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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.24.20
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Dennis
12:43
I’m vacationing in Fla and get no news on Steelers.  Is duck Hodges back to delivering Mail
Brian Batko
12:43
Be nice, Dennis.
Watson
12:43
Will the Steelers draft a RB in the 3rd round or wait to the later rounds.
Brian Batko
12:44
Well Watson, they technically don't have a third round pick yet. But assuming they get one as a compensatory selection, I still think they'd be better off grabbing other positions. Tight end, OL, WR and maybe even a defensive depth spot or two is more of a need than RB to me.
Steeler in Virginia
12:45
A lot of talk about the Steelers going WR in the second round due to depth. But do you really need Juju, Diontae, Washington and a second rounder? Or is the ship close to sailing on Washington?
Brian Batko
12:46
No, I wouldn't say that about James Washington. He took a step forward last year. Not a leap, but a step. Needs to take another one in 2020 with only two years left on his rookie deal.
Brian in CA
12:46
Hoping that Pitt improves through the draft, but they only have 1 pick in the first 100 and the other teams have 3 on average.  Isn’t the rest of the league going to get a lot more help and Steelers will be at the bottom in this regard?
Brian Batko
12:47
Sure, but the Steelers believe they have more help returning than a lot of those teams, too. Right now, in late February, I'd say I don't expect a ton of rookies to contribute to this team in 2020. Not as many as this past season.
livinthedream
12:48
Brian, Very concerned the steelers are going to move in the wrong direction on D. With Heyward, Hargraves and Tuitt they have one of the best front seven and with TJ one of the best edge rushers. I think they would be better off signing Hargraves (under 10 mil) and start using their base package. Instead they are going top pay Bud apx 17 mil and allow their front to get weaker. This in a league that is moving back to power running. I vote for a real 3-4.......not a 2-4-5. What say you?
Brian Batko
12:50
So you'd rather spend maybe a little less on Javon Hargrave and let Bud Dupree walk? That's risky given the gap between how much those guys played on defense last year. I see your point on the trend of running games, though. But Bud is good against the run, too.
Zeusdog
12:51
Hi Brian.  How optimistic should we be about Big Ben skipping throwing a tennis ball and going right to the football? I seem to remember that Bradshaw rushed his recovery and we know how that went.
Brian Batko
12:52
I'm quite certain the medical team he's assembled wouldn't rush him past that step if they didn't think it was safe to do.
Hi
12:52
Hi Brian, most of the talk surrounding Conner is that he won't be offered 2nd contract.  However, if Conner has a great year (stays healthy, over 1000 rushing yards, Pro Bowler, etc.), does he get that 2nd contract?  Or is he gone no matter what due to his injury history?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:53
He'll still be gone, I think, to a bigger pay day than the Steelers would be willing to give him. That's often how it goes with running backs anymore because it's the financially prudent thing to do, unless you're in the elite of the elite like a Zeke Elliott or Todd Gurley, and even those deals aren't exactly looking great right now.
double stuff
12:53
Looks like Ben has put down the Snickers bars and looked good throwing, so far. There may be a Super Bowl on the horizon after all!!
Brian Batko
12:53
How do you know he likes Snickers?
Georgia Steeler
12:54
Will duck be on the roster at the beginning of camp ?
Brian Batko
12:54
As promised, I asked Gerry this one: "Depends on Ben's health. But no."
Bats for Prez
12:55
A drive with Gerry, huh.  What's the over under on the number of times he tell you - don't make me come back there!
Brian Batko
12:55
Hey man, I'm in the passenger seat. Big upgrade for me with no Ray Fittipaldo on this trip.
NC Steel
12:55
Brian, Did you see that brief video of Ben throwing the ball? No comment on his motion or technique, but his physique looks 20-25 lbs heavier than when he was injured. This cannot bode well for his recovery which must include regaining his mobility and agility and timing. Comments?
Brian Batko
12:56
Again, I'm not too good at looking at someone and guessing their weight, especially on photo/video. Might want to ask one of those folks from Kennywood who will also guess your age.
Chaz
12:56
Is ILB an under the radar area of need? After Bush they have Williams and Barron. They don't seem comfortable with Williams on the field in an every-down role, and it looks like Barron will be cut. For a team that plays 4 LB's, it seems they need another one.
Brian Batko
12:58
It MIGHT be, if they really want to try to find another younger, hybrid type of every-down player to pair with Devin Bush. But they could also decide to tweak some things schematically and play more sub-package stuff, bringing in a dime linebacker kind of guy.
Hi
12:58
Hi Brian, since Gerry is with you right now.  He feels Steelers should draft RB as long as he's #1 every down back.  What say you?  Or do you think Steelers should draft RB even for depth purposes?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:59
I agree with Gerry that you definitely don't want to reach for one, and with the big names who elected to return to school, I'd be more willing to wait until next year anyway to find that true No. 1.
John D
12:59
The XFL uses a Sky Judge and no coach’s challenges. At the LA game yesterday, the Sky Judge was used quite a bit. It is my opinion that this made the game move quicker and eliminated a lot of controversy having someone make the decisions at the stadium. Someone who is only focusing on the game at hand. Your thought on Sky Judges for the NFL?
Brian Batko
1:00
But don't you think there might be a conflict of interest between the Sky Judge and new Giants coach Joe Judge?

And with that, I'll leave you all to the rest of your Monday afternoon. Time to eat my snacks that I put off until the end of the chat. Thanks for participating and be sure to follow our combine coverage all week on post-gazette.com.
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