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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.15.19
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we will get started.
Baghdad_Ben
10:50
Did you catch the announcers on Sunday mention that Tomlin told them it was refreshing with new QBs to go back to the drawing board and rethink the offense? Seems to me they should always be doing that. Stay static and the opponents will catch up. Do you think this coaching staff is too set in their ways?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
I didn't see the interview. I was in L.A. and covered the game. So I will say without seeing the interview that I don't want to speculate on what Tomlin might have meant. I will agree with your general point though that it's a good idea to tweak things every once in a while no matter who the QB is. I think that's standard operating procedure for all NFL teams. But usually that's done over the offseason, not in the middle of a season after injuries. That's the tough part for the Steelers. They're trying to figure this out on the fly. It's not easy.
Baghdad_Ben
10:52
Poor Philip Rivers. I have to say he is a trooper. Never complains about his team. He should. The NFL has done that Chargers fanbase wrong as well.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
The NFL should be embarrassed for having the Chargers playing in a soccer stadium in L.A., where they obviously have no fan base. It was, for all intents and purposes, a Steelers home game. But beyond that, everything was minor league with the whole experience there. The NFL should have done better. After covering a game there I can't believe that was the best the NFL could do for one of its 32 teams. But no one in the league will say a thing. All the owners care about is their money. No one will ever say a word about teams moving because all owners want that option. Even if they don't want to move they want to hold the possibility over the heads of their respective cities and get a sweetheart lease in a new multi-billion dollar stadium.
Franco
10:55
How much will the Tuitt injury be noticed? Can we adjust and still be an elite unit on D or will it show significantly?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
It's a big loss. Tuitt is a really good player, one of the best on that defense. Having said that, Cam Heyward was lost with the same injury in 2016. He missed the final 11 games, including the playoffs. If you remember, the Steelers were 4-5 after nine games. They came back and won the division and made it all the way to the AFC championship. If I'm not mistaken, L.T. Walton started the AFC title game in New England. Walton is back with the Steelers today after getting signed to add depth along the defensive line.
Dick Hertz
10:58
Hi Ray.  Do the Steelers have confidence in Isaiah Buggs to step in and play with Tuitt out for the year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
Tyson Alualu will step in for Tuitt. Buggs could be in the mix as a role player. But they also signed Walton today and have Daniel McCullers. Karl Dunbar likes to rotate his linemen so all three could get an opportunity.
Dick Hertz
10:59
Which injured players are likely to return and play after bye week?  Mason, Washington et al?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Rudolph seems like a good bet to come back. Not sure about Washington. He's considered week to week.
Kyle
11:01
Was the defensive performance against the Chargers a sign the defense is starting to click or more a product of a horrible Chargers Oline?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Maybe both. The Chargers line is a mess, but the defense looks really good. I think it's played well for the most part since Week 3.
section 115
11:02
I believe 91 has been their best player on D, this loss really hurts, you concur?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
If not the best, one of the best.
DaquidoBazzini
11:02
The Steelers have now lost two potential prospects in Tuzar Skipper and Fred Johnson. Just to add a 3rd string RB? Isn’t there a better way to open roster spots? I don’t see this happening much to other teams.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
It happens to every team in the league. I think losing Johnson could come back to haunt the Steelers. Foster is 33 and obviously close to being done. B.J. Finney will be an unrestricted free agent after the season is over. Johnson has future starter potential. I'm not saying he's ready now, but in time, he might be. For a team that needs a miracle to get back into the division race and make the playoffs I think they could have made another move. There are several others I would have cut before Johnson. Maybe they figured no one would pick him up. But the Bengals are 0-6 and going nowhere. They're building for the future. I'm not saying the Steelers should do the same. They should always try to win, but maybe just juggle their roster a little bit better.
Ralph LA
11:06
Are we going to be getting back any injured starters, like Nix, before the next game?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
I think Nix has a possibility to return, yes. We'll find out more next week.
Dr K
11:07
On SNF, they show ratings of players during intros (by PFF, I believe).  Both Fitz and Edmunds were rated in the 50s-60s out of 90 or so.  Has their play been that bad thus far in the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
I don't know what they're watching with Fitzpatrick, but I think he's been excellent. Maybe his Miami games were factored into his rating. And I have no idea how Miami was using him. I don't think he was happy with how he was being used. As far as Edmunds goes, he's been picked on in coverage and he's missed some open-field tackles.
