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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.09.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:44
Good morning. Let's get the chat started a little early.
Yoi
9:46
The Steelers doubled the production of high potent offenses such as Cincy and Detroit during week 1. The Defense may be historically bas this year, but the offense should be good, right?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:48
Week 1 in the NFL can be a little misleading so let's not jump to many conclusions about the offense or the defense just yet. But overall, your point is a good one. We all thought the defense was going to carry the offense early in the season, and it was the opposite against the Jets. I was very impressed with Aaron Rodgers and the passing game. But I'm not impressed with the run game. They just don't set a tone with their physicality. Maybe we should stop thinking it's going to happen. Maybe they'll just lean into the passing game this season because they have Rodgers.
Yoi
9:48
Seriously, why is Connor Heyward on the team? Can you honestly say he is not a detriment to the team on Sundays?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:49
Connor Heyward usually is good on special teams. But that was a dumb penalty. He's in his fourth season. He has to know better.
Yoi
9:49
Smith and Muth are the primary Tight Ends, but going forward if our O-line struggles shouldn't Darnell Washington see a huge role increase? He can block better than those guys and likely release and make plays just as well. Shouldn't Smith and Washington be the tandem with Muth the odd man out?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:51
So the guy who is making $12.5 million a season is going to be the odd man out? The guy who had two clutch catches on third-and-10 against the Jets? That's not going to happen. But Washington might have to be used more next to Jones to help him in pass protection. That will eventually hurt your offense. That's one fewer player in a route so it makes it easier for defenses to defend the pass.
Beal
9:51
Bigger concern: OL or DL / rush defense (I think the LBs had fair share of blame)
Ray Fittipaldo
9:51
BOTH. But if I had to choose I'd say the defensive line. They weren't getting off blocks in the run game or when they were rushing.
Stairway to seventh seed
9:51
Ray: one of the most frustrating things about the left tackle situation is that it was the most predictable crisis ever.  Jones was terrible last year and terrible at the beginning of camp yet they did not develop a plan B.  Jedrick Wills is a street free agent who gave up 3 sacks all of last year (vs in one game!).  Even if they have to move Fautanu to the left, don't they have to sign someone like Wills or make a trade?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:54
When Jones was struggling early in camp I asked Mike Tomlin if he planned on giving Fautanu any snaps at left tackle in camp, and his response was no. They wanted him to get comfortable on the right side after missing almost all of his rookie season. I doubt that changes now that we're into the season, but it shouldn't be out of the question. Fautanu is your best offensive lineman and he played left tackle in college. It would not be foreign to him. But if they do want to keep him on the right maybe they take a look at Calvin Anderson or Andrus Peat at left tackle. I doubt it happens after only one week, but Jones does not appear to be improving at all.
Make It Stop
9:54
Ray, to me, the NFL has left coach Mike in the dust.  Flores Vikings Defense is light years ahead of Mr Tomlin yet we let him go!  New offensive minded head coaches leave his team wondering what to do.  Last year it was Communication Issues.  This year we cannot get off of blocks.  Guy is a joke and needs to go to the booth.  What say you Raymond?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:55
I think the Steelers defense can be stale at times, but I'm not going to blame the coaches when his defensive linemen can't get off the blocks. That's on them.
Gundog
9:55
Do you take any stock in the QB PFF grades? I don't since my grades are 4 TDs no interceptions.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:56
Ha ha no. Why would you? Fans should watch games and develop their own opinions on players.
Beal
9:56
thanks for the chats! Is there a scenario where black shifts to NT with harmon / heyward on the flanks and Benton first off the bench? Benton always struck me is miscast as a NT. Also is there a scenario where Cole H gets more time? P Wilson did not look good.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:57
Black played NT at Iowa so he can definitely do it. Benton has struggled to find his niche in this defense, and I agree with you. He's not big or strong enough to play nose. They have to do something. What they've been doing hasn't been working dating to late last season.
Jana
9:58
With Benton doing so poorly do you think we will see more of Yaya Black.  Seems like last Sunday would have been a good time to use more of a big body.  Also I didn’t see Washington over by Broderick for support.  Are they not doing that this year??
Ray Fittipaldo
9:58
I'm sure they'll do it more after watching Jones against the Jets.
