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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.27.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Welcome. Let's talk Steelers.
BB
1:55
Ray - The Ravens had a pretty stout pass rush even before the recent Ngakoue pick-up.  Do you think the Steelers will initially try underneath routes to try and keep Ben clean?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
The Steelers have done a nice job of keeping Ben clean and getting the ball out of his hand quickly has been a big part of that. He gets rid of it quicker than any other QB in the league. Certainly, they'll be aware of Ngakoue and Calaias Campbell. Mike Tomlin referred to Campbell as a "goon" today, in a complimentary way. They have quality players and rushers across the defense, and the Steelers will have to be on their toes to keep Ben clean this week.
Artie Bridge
1:58
Ray, You're the best.  Three questions:1. Ebron has been a nice addition to the receiving corps.  How's his blocking?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
OK, Artie this is one question. Ebron has been better than I thought he would be in the run game. It seems like he has bought in. Of course, anyone who plays TE for the Steelers has to block, so he didn't really have a choice. But I have been pleasantly surprised with his willingness to put his face in there.
MG
1:59
A few times during the game I was surprised to look up and see Bud Dupree lining up in the middle. What do you think was the reason for that alignment and do you think we'll see more of it?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
That was something they came up with to defend Derrick Henry. I'd have to go back and look at how the Steelers defended in that look. If they had success then of course they'd go back to it in the future. But they come up with different angles every week. I was watching the Steelers-Ravens game from last year. The first one at Heinz Field. There was a three-safety look they gave Lamar Jackson and a look with three inside LBs with Tyler Matakevich as the extra ILB. Will be interesting to see what they have in store this week.
BB
2:02
Ray - If you are the Ravens, how quickly are you going to try Andrews down the seam to see if the Steelers have that buttoned up or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
First play. They did it quite a bit last year when Bush was healthy. Actually, on one of them, it was Nick Boyle down the seam, and Bush made a great INT. They won't have that luxury this year.
San Diego Steeler Fan
2:03
I noticed some Black & Gold at the Tennesee  game last week  how many  fans do you think make it to  Baltoimoregame?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Always a lot of Steelers fans in Nashville. There will be some in Baltimore I'm sure, but it seems like they are less willing to sell their tickets to Steelers fans.
Artie Bridge
2:04
  1. Ebron has been a nice addition to the receiving corps.  How's his blocking?
  2. Who is primarily responsible for the upgrade in creative play calling and play design?
  3. Any truth to the rumor you're changing your moniker to "Ray-Ray"?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
2 Matt Canada was added to the staff in the spring, and he is responsible for bringing in some of t he new ideas. You see that on the jet sweeps and the pre-snap motion. It's helped them for sure.
2:06
3 I have news for you. My nickname was "Ray-Ray" before McCloud was born. It stuck through my elementary school days.
JB
2:06
Do you think TJ gets enough credit nationally. He is unbelievable as he seems to disrupt every play. If our DB’s could hold for a split second more he would have double the sacks. he gives 110% every play. i feel he is not hyped up enough like Donald, Mack and others. They deserve it but so does TJ.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Watt was a legitimate NFL defensive player of the year candidate last year. And I think he will be again this year. If not for a guy named Aaron Donald in LA, he might win it too.
Pedro
2:08
Ray we asked you and Gerry on your chats if patriots would tank season for Trevor Lawrence and both said no way Bellicheat/Kraftcheat and/or would do that, I certainly did.. if they don’t end up with first pick they will be close enough to trade up for him.. are you still standing pat they won’t ? Waiting for your view now, stay safe!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
They're 2-4 and struggling now, but there are a lot of other bad teams in line for Lawrence first, including that train wreck of a franchise in New York -- the Jets.
Tx Steeler
2:08
Any concerns with Ben's deep ball? It seemed he was unable or unwilling to stretch the defense much in the second half. I can't really recall any accurate deep throws so far this season.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
The one to Claypool against the Broncos was pretty accurate I'd say. It produced an 84-yard touchdown. He hasn't hit a lot of them, but I wouldn't say he's struggling, either. JuJu Smith-Schuster said after the game they were playing a lot of Tampa-2, which forces the QB to throw short. So, I'm not sure it's Ben's unwillingness to throw deep or merely taking what the defense gives him. Either way, they're 6-0, so...
