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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.23
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:54
Let's get started.
HKSteelerfan
11:55
Thanks for that chat, Ray; appreciate the time you put into your answers.   My question is why the PG is running stories about Bryant's instagram account?  Nothing Bryant said is "ripping" Juju, and I think these stories after the last two games serve little purpose.  Clearly, Bryant has some maturity issues; I don't think we need to fuel the flames by writing about his admittedly dumb post game emotions.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:56
Not sure where you are going with this. In case you didn't see his original post he basically doubled down on his trade request. That's news. We're always going to report that. You are right he is immature, but we are covering his emotions. They are important and help explain why he wants to be traded.
Scott in Amsterdam
11:56
Why no Rosie Nix on third and short situations?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
The question of the day, probably the week. I really don't have an answer for you at this point. Maybe Ben Roethlisberger and Todd Haley can shed some light on the decision when they're interviewed later this week. But honestly, it smacks of an offensive coordinator and/or a quarterback who are trying to outsmart the defense when lining up with a fullback and having an attitude and an identity in the goalline offense is what's needed.
Charlotte John
11:58
Two great wins but I am still not sold on this offense. However, the Steeler's have the three piece that SHOULD point to a potent offense; great talent, unit has been together (and thus execution should not be a problem), and stable coaches.  To me this points to scheme. They have 9 games to get this straight....can Haley figure this out?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
It's not early. We are seven games in. This is more than a trend now. Can they figure it out? yes they can. They figured it out late last season when they needed all those wins to qualify for the playoffs. They can do it again, but it's not a slam dunk. They need to get their act together and begin playing to their offensive potential because there will come a time when they'll need to outscore an opponent to win an important game.
Scott in Amsterdam
12:00
The game was pretty much over towards the end of the 3rd quarter, yet Bell continued to get carries until late into the 4th....shouldn't they be trying to preserve him at that point? Why not go with James Conner for the rest of the game?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
You're kidding, right Scott? It was a two-score game. The Steelers didn't really put that game away until Andy Dalton gave up and threw the ball away on fourth down.
TJ
12:01
Ray, people are all like "We should trade Martavis!" But I'm like "What could we even get for him anyway?"   I'd just suspend him for the year. Too much of a distraction. What do you think will happen?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I know what I wouldn't do. I wouldn't cut him like they cut LeGarrette Blount. He ended up with a Super Bowl ring after the Steelers got rid of him. I wouldn't give the Patriots or another contender the opportunity to sign him. I'm with you. I make him inactive, suspend him or find a way to put him on IR with "emotional" problems. But I wouldn't cut him.
Guest
12:03
Is Martavis just mad because he wasn't invited to play hide and seek?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
You're probably right.
Corey from Canton, Ohio
12:04
Ray - Do you recall any NE Patriots "expressing" themselves on social media as Bell, Bryant, and Brown do/have?  Most people believe PB has more talent than NE.  That means NE has other attributes in their TEAM that make up for and surpass PB's talent.  In my opinion, the Steelers have just enough "me first" players to hurt them.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
You might be onto something there.
1
12:04
How come you, Ray, don't show up on the Ed&Gerry postgame videos on the Post Gazette? They need a third voice on there.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I'm on Facebook Live with them. We'll do it twice again this weekend on our way to and from Detroit.
George M
12:05
Would say that this secondary has been tested by quality play at the QB position by A Smith and A Dalton or do you have a wait and see approach?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
What they've done is very impressive, but it's always wait and see until you play Tom Brady. He's the best, and if the Steelers want to be considered the best pass defense in the NFL, they had better play better against him than they did in January.
obvioiusly
12:06
Obviously, the steelers might want to find a way to turn some of these FGs into TDs in order to really PA (put away) opponents. Really finish them off, so to speak. What is the issue, you think? Bad playcalling?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Honestly, they don't look dangerous to me down there. The TEs aren't great red zone targets. Brown is smallish and isn't know for his red-zone play. JuJu is good versus zone but not so much man-to-man. I'm not a big proponent of Bryant with all of his complaining, but he might help down there every once in a while. I'd also look for Bell on LBs and safeties in the passing game more. They have to find answers because you are right. At some point they're going to need TDs and not FGs to win a game.
