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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.11.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:28
Good morning. Let's get the chat started.
Stairway to seventh seed
10:28
Ray: over the years when the Steelers have a specific weakness it seems like opposing teams can exploit it at will.  Examples: Kendrick Green, Brod Jones, various ILBs in coverage, various weak nickel CBs over the years, etc.  However, when playing teams with glaring weaknesses like the Chargers at tackle, the Steelers can't capitalize.  Am I just looking at this through a Steeler fan's lens or is this another example of the Steelers just doing what they do instead of having a plan specifically for an opponent?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
The Steelers had five sacks with three coming from outside linebackers. I thought the pressure was good all night. Even when they didn't sack Herbert he felt the pressure. The issue is -- and has been -- the defensive backs can't plaster receivers at the LOS. Therefore, they have room to get open early in routes. It seems like a simple adjustment the Steelers can make, but they probably don't make it because they don't believe their CBs will hold up in coverage even for that short period of time. They need to start investing some first-round picks in corners who can man up and be shutdown players against good WRs. They don't have anyone who can do that now.
Josh
10:31
Arthur Smith made his bread and butter while running the football with Henry with the Titans. Why is he so reluctant to stay with the running game when it seems like Warren is having great starts? Also why is Gainwell out snapping Warren in any game?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:33
I think part of it is he has Aaron Rodgers at QB and you don't want to let his talents go to waste. But I agree with your larger point, which I think is the Steelers offense could very much benefit from a better running game. And I'm with you on the snaps. Play Warren more. He's not only your best back he might be your best playmaker on offense.
Josh
10:33
Can you recall a time that Tomlin was as testy in his after game press conference as he seemed to be Sunday night?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
It has not happened recently, but he's been short with reporters before. It's part of the game. His team did not play well. He's mad. Goes with the territory for him and us. We still do our jobs no matter what kind of mood he's in.
Doc Wu
10:35
Ray, Muth can’t get on the field.  It’s convenient for coaches to site more touches/plays for Gainwell over Warren, cuz we are down - when we all know Warren is elite 3rd down back.  Metcalf constantly double teamed - other WR’s too tiny to get open.  Should the O take a page from D and simplify?  Revolve around Warren,Metcalf and Muth!  Everyone else can be interchangeable, but if you wanna move chains and score - those need to be your core guys?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:37
I agree your best players have to play more. I said this on the North Shore Podcast this morning. It seems to me there is a disconnect between the front office and Arthur Smith. Forget about Metcalf for a minute. He's going to be double-teamed until others around him step up and make plays. The Steelers are paying Freiermuth very well to be a No 2 or No 3 TE. You can say the same thing about Jonnu Smith, which is odd because you would think Smith would know how to use him having coached him previously in Tennessee and Atlanta. Maybe Smith does not share the front office's opinion on the talents of Freiermuth and Smith. That's fine, but it's a talking point because of how much money they are making.
Dormont Legacy
10:38
Seems like people let their outlook for the team get tied to whatever happened last. I say who cares. Steelers should be playing for the future and not give up draft picks. Omar has it right, if you get a good deal, great.  If not save it for next year and hope the coaching staff is up to knowing how to develop a young team (I’m not sure they are).
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
I'm with you. You heard a lot of people say the Steelers were all-in when they signed Aaron Rodgers in June. Were they? They didn't have a No. 2 WR on the roster. They didn't have a good free safety option on the roster. And guess what? Those issues remain two months into the season. They just cut Juan Thornhill and replaced him with an undrafted free agent rookie in Sebastian Castro. And it's obvious the issues they have at WR. I think Khan did the right thing too. You need a franchise QB in this league if you're going to compete for a Super Bowl. Khan has to try and get one in 2026 or 2027.
Rich
10:41
Ray…Rodgers getting a lot of criticism but what I saw was a 41 year old who had no confidence in 77 (for good reasons) and was totally uncomfortable in the pocket. Even when he had a little time he didn’t trust his protection. I think 77 should bear a lot of blame for what happened Sunday night
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
77 has been average since his really bad start to the season. He is what he is. I don't know that he's going to improve much. But they don't have any better options on the roster now. So Rodgers has to learn how to handle pressure. If he has to throw the ball away on occasion he has to do it. I thought he held onto the ball too long on a few occasions on Sunday night. He doesn't normally do that.
