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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.01.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Let's get started.
BB
1:59
Ray - from the outside looking in, it sure looks like the NFL is pulling out all of the stops to accommodate the Ravens.....after not being so accommodating to other teams.  The Ravens situation started with a break in protocols as well?  What is your take?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
There certainly is that appearance, BB. The NFL says it makes all decision based on health and safety protocols. Given the nature of the outbreak in Baltimore I certainly understand the league's caution in staging a game when so many players are positive and were continuing to test positive last week. But still, it was clear in the leaks to media and in the tweets from Ravens players that they didn't want to play this game on Thanksgiving or Sunday night or Tuesday night. And when the Ravens got players back from the COVID list it only added to the conspiracy theories. I don't think the league conspired to help the Ravens, but the Ravens are surely benefitting from the league's decisions to continually postponing the game.
Tom in Dallas
2:02
How hard has it been on you and the PPG team, with the changes to the schedule for the Raven's game?  I guess the good news, it's at home, and you were able to spend the entire Thanksgiving Day with family and not have to rush over to the stadium mid day to cover the game.  I would hate to be the travel coordinator for the Ravens right now....
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
The most challenging part has been coming up with stories with the ever-changing schedule. We map out the week and have a plan and then then plan was thrown in disarray. We scramble and roll with the punches, but it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. And I've been doing this for 25 years. I guess the good news is I get to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with my kids tonight! That's a win.
Bill
2:04
Ray, please explain why the Steelers play Washington on Monday while the Ravens get an extra day and play Dallas on Tuesday.  The Ravens caused this mess. Why are they getting an extra day?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
I can only speculate this was a compromise with their TV partners. There is no other reason than to give each TV partner a day of its own. And playing on on Monday and the other on Tuesday does this.
Tom in Dallas
2:05
How are the players taking all the changes to the schedule at this point?  I know last week some were upset about missing the Thursday night game, but now it's been moved several times, and could still get moved again.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
They're not happy. It's the second time they're going through this. It happened with their game versus Tennessee as well. I think it's fair to say the Steelers have been impacted more by these postponements than any other team.
David in TN
2:07
Hey Ray great show. Why do you think we run inside the tackles so much? Under 20% outside, they know what we're going to do and obviously we're not blocking well.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Nothing is really working with the run game now. Inside, outside...maybe they should try to old Walter Payton over the top play and have their RBs jump over the defense in short-yardage situations. Maybe a new look with Snell and McFarland will spark things with James Conner out. But as you point out, the line most certainly has to block better.
The Dude
2:09
Who is the moderator for coach's pressers and does anyone give him a hard time about calling out the next journalist's name within a half of a millisecond after coach completes his last answer? He's so quick and only once have I heard him go before coach was completely done answering.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Steelers PR czar Burt Lauten handles the Tomlin zoom calls. Other PR staffers handle player calls. Burt, you're annoying people!
brian
2:10
Why do you think the NFL is so hesitant adding a week 18? It gives them a lot more flexibility and they could push the playoffs and SB a week. Nothing wrong with more football in February. I also think going forward they should add a 2nd bye week and a 17th game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Well, part of the equation might be adding two more teams to the playoffs if there is an 18th week to the regular season. So I think that's why they hesitate to add it. It's important to keep the playoff structure intact. Teams like the Steelers and Chiefs and Saints and Packers are competing for the No. 1 seed in their conferences. It's extremely important this year because only the No. 1 seed gets a bye this year. It would be the ironies of all ironies if the Steelers were highly impacted by the postponements, couldn't handle the new course of games and loses out to the Chiefs for the No. 1 seed.
Guest
2:13
Did the Ravens get preferential treatment or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
It's a delicate situation because COVID is real, and the Ravens are dealing with it. But the number of postponements from the league and the amount of complaining from the Ravens sure does give the appearance that the league at the very least listened to their concerns more than others that have been in similar positions.
Buster
2:14
Ray, along with everything else, do you think the weather was a consideration in changing the game to tomorrow?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I sure hope not.
