Ray Fittipaldo: Welcome. Let's chat Steelers.
Jeff: Thanks Ray for the chats. Any chance we will begin to see more "trickery" especially in the red zone? Watching KC last night and they have many weapons and many creative ways to get the ball in the endzone. Seems RF is pretty conservative, I cant even remember the last time someone other than our QB attempted a pass. Randel El?
Ray Fittipaldo: Randy Fichtner might not be known for "trick plays" but every team has a few in the playbook, including the Steelers. You have to get the right look from the defense for it to be successful, and you have to have the right players to execute the plays. To your point, the Steelers do not have a former college QB like Randle El on their roster, which makes executing reverse passes and things of that nature difficult, if not impossible. Stay tuned. I am sure you will some a few before season's end.
Artie Bridge: Ray, I'm very impressed with this receiver corps, so much so that I don't think losing Ju-Ju to free agency would be such a big deal. Your take?
Ray Fittipaldo: That would leave Diontae Johnson, James Washington and Chase Claypool. It's good, but they would need to add another receiver in next year's draft. Johnson has No. 1 qualities. Claypool has flashed his big-play ability. The big key to whether a JuJu-less WR corps would work would be the development of Washington. I view him as a No. 3 or 4. And teams don't typically sign those types of players to second contracts unless there is a very reasonable deal to be had. And with Washington becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season that would mean likely adding another WR in 2022 via the draft. That might be OK. The Steelers seem to draft WRs every year. The only thing I will say is the Steelers like to keep productive players like JuJu. There might not be a way due to the salary cap restraints in 2021, but I think they'll try somehow, some way to at least explore ways to keep him.
Randy Fichtner: Ray, how would you rate the Offensive Play Calling through the first three games? Do you think we are too predictable.
Ray Fittipaldo: I thought Randy's best game was the Texans game. He didn't panic when they fell behind. He stayed the course, believed in his defense and made some nice calls on the go-ahead TD drive. It's not always going to be pretty with this offense, but it can be good enough.
Buzzard Bill: Hi Ray, as the NFL season moves forward, there will be fewer opportunities to reschedule games without extending the season. What are you hearing- will the NFL begin to forfeit games if teams cannot play due to COVID-19, or will they attempt to extend the season once all bye weeks are gone?
Ray Fittipaldo: I think the commissioner putting forfeits on the table was to scare some of these knucklehead coaches and GMs. I think that will be a last resort. I do think forfeiture of draft picks are much more likely as a penalty for teams that break COVID protocols. And yes, I believe pushing back the playoff schedule will happen before forfeiture of games unless there is some blatant violation of protocol that screams for the most severe punishment.
Gene: Hi Ray why is UG111 not active so far in 2020?
Ray Fittipaldo: It means they like others as core special teamers before him. That's the only real reason to make him active on game days. Devin Bush plays pretty much the entire game so he's not dressing to play on defense unless Bush is injured. And Bush hasn't been injured yet.
Nitro: Hi Ray - Outside of the Chiefs, are there any AFC teams in your opinion that has more collective RB, TE, and WR talent?.
Ray Fittipaldo: Talent-wise, the Browns would come close. They have OBJ and Landry at WR and some really good backs in Chubb and Hunt plus some pretty good TEs. (Chubb, by the way, has a knee injury and was placed on IR this week).
Scott: How do the players feels about the unexpected bye week? When would they ideally prefer to take it?
Ray Fittipaldo: They'd rather have it in the middle of the season. That's a better time. There are more bumps and bruises to heal and it's a better time to take a mental break for the game. They barely had a chance to do that with the impromptu bye week. By the way, the Steelers contacted the NFL and NFLPA about giving the players on three consecutive days off for the bye week (the CBA says it must be four). Mike Tomlin said the union and league agreed that this was a special circumstance and that only three days off was OK.
Vivi's Dad: Ray, the Ben R. docuseries showed BR with a throwing coach. I am not sure i ever heard BR using one in the past. Is it possible that his mechanics have changed and this is why his long passes are not on target yet?
Ray Fittipaldo: He has used throwing coaches in the past, including George Whitfield early in his career.
