Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 10.29.24

Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ray Fittipaldo: Good afternoon. Let's get started.

Tom: What did you think of Smith's play calling last night? Even with the field goals I really liked some of new plays and shots they took.
Ray Fittipaldo: Overall, I think it was good. They need to start scoring more touchdowns rather than field goals. They were 0 for 4 in the red zone and Wilson has struggled passing in the red zone in his first two starts. He's usually really good in that area so maybe it's just a small sample size, but other than that there wasn't much to complain about. They had another 400-yard game. That's the third time this season they've had more than 400 yards.

Cooking with Buss: I'm amazed at when the Steelers are in a situation on defense where they must make a significant play, Watt actually does it. In a league where guys are paid crazy money, most still fail when it counts. Is there another player or particulary Steeler that you recall being that good at crucial times?
Ray Fittipaldo: He does have an uncanny ability to come through when it's needed most. I'm not sure they win in Las Vegas if he doesn't force those two fumbles. What's special about him is he can affect the game even when he's not getting sacks, which is unusual for an edge rusher. He's hands down the DPOY. They should just give him the award now.

Stairway to seventh seed: Ray: for all the talk about the lack of a WR2, how much of a disaster is the defensive line? They are adding almost no interior pass rush to combat the quick throws used against them and are getting gashed in the run particularly when the Steelers employ the nickel. What has stunted Benton's development?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah I gave them a D last night. Heyward has been really good this season, not so much last night. But when a 35-year old is your best player it's not a good sign. Benton was having a hard time getting off blocks last night. He's not really making any big plays. Maybe he's playing through an injury and the off week will help him. I expected more splash out of him this season, and he's just not impacting games the way I thought he would. D-line has to be a big focus in the draft.

Stairway to seventh seed: Ray: Broderick Jones? Is there any hope? He just makes contact and then disengages without finishing his blocks so often. What is going on with him?
Ray Fittipaldo: He's not having a good year, but there are no other options at this point with Troy Fautanu on IR. They're not going to bench a first-round pick for someone like Dylan Cook. He needs to work through his issues because Fautanu isn't coming back anytime soon.

Emilio: Hi Ray, what are the reasons for the inconsistent defense of the 2024 Steelers? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo: Injuries certainly have played a part. Highsmith was out for a few games and Herbig remains out. Leal and Trice are on IR. Some of these guys might be backups, but they're part of the rotation and the depth has been tested. I also think teams are running on them in nickel and dime. It's a tradeoff. If they stay in base teams will check into a passing play to try to take advantage of Elandon Roberts in coverage.

DaquidoBazzinii: Hi Ray… Obviously the Steelers now have an official run defense problem with Tyrone Tracy running crazy for 145 yards last night. From your observation, do you think this is more defensive scheme or personal? Is it possible to pick up someone that could help before the trade deadline?
Ray Fittipaldo: Both. I thought the linemen and inside linebackers were off Monday night, not in the right gaps, not tackling well, etc. But as I mentioned the scheme and the willingness to play so much with five and six defensive backs is part of the problem too.

This Guy: Our receivers have been looking a lot better the last couple weeks, no? Any idea what could explain that improvement?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah two words: Russell Wilson

Yogi in Yonkers: What will be the starting OL against Washington?
Ray Fittipaldo: Same as it was against the Giants unless Frazier is ready to return from his ankle injury.

Pittfan: Hi Ray. I'm asking this question because I'm intrigued by Skyy Moore. Can a team trade a player who is on injured reserve? If so, does the injured reserve clock follow that player to his new team? I don't know how you feel about Skyy Moore but he is a second round pick who has found his way to the bottom of the Chief's depth chart. Most people know he played in high school with Tomlin's son.
Ray Fittipaldo: You don't trade for a guy like Moore. You just wait until the Chefs release him. Not every second-round pick works out. Andy Isabella was a second-round pick in 2019 and he just signed on to the Steelers' practice squad last week after being a street free agent.

Steelers Fan In New Orleans: In your opinion, is Najee on the team for 2025?
Ray Fittipaldo: He's playing really well, but I think the decision was made in May that they were going to move on from him after the season. Maybe he'll continue to change their mind, and they'll rethink the decision.

Greg: Have you seen enough of Wilson to think he can throw these WRs open or do you think we should try trading for one? Just a couple weeks ago I thought we wouldn't survive the playoffs with our current WR roster, but now I'm not so sure ....
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah it's an interesting question. They have 835 yards of offense in the two games Wilson has started. The passing game has been a big part of that total. Maybe they don't need a No. 2, but their depth is really thin.

