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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.24.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
livinthedream
1:58
Ray,In the first half the Steelers seemed to be using 3 DLs (with 2 OLBs) far more than they normally do. Did you see it that way and, if so, do you think Tomlin will continue the  experiment?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
3 DLs and 2 OLBs is their base defense. The 49ers have a good running game so you saw more base than usual.
TXSTEELER
1:59
Had anybody dig into or asked MT about Barron, his performance, and his perceived lack of effort?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I haven't rewatched the game yet. Late night last night with the travel back, but you;re the second person to ask me about a lack of effort with Barron. I'll take a look, but it's hard for me to believe a starting ILB with his new team would be loafing.
Jimbo
2:01
hi, ray.......we all appreciate you, thanks...... here's one for you: if the team goes 7-9 but is "in" some of the losses right up 'til the end of the game, would you consider that a good season - given the  situation as it is and looks to be?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
That's hard to say. 7-9 without Roethlisberger might be a pretty good season. That means they'd go 7-6 over their final 13 games. Given the state of things now that's not bad.
Fan4life
2:03
Love the Steelers win or lose.  It’s a game, a distraction from the real problems of life...it’s not life. Frankly it’s fun to be rooting for an underdog. Thoughts on adjustments on an o-line that’s underperforming badly?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Not sure what adjustments can be made. They have to block better. Offensive line play, when broken down to its simplest form, is driving your man off the line of scrimmage on a running play and keeping him away from the QB on passing plays. The Steelers aren't getting a lot of movement up front right now. It's not one player. It's pretty much across the board.
Crazy Legs
2:05
The defense still has a problem with simply tackling the runner... do you have any access to who might be available around the league that could help solve this issue?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
A tackling coach? That's on the players. Coaches can't teach someone how to tackle. They can reinforce solid fundamentals and stuff like that, but either you;re a good tackler or a bad tackler. Coaches can;t help much in that regard.
ypar70
2:06
If I have missed this information, please forgive the question.  Has any sports reporter asked Tomlin or Fichtner what the reason was for running the shotgun the whole game and if so what was the answer?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Tomlin will have his weekly news conference tomorrow and Fichtner will talk later in the week.
DaquidoBazzini
2:07
It's hard to say where to start on this team, but defensively they are are very frustrating. So many high picks, but can never hold a lead. Is it me, or do they not seem to be making good adjustments in the 2nd half? Why is someone always open down the middle?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
You're right. The defense failed to come up with some big stops in the second half. They gave up a lot of running yards and passing yards. But I can't blame them much for the loss. They had five turnovers. They did their part. Now it's time for the offense to do their part.
MD
2:08
Obviously the entire offensive line is playing poorly, but Foster in particular seems to be allowing the pocket to collapse quickly.  Any chance we replace him with Finney?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
That would be admitting a mistake, and I'm not sure they'd do that. They signed Foster to a two-year, $8 million deal in March. They are paying Finney $3 million as an RFA. Foster can absorb bigger DTs in pass pro, but he's pretty limited in the run game.
Mikey NM
2:10
What will it take for a coordinator change to happen this year or at end of year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I can;t remember the last time the Steelers changed coordinators during a season. Even with how bad things were with Todd Haley they waited until the end of the season to make that move.
Thumper95
2:11
At what point dose this team cut bait with Moncreif and Switzer? They offer nothing. Other than Juju there is no one who can get separation.
Currently on the Street, martavis bryant, Eli Rogers and now Crabtree. Three proven NFL receivers who you can probably get for the veteran minimum. One for the slot to get open, one to stretch the field and give Juju some space to breath out there
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Eli and Switzer are basically the same player. And there is no baggage with Switzer. Eli was suspended twice in the past couple of years. And Martavis Bryant has a long history with suspensions. Crabtree at least has a resume and a fairly good reputation. I wouldn't be against that, but if they cut Moncrief they'd have to eat $5 million. Not sure they'll do that.
MD
2:14
With one pick in the top 100 picks of the 2020 draft, the Steelers should draft????  The team is totally devoid of speedy offensive playmakers, but also needs to replace Dupree and Hargrave and perhaps turn over the offensive line.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Probably too early. But OL and OLB are looking like strong options.
MD
2:16
How does choosing James Washington over DJ Chark in the 2018 draft look at this point?  We have to have the slowest collection of offensive skill position players in the league.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Washington did draw a pass interference penalty, but he has to do more than two catches for 14 yards. And I haven't looked at the stats much early in the season. Is Chark doing great?
iowasteelerfan
2:17
Everyone appears eager to push Conner out of the starting role...How is he supposed to gain any yards when the 49ers D had 10 or even 11 men within 10 yards of the LOS due to no threat of passing?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
The OC has to give the QB freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage. That's one thing. And the offensive line is allowed to block against eight-man fronts. It's hard without a fullback and two TEs, but it can be done.
Evan from MN
2:18
Hey Ray, big Steelers fan from MN! Do you think plugging in Finney for Foster on the O-Line may help the run game? Not blaming all of our O-Line problems on Foster but we’ve done good rushing when Finney has played in recent years, albeit a small sample size
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
They have run well with Finney, but I don't get the sense that they're going to replace Foster anytime soon. He'd have to be playing really bad for that to happen.
Stephen
2:19
Hi Ray... any chance Switzer will be replaced as a returner?  Also, with the lackluster running game to date, does Samuels get more carries?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I'd like to see more of Samuels. I think he can help as a runner and receiver. As for Switzer, they've gone to Holton some as a kick returner and Diontae Johnson can return punts. So yes he is replaceable. Those have to do something to force him out, but yes they have options.
DaquidoBazzini
2:21
If it was up to you, would James Conner see the field next week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
What choice do they have? Go with Samuels and Benny Snell? I'd like to see more of Samuels, but I'm not saying bench Conner. At least not yet.
ypar70
2:22
Has any sports reporter asked Tomlin or Fichtner if Jaylen Samuels was being disciplined by not being allowed to touch the football the entire game and if so what was the answer?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Samuels spoke with the media today and nothing along those lines was asked. It's not like he was benched. He was on the field for 14 snaps. Just no runs or passes thrown in his direction. He did mention he pass protected quite a bit on the passing plays.
rman
2:23
Hello Ray.  Two teams I watched last week, the Ravens and the 49ers, ran the football with a power attack. They used a combo of pulling lineman and backs and attacked the opposition successfully with 3 or 4 blockers at the point of attack and the runner at full speed.  Are the Steelers capable of using this type of a running game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Sure, they have NFL linemen at their disposal. I'm just not convinced the run game is where they're at their best.
Jay
2:24
Ray,  People do not want to hear it maybe we just do not have the overall talent anymore.  Too many average NFL players not enough impact players. This is where I think coaching is crucial and no future HC's in that bunch. Your thoughts sir?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
It's undeniable they've lost a lot of talent the past few years. No more Bell or Brown and no Ben this season. All three are great players. But this is the NFL. There should be competent players at each position ready to step in and help the team. How many of the 49ers skill position players had you heard of before Sunday? They all took turns making plays to help the 49ers win. That's all it takes. You don't need stars. You just need good players and a good scheme.
'Double Divot Dewey
2:26
Did Ben have his surgery?  I've see one report that said he did, and another that stated he was not going to have it.
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