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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.21.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, I'm fresh off a rejuvenating trip to Maui for vacation and ready to chat. If I nod off at some point, that's just the jet lag.
Bob & Chas Hayes
2:02
Do you know how much the Steelers are paying Brian Flores?
Brian Batko
2:03
I do not. Teams in the NFL aren't required to make those salaries public though obviously sometimes details are leaked.
Andrew mc
2:04
hi bats! Even after the great Minkah gets is pay day. With the cap space the Steelers have is it realistic that they could sign two high pedigree and top tier free agent players to start right away?
Brian Batko
2:06
Sure. It just depends on several factors. How much salary will they shave between now and the start of free agency? They can do that through several avenues, from restructures to outright cutting guys. But you also have to account for which positions you're looking to add these "high pedigree and top tier free agents." Those types at WR will be expensive. Interior offensive linemen, not so much.
PaulB
2:07
Flores is a very overqualified assistant coach. Can we expect him to have unofficial input far beyond his paycheck?
Brian Batko
2:09
Yeah I think that's a safe expectation, hence the "senior defensive assistant" label that was also held by Teryl Austin. You could probably even call that official input versus unofficial. Really like this hire, by the way. As someone who's on record as saying the Steelers should look outside the organization for the DC job, but also that Austin is plenty qualified, this seems like a heck of a way to split the difference on that (and a move that I certainly wasn't anticipating).
DCSteelers
2:09
I feel badly for Mason Rudolph.  Ben had a very public negative reaction to Rudolph being drafted and never seemed that interested in being helpful to the guy.  Rudolph’s current teammates also don’t seem to be in his corner.  I’m sure Mason isn’t interested in pity and knows that the best way to rally people around him is to play well, but how has the young QB been handling all the ups and downs?  I would love to see him succeed!
Brian Batko
2:11
I've said it many times, especially over this past season, that I think Mason Rudolph has handled this whole thing really well. He's been better off the field than on it. As you point out, winning cures all more than being a classy guy in media interviews, but it can't hurt. Regardless, Rudolph will have quite the story to tell someday, between that inauspicious start, then getting thrown into the fire in his second season, and all the wild stuff that happened to him that year.
Guest
2:13
I know the big story this week has to be the hiring of Brian Flores to the defensive coaching staff.  I've heard some Steelers players say they're excited about the hiring, but I haven't heard what Dolphins players were saying about his release.  Were the players mostly disappointed?  If there were articles about that subject, I missed them.
Brian Batko
2:14
To be honest, I'm not sure. Dolphins fired Brian Flores the day we were heading back from Steelers winning in Baltimore, so my mind was on that more so than "Black Monday" and the reactions to it around the league.
iowasteelersfan
2:15
When can we expect to start hearing some new on our free agents like Haden and news on potential restructures for players like Schobert?
Brian Batko
2:17
Teams can officially begin negotiations with unrestricted free agents at noon on March 14, and of course reports can leak out a bit prior to that. The cuts often happen around then, too.
Steeler1974
2:19
Colbert says Rudolph in line to be Steelers QB if season started today. Would it not be prudent to do just that and build the rest of the team. Maybe even move back in the draft to accumulate more capital to move into the top ten next year?
Brian Batko
2:21
Maybe. You could argue that it really caps your ceiling for the 2022 season, and that every year you have the core of Watt-Heyward-Fitzpatrick is precious, but I get it. Some view Rudolph as a guy who won't help you win games, but it all depends whether the Steelers view him that way, and if they do, how eager are they to replace him? And that doesn't even factor in the Dwayne Haskins aspect and what they think of him.
Gene
2:22
What round do you think the Steelers draft a WR? I think we need one that gets separation and is a downfield threat.
Brian Batko
2:24
I'll say 7th round. I know, that sounds low, but Kevin Colbert said today that he thinks the WR position is deep in this draft. Makes me think they won't reach for one when they could also use help at QB, OL(x2?), DT, OLB, ILB, CB and S.
Jay_in_Indy
2:25
Hello Brian.  Around the time that Troy Polamalu was being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Minkah Fitzpatrick was interviewed and seemed to be intrigued with the idea of Troy Polamalu being a rover in the Steers defense.  Considering that roaming free is more possible at the Strong Safety position, do you think that Minkah or the Steelers are or would consider moving Minkah into the Strong Safety position or should they continue keeping him at Free Safety?  He does lead the team in tackles which indicates to me that he is capable of handling it.  He seems to be knowledgeable enough to me to fill a similar role that Troy employed at Strong Safety.  I also think the current coaches trust Minkah's decision making.  I think he would enjoy the freedom and keep opposing offenses guessing.  Is this a viable option?  What are your thoughts around this idea?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:27
Minkah Fitzpatrick may have mentioned that, I don't specifically remember, but he has said many more times that he likes playing deep safety and if it's not broke, why try to fix it. That hasn't always been the same line of thinking from the coaches, who have told us they want to move him around so they can make sure he's getting chances to make plays on the ball, but it's a balancing act. He's really good at being a center fielder back there thanks to his anticipation and athleticism.