RealityMan
11:09
While I applaud the road victory under the circumstances I must inject some reality into the analysis. Many are lauding the return of the run game ( and both Conner and Snell had some good runs ) we had one back under 3yds per carry and the other below 4 yds per carry. Also when it came time to kill the clock and LAC knew we would run, we could not get first downs. I think the line still has not hit its stride run blocking. We need to get that going to truly open things up for Rudolph. Maybe the Dolphins game will allow them to move forward with that issue?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
I would agree with you. I think the line blocked better in L.A., but it can still improve.
Altoid
11:10
was nice to see the off line in a 3 pt stance and some aggressive blocking as the result.  much better than running out of the shotgun and standing up.  hope that continues.   you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:10
It helps, but the Steelers can't change their entire offense overnight or even over a couple of weeks.
Ryan
11:10
Do you think theyll let Rudolph air it out more against the Dolphins? Or do you think theyll keep an more of an emphasis on the running game. I think getting more teams to respect the passing game will help open the running game up more.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
Randy Fichtner game plans based on the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. So if the Dolphins can be had deep down the field I think he'll let Rudolph take some shots. But he's also going to play to his strengths. And right now, the short passing game is working. If you haven't noticed the receivers are struggling a bit.
Doc H
11:12
What's with the poor player management? Dionte Spencer, Tuzar Skipper, and Fred Johnson are all better players than what the steelers currently have at backup at those positions, but now are on other teams while we are stuck with johnnie Holton and trey Edmunds etc.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
Guys like Johnny Holton and Jordan Dangerfield and Tyler Matakevich are core special teams players. The coaches view special teams just as they do the offense and defense. They believe it's a vital part of the game. So they won't make roster decisions that negatively impact the special teams. Johnson hadn't dressed for a game. They thought he was the most expendable player in terms of this year's team. They weren't taking into account his future potential. Not sure if that's the right move over the long term, but that's how they go about these decisions. They're always trying to win now.
Dick Hertz
11:14
did you think Conner found another level of intensity Sunday ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:14
He was certainly more elusive and broke more tackles. THey need more of that.,
Gerry 2lac
11:14
Is there any update on Sean Davis' return?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
We are a ways away from that possibility. He's only been out for a month. I think they have to decide if he can come back in another month so there is some time.
Lisa
11:15
At what point, if ever, do you think the NFL will step in and do something to address the awful officiating? Or will the officials continue to affect the outcomes of games indefinitely? With teams so closely matched now, I personally don’t think saying that good teams should be able to overcome bad calls is sufficient anymore...
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
Something should be done. Will something be done? I'm not so sure. Officiating is a topic almost every year and yet little is done. I know they made the change with replay this year on pass interference penalties, but that's only made things worse. Bill Belichick wants every penalty to be reviewed. I once thought that was crazy, but if the end result is the officials being more careful in what they call I'd be OK with that. They have to let the players decide the game. I know the Steelers have injuries, but they would be 4-2 right now if not for some questionable calls in the Seattle and Baltimore games. Too many games are being decided by the officials. The NFL should want the players to decide the games.
NC Steel
11:19
Ray, Ben played poorly for his 1.5 games this year (passer rating around 63)--presumably b/c he was already injured. What are the odds of him coming back next season even close to how he played in 2018? He will be 38 in March. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
That's hard to say because it's an elbow injury and no one really knows how a player will come back. But I always point to guys like Tom Brady and Drew Brees and how they've played well into their early 40s. I don't think age will be an issue. Obviously, his recovery and rehab will be the biggest issue.
Rich
11:20
Hi Ray thanks for your work! it’s pretty obvious that the Steelers do not have receivers capable of getting separation. I know that they like Hilton on coverage teams but is it time to give someone on the practice squad a chance? Do you think that they regret losing D Spencer?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:21
Spencer is a little slot guy. He's kind of like Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer. Not sure how much he would have helped. I know he's done pretty well in the return game for the Broncos. Is he producing numbers as a receiver too? I watched him in camp. He was a better returner than a receiver. But your point is well-taken. They need to be better at receiver.
NC Steel
11:22
Tuitt has been playing the best ball of his career since the Seattle game, making his injury a very Big Deal to this defense. Do you think he will be back next year playing just as ferociously?
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