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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.02.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:01
OK let's get the chat started.
Scott
1:01
Of the starting O-Linemen, who has shown the most improvement?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
I think all of them have improved since the beginning of the season. But the rookies Dan Moore and Kendrick Green gave really come on.
ev
1:02
Hi Ray, the Broncos were given 2 picks for Von Miller; the Steelers only netted a solitary 6th round pick for Ingram.  Granted, Miller is a far better player than Ingram, but why settle for just a 6?  Was this move to get him out of the locker room?  Was it this or just release him, ala LaGarrette Blount from a few years back?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:03
Ingram is 32 and has two bad knees. Plus, as you mentioned, he's not on Miller's level. Miller was still a starter for the Broncos. Ingram was a reserve here. If they could have gotten more for Ingram they would have. It's as simple as that. A sixth-round pick was the best offer so they took it.
Bernard
1:04
I hated the Bush pick at the time and have been generally more disappointed than expected with his play.  That said, it appeared that he had a very good game on Sunday, especially defending run.  What were your takeaways?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
He overran D'Ernest Johnson on the Browns' only touchdown, opened up a big cutback lane for him. That was a big mistake. But otherwise, it's hard to find fault with anyone on the defense after limiting the Browns to 10 points and 61 rushing yards. Credit to Bush and everyone else for getting the job done.
Donna
1:05
Hi Ray, do you think Melvin Ingram faked being hurt to get traded?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
He wanted out. The "injury' was just a way to protect him until they could unload him.
Bernard
1:06
What are your impressions of Baker Mayfield now that he's had a few seasons in the NFL to develop?  Average or above average NFL QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
I would say he's squarely in the middle of the pack of NFL QBs and the Browns should most definitely sign him for $40 million a year. Ha ha
Buddy Parker
1:06
Is Taco good enough to be Ingram's replacement?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
It will be Taco and Tuszka. Sounds like a radio show. The Taco and Tuszka Show. Anyways, Watt and Highsmith will play most of the snaps and those guys will see limited opportunities. The problem lies if Watt or Highsmith is injured. Then the depth would really be tested. For now, I suppose it's going to have to be OK.
David--
1:08
Ingram for what will probably be a late 6th round draft pick. For that...why not just keep the valuable depth? Did they believe he was going to cause problems?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
The Steelers obviously determined he was going to be a distraction if he wasn't traded. You recall the situation with James Harrison, right? They avoid another Operation Shutdown by getting rid of him.
Just a fan
1:09
Will Steelers trade for another linebacker now that MI is gone?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
Traded deadline is less than three hours away. Won't close the door on anything, but Ingram obviously was the big one.
Just a fan
1:09
What’s the word on our place kicker situation?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
Boswell remains in concussion protocol, but they seem hopeful he'll be available for the Bears game on Monday night.
Alaska Steeler
1:10
Ray, who is the best team in the AFC right now?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
I guess I'd have to say the Bills. And even they're 5-2.
Jeff
1:11
Thanks for the chats Ray.  What ever happened to the 3 headed monster at OLB?  I thought Ingram looked pretty good and as much as they rotate guys would see more playing time.  I don't like this move because of the lack of depth but I guess if he wasnt performing how they wanted then it makes sense.  Just saw more from him than our other backups
Ray Fittipaldo
1:13
It's not like he wasn't playing at all. After playing every snap against the Bengals he played about half the game the next two games and then 17 snaps against the Seahawks. Obviously, the coaches didn't feel like they were getting enough out of him. But I'm not sure what he expected when he signed here.
Sunner in Orlando
1:13
Boy, Moore and Bush PFF grades are horrible. Might we see more Spillane and Banner sooner than later?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
Moore was actually good in the run game. Struggled some against Garrett, but that was expected. Banner isn't a left tackle. The reason he's not dressing is his lack of versatility. Joe Haeg can play left and right so he dresses. So basically, Banner don't dress unless he starts.
Gino
1:15
Hey Ray…saw old film of Lambert taking exception to Cliff Harris “taunting “ Roy Gerela and throwing Harris to the ground.  I was wondering if Lambert and Harris are on speaking terms and if Lambert was in Canton when Harris was inducted into the HOF?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:15
I can't recall the last time Lambert showed up for a Hall of Fame event, or a Steelers event for that matter. He just doesn't like to come around.
TacoTuesday
1:15
What are you hearing about what Taco Charlton has shown so far, now that he is one groin strain away from playing a lot?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
Tomlin said today he uses his hands well and is good in the run game. TJ Watt was asked about Tuszka on Friday and said he was impressed with his play against the run. So I think they'll be O versus the run. The worry is the lack of a pass rush if Watt or Highsmith are injured longer term.;
Tom
1:17
Does the fake that everyone thinks it  was a bad time to do a fake kick, just prove that it was a good time to do a fake kick?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
No it was a bad call. You go up 6-3 and get the ball tom open the second half with a chance to make nit 13-3. Tomlin admitted the mistake after the game.
Bubba
1:18
How was Tomlin supposed to know his kicker would take an illegal late hit to the head?  What is the reasoning behind it being a bad choice. It wasn't going to put them behind, the other offense wasn't scoring, score and then again at the beginning of the half and game could have been over...
Ray Fittipaldo
1:18
Because it's football and anyone can get hurt especially when you have skinny kicker rolling out and holding the ball like vintage Ben Roethlisberger. There are risks associated with those plays.
pdxJaxon
1:19
Ray,
Mixed emotions on the Ingram Trade.  I mean, sure he was unhappy with his role, but tough. He was paid for his role.
Not sure a 6th rounder was worth it and now our depth is just as bad as it was prior to signing him in the first place.
Thoughts ?
Tom Altoona
1:20
It seems to me the Steelers left Dan Moore alone a lot against   Myles Garrett Sunday, how do you feel he did? I'm thinking they found their left tackle of the future?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
They like Dan Moore and believe he's progressing. He held Garrett to one sack and was on an island for some of the game. I think he'll turn into a solid pro.
1:22
As for the Ingram trade, he didn't want to be here. So they obliged and rid themselves of a potential distraction.
Johnny Cakes
1:23
shouldn’t the steeler just cut Ebron?    
addition by subtraction.  We drops a lot of balls and doesn’t block with no upside.  Gentry looked good against the browns and has up side.  Having two TE’s that can catch does wonders to an offense.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
I think Gentry has improved. But I wouldn't cut Ebron. What if Gentry or Freiermuth get injured.
Lucas
1:24
Why do we always see Ben talking to Dobbs over Mason or Dwyane? I personally really like Dobbs and his intelligence of the game. So does Ben not value Mason's or Dwyane's thoughts?
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