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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.10.22
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Brian Batko
2:34
That's not all he does, but certainly his ability to "smile in the face of adversity" and transfer that to his team is among his best attributes as a coach.
George in OKC
2:34
Good morning Brian!! Wouldn’t this be the perfect time to let the ole gunslinger just wing it?! Ben is a better OC than Canada! Canada has proven over and over he is ineffective as an NFL play caller.
Brian Batko
2:34
As long as he doesn't wing it into double coverage intended for Ray-Ray McCloud.
TJ
2:35
Najeh Harris - Any Word on his Injury we -need him to have any Shot this weekend.
Brian Batko
2:35
Nope, hopefully Tomlin will have an update at his weekly presser tomorrow.
carlk@ntwonline.com
2:37
As sunday proved on any given day anything can happen. Honestly we as a team overall are semi healthy, it's gonna be fun to watch and I know I will be watching and happy. Do you know how Harris's arn injury is?
Brian Batko
2:37
He looked OK once he came back in, and it's a good sign that the Steelers didn't even categorize him as questionable to return. They went with "probable," and he did, though it took a while.
SteelersFaninPatriotsNation
2:38
Were Boswell's relatively short kickoffs yesterday by design? They consistently helped Ravens get good field position.
Brian Batko
2:39
Yes, as I understand it, Chris Boswell's general lack of touchbacks is a strategic decision by the Steelers. Trying to hang it up at the 1-yard line to give your coverage team time to get down there and maybe even make a splash ply.
burghatheart
2:40
Run D was really interesting yesterday - first half, very strong, second half highly exploited.  Was there a half time adjustment by the Ravens that the Steelers struggled to solve or simply poor execution on our end (or better execution on theirs)?
Brian Batko
2:42
Looked to me like they found something that worked and kept exploiting it. Part of that was Latavius Murray, who'd taken a back seat to Devonta Freeman lately but was running hard yesterday. He had a lot of juice, and it showed.
jay
2:42
What does Coach Tomlin has against Waitman?  He outperformed Berry years ago but was let go.  This year Harvin was miles worse yet again Waitman was let go.  Did he cheat on a steeler FO family member?
Brian Batko
2:43
I really don't think he was better than Jordan Berry last year in camp, but hey, whatever he's done in the meantime served him well in that two-game audition. Never thought I'd have reason to resurface this feature I did on him in August 2020 https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/08/26/corliss-waitma...
Guest
2:44
You're one and done.  Is there any other way than to let Ben 'go yard' as much as the team can handle?  NO WAY 16 points wins on Sunday.
Brian Batko
2:45
Running the ball better and keeping it out of the hands of Mahomes/Hill/Kelce would be a nice formula, too.
Nick from VA
2:45
How is this playoff match up any different from when Pitt met KC three weeks ago? If anything, we lose by 40 this time?
Brian Batko
2:46
The Chiefs will have Kelce and a healthier Hill. The Steelers will have ... Pat Freiermuth and Chris Wormley.
Hogwash
2:47
Will Zach Gentry permanently replace Eric Ebron at tight end next year?  Gentry had a pretty good game on Sunday and not a lot of mention in post-game coverage.  Where is Eric Ebron anyway?
Brian Batko
2:48
Yes, the Eric Ebron era, such as it was, is over. Ebron appears to be back home with his family recovering from his season-ending surgery, not around the team. Gentry has really taken a nice leap forward this season, in a year when it looked like he might not even make the roster based on the second-round pick. Good for him. And if there's any position the Steelers don't need to look at much in the draft, it's TE.
Jason
2:49
Is Canada unable to scheme anyone open or is it more a matter of receivers not gaining seperation? I feel like it is always a contested play when I watch around the lead receivers are running free everywhere
Brian Batko
2:51
I'm really not sure. It could also be a matter of Ben missing guys when they are open, or just not choosing that option if it's deeper downfield. I haven't pored over the coaches' tape to give you a definitive answer on that, but I can tell you based on NFL Next Gen Stats that no Steelers wideouts are anywhere near the league lead in average separation.
J$Money
2:52
Brian, you’re the Steelers GM and you have decided to take an offensive lineman in the first round. Do you prioritize a certain position or take the best center, guard or tackle available?
Brian Batko
2:53
Good question. I think you can reasonably justify going "Best Lineman Available" in that case, given all your needs. Personally, I'm not ready to write off Kendrick Green so I'd lean toward T or G, and for the most part, T is a more valuable position than G. Dan Moore Jr. has been encouraging, overall, but Okorafor will be a free agent and Zach Banner just can't seem to get/stay healthy.
Big Shot Bob
2:54
Will Dan Moore & Kevin Dotson be available? Need to run efficiently and hit our deep ball chances if we have a shot in this one.
Brian Batko
2:55
I'd say there's a chance on Dotson, but would you really want to roll him out there if he's rusty? The guy hasn't played in two months. Plus it's not like John Leglue has gotten himself benched in the meantime. He's been holding it down at left guard.
Go Steelers
2:56
Chances Haden returns next year?
Brian Batko
2:56
35%
IronCity75
2:56
What an incredible week for Steelers fans from Ben's last home game to yesterday!! My hope for next week in KC is let Ben call the plays and win with our tight ends. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:57
I've never been to Kansas City so in that sense I'm looking forward to seeing a new place. Oh, you meant my thoughts on the game...
Blkngld
2:57
Has Green been replaced as the starting Center
Brian Batko
2:57
For the rest of this season, it appears so. I just don't see how you could go away from JC Hassenauer now when you've won two straight with him in there, one of which was your best rushing performance of the season.
Draft nerd
2:58
By my calculations, the Steelers cost themselves at least five spots in the draft by winning yesterday. Instead of picking, I believe, at No. 14, they'll be down around 18-19. Pretty big price to pay for a team that's going to be one-and-done in the playoffs anyway and which has so many needs to address. This is going to be a three- or four-year rebuild. No sense filling people into thinking otherwise by squeaking into the playoffs and getting shellacked again in KC.
Brian Batko
2:59
That's no way to live, Draft nerd. Put down your glasses and your pocket protector for a second and enjoy the ride. The Steelers drafted TJ Watt at No. 30 and Devin Bush at No. 10. It's not an exact science.
Ca Ca nada
2:59
Brian, Claypool is quoted in your PoS partner's piece on his "getting out of Tomlin's doghouse"... talking about 'hushing the criticisms' Glad he made some plays yesterday, obviously we want him to be great, if possible. Frankly, his weak hands & poor technique are observations not "criticisms, on my part at least. Doghouses aside... this seems to be yet another example of his lack of self awareness & maturity, no?
Brian Batko
3:01
Oh geez, at first I thought you were calling Ray Fittipaldo a ... nevermind. But no, I don't think Claypool said anything out of line yesterday. He has been criticized, a lot, and rightfully so. But yesterday was a good day for him, so naturally he's basking in that. The key will be stacking those good days and becoming a bigger piece of the puzzle next season.
OK everyone, we're all out of time. Will we be talking about another playoff game next Monday? Odds are no, but with this team anymore, who the heck knows. Talk to you then.
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