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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 9.10.18
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:53
Let's get the chat started. Post your questions.
PortVue VA
11:54
Bostic and Dupree  - " Only 1 game but they answered some questions" or "It's just the Browns without Joe Thomas?"
Ray Fittipaldo
11:55
No bad for Dupree. He was playing against a rookie undrafted free agent so I was expecting him to play well. He got into the backfield a few times, had the strip sack. He did miss another sack when Taylor eluded him. That wasn't good. But overall, I thought he was OK. I'd have to watch the game again to really critique his performance.
QJ
11:56
Ray - You were holding out opinion on the defense until real live action.....any thoughts now on the defense...better, same, worse?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
I have a hard time blaming the defense for the tie. It's 21-7 and Peppers returns the fumble to the 1. Then there is another turnover... You'd like to see them hold on one of those and forced a field goal, but that's tough.
Nate
11:57
Ray, I thought we got rid of Haley.  I calling was the exact same as last year except for k by Ben.  Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Tough to judge Fichtner on one game, especially one in those conditions. But I did think he got a little too conservative before the field goal attempt in overtime. No way I am leaving it to a kicker in those conditions. I'd have tried to get closer and punch it in to leave no doubt. And I think he could have taken the air out of the  ball a little more when they were up in the third and fourth quarter... But let's give this some time. It's only one game.
Ryno
11:59
Sorry this is not a Bell question like the other 500 you will receive today.  Even though it was a small sample, what did you think of the performance of Dupree and Watt yesterday as it pertained to then switching sides?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
Watt was excellent. He had four sacks and 11 tackles. He was all over the place. Dupree was solid. The thing I was discouraged by was the mmissed sack when he had a kill shot on Taylor. The whole reason for the switch was the QBs wouldn't be able to see him coming. Well, Taylor saw him coming, or felt him coming, and eluded him. Dupree has to break down and get him on the ground. He was too out of control. Their ability to contain Taylor was not good enough.
steelerfan43yrs
12:01
HI Ray I have been feeling that the way tomlin manages the preseason it would hurt us with a loss one day I truly believe that was a big part of the loss ben rusty ab rusty etc.. wat are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I am sure the weather had something to do with that, but I tend to agree with you. If you remember the offense wasn't good early last year in the opener. They eked one out, 21-18. They couldn't eke one out this time.
5 Towers Grub
12:02
Ray, did Coach Tomlin not trust some of his new "weapons" yesterday? Don't think anything was thrown to Washington. Didn't see Samuels in game. Didn't hear Thomas' name called on defense. Limited throws to James (granted, one ended up as an INT). Just seems like Ben was trying to force the ball to AB all day. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Washington had an abdominal injury from the Carolina game. I think that's the main reason he wasn't used a lot. The Steelers need him to get healthy and to become the third receiver. Justin Hunter isn't going to cut it.
Scl
12:03
How concerned should we be with Joe Haden's absence? What is your confidence level in Sutton as a replacement? Have to think Corner will be higher on their draft priority list given Hadens age and durability concerns
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
Haden is getting some tests today. He said after the game he was not sure of the severity of the injury. About that injury, someone has to explain to me why Haden is on special teams to begin with. You mean to tell me you can't have another defensive back hold up the gunner on punt returns?
And Sutton will be OK if it's a short-term injury. If they lose Haden for a long stretch it will hurt them. He's a good player.
Pitt
12:05
Any reason why James Washington was a non factor?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
He was healthy enough to play, but I don't think that abdominal injury helped him when it came to getting in the game plan for the opener.
Nate
12:06
I will try and be positive - Switzer offers some serious hope.  Guy isn't afraid to attempt a punt return.  Normally we are calling for a fair catch if someone is within 20 yrds.  Kid had a good game.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Yes, really impressed with his returns. Looks like they found a good one. He gave them some nice field position.
Steely
12:07
What happened to haden?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
He injured his hamstring playing special teams.
Pitt
12:07
What did you think of edmunds play overall?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I'd have to rewatch the game, but at first glance, I think he did all right.
steelerfan43yrs
12:07
Maybe Ben needs a Todd haley type whats up with the turnovers??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
He had a very bad day. Not sure what else there is to say. He held onto the ball too long on a few occasions, was careless with it a few other times. He needs to play better. Against that team, if you just punt the ball away and don't give them good field position you win the game. Ben or Randy Fichtner kind of lost sight of that at some point.
5 Towers Grub
12:09
What was your view/opinion of the punt during which the ball appeared to hit a Brownie helmet?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I thought it hit him, but people tell me there was not a definitive angle. I was int he press box and didn;t get to see the replay multiple times.
Yinz
12:09
Obviously Sunday's production is not sustainable, but don't you think there is reason to believe TJ watt could become an all pro 12+ sack guy within 2 years?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Well, he's a first-round pick. I think that's what you hope for when you invest a first-round pick in a guy. It doesn't happen all the time, but those guys generally need to perform at a high level. Looks like Watt is going to do that.
Joe
12:10
Ray, I see this team as the same old same old...penalties, can't beat bad teams especially on the road, and blown 4th quarter leads.  What can they do to change that?  It's been like this for awhile.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
If James Conner doesn't fumble they win that game rather easily. Maybe by three touchdowns. I firmly believe that. Having said that, you have to be able to overcome mistakes. The fact they weren't able to do that is a bit concerning for me.
DaquidoBazzini
12:12
Hi Ray- I don’t believe that LeVeon Bell should see the field or (for that matter) the locker room of the Steelers this year. Is there anyway this can happen, (even if it’s with pay)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
The only way that happen is if he sits out 10 weeks and the Steelers and Conner are doing so well that the team decides it doesn't need Bell. In that scenario, I could see him being on the roster but not playing. But more than likely, he's going to be a part of the offense once he does report. Maybe a big part depending upon when that happens.
Chuck in Ohio
12:13
Why does Ben continue to play bad on the road? Any ideas behind it when he plays so well at home especially on prime time games.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
It's a mystery. But the numbers don't lie. Maybe the Steelers need to bring some comforts of home with them on the road.
Tom
12:14
Ray,  These multiple turnovers from Ben are becoming more common?  I still think not playing more in preseason hurts him early on with the timing.  What say you?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I think staying healthy is most important, but these slow starts aren't good for business. Maybe they'll change their approach next summer. Too late to do anything about it now.
Ryno
12:16
THAT was an elite offense?  Lots of positives such as James Conner, but a ridiculous number of negatives as well.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
The Browns defense might turn out to be very good, but they have to find a way to win that game. You can't tie a team like the Browns.
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