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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.08.20
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
BB
1:59
Ray - When you really really need to convert, the best you can do is a tackle eligible and a wheel route?  Both of those "receivers" either stumbled or didn't get their body in position to make the catch?  Do you think Ben made those calls or those came in form the sideline?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I watched those plays this morning. I think they huddled up after all of those goal-line plays, which means the plays came in from the sidelines. Tomlin was asked after the game if McFarland was the primary target on the fourth-and-1, and he said "Absolutely."
Big Ben
2:01
Why does it seem like Big Ben would rather lose and throw 50 times vs. win and throw 20?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I don't think he has that approach. I think what he sees is what  we all see. The running game stinks. What's the solution? I can tell with certainty it's not running more. Not with that offensive line and those RBs.
Linebacker Lounge
2:03
How many snaps did Claypool play? (Not enough!)... Play Washington over Ebron when in 4 wide! Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Claypool played 31 of a possible 71 snaps. Yes, I agree that's far too few. Ebron played 57. Tomlin sounded as if he's going to cut his playing time today. He came out strong and railed against the drops. Washington played 38.
2:05
And yes, I'm all for playing a true four-wide lineup with Washington and without Ebron.
Linebacker Lounge
2:05
Please explain why we are paying Derek Watt that contract to only play special teams!?!?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
That's a good question. Don't shoot the messenger, but I'll tell you what Randy Fichtner told us a few weeks ago when Watt was coming back from injury. He said Watt had offseason surgery and missed a lot of time in camp. This did not allow the coaches to use him much or to see how how he would fit in the offense. At the time he seemed hell bent on finding out what Watt could provide, but he hasn't followed through on that. He's played only a few snaps per game. That is an awful lot of money for a special-teams player.
BB
2:07
Ray - was there ever any word on how Boswell injured his hip?  Was that in game action?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Just speculating, but I think he hurt it in the Baltimore game or in the days leading up to the Baltimore game. He had some uncharacteristically short kickoffs in that game and missed a PAT.
Linebacker Lounge
2:07
Why can McDonald not get on field? Ebron WILL NOT BLOCK and historically CONTINUES TO DROP PASSES... Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Ebron has been terrible the past two games, but I'm not sure McDonald is a guy who is going to help this offense much. When he does play he's almost never targeted.
Kevin
2:08
What has happened to DeCastro's play ?  Looks like he is aging quickly.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I saw him walking off the field last night, and it looked like he was limping. Tomlin didn't mention him on his injury report today, but he had a knee injury in camp that forced him to miss practices and the first two games of the season. I think it might be an ongoing issue.
Jimbo
2:10
Why was 38 taking pictures when he could have caught that ball?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
What ball? If you're talking about the INT it was tipped at the LOS. Not sure how Samuels was supposed prevent the INT much less break up the play.
Linebacker Lounge
2:11
It’s time for Feiler at RT and let Dotson grow at LG... McDonald at TE... Controlling the LOS is a matter of will... Thoughts? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
That might help some, but I'm not sure it's going to solve everything. The running game has stunk going back to the middle of the 2018 season. The linemen are pretty much all the same. Dotson will be a starter someday and Feiler hasn't been great at guard, but I'm not sure you make that change in December when you're still the top seed in the AFC. I agree with you that it could help, but I don'
don't know if they're of that mindset.
Jeff
2:13
thanks for the chats Ray.  I am sure you will be inundated with how this is the worst team ever so I am going to stay positive.  I thought Sutton held his own for most of the game.  Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
For the most part although he mistimed his jump or stumbled on that long pass to Logan Thomas. He needs to pick that.
Jim
2:14
How difficult is it to implement new schemes mid year? Help the run game with a hybrid of zone blocking, jet sweep, traditional north-south.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
It's optimal to do that type of stuff during the bye week, but the Steelers didn't have one of those this year. They can thank the Titans for that.
rccprof2010
2:15
I really have a difficult time understanding why BR continues to dink and dunk when the so-called box is stacked and why he continues to target Ebron who drops too many passes. What's your take?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I agree. When teams dare him to throw it deep he has to take his shots. Bottom line: he has to be more accurate...Ebron had a reputation for drops before he arrived. I guess it was only a matter of time before they started showing up.
Kevin
2:16
Hi Ray, Do you think McFarland really was the the #1 passing option on the 4th and 1 ?   He didn't look any faster than Bostic on the play either.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Roethlisberger said Bostic's late recognition that he had to cover McFarland disrupted the timing of the play. He was very late in coming over to defend him. It seemed like an adjustment could have made that play a lot easier. Just run past him and look for the ball. Roethlisberger lofts it over Bostic and drops it in. But for some reason he ran 20 yards down the field on fourth-and-1. Nothing about that play made much sense.
Mary Quenn
2:18
Ray I don’t see a win against Bills this week, what you think? Cold weather again Hot potato hands coming, except James.. we all knew 11-0 was not right and it finally showed.. either the offense pick it up in a hurry or we will be one and done come playoff time..
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I can't believe the Steelers opened as favorites in this game. If Spillane and Haden don't play I could see the Steelers getting blown out.
Jon in Iregon
2:19
Any word on Pouncey and Conner?  What about Nelson and last night’s injured players?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
Tomlin is hopeful Pouncey and Conner will come off the COVID list. And he's optimistic Nelson will return after missing a game with a knee injury.
Guest
2:20
Thanks for the Chats!Last year Steelers lost final 3 games. Year before they lost 4 of last 6 to miss playoffs. Tomlin teams seem to be trending in a direction where they go cold at the wrong time. Are you sensing the same thing may be happening a third straight year? If so, what is the reason for this? Teams figuring them out and coaching staff not able to make adjustments?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I think all of those things come into play. I do give them a bit of a pass on 2019 though. 8-8 wasn't all that bad with what they had at QB
Rob
2:22
I get it, its not the end of the season. However, when do we stop hearing all the fancy words and focus on bettering our football team. "Make the routine plays more routinely." No kidding! I'm not a Tomlin hater, but after the Baltimore game he wasn't happy and that was the best performance he could muster up against Washington? I'm highly concerned in the direction this team is heading. Our offense could be run by Duck at this point. Welcome back to the dink and dunk era. Something doesn't add up, is Ben hurt or what?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
Hurt? He threw the ball 53 times. They are throwing way too much.
JB
2:23
Tomlins mentality of next man up wasn’t apparent on letting FG kicker not try a 45 yarder. if no confidence in that than he should have signed someone else. Also, if he knew he wasn’t going to kick it than he should of run it twice.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:23
I agree. 45-yard kicks are basic in the NFL. If Wright can't be counted on to make that kick he doesn't belong in the NFL.
ASIANGOLFERMAN
2:24
Are they saving Claypool?  Has he hit the rookie wall.  Only played 40 plus snaps last night when he was playing 75-80.  What are they thinking?  Your thoughts- he's your best receiver by far!  Not one jet sweep.
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