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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.16.21
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:00
OK here we go.
Josh
1:01
Ray how much longer before tomlin starts rotating bush out more like he did with Artie burns.    Bush has to be the worst starting linebacker in the league.  It’s embarrassing
Ray Fittipaldo
1:02
The run defense is 25th in the league. Tackling is a major issue. You saw that on the 42-yard touchdown run when Bush whiffed at the 15. You can't have those types of things happen. The Steelers are still No. 8 in points against. That's very good so I am not sure they will look to replace Bush this week, but if his shaky play continues I do think they'll consider it at some point. I just don't know if they're there yet.
PaulB
1:02
So Ben doesn't sound very sick, and vaccinated, the virulence should be reduced, but, what do you think, can he really test negative twice before Sunday night?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:04
Roethlisberger was symptomatic so I would not assume if I were you about how anyone feels with COVID. But he did test today. I haven't heard about the result yet. But he'd have to get two in a row by Sunday. It doesn't sound far-fetched for him to play, but Tomlin said today they are crafting the game plan around Mason Rudolph and will adjust if Roethlisberger becomes available.
Richard
1:05
If Ben doesn't play Sunday, do you think there's any chance Haskins will see playing time? I'm hoping they will have seen enough of both backups by the end of the season to know how serious they need to be about the qb position in the off season.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:05
Not unless there is an injury or some really poor decision-making.
Ben
1:05
Ray.   This tuitt situation is bonkers.   How can these men even accept him back.   He’s healthy and choosing not to play.  He isn’t the first pro athlete to suffer a family loss. This team is just not good enough to have   15 mill salary cap sit out
Ray Fittipaldo
1:06
Every time we ask a player or coach about Tuitt they are very supportive of his situation.
artie bridge
1:06
Ray, What's going on with Devin Bush?  The decline in his performance has been dramatic.  Physical problem?  Too complicated schemes?  Over-rated in the first place?  What's your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:07
He's small in stature and can get lost sometimes. Those same limitations are problematic in pass defense, too. He's a logical target for an opposing QB because he's less likely to get a hand on the ball. It's probably a little bit of everything you said. If he's not the answer inside then that's a draft pick that could set them back a few years on defense. They were counting on him to develop into one of the best ILBs in the game.
Doug
1:08
Well….Steelers organization may crawl back to ben after watching #2 play.  Even if they draft a qb… isn’t ben the perfect “bridge guy”.   Rudolph can’t play
Ray Fittipaldo
1:08
I don't think Roethlisberger will return. He'll be 40 in March.
Wundering
1:09
I have this sense that we'd be better off with Haskins than Rudolph over the course of a full season. Possibly Haskins' failures in DC are greater than Rudolph's shortcomings in Pittsburgh, but I still feel Haskins may have more upside.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:09
Haskins might have a better arm, but I'm not sure where else he is better than Rudolph.
Mercury
1:10
Why do coaches always cover their mouths? Do teams actually employ someone with binoculars who reads lips? And even if they could read them, how could they possibly relay any info they gain to the coaches and then the players in time to effect anything?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:10
Players read lips, too.
Jeff
1:10
Thanks for the chats Ray.  I get Mason looked bad in a lot of areas but I liked his pocket presence.  People are saying he isn't the answer but were they saying that after the first drive?  Not saying he is the answer but conditions were not ideal, as seen with Goff.  Did anything change for you when it comes to Rudolph?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:12
He played about the way I expected. It was an OK performance. If Diontae Johnson does not fumble in overtime it's a much different narrative. Yes, he missed some throws, including the one in the end zone to Ray-Ray McCloud, but it wasn't all bad.
Steeler in Virginia
1:12
Who starts if Dotson and Turner can't play, and who would then be the next man up? Starting to look mighty thin...
Ray Fittipaldo
1:13
It looks like Turner will be OK. If Dotson cannot play they'd have to choose among Haeg, Finney and Hassenauer. They seem to favor Hassenauer more over Finney now. Finney did not dress against the Lions. Hassenauer went in for Dotson. Haeg went in for Turner, who was injured after Dotson.