Buster
2:15
Would it be against league rules for the coaches on the Covid list to watch the game at home and be on the phone with the coaches in the box upstairs during the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Yes it would be. No phones are allowed on the sidelines. Only electronic devices allowed are the tablets they use to watch plays.
Guest
2:16
With Pouncey’s declining play and only one year left on his contract is center a top priority in the next draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
If not 2021 then 2022. He's been good in pass pro. But like most of the other Steelers linemen he hasn't blocked great in the run game.
Utah Jim
2:17
While watching the Chiefs against the Bucs I noticed that often while in shotgun the guards would be in a three-point stance and the tackles in a two-point stance. They both ran and threw from this setup. Do the Steelers ever use this formation? Seems it may help the run game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
The only Steelers lineman I've seen in a three-point stance in the shotgun this year is Kevin Dotson. All other choose to play in a two-point stance. They're all vets and are likely given the leeway by coach Shaun Sarrett to play in the stance they feel most comfortable with.
Nick
2:18
Hi Ray, Is the running back position is the only the thin position for Steelers on Weds? Is Benny Snell the only RB available? What positions are thin for Ravens?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Anthony McFarland will get some carries, too. And Wendell Smallwood could get called up from the practice squad. As for the Ravens, they're thin on the offensive line and defensive line, but they could be getting some of their RBs back for this game.
Salvatoooore
2:19
Hello Ray, Hope you and all the PG team is doing great! What do you think about the approach of Kevin Colbert in this year's draft. Seems like he got the best players (not the combine super heroes) and that translated to a good rookie corp. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
GMKC and his staff get high marks for the 2020 draft. Chase Claypool has been terrific. He should be a candidate for rookie of the year. Alex Highsmith has been good in his limited opportunities and the same goes for Kevin Dotson. It's hard to believe there were something like 11 receivers drafted before Claypool. This was a great year for receivers, and it was smart for Colbert to take the value in the second round rather than go RB or another position.
Jeff
2:22
Thanks for the chats Ray.  So what has to happen to get someone off Covid list?  Buggs is back but no Tuitt?  Is Lamar eligible?  Hearing Dobbins might be good now?  Trying to keep up is like a full time job!
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
Yes I agree. Positive players usually have to spend 10 days on the list and test negative a certain number of days in a row to return. Close contacts must be on the list for five days and test negative for two consecutive days. Some positive players, if they're asymptomatic, can return in fewer than 10 days, but we haven't seen many of those instances.
Justin
2:24
I'm not the conspiracy theory guy, but being a Steeler fan, it's hard for me to remain objective on the moving of Ravens vs Steelers game three times.  In your opinion, how much Harbaugh whining did he do to change the game times?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
The players complained, too. The NFLPA reportedly was involved in calls with the league. So it was more than Harbaugh. The NFL might have feared how a wildcat strike could affect the rest of the league, specifically the playoffs.
Igor Larionov is Back Baaabeee
2:26
Chances Raveon's swoop into the mustard bowl and upset the Stinkies?? I say its a huge chance. Especially without tuitt they're gonna run 80 times for 450 yds and win. Keeping big bum on the bench
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
Thanks for the colorful post, Igor. Is there a question in there somewhere?
Benson DuBois
2:27
Will Wendell Smallwood be called up to the big squad for Wednesday?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
It hasn't happened yet, but I expect that move to be made.
JerseySteel
2:28
Hi Ray - I get the NFL is doing their best with a global pandemic and multiple reschedules might be what it takes. However, I think they can and should do better than a 3:40pm weekday time(because of a Christmas tree) when most fans are working. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
I'm writing about that today so stay tuned to post-gazette.com later on for the story behind the decision.
574Fan
2:29
Thanks for the chats, Ray.  It's a small on-field sample size at this point, but the organization seems to feel comfortable to some extent with giving Layne snaps.  Do you get a sense that they view him as an eventual replacement to 22 or 23?
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