Utah Ken
2:27
Is there any realistic chance at Malik at 20? Not quite NFL ready but Mason could play himself into a contract elsewhere after the year and Malik could develop.
Brian Batko
2:28
Yeah I think there's a chance Malik Willis makes it to 20. Wouldn't say it's likely, but you never know in a draft like this where there's hardly a consensus on the QB class. And if he's there, I'd be very intrigued if I were the Steelers. His mobility probably gives him the highest ceiling of any QB this year.
Brian in Va
2:29
Shouldn’t Juan Howard have been fired by now?  Seems to me that when a coach punches another coach during a collegiate sporting event he should be terminated on the spot.
Brian Batko
2:30
Juwan Howard should receive a hefty suspension/fine, but not quite sure losing his cool that way rises to a fireable offense. Maybe whatever Juan Howard did was even worse.
John Y
2:31
Hi Brian do you think with Minkah Fitzpatrick will still Re-sign With the Steelers given his history with Brian Flores
Brian Batko
2:32
Yeah, things might be a little awkward but certainly not enough to prevent Fitzpatrick from being here long-term.
TheCorzich
2:33
I havent seen any mock drafts that see us addressing Center, but assuming we move Kendrick Green, what do you think of drafting Linderbaum?
Brian Batko
2:34
Tyler Linderbaum looks legit to me. Would almost certainly be an upgrade at center over Kendrick Green, who's still learning the position. But we can't just assume Green can move to guard, let alone will. So, that's something the Steelers will need to decide through their self-evaluation. Is Green overmatched at C? Can he be better at G? And, if the answer to both is yes, is a new center worth a first-round pick in an offseason with so many other needs?
artie bridge
2:36
Brian, Here's a scenario I haven't seen discussed.  Let's say none of the players available at selection #20 strike the Steelers as "must haves".  How about trading down 5-6-7 spots?  I would think such a move would net a third round and possibly a fifth or sixth round pick.  Given how many needs the team faces, expanding the draft capital seems critical.  Your take?
Brian Batko
2:38
In a vacuum, I don't have a problem with that. But Colbert was asked about trading down last year and he didn't seem too keen on it, unless he's absolutely sure a guy they love will be there at the next spot, and obviously that's difficult to bank on. These guys do so much rigorous scouting and in-depth analysis of the prospects that it's different than you or me sitting here on a mock draft machine saying "well I like these top seven guys, let me trade down to 26 and pick up another pick." For the Steelers, with jobs and careers on the line, they're trying to make sure they nail it with a pick as high as No. 20.
Big Jim
2:40
name one free agent from another team that you think the Steelers should go “all in” on signing?
Brian Batko
2:42
This Melvin Ingram guy from the Chiefs looks like he'd be a great veteran to slot in as the No. 3 outside linebacker
AK
2:42
What is your prioritized list of Steelers needs?
Brian Batko
2:44
QB, OG, OT, DT, SS, CB, WR, C, ILB, OLB, P
Pistol
2:44
Do you really think mobility trumps all of the other traits needed to play the QB position? Willis is miles away from being able to play in a meaningful game. I know he has tools but accuracy and processing are not those. Is Pickett or Howell that far away from him ?
Brian Batko
2:47
No, I just said it gives him the highest ceiling in this QB class, so to me that mobility separates Willis from the others *in that sense*. Accuracy and reading defenses were also the knocks on another smaller-school guy with some tantalizing physical gifts recently, but Josh Allen is looking like he'll be just fine.
Bob in TN
2:48
Do you see much of a chance for Haywards brother to be drafted by the Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:49
Yeah I think there's a chance, but more because of how much the Steelers love Cam and his makeup than any sort of fit. In fact, I actually think the presence of Derek Watt probably renders Connor Heyward's skill set a bit redundant, but hey, there's always room for one or two special teams aces. Any help he could provide offensively would be a bonus, and he'd certainly come much cheaper than Watt, so perhaps there's a chance he replaces another brother of a Steelers All-Pro.
ev
2:50
I see the Steelers bringing in FA for OL and drafting DL very high, if not overall number one.  Their retooling should be centered on  younger DL.
Brian Batko
2:51
I could see that, ev. But they definitely need to address the OL. They need a minimum of one, but maybe even three new starters. Getting younger on the D-line is a good call, but Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley had solid seasons, and even Isaiahh Loudermilk showed some flashes. But I hear you, a hulking D-tackle like Jordan Davis would be tough to pass up.
Turk in MD
2:52
Hi Brian. The Flores hiring is such a great move.  This organization never gets caught up in the headlines or hype.  They don’t follow.  They lead.  That doesn’t absolve them of mistakes they made over the past few seasons, but I think their leadership (owner, front office, and coaches) is far stronger then they get credit for.    Thoughts?
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