ASIANGOLFERMAN
1:14
When Will they take #55 off the field!  If you're a Steeler coach and watch his film and you think he is giving 100% - you are not doing your job.  How many tackles for a loss has he had this year?   He's a BUST!!  Cut your losses and draft or get one in free agency next year.  Your Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:14
They have to decide by May if they're going to pick up his fifth year option. I doubt they will
KN
1:16
Hello . Thank you as always for the chat. I do not understand the criticism of Rudolph . Guy was playing in bad weather . He repeatedly marched the Steelers down the field multiple times , only to see people fumble it and all that. He did not do play calling , did not drop multiple passes time after time , did not fumble the ball. Most he is guilty of is one interception (and we do not know the route ballage was supposed to run ) and 2 bad throws , one of which was to Ray in end zone and Merril Hoge said that it was not Mason fault but Ray Ray who ran the wrong route . But let’s all throw Mason under the bus , because for some reason steeler fan base is vehemently against him . Sorry for venting but saying this to you because you also gave him a C in your grading . Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
1:16
It's never as good as you think or as bad as you think. At least that's what coaches always say. And that applies to Rudolph's performance.
Brian
1:17
Hi Ray. What is our biggest concern going into the second half of the season: Injuries, Covid, or amateur play calling?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:17
D. All of the above.
Tom in Dallas
1:18
Lot's to blame on Sunday, but coaching seemed to  be worse than any other aspects, like tackling.  But Mason had some bad passes where if he delivered a decent ball, it could have been caught.  Any reason he missed so many?  Did the conditions have that much to do with it?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:20
As Axel Rose once sang: It was a cold November rain!
DaquidoBazzini
1:21
There seems to be some disagreement as to what Joe Schoebert said about Steeler practices after the game on Sunday. I certainly trust you....Can you verify what you heard?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:21
I don't remember exactly what he said, but it wasn't critical of the coaches or the players. At least that's the way I took it.
ArizonaBill
1:22
Not a question...but...lots of people are piling on Mason....but, as far as I can tell, he doesn't make the play calls.  I doubt it was his decision to throw three times from the Dolphins 5 yard line (although that one pass to the ground was bad).  I doubt it was his decision to throw so much instead of giving Harris the ball.  Give Mason a break....he didn't have much help from the coaches.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:23
I tend to agree with you. And to clarify, the first down call at the 5 was an RPO that Rudolph threw because he counted too many in the box. That's what he's taught to do. The coaches could have easily removed him from the decision-making process and called a run.
Vegas Steeler
1:23
What do you think of the last time out Tomlin called in overtime rather than running up and spiking the ball? I think that would have been the more prudent move to keep the whole field open in those final 20+ seconds. I rather make the play to set up a potential game winning kick with a time out to call rather than be limited to a couple of yards near the sideline.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:24
If I recall the final play went off with 15 seconds remaining. So if they don't call a timeout you're probably talking about 6 or 7 seconds on the clock. Not sure that's time enough to call for a play over the middle of the field and get the timeout.
L.A. Rob
1:25
How down are the coaches on Josh Dobbs? Mason Rudolph is inaccurate, at best, Dwayne Haskins has barely suited up, so the team must feel Dobbs has no shot. With Rudolph's poor performance against the Lions, can't we at least see how Dobbs will play in prime time?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:25
Dobbs went on IR before the season and cannot play this year.
Jeff
1:26
Ray - the offensive play calling on Sunday bordered on coaching malpractice.  As fans, how do we reconcile the drafting of Najee Harris with the play calling we're seeing week after week?  Maybe if Harris gets 8-10 more touches we get the yards we need to kick a FG or score another TD.  What seems so obvious to all of us seems to be lose on the coaching staff
Ray Fittipaldo
1:26
You know there is something wrong if they pass 50 times on Sunday. The Chargers have the NFL's worst run defense.
Javi
1:27
Hey Ray. All things being equel who is the more regrettable pick at moment..bush or edmunds?
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