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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.4.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
1
Bedford Bill
12:35
Time for Bell to change it up a little and just run through the hole instead of hesitating.  Defenses adjust.  Just curios, has he broken one for a really long TD run over past couple of seasons?  I can't recall and i watch every play.  Not saying he isn't great...just an observation.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
I get where you are coming from. He hits it fast once in a while. I'd like to see him change it up more. He might break some longer runs. But he's been so good overall and has been among the leading rushers in the league. Sometimes you just have to let players be who they are.
KJ
12:36
Do you see a healthy dose of Le'Veon Bell this evening, both running and pass receiving?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Bell is usually heavily involved one way or the other, but he'll get a really heavy load if Brown cannot play.
Greg Lloyd from Virginia
12:37
Seems like TJ’s coverage is more than than OK for a rookie, and that is a learned man’s thing.   Am I crazy?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Yes he's a good athlete and he's smart. Knows the coverage scheme, knows where to be. That helps him.
NC Steel
12:37
What factors would have to be in play for the DC to direct the OLBs to rush the passer more, and would this also give Harrison more opportunities to play?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I mean it's up to him. He likes the versatility that dropping his OLBs creates. It can confuse Qbs. But if he wants to change it up and have them rush all he has to do is call a different defense.
KJ
12:38
Is JuJu a "full go" for tonight?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Yes he is. He was a full practice participant all week. No issues with the hamstring.
elcid97
12:39
Ray, how much are our troubles defending the big play a result of mental errors and how much teams figuring out how to take advantage of our zone schemes. It seems its a longer story than this season. The Pats perennially take advantage of us. The Packers seem to have the formula. Talent, execution, or scheme?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
It's a little of both, but Tomlin seemed to blame most of it on "above the neck" issues. Translation: Guys like Artie Burns have mental errors and the defense breaks down
KJ
12:41
How good is the Bengals' pass defense this season? Do you see Ben having to throw for 300+ yards tonight?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Bengals have a good defense. It will be a nice accomplishment if Ben throws for 300. The problem for the Bengals has been their offense.
Ryno
12:42
Are the performance issues by Burns fixable this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:45
Just need to coach him up, stay on him and hope he studies on his own. At some point the player has to take responsibility for his play.
To The Escalosers
12:46
Ever rode on the Escalosers at PBS?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
No I haven't but I've seen the Escaloser in action quite a bit over the years.
To The Escalosers
12:46
Is Marvin Lewis a enabler?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Yes he is. The entire Bengals organization enables.
NC Steel
12:48
Assume AB not playing tonight. Who takes his spot on the field, and how does this affect the rotation of WRs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
Does not affect Bryant. More JuJu in Brown's normal spot. DHB and Hunter play a little if they want to use JuJu in the slot.
Ryno
12:49
When will the team vote on their rookie MVP? And are you expecting Juju to win that vote?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
That race is far from over. Watt playing well too.
JohnK
12:50
After watching yesterdays games, I'd say the Steelers are about #6.  I'd put them behind the Pats, Vikings, Eagles, Seahawks and Saints.  How about you, Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
That's a pretty good list, but the Steelers can restore confidence in people if their defense plays the way it did earlier in the season.
Ryno
12:51
Can you explain to me why fans and the sports Media made such a big deal out of Coach Tomlin acknowledging upcoming games against the Patriots? Or what the big deal was about him saying his team should make the Superbowl this year? What coach wouldn't look at the schedule to see which teams are upcoming? The fans certainly have! Everybody knows it should be a wild game any time the Steelers and Patriots meet. And given the level of talent his team has this season, why wouldn't he have faith in them to be good enough to make the Super Bowl? I just don't get what was so inflammatory about his comments.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
Let me count the ways: It gave the Packers, Bengals and Ravens bulletin board material. It put extra pressure on his players to cover their coach's words. And coaches never, ever say stuff like that. For the simple reason you never acknowledge that you look ahead and past other opponents. He was assuming a lot when he said those quotes. Now he has to hope his players can cash the check he wrote.
Tom
12:54
When will the NFL announce whether the Patriots game will be flexed into prime time?  Seems like a no-brainer. Do you think they would factor in that it would be the fifth consecutive night game for the Steelers?  That would have to be unprecedented.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
CBS protected the game. It's staying at 4:25.
12:56
THanks for the questions this week. We'll do it again next week.
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