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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.28.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Welcome to my weekly Steelers chat. Let's get started.
RyanW
1:55
Did anyone ask Tomlin about Diontaes lack of effort during the fumble sequence? i Know Diontae was asked about it but havent seen anything from Tomlin on it
Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
He did. Sort of. Here is the story I wrote: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/11/28/tomlin-diontae...
SteelersfanSLC
1:56
Obviously the next step is scoring more points but man what a turnaround for the offense! Kenny looked like preseason Kenny with his accuracy. I know we can only play whos on the schedule but is it gonna take a playoff game before we can really test how good this offense is?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
Um no. Pickett and the offense have to score more points now rather than in the playoffs. They still have a shot at the division title.
Mr Rooney
1:57
Can someone explain why the steelers are not kicking thru the EZ every KO? Whatever advantage they’re expecting…I don’t see it. It seems obvious we have been burned several times. Yet again this past week against CIN...which led to a TD. Am I missing something?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
I'm with you, Mr. Rooney. Boswell kicks into the end zone with regularity. Sometimes, coaches have certain kicks in play for different opponents. Maybe they want to encourage a return and they want to pin them behind the 25. But that bouncing kickoff isn't going to do that. It was worse than a line drive. Most kickers have the ability to do a sky kick to force a return, but I Boswell isn't very good at those.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:00
On the Harris touchdown the refs threw a flag for holding on Washington but picked it up. It looked like the defender was holding as well and never tried to disengage. Is that why they picked up the flag?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
We didn't get an explanation, but that was textbook by Washington. His hands were inside. They're going to call holding when the hands are outside on the shoulder pads. He didn't do that. Plus, as you noted, Pratt wasn't really giving great effort there. He wasn't trying to get off the block.
Nate
2:01
Hi Ray.  Thank you for all of your coverage of our dear Steelers, I enjoy your reporting the most of all!  To my question - I believe that Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are more effective as a tandem than either would be as a featured back.  If they continue to have a near even split of the carries moving forward, is picking up Najee's fifth-year option is justified?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Not sure how that will play out with the rookie option. It should be around $9 million or so. They are a team that would like to have running identity so it makes sense to reward those who can help that happen. Harris is starting to look better. Is it enough to get the option picked up? We'll have to wait and see. Tomlin did say today having a two-back system where both backs can play in any situation can wear on a defense.
mrbig
2:04
looks like we should've released Canada during the bye?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Or after the 2021 season. Or the 2022 season.
mrbig
2:04
Do you think Sunday was a fluke, or can they change that much in a week?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I don't think it was a fluke. The Bengals are not good on defense. That has to be take into consideration. And this seems obvious, but scoring 16 points against a bad defense might not bode well when they actually play a good defense.
Same Old Tomlin
2:05
I watched Tomlin's weekly Tuesday episode of "Nothing to See Here".  He basically said holding Diontae accountable isn't his concern.  By me count, this is at least the 6th or 7th WR he lets act like a selfish teammate.  What will it ever take for him to make them accountable for their actions?  It's hard to think he will ever learn, adapt, or change.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Tomlin didn't criticize Johnson in a public forum, but I promise you this has been or will be addressed between them -- and likely the team when they watch the film.
Peter H
2:07
Do you think either Ward or Harris ever get into the Hall of Fame? I think both are deserving,  Ward especially.  Unfortunately blocking by receivers is undervalued. His downfield blocking was a huge asset
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
I think both deserve to get in, too. I'd like to see Ward get the Heisman treatment from the Steelers because his time might be running out soon before he's a seniors candidate.
2:08
Heisman treatment by Steelers PR in promoting him, FYI.
PAMMY WHAMMY
2:09
How tempered should our exopectations be after good exectution vs the Bengals? Will the Steelers get on a ggod roll with a weak schedule on the horizon?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
I don't think they're going to morph into a team that scores 30 points a game. Heck, I'd settle for 24.
Sal
2:09
Hey Ray! Thanks for your chats! Are we going to a situation with DJ where the management would prefer moving on from him ? His antics are not positive for the team
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Johnson is signed through the 2024 season. If the Steelers cut him after the season they'd save $ on the cap, but they would incur a dead-cap hit of nearly $6 million. Either way, I'd expect them to invest a high draft pick in a WR in the spring. Maybe even their first-round pick.
kevin in Punxsy
2:11
Hi Ray.  Why is HCMT absolving himself of reprimanding D Johnson for not going after the Warren fumble. I've watched it about a dozen times and formed my opinion relative to the (play).. DJ should be punished by HCMT as he is the Supreme Commander of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
Again, what he tells reporters in a public form is different than what he does behind closed doors.
Guest
2:12
If Sullivan had 4-5 new plays he wanted to use, would we be able to learn and practice them in a weeks time? In other words, is the playbook a fluid document, where plays are added as the season progresses?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
It's probably more building off concepts that are already in the playbook. He's not reinventing the wheel. There are only so many plays. It's in the rhythm of the play calling, setting up the defense, being creative. Canada didn't have any of that. Sullivan looked like he had a little creativity and instinct in the Bengals game. We'll see if it continues.
CJ Stroud
2:14
Would you grade Diontae's performance as a WR since Ben retired?  Also, is the guy simply a bad teammate?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
His numbers certainly aren't as good, but he was playing with Duck Hodges, Mason Rudolph, MItch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. That matters. All receivers benefit from great QB play. Is he a bad teammate? I don't think so, but what he did on that Warren fumble is inexcusable.
Scott-Shepherdsville Ky
2:16
Washington seems like he is having a good rookie year. He has caught most balls thrown to him. As a blocker, and don’t grade on a curve since he is a tight end, how good a blocker is he compared to the rest of the lineman?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Washington isn't a good blocker for a rookie. He's a good NFL blocker. There is a reason he's getting a bunch of playing time each game. He's a big part of the run game.
pozone6031@comcast.net
2:17
Ray having players like D Johnson can be a cancer to the team. He needs to be dealth with. Next years draft DL, C, WR what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Good list of their needs. They could address in free agency too.
CJ
2:18
Why is the running game so much better than early in the season , this happened last year as well
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Broderick Jones has been really good since he was inserted into the starting lineup. That certainly has helped. Also, Harris seems to be getting more comfortable.
MajorRick
2:20
Good afternoon, Ray: The same playbook, but vastly different results. Thoughts on what held Matt Canada back from targeting the middle of the field, utilizing the TE, and simplifying the entire product?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
I just don't think Canada was ever qualified to run an NFL offense. And he never got a feel in his three seasons in the job.
Surly in sheraden
2:21
Assuming Jones moves back to LT for next year, how do they handle Moore (pass protection a major issue) and Okarafor (meaningful cap hit)?  Could they draft another Tackle early next draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
They could, but they could keep Jones at RT since he's playing so well there.
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