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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 11.6.17
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Daquido Bazzini
2:01
I noticed that the Steelers dropped an OL, and added a WR on the practice squad this morning. Just wondering if that might be Martavis Bryant related. Marcus Tucker had some success in pre-season. Would he be an option to bring up if needed?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
I think it was more of a sign that Marcus Gilbert is healthier and they don't need the extra tackle for practice. They had Justin Thomas on the practice squad before and had to release him when Gilbert was injured again. I think that's all it is.
Nick
2:02
Ray, right after the Colts game on Sunday, Tennesse comes to town on Thurs night. Steelers will not be rested enough and the Titans are playing well. Would that be a trap game for Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
The Colts might be a trap game for the Steelers. You do know the Steelers' history in these types of games, don't you?
OHIO412FAN
2:03
Ray, with the Steelers heading to Indy for Week 10, what are the keys of the game for them in order to win? Also, since we are entering the second half of the season, the schedule looks promising for lots of potential wins. The only game I’m truly concerned about is New England (of course). What do they need to do in order to get to the top of their ability, both on offense and defense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
Run the ball and play good defense. I know it sounds simple, but they're playing against an inexperienced quarterback. The Texans allowed Jacoby Brissett to throw for more than 300 yards yesterday. The Steelers can't let that happen. If they play well on defense and they run the ball well they should not have much problem winning this one on the road.
OHIO412FAN
2:04
I feel we aren’t scoring enough points and that we are lacking that explosiveness that can really put us over the top. Do you think they could improve offensively? I think we have yet to hit our peak and high. Lots of potential still brewing while this team is getting better by the week.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Of course they can improve offensively. They made it to 6-2 without having a consistent No. 3 or No. 4 receiver after Brown and Smith-Schuster. If Bryant can be that dangerous deep threat and they can find a way to get Eli Rogers confident again this offense has a chance to get much better.
OHIO412FAN
2:05
Injury report?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Gilbert and Tuitt practiced today. We'll see how they do later in the week, but I think there is hope for both to play Sunday.
JerseySteel
2:06
Hi Ray - a lot of people are picking an all PA Super Bowl this year. Can the Steelers hold up their end to get there and also beat the Eagles who seem to be rolling like never before?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
The Eagles and Steelers hold down the top two seeds in teir conferences at the halfway point of the season. But lots can happen in the second half of the season. We were in this same situation in 2004, and the Steelers lost to the Patriots in the AFC title game.
Miles McGuire
2:07
Does Ryan S. get any consideration for D - MVP this year ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Of the team? Yes. For the entire league? I doubt it. Shazier has been really good, but I'm not even sure Cam Heyward is not the defensive MVP for the Steelers in the first half of the season.
Rick
2:08
I'm so glad they didn't trade Bryant,you can't over look how talented this young man is..With that being said ju ju is a gem too,how do they go on from here cause you know brown and bell will get theirs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
It really shouldn't be all that difficult if Bryant is willing. They are lacking a deep threat and Bryant can fill that role. He just has to have his head on straight and can't be worried about his girlfriend or agent being in his ear.
Sheff
2:09
Could the bye week have gone any better for the Steelers?  Cincy, Baltimore, and KC all lost.  For the first time in forever, it looks like we won't have to sweat out whether we will make the playoffs.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Well, the Steelers were 4-5 last season and came back to win the division so anything can happen.The Ravens are in that boat now. But a lot would have to go right for them and a lot would have to go wrong for the Steelers for it to happen this season.
JerseySteel
2:11
Hi Ray - any update on injuries to Gilbert, Tuitt, and McDonald?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
McDonald did not practice today. Gilbert and Tuitt did.
Tomas
2:11
I think that it's better for the team to incorporate Cam Sutton and move Eli Rodger to the practice squad. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Where would you play Cameron Sutton? Mike Hilton has been really good in the slot. And even though Rogers has struggled they have a need for a little shifty slot WR on occasion.
truesteelerfan
2:13
What is the main difference in our Front Office now compared to the days when we had players like Kent Graham, Richard Huntley, and Scott Shields?  Really no comparison in talent now versus then - but why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
New GM, for one. But some old-time scouts remain from those days.
truesteelerfan
2:14
Can Heyward-Bey return kickoffs or punts?  He's got to be one of the highest paid gunners isn't he in this league?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
Don't think he's that highly-paid. I think he makes around $1.5 million a year. Lots of special teamers make around that.
Justin - FL
2:15
What a great bye week. Perfectly timed in the middle of the season and the Ravens, Bengals and KC all lose. Looking at the remaining schedule. There really is no excuse for not getting a top 2 seed now. The Pats would be the only loss that would be understandable. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
I agree. I think they should finish 13-3, 12-4 at the worst.
truesteelerfan
2:15
Is Joe Haden the Joe Haden of old - or is it our gameplanning which is helping him look better than he has the past 2 years?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
He looks pretty good to me. I don't see any signs that his previous injuries are bothering him at all this season.
JerseySteel
2:16
Hi Ray - is this the week we see the offense break out? They have some extra time from the bye to get timing down and fix any breakdowns and a good opponent for a breakout game.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
Could be. The extra time should help in that regard. I think they were close to breaking out the final two games before the bye, but little mistakes here and there against the Bengals and Lions hurt them.
jOHNNY
2:18
Ray why is everyone concerned with New England... if Steelers have home field thru out playoffs I think it very possible that someone else may knock them off... your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
It's simple. Tom Brady eats the Steelers defense for lunch, and the Patriots beat the Steelers in the playoffs in 2001, 2004 and last season. They have the Steelers' number. There really is no denying that.
Randy C
2:21
Who do you think will be the Steeler's MVP during the second half of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Ben Roethlisberger
Tom
2:21
Ray -as you mentioned we seem close on offense. Wouldn't keeping Bell and a FB on the Field in the redzone help use them or use them as a decoy. Can't tip our hand as often with the no backfield spread 3-4wr set. Ben is not going to run.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
I'm in favor of that, but goal-line offenses have changed. I wrote about that in today's paper. Even Miker Munchak, the Steelers' offensive line coach, admits it's easier to score by passing than running near the goal line. It's a different time in the NFL.
Justin
2:22
Ray, why have play action passes disappeared from the Steelers playbook?
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