an oversimplification, but if there is so many communication issues in the secondary, why not play more man?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:55
I've thought the same thing, and I've come to the conclusion they don't think their defenders can hold up in man coverage. But I go back to what they said when they dratted Porter and Trice. They wanted those tall and long corners to shut down outside passing windows. Maybe they need to let those guys play man and see if there is a difference. That would mean making a chance in your starting lineup late in the season, but they have to look at every possible solution after they've performed so poorly in the past three games.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:55
The o-line, it seems to me, is the biggest reason for the team's recent struggles. Do you attribute this to inexperience or are they just not good enough to be NFL starters?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
A little bit of both. Dan Moore is getting exposed again. When he was playing well it made a big difference.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:56
Who are the starting tackles in 2025?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:56
Jones and Fautanu.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:56
Ray, Did you go to school with Gordie Lockbaum?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:57
No he graduated in '89 and I showed up in '91. But he was the color guy on the radio broadcasts when I was there so he was around the team a bit.
Brian in NC
2:57
To my ignorant eye, the defense seems to perform under its talent level (certainly its payroll) which suggests bad coaching. How would you rate Austin overall?  If the choice were yours would you get a new DC next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:59
If I'm not mistaken, Austin also signed a new deal in the offseason. Unless they want to eat the money he's back.
Tom
3:00
Any word on Fautanu?
Ray Fittipaldo
3:01
He's around the facility, but they haven't opened his window and I doubt we see him again this season.
Tom
3:01
I'm surprised Broderick Jones didn't play any Left Tackle at all this year.
Ray Fittipaldo
3:01
Dan Moore cannot play on the right side. That's why.
Swannie88
3:01
Hi Ray, How do you explain the disappearance of the pass rush, and how can this be fixed fast?  More blitzing? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
3:03
Teams are getting it out fast from the QB's hands, but I think the Steelers lack interior pass rushers other than Cam Heyward. If you watched the Broncos-Bengals game you saw how much havoc can be wreaked with interior pass rushers. The Steelers don't have that, and it needs to be addressed in the draft and/or free agency.
George T
3:04
Ray, can you explain why one guy has a natural position and another does not, like Jones and Fautanu.
Ray Fittipaldo
3:04
Just comes down to comfort level. Some guys are right-dominant or left dominant. Others can play on either side, and it doesn't matter. It's really as simple as that.
TX Pressure
3:04
Why should Tomlin have the DC taken away?  Because he is given the highest paid defense and they aren't a top tier defense.  He's doing less with more - they should have a legit DC and Tomlin really needs to step away as his direction has not worked for a decade.  Stick to what he does well and delegate the rest.
Ray Fittipaldo
3:05
My point was why would he give it up at this stage of his career? He wanted the added responsibility and now has it. It's not something coaches with tenure give up.
3:06
OK that's it for this week. We'll do it again next week before the playoff game.
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