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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.01.21
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Skepik
2:30
The Steelers have spent at least the past two years saying MR is the heir to Ben. Don’t they look like fools if they draft a QB now?
Brian Batko
2:31
No. Because first of all, I don't believe they've ever made the grand proclamation that Mason is the successor. That's something fans and media do more than the actual decision-makers who have to be careful with what they say. Speaking of which, that brings me to my other point: take those public comments with a grain of salt. If only because it would make no sense, and actually be quite stupid, to openly harpoon a player's value by saying you don't think he has what it takes to be a starter.
Kevin
2:32
What's your sense of Ben's situation - a restructure with voidable years and he plays one more season or is the team actually willing to do a restructure adding new money  with Ben playing  three more years ?   I'm worried they may go that direction.  Thanks
Brian Batko
2:33
I think it's more the former. And maybe these last couple weeks of wishy washy remarks are a sign that the Steelers are trying to grease the wheels for that departure. Most likely scenario to me is a contract that looks a lot like Drew Brees' from this time a year ago, "dummy years" at the end of the deal.
2:34
Quick intermission, folks.
Tony P
2:48
Hey Brian; I just saw the news that JJ Watt signed with the Arizona Cardinals for two years at $31 million dollars. I knew that the Steelers could not sign him due to some salary cap issues they have and there were stories that he would sign with Cleveland, Green Bay, Buffalo and if he wanted to get a Super Bowl ring, Tampa Bay.
I forgot to add this: Besides the available cap space that the Arizona Cardinals have, what else could they offer that would have made JJ sign with them?
Brian Batko
2:49
OK I'm back. Apologies for the pause; I'm sure you'll all be refunded. As for JJ Watt to Arizona, it would seem from the outside that he ultimately wanted to be paid what he's worth, and I can't fault a guy for that. Plus it's not like the Cardinals are a moribund franchise. They nearly made the playoffs and have a dynamic young QB in Kyler Murray, not to mention another ex-Texan in DeAndre Hopkins. Watt might feel they have a very high ceiling.
AK
2:50
No, I don’t want to see the Steelers draft Trask.  He’s just another University of Florida QB who will be a mediocre pro.
I hope they don’t draft Mac Jones either.  Another backip.
Boiler G Dog
2:51
Does getting Kevin Dotson in the 4th round last year change the Steelers’ brass thinking on RB vs OL at #24? I’m thinking if Etienne or Harris is still there, they go RB. We can get good OL in rounds 2-5. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:53
I don't really think that specific pick is much of a factor in the decision, but it is another example of how you can find linemen in the middle-to-late rounds, especially interior linemen. Of course, the same can be said of running backs when you look at recent undrafted success stories like James Robinson and Raheem Mostert.
Guest
2:54
No BS, what are your feelings on the Steelers in 21 with the same front office with Ben staying on and a depleted receiver and defense due to FA?
Brian Batko
2:54
My feelings are that they'll probably be decent but not great. And that the floor is lower than the ceiling is high.
Lenny from NY
2:55
Good afternoon Brian. What are your thoughts on bringing Beachum back for the OL. It can give us another position pick that we need. Thanks
Brian Batko
2:55
He's versatile, knows the terrain here and likely won't cost too much. Also just a great guy overall, from everything you hear/read. Can't hurt to have someone like that in a locker room that will be getting younger.
Ben
2:56
Hey Brian - no question, just a comment, thanks for the chats! if Roethlisberger is willing to run play action pass and hand the ball off, there was really no reason to jettison him to retirement. He’s still good enough to maybe do something special, you just don’t want him coaching the team. The chiefs knew what they had in Mahomes from a year of practice, you can reasonably assume that the Steelers know what they have in Rudolph. They are going to have to draft a QB to replace roethlisberger one way or the other. I’ll take a season with an old SB winning QB who may still have one great moment left in him over a lost year that still isn’t likely to get you a top 10 pick. BTW, look around, how many of the last SB winning QBs were top 10 picks?
Brian Batko
2:58
Well, Mahomes was 10th overall. And before that, it seemed like some guy named Tom Brady who was a sixth-round pick won every Super Bowl. I'm just not counting on that happening again anytime soon.
Rudy
2:58
Looking at our schedule next year, I find it difficult to believe we will have a winning season let alone go deep into the playoffs.  What does Steeler Mgmt see or know that the fan on the outside looking in does not see in bringing back Ben?  I hope I am wrong and they are right that we will be contenders this season.
Brian Batko
2:59
I definitely think they see and know more than me, that's for sure. But that doesn't mean I always to agree with what they do. Anyway, I think they see a guy who has been the answer for a long, long time, and it's hard to move on from that. I get it.
Alan
2:59
What’s your sense of what the Steeler will do at Center? Free agency or the draft? And any names to keep an eye on?
Brian Batko
3:00
Seems like one of those positions where they might do both. Think Barron-Bush, Moncrief-Johnson and Nelson-Layne from two years ago, or Wisniewski-Dotson last year. A promising draft pick and a veteran who can bridge the gap in case he's not ready.
Latrobe Mike
3:00
Do you remember when Lawrence Timmons puked on the field in the middle of a game?  Did the grounds crew ever clean that up?  I don't remember players playing away from that thing the rest of the game.  Could they have just played in that slop?  Is that common?
Brian Batko
3:01
OK, and with that, I think we're gonna call it a chat. I do vaguely remember that, Mike. Hope all is well out there in Latrobe. Ray Fittipaldo will be back tomorrow to talk some more, and of course you can always find my Steelers mailbags Thursday on post-gazette.com. Happy trails.
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