Yogi in Yonkers: Would this week off be a good time to get Roman Wilson prepared to start contributing?
Ray Fittipaldo: I have a feeling we won't be seeing Roman Wilson the rest of the season. He has to miss at least three more weeks. Unless there is an injury and they need a body I don't see him returning to the 53-man roster.

Tampa Too: Ray, do you see any scenario that the Steelers would sign Moore to a long-term contract and trade Jones away? Jones has been struggling quite a bit lately and Moore seems to be outplaying him.
Ray Fittipaldo: Moore definitely is playing better, which means some team will throw a lot of money at him in free agency. They drafted Jones to be their left tackle so they have to let him play and work out his issues.

Henry: Wilson is a huge upgrade but the defense isn't as good as advertised. Hate to think what Derick Henry will do to this defense. DL is a big weakness. What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: The top three rushing teams in the NFL are on the Steelers' schedule in the second half. They play the Ravens twice and they have games against the Eagles and Commanders. They better fix their issues during the off week.

TX Pressure: Nice to be 6-2 and Russ has commanded the offense BUT this was against the Jets, that have been bad since Saleh fired and Giants just suck. The Giants still had a chance to tie it before the Beanie interception. During the bye a couple of guys like Frazier get healthy and Sutton back but what else do they need to be a legit contender?
Ray Fittipaldo: I wrote about that today. Fix the run defense and score more touchdowns in the red zone is a start https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/10/29/mike-tomlin-ru...

David: If you had to do the 2017 draft over, who would you take over Watt? Mahomes for sure. Maybe McCaffrey. I don't see anyone else worthy. The guy is unreal.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah probably just Mahomes. No way I'm taking an RB over Watt under any circumstance.

Dr. Sardonicus: Hi Ray, Thanks for the chats. Was Dan Moore seriously injured yesterday?
Ray Fittipaldo: No he missed a play or two and then went back in the game.

Tampa Too: Ray. I thought this new offense was going to feature the tight ends more. Why hasn’t Muth been targeted more.?
Ray Fittipaldo: Great question. He needs to be, especially in the red zone.

Bubby: Steelers 6 and 2 but I think it is fools gold. Still have not beaten a true contender. Second half will tell the tale. Have to shore up the DL to stop the run if they want to be playing in January. I am just being pessimistic or valid points? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo: You can only beat the teams on your schedule. They've done a nice job of winning games they are supposed to win. Falcons on the road might be a good win by year's end. The same goes for the Broncos, who are currently in the AFC playoff field. But no doubt they'll be tested more in the second half of the season.

Dom: Any idea when Cory Trice will return?
Ray Fittipaldo: Tomlin hasn't mentioned him in a while. His 21-day window has not been opened yet so might not be anytime soon.

epiballo: Hey Ray - thanks for the chats. Does Harris' explosive running of late persuade the Steelers to resign him when the season is over?
Ray Fittipaldo: It could, but he also could be pricing himself out of Pittsburgh the way he's playing.

Upstate NY Fan: Was the Giants' success in running the ball due to scheme or just great execution? It seemed like the Steelers linemen were getting moved out of the way at will.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah there was not much resistance. The one thing I noticed was how easily Benton was handled with 1-on-1 blocks.

Jim Bow Dean: Challenging a scoring play? They could have used that timeout at the end of the half. Stupid.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yeah not Tomlin's best moment. He has to have someone in the booth to help him. I will acknowledge that was a strange play. There was an optical illusion that he got both feet down because he tapped the one foot twice. I could see why he would want to challenge after watching the replay, but that's why you need someone upstairs to make the call.

Yates: Ray- seems like more focus should be on how well the OL has performed with lots of moving pieces. As a position group is it fair to say the OL has been the most pleasant surprise heading into the bye week?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not at all. I don't think anyone could have predicated Ryan McCollu m would make the team much less be a starter, albeit it due to injury. Mason McCormick was not supposed to start, but here he is right in the thick of a playoff race. I give those guys credit for being ready when their number is called.

SteelersSince72: Hi Ray, Getting the win is great, even though we couldn't put away the Giants until the end. Are you concerned about the run defense after last night or could that be a one off?
Ray Fittipaldo: Definitely concerned. They were the third team to go over 100 yards. The Cowboys and Colts went over the century mark too. And you know what happened in those games.