Gravel: Hi Ray - With a weekend off from covering the Steelers, I presume you got to watch more games? Any new meaningful takeaways for your for the Ravens and Browns in particular?
Ray Fittipaldo: The Browns can score. The Ravens, if rendered one-dimensional, are beatable.The Browns are on the docket next week so we'll get into more in-depth analysis as these teams come onto the schedule.
Alex B: I think the offense line has played well with all the moving parts and will only get better as the season progress do you think the Steelers will continue their commitment to the running game I believe it will go a long way in the defense resting more and controlling the game. Especially during that 3 game road stretch now.
Ray Fittipaldo: I think they should. I don't know if commitment is the right word because they've passed more than they've run. But they've used the run the close games out. That's good and that needs to continue.
Tom: The commish sent a memo to teams on Monday saying not following Covid-19 protocols could now lead to fines, loss of of draft picks, etc, and forfeits. How can they make one team forfeit now if they have forced the Steelers to move their game? Shouldn't this have been decided earlier? Shouldn't the league have gotten rid of uneven and random punishment, by now?
Ray Fittipaldo: As I mentioned earlier, I think the idea of forfeits is more scare tactic than anything else.
Mark: Has Devin Bush made any strides towards becoming the ILB playmaker they need him to be? Didn’t like him getting beat like like a drum by Noah Fant in the Denver game, and just haven’t noticed him making many splash plays this season so far.
Ray Fittipaldo: It's early. More run-heavy teams await. I think you'll see his value there.
MikeM65: Last season during a game where the Steelers were using many running backs, Dan Fouts made a comment that it is tough on an offensive line to block for different types of running backs. Do you agree?
Ray Fittipaldo: It can be, but players always tell me that's overblown. I think it tends to stick out when a guy like Le'Veon Bell does his thing in the backfield. He was rare though. Most backs don't sit back and wait like he does.
Bill in SF: With both Browns and Bengals much improved, it looks like the only remaining "easy" game remaining on the schedule is Washington. Even Philly is playing better the last couple weeks. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo: It's only four games. Let's see where the Browns and Bengals are after eight weeks or 12 weeks. You might be right, but I need to see more over time.
seferg: Do the Steelers have any players with injuries/nagging aches that the extra week delay will help be ready for Philly?
Ray Fittipaldo: Diontae Johnson is good to go after being concussed in the Texans game. He is on schedule to play. Derek Watt (hamstring) and Marcus Allen (plantar fascitis) are still working their way back. Probably won't know their status until Friday.
Guest: what is an appropriate fine to get people like Gruden to understand the mask rule is not optional?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'd start docking draft picks. He violates the rule every single week.
Duce Staley: Hello Ray and thanks for some great chats ! Playing good teams with bad records always makes me nervous. How dangerous are the Eagles ?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'm still not sure how good the Eagles are even though they won Sunday and tied the previous week. Their offensive numbers are very average or below average. What helped them in San Francisco was capitalizing on turnovers. The 49ers had way too many turnovers, and the Eagles took advantage of them. The Eagles defense is OK, so it won't be a cake walk, but I like the Steelers in this matchup if they don't turn the ball over very much.
Scrub: Hi Ray. Is there any scenario the Steelers try to keep Dupree. He has been very good so far?
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't think so. They drafted Alex Highsmith for a reason.
Gov Wolf: IN places where limited fan attendance is permitted, how are the allowed attendees selected ?
Ray Fittipaldo: Season ticket holders that did not opt out are given first priority. Seat selection is done through a computer generated program.
chitown steeler: Ray- how about the Steelers take a flyer on MItch Tribusky. The Bears will give him away for next to nothing, and he might be able to shine in a new system.
Ray Fittipaldo: I'm hearing the same thing about Sam Darnold. Maybe it's just that every QB taken in the top 10 is worthy of being drafted there. QBs are pushed up draft boards. Teams take calculated chances because they know how important QBs are in today's game.
Karl: Do you see any scenario where Steelers can sign both Dupree and Watt to extensions? Would be unfortunate to lose Dupree after the season. They are an amazing duo!
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't. I do think the Steelers will sign Watt to a long-term deal though.
Ron: Can Claypool be put in to replace Washington on occasion?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes. Claypool was forced to play every WR position against the Texans because Johnson was knocked out of the Texans game early. He is a bright young player and very capable of playing different spots.