VSsteelersFan
2:10
Hi Ray, do you think Claypool was a bit underutilized on Sunday? I hear he was being blanketed, but so were JuJu and DJ during those atrocious interceptions and that didn't seem to bother Ben. At least with Claypool you have better odds of him coming down with a jump ball. Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
Malcolm Butler was on him all day. He had one catch and drew a pass interference penalty. They also tried to go to him late on a third-and-short that was called back on an OPI on Jaylen Samuels. It's the NFL. If an opponent wants to take you away they can do it. It's up to other players to make plays. Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson made enough of them for the Steelers to win.
Buster
2:12
Why was James Washington used so sparingly on Sunday? Looked like he was odd man out in most formations.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Well, Johnson returned after missing most of the previous two games with a back injury. And Claypool played so well when Johnson was out that he ended up cutting into Washington's snaps. I think it's pretty clear he's now their No. 4 WR. If you ask me, he's a pretty darn good option as a No. 4.
The Dude
2:13
Do you believe in the theory that your punter can “outkick the coverage”? Even though Berry kicked the ball 20 yards shorter than Kern, the Steeler net was better after returns.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Sometimes. But I'd rather have a guy like Kern and take my chances that my gunner and the other on the coverage unit can make a play for me.
Mike
2:14
As best I can find, Tomlin only received votes for Coach of Year once.  Last year (2 votes) - not even a vote in the 2008-11 years!  He is getting attention this year -- you think the last 2 years re AB and Bell, showing Tomlin's handling of those 2, is a big reason?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
Tomlin has done a good job this year, and that's part of it. I also think he's been around for so long and has enjoyed so much success that he gets overlooked for such honors.
Eric
2:15
Ray, What is the plan if Spillane were to go down with injury?  Who would step into that role?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Probably Ulysses Gilbert. He came in for Spillane on third downs against the Titans.
Jason in Slippery Rock
2:16
Why do you think Steelers fans are obsessed with who the number one receiver is? You need four good receivers in the NFL these days; does an arbitrary label of "number one" really matter? The match ups will dictate targets, like Tomlin says.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
That's correct, but I also read Tomlin's comments to Bob Labriola last week when he was asked about whether the Steelers have a No. 1 WR. His response was "I don't know." He went on to say No. 1 WRs find ways to beat double coverage and still make plays. I thought it was an interesting comment with Smith-Schuster being quiet against the Browns and Eagles. Not sure if he wanted to send a message or motivate someone, but it was interesting to me.
Jerry
2:18
With the Steelers run defense being so strong. I don’t see Lamar beating us by throwing as long as we don’t turn the ball over.Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
That's the problem with Jackson. He can beat you throwing and running. They forced him into three INTs last year, and they still lost.
Guest
2:20
in the beginning of the year i stated steelers go indefeated until afc championship game and lose to kc,,,,,,,,,everyone laughed,,,,,,,who's laughing now?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
You do know it's only Week 8, right?
JerseySteel
2:20
Hi Ray - can you explain how Ray Ray Mcloud was unemployed when the Steelers picked him up? He has been a godsend in the return game, jet sweep, and occasional short pass that they hope he can break into a long gain
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I've been wondering the same thing too. He did an interview with us a few weeks back and let on there were some issues with his maturity in Buffalo, how to be professional. So it seems like he's grown up a bit. That tends to happen when you're on the street. I think he realized this opportunity might be his last if it didn't work out. And there's something to some teams just being good fits for certain players. And McCloud seems to fit that mold for the Steelers.
Jeff
2:22
Thanks for the chats Ray.  I am not going to go negative on Sundays game, every good team makes adjustments at half time.  In your opinion what was the biggest adjustment Ten made?  They couldn't do anything in the first half
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
The 73-yard TD pass to Brown certainly helped. Not sure if that was an adjustment or not, but they hit it. That changed the momentum of the game. That gave the Titans belief. Sometimes that's all you need. Plus, once it got to be a 13-point game with plenty of time left it meant the Titans didn't have to go away from Derrick Henry.
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