Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 12:37PM |  40°
MENU
Advertisement
Steelers defensive end Tyson Alualu battles with 49ers running back Raheem Mostert for loose ball Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
1
MORE

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 09.24.19

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 09.24.19


Ray Fittipaldo: Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.

livinthedream: Ray,In the first half the Steelers seemed to be using 3 DLs (with 2 OLBs) far more than they normally do. Did you see it that way and, if so, do you think Tomlin will continue the experiment?
Ray Fittipaldo: 3 DLs and 2 OLBs is their base defense. The 49ers have a good running game so you saw more base than usual.

TXSTEELER : Had anybody dig into or asked MT about Barron, his performance, and his perceived lack of effort?
Ray Fittipaldo: I haven't rewatched the game yet. Late night last night with the travel back, but you;re the second person to ask me about a lack of effort with Barron. I'll take a look, but it's hard for me to believe a starting ILB with his new team would be loafing.

Advertisement

Jimbo: hi, ray.......we all appreciate you, thanks...... here's one for you: if the team goes 7-9 but is "in" some of the losses right up 'til the end of the game, would you consider that a good season - given the situation as it is and looks to be?
Ray Fittipaldo: That's hard to say. 7-9 without Roethlisberger might be a pretty good season. That means they'd go 7-6 over their final 13 games. Given the state of things now that's not bad.

Steelers tight end Vance McDonald puts up two fingers for his two touchdowns on the day Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, at Heinz Field.
Ray Fittipaldo
With Vance McDonald in a sling, Steelers add tight end depth to practice squad

Fan4life: Love the Steelers win or lose. It’s a game, a distraction from the real problems of life...it’s not life. Frankly it’s fun to be rooting for an underdog. Thoughts on adjustments on an o-line that’s underperforming badly?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not sure what adjustments can be made. They have to block better. Offensive line play, when broken down to its simplest form, is driving your man off the line of scrimmage on a running play and keeping him away from the QB on passing plays. The Steelers aren't getting a lot of movement up front right now. It's not one player. It's pretty much across the board.

Crazy Legs: The defense still has a problem with simply tackling the runner... do you have any access to who might be available around the league that could help solve this issue?
Ray Fittipaldo: A tackling coach? That's on the players. Coaches can't teach someone how to tackle. They can reinforce solid fundamentals and stuff like that, but either you;re a good tackler or a bad tackler. Coaches can;t help much in that regard.

ypar70: If I have missed this information, please forgive the question. Has any sports reporter asked Tomlin or Fichtner what the reason was for running the shotgun the whole game and if so what was the answer?
Ray Fittipaldo: Tomlin will have his weekly news conference tomorrow and Fichtner will talk later in the week.

Advertisement

DaquidoBazzini: It's hard to say where to start on this team, but defensively they are are very frustrating. So many high picks, but can never hold a lead. Is it me, or do they not seem to be making good adjustments in the 2nd half? Why is someone always open down the middle?
Ray Fittipaldo: You're right. The defense failed to come up with some big stops in the second half. They gave up a lot of running yards and passing yards. But I can't blame them much for the loss. They had five turnovers. They did their part. Now it's time for the offense to do their part.

MD: Obviously the entire offensive line is playing poorly, but Foster in particular seems to be allowing the pocket to collapse quickly. Any chance we replace him with Finney?
Ray Fittipaldo: That would be admitting a mistake, and I'm not sure they'd do that. They signed Foster to a two-year, $8 million deal in March. They are paying Finney $3 million as an RFA. Foster can absorb bigger DTs in pass pro, but he's pretty limited in the run game.

Mikey NM: What will it take for a coordinator change to happen this year or at end of year?
Ray Fittipaldo: I can;t remember the last time the Steelers changed coordinators during a season. Even with how bad things were with Todd Haley they waited until the end of the season to make that move.

Thumper95: At what point dose this team cut bait with Moncreif and Switzer? They offer nothing. Other than Juju there is no one who can get separation.
Currently on the Street, martavis bryant, Eli Rogers and now Crabtree. Three proven NFL receivers who you can probably get for the veteran minimum. One for the slot to get open, one to stretch the field and give Juju some space to breath out there
Ray Fittipaldo: Eli and Switzer are basically the same player. And there is no baggage with Switzer. Eli was suspended twice in the past couple of years. And Martavis Bryant has a long history with suspensions. Crabtree at least has a resume and a fairly good reputation. I wouldn't be against that, but if they cut Moncrief they'd have to eat $5 million. Not sure they'll do that.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson tries to escape the Browns defense during the 2018 regular-season finale in Baltimore.
Ron Cook
Ron Cook: The Steelers have a chance due to mediocre AFC North

MD: With one pick in the top 100 picks of the 2020 draft, the Steelers should draft???? The team is totally devoid of speedy offensive playmakers, but also needs to replace Dupree and Hargrave and perhaps turn over the offensive line.
Ray Fittipaldo: Probably too early. But OL and OLB are looking like strong options.