Jerry: Do you think we beat the Eagles?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes I think the Steelers will win the game.
Ohio Steeler Fan: HI Ray -- I think Baker M may end up a solid NFL QB, but still have trouble with hin as pick # 1 . Your thoughts..
Ray Fittipaldo: He certainly hasn't played like a No.1 overall pick, but when he relies on his running game he can be competent.
John: Hey Ray, any update on D Watt hammy?
Ray Fittipaldo: Derek Watt did some running on Monday.
MjB: This is more of a statement than a question, but ironically, when I watched Tennessee play Denver on opening night I was a bit shocked by how little the Tennessee coaches and bench utilized precautions compared to Denver. I think the league blew their chance to stop the problem there. The verbal threat of "something" occurring was clearly not enough to impact anyone's behavior. Any parent knows that nothing changes until there is a true consequence. The consequence should be a forfeit of something, even the game itself. The Steelers paid a price for someone else's negligence.
AWB Tennessee: What's your assessment of Marcus Allen so far this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: None really. Other than special teams I don't know that he's played a snap on defense.
Timmy Colorado Springs: Prediction for how much a ticket to the game this week will cost?
Ray Fittipaldo: That information was not provided in the statement the Steelers provided, mostly I assume, because season ticket holders that did not opt out already paid. We probably won't know a price on any tickets unless they are made available to the general public.
Jerry: I would’ve signed Dupree instead of Cam who is on the backend of his career. Your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo: Not me. Heyward is still playing at a very high level.
Nosmo King: Will the Steelers allow tailgating in the parking lot for the Eagles game?
Ray Fittipaldo: No tailgaiting.
STEEL72: Ray, why are they trying to put fans back at Heinz right now? Just seems like everyone, everywhere, should be erring on the side of caution indoors or out.
Ray Fittipaldo: I think with Heinz Field being an outdoor venue and with proper social distancing and the wearing of masks the decision to allow fans is safe. I think indoor venues are much tougher of a sell to be honest.
Nosmo King: Will we see the Steelers play any man to man this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: They did plenty of that last season, and it was successful for them. They've been more zone-based so far, but Mike Tomlin has indicated that's more about the opponents than any change in defensive philosophy.
Jerry: Who’s playing better right now Cam or Dupree?
Ray Fittipaldo: They're both playing well, but I'd say Heyward.
Alan in Nashville: Hey Ray. Good to see that Diontae Johnson is a full-go. I would expect to see Ray Ray continue on the punt return. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo: That depends on the situation. Johnson is a game-breaker. If the Steelers need a spark I wouldn't be surprised to see him back there on occasion. But Ray-Ray McCloud has been slippery in the return game. I wouldn't mind seeing him more in the punt return game.
Jerry: You would pick Cam over Dupree for the future. WOW????
Ray Fittipaldo: Not sure why that's a wow, but yeah for sure. I can't predict injuries or when a player will decline, but Heyward is past 30 and showing no signs of slowing down. He's also been a very durable player the team can count on.
D S Fischer: Hopefully it doesn't occur, but what happens when a team fails covid testing twice maybe 3 times, during the season? Does the league have adaquate procedures in place to deal with this?
Ray Fittipaldo: It's pretty simple. They'd have to push the playoffs back in that situation. Or like MLB did, only make up the games if there are playoff implications involved at the end of the regular season.
Ray Fittipaldo: I would imagine Claypool is the guy. He ran a 4.43 or something crazy like that at the combine.
Mercury: Based on their 40 yd times, who is currently the fastest player on the Steelers roster?
Ray Fittipaldo: Oops. Question to previous answer.
Timmy Colorado Springs: What is AB up to these days? And did he ever cut the grass in his yard?
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't know about you guys, but I kind of like being free of AB news. Whatever he does I hope he keeps quiet.
Greg: Ray -- I read that Freddie KItchens is driving for UPS. Any truth ?
Ray Fittipaldo: At least he didn't have to get a new uniform.
Ray Fittipaldo: Thanks for chatting this week. Let's do it again next week.
First Published: October 6, 2020, 4:59 p.m.