randy
12:08
Ray, i've seen you out a few times at Giant Eagle and once getting your haircut around town.  How tall are you? YOu look like 6'5" maybe even 6'6" to me. Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
LOL. I'm 6-2 but I play big!
mtsteel
12:08
Hi Ray and Thanks. Another important win.  What's your thoughts on running Bell on, I believe the 11 yard line on 3rd down with 12 seconds in the 1st half?? Just another head scratcher  in the red zone when it comes to run/pass.  Thank you!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Very questionable. You can get off two passes and then kick a field goal. They only got off one play. That's the type of stuff that gets you beat when you are playing a good opponent. They can;t have stuff like that.
Lions Fan
12:09
How do you think the Steelers match up against the Lions? I haven't seen a ton of their games this season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Still looking into the Lions. Obviously, Stafford is a good QB. I noticed their defense has had some struggles. Big game for the Steelers. Big difference between being 6-2 and 5-3 at the halfway point of the season.
leon
12:11
Mr. Fittipaldo, as many politicians have noted, kneeling during the anthem is illegal. You can't do other illegal things at work, so why are NFL PLAYERS constantly allowed to be illegal at work by kneeling at the games. I've quit watching the product because of the kneeling. Also, what happened with the clock management at the end of the half? I was so mad when that happened. I think Ben was right, but I'm not sure. Thank you!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
What in God's name are you talking about?
Guest
12:11
How money was that fake punt? Great pass by Golden, great catch by DHB. Did it surprise you as much as it surprised the Bengals?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
It didn't surprise me. And it shouldn't surprise many Steelers fans. Golden did that once before in 2014. It's an automatic for them in certain situations and with certain field position.
Joe B
12:13
Could you imagine how explosive this offense would be if someone like Sean McVay or Josh McDaniels was calling the plays, particularly inside the red zone?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Todd Haley has been successful in previous years. He's having a hard time figuring this season out so far. There is still time, but as they say "It's getting late."
Franco
12:14
so there's no real trade value for Bryant because of his past drug suspensions then the question is do they keep an unhappy player on the roster or just release him and if he stays how does Tomlin handle him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
I'd tell him he's lucky to be playing in the NFL and to keep his mouth shut. They can keep him on the 53-man roster and just tell him not to come around if it comes to that. But as I wrote before I would not release him and give him what he wants.
Butch
12:15
I am so sick and tired of Martavis Bryant--on that deep ball from Ben, he was jogging, did not locate the ball and did not even extend his arms to make an attempt. Would the Steelers be better off de-activating him and giving Hunter or DHB some run? It seems Bryant has no intention of giving his all since he wants "out"
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Not sure that was a lack of effort as much as a lack of awareness. I mean, he was in one-on-one coverage, and he didn't look back for the ball until it landed. You just don't see that in the NFL. That's something you see in high school football. He has to know Ben is going to come to him when he draws one-on-one coverage in that situation.
NPG2003
12:16
Point blank Ray- Is there any reason to keep Martavis active on the team anymore? Kid has talent, but he continues to show his immaturity. Doesn't seem to be happy- could sour the locker room. Is he worth the potential trouble? Can't trade him, not smart to release him...should the Steelers bench him? How do you see this playing out going forward?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Bench him. Suspend him. Put him on IR with "emotional" problems and let him stay there until the season is over.
Bishkek Steeler
12:17
Hello Ray, thanks for the chats, always informative and entertaining. It was a good win against KC last week and again on Sunday against the Bengals. It looks like the Defense is really starting to Click. What will it take for the Offense to step their game up? They win, but always look right on the verge of stinking the place up.
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