MD: How does choosing James Washington over DJ Chark in the 2018 draft look at this point? We have to have the slowest collection of offensive skill position players in the league.
Ray Fittipaldo: Washington did draw a pass interference penalty, but he has to do more than two catches for 14 yards. And I haven't looked at the stats much early in the season. Is Chark doing great?

iowasteelerfan: Everyone appears eager to push Conner out of the starting role...How is he supposed to gain any yards when the 49ers D had 10 or even 11 men within 10 yards of the LOS due to no threat of passing?
Ray Fittipaldo: The OC has to give the QB freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage. That's one thing. And the offensive line is allowed to block against eight-man fronts. It's hard without a fullback and two TEs, but it can be done.

Evan from MN: Hey Ray, big Steelers fan from MN! Do you think plugging in Finney for Foster on the O-Line may help the run game? Not blaming all of our O-Line problems on Foster but we’ve done good rushing when Finney has played in recent years, albeit a small sample size
Ray Fittipaldo: They have run well with Finney, but I don't get the sense that they're going to replace Foster anytime soon. He'd have to be playing really bad for that to happen.

Stephen : Hi Ray... any chance Switzer will be replaced as a returner? Also, with the lackluster running game to date, does Samuels get more carries?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'd like to see more of Samuels. I think he can help as a runner and receiver. As for Switzer, they've gone to Holton some as a kick returner and Diontae Johnson can return punts. So yes he is replaceable. Those have to do something to force him out, but yes they have options.

DaquidoBazzini: If it was up to you, would James Conner see the field next week?
Ray Fittipaldo: What choice do they have? Go with Samuels and Benny Snell? I'd like to see more of Samuels, but I'm not saying bench Conner. At least not yet.

Go to section

ypar70: Has any sports reporter asked Tomlin or Fichtner if Jaylen Samuels was being disciplined by not being allowed to touch the football the entire game and if so what was the answer?
Ray Fittipaldo: Samuels spoke with the media today and nothing along those lines was asked. It's not like he was benched. He was on the field for 14 snaps. Just no runs or passes thrown in his direction. He did mention he pass protected quite a bit on the passing plays.

rman: Hello Ray. Two teams I watched last week, the Ravens and the 49ers, ran the football with a power attack. They used a combo of pulling lineman and backs and attacked the opposition successfully with 3 or 4 blockers at the point of attack and the runner at full speed. Are the Steelers capable of using this type of a running game?
Ray Fittipaldo: Sure, they have NFL linemen at their disposal. I'm just not convinced the run game is where they're at their best.

Jay: Ray, People do not want to hear it maybe we just do not have the overall talent anymore. Too many average NFL players not enough impact players. This is where I think coaching is crucial and no future HC's in that bunch. Your thoughts sir? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo: It's undeniable they've lost a lot of talent the past few years. No more Bell or Brown and no Ben this season. All three are great players. But this is the NFL. There should be competent players at each position ready to step in and help the team. How many of the 49ers skill position players had you heard of before Sunday? They all took turns making plays to help the 49ers win. That's all it takes. You don't need stars. You just need good players and a good scheme.

'Double Divot Dewey: Did Ben have his surgery? I've see one report that said he did, and another that stated he was not going to have it.
Ray Fittipaldo: He had surgery Monday. The Steelers released a statement about it.

Larry : Is our offensive line capable as the age to block for the running game, are they overrated. The defense can’t be on the field for 36 minutes a game and take crap for not performance in the las Quarter, Conner only gets a few touches a game we think he should be Jim Brown
Ray Fittipaldo: There is a lot of attention being paid to the lack of the running game. And rightfully so, it's been bad. But I wrote about the run-game struggles last December. This isn't a three-game slump. This has been going on for a much longer time. Here is the story from last December: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/12/10/pittsburgh-Ste...

Larry from Punxy: Good teams find a way to win close games. We failed to do that against Seattle and the 49ers. Is it time to admit that we're not a good team? Or can we turn this season around? 9-7 might just win the division...
Ray Fittipaldo: 9-7 might win the division, but I'm sorry I just can't see this team winning 9 of their final 13 games. Not after what I saw in San Francisco on Sunday.