TVC15: What will the Steelers record be for these last 9 games? 4-5?3-6? Better or worse?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'll say 4-5 or 5-4. If they go 5-4 they'll be in position to win the AFC North I think or be the No. 5 seed as the best wild card.

TVC15: On the Pickens TD catch that was reversed to an out of the endzone non catch was he too nonchalant with getting the other foot/heel to touch in bounds or was there just no way he could do anything about it.
Ray Fittipaldo: Wilson was asked about this after the game. He said there was really nothing Pickens could do, but I think behind closed doors the coaches are probably telling Pickens to get to the ground sooner in the end zone. A knee or a butt cheek equals a touchdown. He's so good at catching with his hands, but maybe in that situation he could have caught it with his body and gone to the ground with the catch. Maybe that's nitpicking though.

fredward: Hi Ray, has Calvin Austin now established himself as the No. 2 receiver?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not sure about that, but he had a great game Monday night. He can be dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Adam in ATL: Would you say the Steelers are a 3-4 defense any longer? It seems we play a big nickel almost exclusively, even in obvious running situations, and are unwilling to blitz often. Also, have we schemed Minkah out of having an impact?
Ray Fittipaldo: They are 3-4 pretty much only in the base. I'm not sure what's going on with Fitzpatrick. He had the one nice pass breakup along the sidelines, but was pretty quiet otherwise. Been that way pretty much all season. But they're winning so I'm not sure they want to change much.

TX Pressure: 6-2 is nice! Now comes the meat of the schedule - final record best guess?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'll go 10-7, but they could easily get to 11 or 12 wins with a little luck, a good bounce here or there.

Average Joe: Ray, it seems around the league, there have been a significant amount of soft tissue injuries. Do you think shrinking the preseason even more to 2 games will am,e it worse?
Ray Fittipaldo: I can only speak for the Steelers, and I think they have an inordinate number of soft tissue injuries. If it is a league-wide problem then someone has to take a long look at the programs that are in place with these strength and conditioning coaches.

JM: What impact do you think Sutton will have?
Ray Fittipaldo: They need better depth in the secondary. Sutton can play outside, inside and at safety. They will use his versatility to their advantage.

Katie: Hi Ray, were Boswell’s short, early kickoffs intentional as his kicks usually go into the end zone? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: Appeared that way, yes.

Brah: Ray - how are the steelers a top 5 defense and fans still complaining?
Ray Fittipaldo: They're top 10 in scoring but barely in yards allowed. They have issues. Let's not pretend they don't.

Benson DuBois: If a receiver has control of the football within the plane of the end zone, why does he need 2 feet in bounds?
Ray Fittipaldo: Because that's the way the rule is written. I agree with you. Sometimes the whole going to the ground thing is a bit odd, but no one really seems to want to get rid of it.

Guest: Am I wrong to think we need a "both A-gaps" Casey Hampton type and then move Benton to Ogunjobi's spot? Or would you draft an Ogunjobi replacement and leave Benton at nose?
Ray Fittipaldo: Benton is too small to be a traditional run-stopping nose in my opinion. You have to be versatile now and play other positions. I just think he has to play better.

fredward: Hi Ray, thoughts on the Ravens getting Diontae Johnson for basically nothing?
Ray Fittipaldo: Wow just saw that. I guess it happened after the chat started. They've had trouble drafting and developing receivers so maybe Johnson will help Lamar Jackson. Or maybe his issues will surface there again. He's probably better than Rashod Bateman so good move by their GM.

Fizzo: Last night had all of the makings of a Tomlin special what was the difference that it did dot rear it’s ugly head vs am inferior team
Ray Fittipaldo: Not sure I would have blamed Tomlin for that loss had the Giants won. The missed opportunities in the red zone were were the reasons that game was close. If they just go 1 for 4 it's a double-digit win.

Steel Russel: If the colts can bench Richardson for poor play why can't the colts bench Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo: I get it. If Jones is really bad you bench him, but my point is they don't have many good options. You're doing it for Dylan Cook? You're certainly not doing it for 67, who was burned in his one snap last night. If Fautanu was healthy it would be a different story. Jones might not have gotten off the bench if that were the case.

Beal: It seems the Steelers are connecting on a lot more “easy” passing plays with Russ at QB. Is that due to his ability to make adjustments pre-snap?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes, his ability to read defense, get into a good play at the LOS. His accuracy is much better too. All of it is a factor.
Ray Fittipaldo: Thank you for taking part in today's chat. We'll do it again next Tuesday.