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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.07.25
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Brian Batko
12:25
Also a fair point, Benson! Justin Fields had an escapability talent that papered over some of the O-line issues early. That's what QB mobility gives you. Hey, wait a second, why can't the Steelers just get a quarterback who's really good at throwing AND really good at running? Someone should think of that.
Happy Gilmore
12:26
Brian, has Mike Tomlin's word salad speech gotten worse this season? It is like he is speaking in tongues because he has no good answers for anything.
Brian Batko
12:27
Eh, not really. But I am getting better at predicting it.  I knew the "tote those bags" line was coming yesterday when asked about the playoff drought.
Tampa Too
12:28
Brian. If Wilson has a bad game against Baltimore, do you think the Steelers should really pursue him for next year? Fields definitely has more upside.
Brian Batko
12:29
In that universe, I would prefer Fields, because I can at least squint and see a potential franchise quarterback still. Can't quite do that with Russ at his age. But as we knew coming into the season, it's entirely possible - maybe even probable - neither one is the answer for 2025.
Patrick
12:30
From my vantage point, Russell Wilson is not able to see the field well enough to make all the throws and our O Line is not up to snuff to provide additional time.  I just don't see this working this year or next unless a major upgrade for the O Line is made.  The larger question should be is it worth it?  Let's take our medicine and try to find a quarterback in the draft even it takes till 2026.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:31
The draft is always the best way to find a long-term solution at quarterback, yes. As for the O-line, though, I think the Steelers' plan is that it will indeed be upgraded next year with Troy Fautanu starting at tackle, Years 2 and 3 for Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick. But I do admit that's a leap of faith to some extent.
DCSteelers
12:32
No offense to Arthur Smith, who by all accounts seems like a good guy, but what’s the deal with teams wanting to interview him for HC jobs?  Wasn’t he 7-10 for three consecutive seasons in Atlanta?  His handling of the Steelers offense this year has not been inspiring either (no touchdowns on opening drives all season, no players making great progress in the offense this season, repeated calls for pitches to Patterson).  Am I wrong to be scratching my head?
Brian Batko
12:34
Kind of. I think the interest in talking to Arthur Smith for head coach jobs speaks more to his overall reputation around the league, how he's well-liked by players, etc. And having been around him for nearly a year now, I get that. He's a low-key guy but he's personable, he's worked with and under a lot of great coaches, and he's a good representative of an organization. There's far more that goes into hiring a coach than that, but that's just what I see what other teams might see in Smith, more so than his 2024 production or lack thereof.
Fan
12:34
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying “The definition of insanity is tossing the ball on a sweep to Najee Harris and expecting him not to lose yards”. If Einstein knows this, why can’t the Steelers coaches figure it out?
Brian Batko
12:35
E=MC22
Cain
12:36
Hey Brian love your chats! What percentage are you giving the Steelers to win? I say 50-50!
Brian Batko
12:36
Thanks, man. I'll say like 25-75...
Brian in NC
12:37
Thanks for sharing your insights in these chats.  Steelers spend more on D than any other team but didn’t even make the top 10 in YPG (and only 8th in PPG).   Are they overpaying players? Bad coaching?  Something else?
Brian Batko
12:38
You're welcome. There are probably two or three guys overpaid. The coaching could be better. But they also have a ton of takeaways and they've faced these QBs this season: Lamar twice, Burrow twice, Mahomes, Herbert, Hurts, Prescott, Daniels. That's more than half their schedule. They didn't dodge too many QB bullets like they have in years past.
Jim (Cosmo) K in Jax
12:39
Have you somewhat lost your mind (last couple of predictions)? Please don't even think the "Curtains" will beat the Ratbirds in Baltimore. Can't wait to see your prediction. Then the draft coverage can start, yay! Happy New Year to you; hope it's a great one personally and professionally!
Brian Batko
12:41
Jim, you're right, I've had an awful year of predictions. I finished 8-9 on account of believing in them one last time in the regular season. But hey, I did predict 9-8 going into the year, so not far off on that one.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:42
Have you ever seen a week leading up to a Steeler playoff game when most folks including fans and media have given the Steelers no hope to win? I have not.
Brian Batko
12:43
Nope, it's a very eerie feeling. But I can't blame people. It's a four-game losing streak. Pretty sure no NFL team has gone into the postseason on this long of a skid since the Lions in 1999. So not only is it a game where most fans, or at least most of my audience, doesn't give them much chance to win but it also kind of feels like people just want this season to be over already.
Fearless
12:43
Will Mike Tomlin live in his fears on Saturday and be super conservative just like he did with the Bengals? The Ravens can score and score fast and Steelers will need to keep up
Brian Batko
12:45
I get what you're saying but he also might view it as a game where he wants to keep Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson off the field. Shorten the game and limit possessions and maybe you get a flukier result on the road. And I wouldn't necessarily blame him.
Colonel
12:46
Does anyone in the organization recognize the fans disillusion with Tomlin and the Steelers and do they care?
Brian Batko
12:46
All they have to do is read this chat, Colonel!
OK friends, I've got to run. Thanks for joining in today as always. If this is our last pre-game chat of the season, it's been real, it's been fun ... you know the rest. Enjoy the game Saturday night if you're able to.
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