CT Steeler Fan: I cannot believe that some said the defense looked better this past Sunday. DL pushed around, LB's and DB's consistently out of position. 3 of the turnovers clearly SF mistakes not us doing anything special...With 8 number 1 draft picks starting..can you give me any hope for this defense to turn it around? Short of a wholesale coaching change
Ray Fittipaldo: We all complained last year about the lack of turnovers and now you're saying they were a fluke on Sunday? I don;t care how they happen. Turnovers are vital for any defense. The Steelers produced five of them Sunday. They deserved a better fate. Were they perfect? no. But they deserved a better fate.

Jack: Ray, the reports of Ben's injury and when it may have occurred have been fairly vague. Has there been anything new?
Ray Fittipaldo: Nothing really. Ben hasn't been available since he was injured. All we know is what Mason Rudolph told us. He said Ben experienced some pain in the elbow during the week leading up to the Seattle game.

SteelBone925: Hi Ray - it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility, if the team can somehow manage to win these next two at home, and the Browns beat the Ravens next week, the Steelers would technically be back in first place. Imagine that?
Ray Fittipaldo: A glass-full kind of guy. I like it!

Ryan: I think people are overreacting to Masons debut as a starter, first start on the road on the west coast where even with Ben we struggle. Once they opened up the playbook in the second half Mason looked really good. What your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: Some reasons for optimism after watching him in the second half, but it's hard to forget that first half happened. That was a disaster.

Kiwi Jimmy: What is update on Chickalo's injury?
Ray Fittipaldo: He was in a walking boot last week. Didn't see him in the locker room today. I imagine Tomlin will give us an update tomorrow at his presser.

Professor Flush: Do the Steelers get healthy on Monday nite vs. another 0-3 bottom feeder?
Ray Fittipaldo: If they don't it's going to be a long season.

Go to section

BigAl456: It seems that Hargrave, while a decent player, is just completely undersized to effectively play the NT position. With the team going for more speed players at the second level, do you think that NT would be a position with which the team chooses to address in either the draft or FA? We need to do something to become better at stopping the power run.
Ray Fittipaldo: Possibly. Everything eventually comes full circle in the NFL. The Steelers have spoken about how NTs have become obsolete. He even made a Blockbuster joke about it a few weeks ago. But other teams have big DL that eat up space. I don't rule it out, but the Steelers would have to come around on the subject.

Rich: Ray somebody needs to get in there and stuff the run! Big Dan? 44? That was pathetic in the fourth quarter. They rammed it down our throats the defense should be ashamed!
Ray Fittipaldo: They're playing with two light ILBs with Williams out. It's kind of predictable teams would try to run at the Steelers without Williams in the lineup.

guest: Is Tomlin going to reveal what specific surgery Ben had done? I know TJ was ruled out and I've read mixed reports saying it was a 'muscle tear'
Ray Fittipaldo: He gives us as little information as possible so I'm not expecting a detailed account of the surgery tomorrow.

Steelers 0-3: Any word on if Nix will be available to play on Monday night. It will be huge help in running game if he is able to go. Steelers 30-10 Cincy
Ray Fittipaldo: Saw him in the locker room today. Walking without a limp, but he didn't even practice last week. He has to practice a few days and feel good before Tomlin will put him back in the lineup.

Gravel: Ray - Three games in - what is your updated view on the number of games the Steelers will win this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: I had them at 10-6 before the season. Now I think 6-10.

Goldstar: Starting to worry this offensive line is at it's best with Ben in there slinging it 50 times a game, do you think they can be successful with a run first then play action game plan?
Ray Fittipaldo: Perhaps but that would mean the O-line and RBs playing much better than they have the first three weeks of the season.

Goldstar: Do you agree with Ron Cook's article that it's realistic the Steelers could be 4-4 after 8 weeks and in the mix for the division?
Ray Fittipaldo: Did Ron say that? I fully expect them to beat the Bengals, but they have the Ravens and Chargers after that. It's not like it's an easy schedule. The Ravens and Chargers made the playoffs last year and they're contenders again this year.

BlackJack Bill: Are you concerned about Tomlin's lack of success on the west coast even though he is a veteran coach? This simply is unacceptable, year in and year out. Thoughts are appreciated.
Ray Fittipaldo: They made some changes this year. They left earlier. Stayed on east coast time the entire time they were out. Obviously didn't work. Back to the drawing board!