Big_Bri
9:59
Very entertaining game and as they say a win is a win. However, with your background and the consensus that you are the most qualified person to evaluate O-Line play, do you think there is any hope they can get better? From my POV it was obvious that B Jones made some bad plays but there were others that I thought he could hold his own and I would think with more experience he could be ok. Your thoughts? 
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
I'm not sure Jones can ever be an effective starter in this league. I just see more of the same issues with his technique or lack thereof. Despite his size he gets pushed back into the laps of QBs because he doesn't know how to use his hands. It's Year 3, and he's playing with his hands at his side and winding up rather than having them six inches from his chest and ready to punch at all times. I mean, it's basic offensive line play that you learn in high school. On top of that, he ducks his head sometimes and he's easily put off balance. Again, basic offensive line technique: sit back and punch, don't come forward. There's not much else to say at this point. If he doesn't improve soon he's going to get the QB hurt.
Jersey Danno
10:02
Ironic, isn't it, that the Steelers traded up to jump in front of the Jets to take Jones in '23. I guess he felt bad so he tried to hand them the game Sunday. I've been watching the Steelers since the Pitt Stadium days and I know a whiff when I see one. How long until his benching?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
If he continues to play like that it won't be long.
Steeler Nut
10:03
Our kickoff coverage wasn’t great, outside of the fumble.  I watched several other games this weekend and most teams were able to limit the return to the 25 yard line or better.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
One thing I did notice was Boswell only getting it to the 7 or 8-yard line. The Jets kicker was getting it to the 1 or 2. That's a 5-yard difference right there. Now sometimes you get burned if you kick it into the end zone because the ball comes out to the 35, but you can't be kicking it to the 10 either unless you have some high hang time on it.
Make It Stop
10:05
Ray, let’s look at the big picture.  Everyone is pointing to next year for the Steelers to draft the franchise QB.  The problem is that the Steelers and Mike Tomlin have done nothing and I mean nothing to give whomever they draft a chance for success.  In Today’s NFL you need the following to give a high QB draft pick a chance to become a franchise.  1  A offensive line that protects them. 2. A running game. 3. Wide Receivers that can get opened. 4. An offensive coordinator that can develop the offense around their talents. 5. A QB coach that can help them to develop like the head coach of Minnesota.  6. A head coach that knows what to do with a first round QBs draft pick.  The Steelers are 0 for 6.  It will not matter who they draft next year, it will be a disaster .  If the Steelers had a chance to draft Arch Manning, Archie Manning would say hell no.  What say you Ray.  Can you name even one reason the Steelers could develop a franchise QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
They just scored 34 points in the opener. Arthur Smith called a great game. His QB was really good. I get your questions about the offensive line. It's been a problem and continues to be, but I didn't walk away from that game thinking the Steelers have lots of issues on offense.
TVC15
10:07
It took a lot of lucky breaks and bounces for the Steelers to beat the Jets. The highest paid defense in the NFL ranks 28th in yards and points after playing the Jets. Will Canned Ham Heyward and T.J.  Washed turn Sam Darnold into Dan Marino too?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
You mean the Seahawks offense that scored 13 against the 49ers? Let's take a deep breath. I have major concerns about the defense, but it's only one week. Let's see if they can fix some things in Week 2.
Josh H
10:09
If Broderick has another rough outing again this week, do we see Calvin Anderson week 3?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
I'll keep the door open for that possibility, to borrow a phrase from the head coach.
Joe
10:10
Do the Steelers have a back up plan for B.Jones sucking and what is it? Why didn’t they focus more on getting quality tackles in here over the offseason?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
They have some options, but they really didn't explore them this summer. The best one might be moving Fautanu there, but I understand why they're hesitant to do that.
AK
10:11
It seems to me that fans need to be patient with Jones.  While he has played LT in college, he's only played it for one game in the NFL.  Websites don't help when they run articles like "It's Time to Push the Panic Button on Broderick Jones."  Unless they trade for a LT, he's the best they have at the position, correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
I'm not sure of that.
Steeler fan near Philly
10:11
What did you find to be the most surprising positive thing/player from the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
I'll say passing game on the whole. Well-balanced and effective. Lots of players involved.
AK
10:12
Who had Ben Skowroneck scoring the first TD of the season?  Who do you think gets the first INT, Killebrew?😂
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
Hey, DeShon Elliott is injured. Don't laugh.
AK
10:12
I know the Jets have a good running attack, but the Steelers run defense is a genuine concern, is it not?
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