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Steelers-Cowboys: Live chat, updates and analysis
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Ray Fittipaldo
5:45
I'm in my seat a little early. Fire away if you haven't already posted some questions.
Whittington
5:46
What do you think of the current NFL overrules?  It seems the loser of the coin toss will likely lose the game.  I think the college football overtime rules are more fair both teams are given a chance to score.
Ray Fittipaldo
5:46
Really? Where have you seen the stats on that?
Pria
5:46
Good afternoon.  Do you think the Steelers complaining to the league about the holding calls on Watt will have any effect?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
5:48
I don't know that the Steelers complained about the Watt stuff. Tomlin said he called New York about the officiating mistake on the Minkah Fitzpatrick personal foul call. The NFL agreed with him on that. I am sure the holding on Watt came up in that conversation, but the Post-Gazette didn't report anything on that.
Steeler Nut
5:48
Are both Warren and Patterson out for this game?  More play action this game...especially on early downs to prevent stacking the box?
Ray Fittipaldo
5:49
Yes. Warren and Patterson are out. Aaron Shampklin is the backup RB tonight. He played in his first NFL game last week and played a handful of snaps. Jonathan Ward is the No. 3 back tonight. He was called up from the practice squad for this game. He has more experience than Shampklin. and is a good special teams player.
Hillbilly
5:51
I have a good feeling about this one. I think that we can control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Id love to see some play action early if they stack the box/run blitz like the Colts did last week. Go Steelers!!
Ryan M.
5:52
Do you think this the time for L.C. Greenwood to finally make the Hall of Fame?
Ray Fittipaldo
5:54
Yes I do. There is definitely some Steelers fatigue among the voters. You always hear from some voters that they can't put every Steelers player from those '70s team in the Hall of Fame. But I always say what if they're deserving? Why is Donnie Shell more deserving than Greenwood? Greenwood always showed up in the big games. Before sacks became an official statistic he had FOUR sacks in Super Bowl X. Think about how dominating you have to be to accomplish something like that.
Hillbilly
5:54
Is Isaac Saumalu still a go for tonight’s game ?
Ray Fittipaldo
5:55
Yes. Seumalo has no injury status for this game and will be in the starting lineup.
5:56
Just catching some of you up if you weren't on social media yesterday. Larry Ogunjobi had been questionable for this game on Friday, but he was upgraded yesterday to no injury status so he's good to go. Any more injury questions?
Hillbilly
5:56
Good news. Thank you.
5:57
I prefer the college overtime rules as well. No stats to back it but it’s more fun to watch.  Also no need to see the dynamic touchback in ot.
Ray Fittipaldo
5:58
My bad. You left a word out in your question and I didn't realize you were talking about the overtime rules. I'll say this: It's much better now that each team gets at least one possession if you can stop the other team from scoring a touchdown. I did not like the old rule where if you scored you won without the other team getting a possession.
6:00
Russell Wilson is on the field talking to some Cowboys. He's about to take his warmup. The expectation is he'll be inactive and the emergency QB again this week, but we'll see what the Steelers do officially 90 minutes before the game.
Lucas
6:02
Ray, do you see the league going back to last season’s kickoff rules?  The current rules don’t seem popular from what I have seen and heard.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:04
I'm not a big fan of the current kickoff rules. Every team, including the Steelers is content to kick into the end zone and let other teams start at the 30. At some point they'll just eliminate the play altogether and I'll be OK with that. I just don't know how you handle not having onside kicks. It's been a part of the game for a long time, but they would be eliminated if you did that. It's different now. You have to declare an onside attempt and the percentages are not in your favor, but it's still part of the game.
rman
6:05
Hello Ray....technical question...are there staffers who screen the questions in these chats?  Seems like it would be impossible for you to watch the game and then have to report on it.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:05
I'm just on this pregame. I get off before kickoff and we'll have one of our other writers who isn't writing off this game on here to interact with all of you.
Dan
6:05
Does 41-38 Baltimore over Cincy do anything to increase the urgency with which we pursue adding a WR in season? Or am I just still drunk from all the Aiyuk talk?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:06
Not sure what the Ravens-Bengals game has anything to do with it. The Steelers definitely could upgrade at receiver, but it's going to be tough to add a significant piece at the trade deadline. But we'll see if Omar has anything up his sleeve.
Brian Batko
6:08
Making my way to the game and I can’t ever recall this much foot traffic outside two-plus hours before kickoff. Incredible atmosphere for SNF.
TJ Watt Burner
6:10
You think if the weather is bad, the Steelers will look to simplify the passing game even further? I'm sure Tomlin would love a run only kind of game lol.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:10
It's still beautiful now, but I did hear a storm is moving in.
Rhonda
6:11
Good afternoon.  With D. Adams having connections with A. Rodgers and Carr, would the Steelers have to up their offer to trade for him compared to the Packers and Saints?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:13
I think the Steelers will offer what they feel is right. I don't get the sense Omar will outbid another team for him. He'll have his offer ready and if the Raiders accept it then fine.
Hillbilly
6:16
Do you know when we can expect to see Roman Wilson play?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:18
He's out there warming up now as we chat. We'll find out 90 minutes before the game, but I didn't get the sense during the week that he was a big part of the game plan. But we'll see. They definitely could use a little more productivity from their receiving corps after George Pickens.
R. Thompson
6:19
Hey Ray, is this a make or break year for Coach McCarthy?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:19
I thought he might get fired after last season so yeah he better win a playoff game.
Brian Batko
6:20
My guess is Roman Wilson will be down again tonight. I say that because of the Steelers elevating Brandon Johnson from the practice squad. He played CeeDee Lamb in practice this week, so I assume he's up here for special teams purposes but hey, having five WRs active could be the Steelers acknowledging they might have to throw a bit more in this one.
Hillbilly
6:20
Bats, Are you seeing mostly black and gold on the way in or will we be invaded by Cowboys fans?
Brian Batko
6:20
Definitely a lot of Cowboys fans on the walk over from my car, but nothing overwhelming. That's just a small sample size though.
TJ Watt Burner
6:21
Not a question as much as a thought on Davante Adams speculation. There is not a ton of benefit regardless of the outcome for us. On one hand, he's a rental and we give up potentially a 2nd and a player for a WR who realistically won't make them a Super Bowl contender this year. On the other hand you have to pay 35M+ for a few years to a receiver in his mid-30s. The Steelers realistically are not taking the Super Bowl step this year and that early round Draft Pick can easily turn into a dynamic young receiver.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:23
I don't think any team in the NFL is paying a 33-year old receiver $35 million a year in 2025 or 2026. There is a reason that money is not guaranteed. The Raiders never had any intention of paying it. This is the issue with these bloated contract details the so-called national reporters put out there. They'll say, 'Oooh, Davantage Adams signed a five-year, $140 million deal.' What's left unsaid is that the final $70 million is not guaranteed. That's an important nugget that never seems get properly reported.
TJ Watt Burner
6:26
Should have clarified my point. That is assuming we kept him around. the 35M+ would be his salary in 2025 and 2026.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:26
Right. I'm just saying it's two years of bloated salary that was never ever going to be paid.
Hillbilly
6:26
Thank you for your insight on that one Ray. Much appreciated.
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