Ryan : Hi ray good afternoon is there any update on Vance McDonald or Rosie Nix
Ray Fittipaldo: Nothing official from the team today so no.

Chuck Noll: "We have many problems , and they are great"
Ray Fittipaldo: Channeling Chuck Noll? Ha ha. He said that about Sidney Thornton.

T2: What is it with Bud Dupree? Even against backups he rarely gets penetration. Is it technique? Overall Strength? Is it really going to get worse if we plug another player in at OLB?
Ray Fittipaldo: Not sure what the issue is, but I was expecting him to make some plays going against a rookie LT.

Gravel: Ray - Why did Ola not get PT on Sunday?
Ray Fittipaldo: He played. Not sure how many snaps , but I know he saw a few.

Crazy Legs: Following up Ray on tackling... I don't agree that a player is either a good tackler or not... we were taught how to tackle correctly in the 5th grade... put your eyes on the belt buckle because that won't change... and wrap the runner up... these guys simply aren't doing that. So yes, a damn tackling coach is needed!
Ray Fittipaldo: Noted.

SOD NYC: What are you thoughts on Fitzpatrick after the first game with the Steelers. Seemed pretty good to me.
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes I thought he was really good. Looked comfortable. Played fast. I think he'll only get better.

MrCJJr: Hello Ray. Thanks for the chat! In your opinion, can the team finally get it together and play a complete game Monday? Your opinion matters...I live in Cincinnati and need to know if I should take off from work next Tuesday...thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: Call of now. Steelers will win. And remember, don't drink and drive.

Dom: Ray, was it just me or did you see Pouncey looking a little slow this year.
Ray Fittipaldo: None of the offensive linemen have looked very good.

Patriots cheat advisor: Ray,you really need to look at tape of Barron. Some writer did an article and included clips and he was really loafing. I would of cut him right after the game if it was up to me.
Ray Fittipaldo: OK will look at it.

Jontxu: Hi Ray, back in 2004 there was the same panic as right now?
Ray Fittipaldo: Back in 2004, the Steelers were 2-1 after three games en route to a 15-1 season. So there was no panic at any point of the season.

BlackJack BIll: Love the chats. Helps keep my blood pressure in check. Is Benny Snell ready to play a few downs on Monday?
Ray Fittipaldo: 3 carries vs. the 49ers. Seems like they're game planning a bit for him. So yes, it's possible.

Jack: Lamar Jackson will run for 200 yards if they do not get their act together and soon.
Ray Fittipaldo: If he doesn't blow out his knee this week.

LA Matt: What's your thoughts on the defensive line constantly rotating?
Ray Fittipaldo: I understand the rotation to a certain extent. It was hot in Santa Clara. But I don;t agree with some of the timing. For instance, at the end of the third quarter there is a long break. Alualu and McCullers were in the game and they remained in the game at the start of the fourth. That's a natural built-in break. They should take advantage of that and play their starters at the start of quarters.
Ray Fittipaldo: That's all the time I have for today. Time to write a little. We'll do another one next Tuesday. And I'm predicting it'll be after a win.

First Published: September 24, 2019, 4:59 p.m.

RELATED
The Steelers need more — much more — from their highly touted offensive line.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise: The Steelers' offensive woes start and end with the line
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler watches minicamp workouts Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Joe Starkey
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: Why do people keep calling this Keith Butler’s defense?
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pitt’s Zack Austin (55) dunks over North Carolina’s Ven-Allen Lubin (22) in a game at Petersen Events Center Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Pitt held off North Carolina 73-65.
1
sports
Pitt stifles North Carolina in second half, pulls away for critical ACC win
Access by Pennsylvania and other states to online systems that manage federal-state initiatives like Medicaid, CareerLink and Head Start was shut down on Tuesday, apparently as the result of a memo issued Monday night by the Trump administration, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday afternoon.
2
news
Pa. can't access Medicaid, other portals over Trump's planned federal funding freeze, Shapiro says
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Arthur J. Rooney II looks on prior to the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia.
3
sports
Jason Mackey: Art Rooney II's reasoning for keeping Mike Tomlin as Steelers coach feels misguided
The Downtown skyline from Riverwalk on the North Shore.
4
business
Pittsburgh planning commisson backs Gainey proposal to expand affordable housing citywide
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is greeted by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in the North Shore. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-10.
5
sports
Gerry Dulac: Steelers want a streamlined QB style, so who fits the bill?
Steelers defensive end Tyson Alualu battles with 49ers running back Raheem Mostert for loose ball Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story