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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.27.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Let's get started.
bob m
11:59
hey ray am I the only one who sees how bad mike mitchell is? he is never close to anyone one passing plays and wiffs constantly on tackles he is the real weak link back there in a very leaky secondary.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Mitchell didn't do a very good job on that Davante Adams TD last night. The same thing happened in Indianapolis. But it also happened last week when Robert Golden filled in for an injured Mitchell. The safeties have to do a much better job of getting ball carriers on the ground. Their tackling was atrocious yet again against the Packers. Did you see Sean Davis on that screen pass that went for a TD. It's almost as if he never played football before.
RC
12:01
nice to see big ben's accuracy/passing game improvement. However, those missed tackles in the defensive secondary is keeping games closer than they should be. Is tackling not taught anymore?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
It's difficult for coaches to teach tackling, but it shouldn't be an excuse. Other teams do a much better job than the Steelers. Mike Tomlin has to address it. I'm not sure how many padded practices the Steelers have left, but if I was him I'd have a full padded practice Wednesday and have his defensive backs bring the scout teams players to the ground in live 11 on 11s. They have an extra day of preparation this week. They have to do something. It's amazing to me that it hasn't cost them a game yet. They've been awful for large portions of the season in the tackling department.
SteelyD
12:03
Are you starting to get concerned about Artie Burns? I sure I am. It's been Artie Burnt lately.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
If I'm Keith Butler and Carnell Lake I'm looking long and hard at what I'm doing with the corners. It's not just Artie. Coty Sensabaugh has been beaten for two long touchdowns in the past two games. I don't really understand the philosophy. You have a good defense. They should want to keep the ball in front of them and make teams drive the length of the field. Those CBs have to stop gambling and play sound fundamental football. And if Artie continues to screw up I'd get Cameron Sutton ready to play. Maybe he'd be more responsible. Don't laugh. Bill Belichick didn't insert Malcolm Butler into his lineup until late in the 2014 season, and he won the Super Bowl for the Patriots. Sometimes coaches have to think outside the box to get the most out of their team.
SteelyD
12:07
Good resolve to win yesterday or scary bad performance?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
It's both. They're finding ways to win, but they can't continue to play as poorly as they have in recent weeks and expect to win. I think they've been lucky to be quite honest with you.
Steelerfan120723
12:08
Hi Ray, I am so frustrated when the Steelers are in 3rd down situations and needing 3 or less yards and they are attempting passes of15, 20 or more yards instead of just trying to get the first down. I don't recall them doing this so often in recent years, do you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I don't know if they're throwing 15-20 yards down the field in those situations. I do see them throwing short passes. I'm not a big fan of that. I think it's easier to get a yard on the ground in those situations, but the Steelers must feel like they have better matchups in the passing game because they do it quite a bit.
warriors#9
12:09
final win total?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
The way they're playing I'd say 12-4 right now. Maybe 13-3. But they're not inspiring confidence in me that's for sure.
LB
12:10
Hi Ray,    Every week it seems like we see Watt make a nice play in coverage and I know that is important. But part of me feels like we're kind of wasting Watt and Dupree's pass-rushing talents by dropping them in coverage so often. We've finally got some young OLB pass rushers of quality and they spend a ton of time dealing with the pass. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
Keith Butler likes the versatility they provide as rushers and droppers. It's true. What I don't like is that muddle huddle thing they do when everyone on the defense is milling around and they rush from standing positions. That doesn't work very often.
---
12:11
Why do you think we've all of a sudden become - over the last few games - susceptible to the long pass play? Is it Coty S. being unfamiliar or Artie B being bad at knowing what to do? What gives?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
They're undisciplined. They gamble too much. Sensabaugh stepped in front of one last week  vs. the Titans and got a pick. But he also got burned on that 75-yard TD to Rishard Matthews. It's OK to gamble once in a while, but it's pretty obvious opponents know how to take advantage of that. Carnell Lake needs to get those guys straightened out. Tom brady might throw for 700 yards in a few weeks if they don't.
2017
12:14
the tackling of the steelers continues to look bad. i know that tackling can't necessarily be practiced like in the old days due to the CBA, but what can be done? frankly, at this point tackling should be second nature, but i guess it is like any skill...you have to practice it. thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
They say they can practice it without pads on the sled, but obviously that's not good enough. Again, I'd have them out there in pads Wednesday and put them through their toughest practice since training camp. At least the defense's toughest practice. Don't punish the offense.
team
12:15
Ray, be honest, this team is gonna get freakin shredded by New England. That is the sad truth that all Steelers fans - myself included - know in our hearts. Can you say something to make me feel better?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Not right now. No.
eseergae
12:15
I believe that after 11 games, we have found the teams identity: They are the little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead.
When the Steelers are good, they are very very good, and when they are bad they are horrid. Can the little girl survive in January?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
That depends what happens Dec. 17.
Guest
12:15
Do you think Cam Sutton will replace Burns or Senabaugh down the stretch? A
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I wouldn't rule that out.
Cburg Stiller
12:16
What do you think is behind the recent flood of big plays the D is giving up?  Is it as simple as Haden's absence?  Getting caught in certain schemes at the wrong time?  Individual mistakes?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
It's not all Haden being out. He'd certainly help if he's able to return. But it's biting on double moves, not aligning properly, missed assignments, not knowing what to do. Should I go on?
Mtsteel
12:17
Hi Ray, thanks for your time.  So I know people like to talk about Steelers fans complaining after a win, and yes we are 9-2 and that's awesome.  That being said, our defense is dreadful. The amount of big plays given up and wide open WR's on a given week makes you really wonder what is going on out there!  I guess this is the D we have to live with but what are your thoughts on their play or lack thereof? Thank you sir.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
It's disconcerting. The Patriots defense is on the upswing after a horrendous start to the season. They're getting better. The Steelers defense is regressing. That shouldn't be happening. You want to be playing the best football of the season at the end of the year.
SteelyD
12:18
Am I too optimistic thinking there was still a lot of good from that game? I think they were only some blown coverages (not to mitigate that as a concern) from that being the dominant win many expected.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Those blown coverages led to three touchdowns. You're not going to win in the playoffs doing that.
Jordan23
12:19
Artie Burns is having a horrible year. Can you see Cam Sutton playing down the stretch?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
If this keeps up, yes.
PHIL WILLIAMS
12:19
hi ray ... the steelers getting the job done mentality is certainly giving us close games .. but do you think that joe haden will be back before the patriots roll into town ...and is there a chance that the steelers replace marcus gilbert over his games missed column ???
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
I don't have a feeling on Haden's return. He hasn't spoken to the media since the day he suffered the injury. He hasn't been around very much.
Moose
12:20
Our game model is play lights out for the half of the 1st quarter, exist for the next 3 quarters, and come through in the last 5 min.  What has to change for us to win more decisively?  Play calling?  Is it just a lack of focus or killer instinct?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Better defense, for one. More consistency on offense.
Moose
12:21
I believe the Pats are consistently good, even with less talent than other teams because of 2 things, game planning, and having the mentality of wanting to bury teams, not just beat them.  Our downfall will be not being able to play with a lead.  What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
I think it'd be nice if they'd get a lead more often. They did that versus Tennessee and look what happened. Can't get a lead when your defense gives up that many big plays.
Moose
12:22
If the season ended today, who is the offensive, defensive, and team MVP’s?
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