Stairway to seventh seed
10:43
Ray: when they play all 3 edge rushers with one down lineman, why do they line Herbig inside where his speed is less of a factor?  Shouldn't Highsmith or Watt be inside?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:44
Herbig's quicks on guards can work just as well if he has space. I do think they should change that up some. Watt has really good ads so he could drop back into coverage on occasion to surprise QBs. Same with Highsmith. The last thing you want to be is predictable.
Takoma Tom
10:45
The Steelers have become Dan Snyders Redskins by winning the offseason.  Over pay a bunch of washed vets and tell everyone it’s going to be historic.  It’s more like horrific.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
The Steelers would have to do that year after year after year to truly be compared to Snyder, but your point is well taken for this year. It doesn't always work when you bring in stars.
Hi Ray -
10:47
I’m not sure how many people will disagree that Tomlin has some good qualities, but it’s time for both to move on from each other.  His teams are simply not coached well, and I can’t imagine a staff that would be in a worse position to develop a room of young QB’s.  After Ben, they have failed time and time again - starting with Mason!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
This is where I remind everyone Tomlin is signed through the 2027 season. And for a lot of money.
Hi Ray -
10:49
I saw a funny meme with a Joey Porter JR koala  bear stuck to the leg of a gent.  He’s just not a superior corner,  does he need to move to slot corner or free safety at some point?  He could be flagged on almost any play?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
He's too big to play slot. I just think he needs to be coached up. He has the talent, but it's not coming through.
Hi Ray -
10:50
I see their needs as follows for nexts years draft: WR, CB, DT, QB, OG, FS. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
In what order? And I might add LT if they don't pick up Jones' option.
TheStandardisStability
10:51
Warren is their most dynamic player and he did not play a single third down snap the other night. What is Arthur Smith doing? A season and a half in and the honeymoon period is closing with this guy.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
All you have to do is re-watch the Seattle game if you need to be reminded of how good Warren is as a receiver out of the backfield.
Bulldog
10:52
Hi Ray...Do the Steelers win the division?  Do they even make the playoffs?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
I don't see them winning the division unless they sweep the Ravens. Schedule is too tough while the Ravens' schedule is fairly easy down the stretch.
Hi Ray -
10:53
In your view, are all the OL playing in their ideal positions?  Would Troy be a better left guard and draft a new right tackle next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
He's playing really well at right tackle so I don't know if you want to mess with that.
Hi Ray -
10:53
If they continue to crash, finish below 500 and out of the playoffs with a major whooping by the ravens to end the season, would that be enough to clean house and start again?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:54
You mean the head coach? No.
John
10:55
Would it have been logical to keep Pickens around despite a third round draft pick.  I think we could've tolerated him for one more year.  Thoughts.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
Pickens was a cancer. I'm OK with the trade.
Lou
10:56
Hi Ray. What do you expect out of MVS?  Will he be able to at least draw some attention away from DK? Guy has the experience at least. Speed?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
After Sunday night I think you sign him just for the sake of change. The passing game wasn't just bad against the Chargers. It's been bad for a few weeks now. They have to do something.
KinVA
10:57
With all these draft picks stocked up for next year and the team in dire need of a franchise qb, should rooney allow the current regime be the one's making this big decision?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
The current regime is under contract. Khan is signed for as long as Tomlin is. Maybe even more come to think of it.
CJ
10:59
I was stunned by Coach Sirianni’s decision to go for it on 4th and 6 in last night’s Eagles–Packers game. Up 10–7 with 33 seconds left, a simple pooch punt could’ve pinned Green Bay around their 10-yard line. Instead, the deep pass fell incomplete, giving the Packers a real shot to tie it. Starting that far back, even a 30-yard gain would’ve eaten most of the clock. The lack of situational awareness among coaches today is astonishing—especially in late-game scenarios. We see it weekly, from Sirianni to Tomlin. Why do so many coaches still struggle to give their teams the best chance to win?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
A lot of the young coaches are tuned into the analytics. And I'm sure come computer out there said that was the right decision.
itsallmoot
11:00
Seems like most pundits thought GM OK has had a few good drafts and I would agree 2023 & 2024 drafts will be decent to good.   Biggue issue seems to be their FA signings:  Hard to know what Metcalf can do as there is no #2 WR but he's dropped several easy balls.  Seumalo, Ramsey were good but others were average to below average at best: Ogunjobi, Thornhill, Echols, Slay, Petersen.  Seems like adding aging vet's isn't paying off.  Thoughts?
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