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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.22.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we will get started.
tonyzamb24
10:53
My how the tables have turned.  Stillers off, bengals, ravens and browns all lose and BAM! Stillers in first place with the brownies coming to town and trip to Baltimore on deck.  How do you see the AFC now?  Stillers could use that tie to their advantage since the tie pretty much eliminates the tiebreaking system and basically your record will dictate your playoff positioning.  That is, unless there is another AFC team with a tie down the road…
Ray Fittipaldo
10:54
Yes, my how times have changed in just one week's time. The Bengals are who we thought they were. I don't think they'll be much of a factor down the stretch. I think the AFC North will come down to the Steelers and Ravens. And obviously, that game in Baltimore in two weeks will be huge. The Ravens already beat the Steelers at Heinz.
bob
10:54
If Peterson was available in next years draft would the steelers take him?  Of course, so why not trade next years #1 for him now?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
Because he has two years remaining on his deal and is getting older. The Steelers will control their first-round pick for five years if he is a good player. If I could get Peterson for a second-round pick I would do it, but I'm not giving up a first-rounder.
MikeinCLT
10:56
Ray-Looks like the begining of the end in Cincy and Cleveland is still finding ways to lose.  Is this a 2 horse race for the North and I see an old school, low scoring 17-13 game in 2 weeks.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
Yes I think so. The Ravens will have the edge because they're at home. Their defense is legit so the Steelers likely will have to win a low-scoring game. Could determine if they're going to be in the hunt for a division title or fighting for a wild card berth in the second half of the season.
DaquidoBazzini
10:57
Hi, Ray - Might the Steelers have any interest in Terrell’s Pryor?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
I'd be surprised. He would have to come in here and learn the system. Seems like a lot would have to break his way to get into the WR rotation. As much as they lack a true No. 3 at the moment I don't see them investing in someone else at this point. I think the hope is for James Washington to come around and contribute more in the second half of the season.
Mar
10:59
Is it looking like we found our feature back in james Conner of the future he’s looking like a all pro back
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
Conner is playing very well. But it's only six games. Let's wait for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades until December.
John Strange
11:00
What do you make of Steeler opponents putting eight men in the box against James Connor a whopping  38.83 percent of the time?  Are they convinced Big Ben cannot beat them with his arm?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Roethlisberger is on pace for a 5,000-yard season so that seems like a bad plan if you ask me. He started playing better after the loss to the Ravens. I doubt teams will continue to put 8 in the box if he continues to play as well as he did against the Falcons and Bengals. And by the way, Conner was heavily involved in those games despite the defensive looks. That's important for Roethlisberger. He needs a strong running game to be at his best.
bob
11:01
On Peterson, why not play for NOW?  Everyone is getting older.  Window is closing!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
The window might be closing, but if you start trading away first-round picks it will be closed for a long time in future years.
Tprod
11:03
Ray, with Boston and Williams it seems the Steelers have two “buck” linebackers which shows as they are not very adept at covering the seams. In the the dime with Williams as the sole interior backer opposing teams are exploiting the matchup against Williams. any chance Fort takes a more prominent role?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:03
He could, but he missed the Bengals game with an ankle injury. We'll have to see if he's healthy this week.
AnthonyTesta
11:03
Here’s the obligatory Bell question...he coming back this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:04
Practice just started 15 minutes ago, but I haven't heard that he's in the building.
mtsteel
11:04
Morning Ray and thanks for your time.  Morgan Burnett was a big signing for us, do you feel that he can help this defense this year or are we chalking him up to a failed free agent signing at this point?. Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
If he's healthy he can help. But there's no way of knowing if he'll be fully healthy for the second half of the season. He had a hamstring injury in camp followed by a groin injury in Week 2. I asked him last week if he felt like he was close to returning and he didn't really give a straight answer. I don't get the idea he'll be back this week, but I'll find out more when I go out to practice in a bit.
rman
11:06
I feel like I've been watching arena football every Sunday.  Do you think inclement weather will slow down this prolific scoring surge?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:06
It could, but cold weather won't slow it down much. Rain and snow could though.
Tprod
11:06
Ray, after three years of highly inconsistent play and obvious regression this season, what do the Steelers do with Burns?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
Keep working with him I suppose. They're not going to cut him mid-season. He's a former first-round pick so there is some talent to work with. He just makes too many mental errors for his own good.
Me
11:07
Any sign of Bell?  If I am the Steelers brass I am not sure I can trust him even if he does show up.  He is too concerned about injury to be much of a factor.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
No sign of Bell yet, but it's early.
Mar
11:08
How do you see James Washington playing out do you think he will pick it up or no
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
He's a hard worker and has talent. It will come. The game just hasn't slowed down for him yet.
Reality Man
11:09
Let’s face it, if Ben did not lead the offence on a last minute drive we would be lamenting the defense as they were unable to hold a lead. We still have a lot of holes on Defense so do you think that having Burnett back (which is hopefully soon?) allows us to redeploy Sutton as CB2 and maybe move Burns to a dime package? The secondary is still the big weakness.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
I think they will consider that again. Sutton was in the mix early in the season before Burnett's injury. Since Burnett has been on the shelf, Sutton has been the dime linebacker so he hasn't been outside much, if at all.
Tprod
11:10
If Burnett misses more time and Edmund continues to perform at least average, do the Steelers dump Burnett after this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
Too early to tell. I think their medical staff would have to be involved in that decision in terms of predicting if injuries will recur. It's been an ongoing problem for Burnett as I documented in my story last week.
Ben
11:11
How did the Steelers use watt and Dupree against the bengals? Didn’t see the game and am wondering why they weren’t on the stat sheet. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
They weren't as noticeable as they were against the Falcons, but the interior of the line played well. Heyward, Tuitt and Hargrave all played very well. Still looking for that consistent outside pass rush. It's been there in spots this year.
Joe Novak
11:12
Ray-hate to beat a dead horse...but Lewis, and Brown have come out in support of 55.  The NFL gives him a fine a a WARNING.  So a coach, owner and the league think a guy who is looking to "head hunt" deserves a helmet.  The guys is garbage and it's time to throw this trash out.  I know it's not a question but I needed to vent! :-)
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
Don't understand their approach. He was at it again Sunday night against the Chiefs, twisting ankles under piles, stepping over players, not allowing them to get up. He'll never change.
Retire 21
11:13
Planning a Steelers road trip but wondering if any games like Oakland, Jax or NO could be flexed out or in?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
Yes they all can be flexed.
Sergio from Mexico
11:14
Hi Ray. Love your chats. Great weekend for the steelers. Not playing and waking up in first place of the division...¡¡¡  I think the next 2 games make or break the season... what do you think?  Viva los Steelers¡¡¡
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