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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.08.21
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Brian Batko
1:54
Sun is shining, weather's warming up and the kids are playing in the street. Meanwhile, I'm here chatting with you. Good things come to those who wait, but also the early bird gets the worm, so let's kick things off.
Baghdad_Ben
1:55
We hear alot about Pouncey’s leadership yet there were plenty of shenanigans during his time. I never heard that he lowered the boom on the bad actors. Was that leadership really there?  Not a hater, just trying to figure it out.
Brian Batko
1:56
Yes, it was there. Probably more on a daily basis than a "remember that time Pouncey put [blank] in his place in front of everyone?" kind of basis. He was especially significant to the younger linemen, many of whom looked up to him on and off the field.
Dave
1:57
Brian,  I know that Ben’s cap numbers are $25,910,000 for 2021 and $10,340,000 for 2022 but I don’t understand the “voidable” amounts of $2,585,000 for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.  Please explain.  Thank you.
Brian Batko
1:59
Hey, Dave, I wasn't a math major. But as I understand it, those void years are just a formality that add up to the $10.34 million cap hit in 2022. It is essentially a one-year deal, but you have to do some paperwork gymnastics and spread it out over those four extra years to lessen the cap hit.
Javi
2:00
Hello Bats. With Rooney stating publicly that he believes this team with Ben can still make run for chip will Tomlin be on any hot seat at all? With schedule at least on paper being really tough I wouldnt be stunned if we fell short to make playoffs. Will Tomlins seat be hot at all with if we fail to reach playoffs given Rooneys statement.?
Brian Batko
2:01
Mike Tomlin doesn't deal in hypotheticals, but I don't have a personal policy against it. So in this case, if the Steelers miss the playoffs in 2021, without knowing what all went into that, I would say yes, his job security would take a hit. How could it not? That'd be three missed postseason in four years, and hitting that benchmark is now easier than ever given the extra team in each conference.
Jeff
2:03
Thanks for the chats B.  Cap question.  Assume the cap is 190k, do they need to put aside x amount for those that get drafted?
Brian Batko
2:04
Yes, teams still have to be able to sign their draft picks, but it's not quite that simple because those players (and their salaries) also will displace end-of-the-roster guys who are currently being factored into what the NFL refers to as the "rule of 51" - only the top 51 earners count toward the cap.
Polovtsian Dance #2 by Borodin
2:06
Brian, watched rebroadcast of the Steeler vs Colts last week, their last win... came away with 2 strong beliefs: 1.) They should resign Hilton. He gets almost as many Ints as our "All Pro" safety & Mike actually tackles. 2.) The immaturity issue with Claypool is greater than pregame hijinks. Late in the game he chased a Colts rec., actually onto the field, mouth agape, 2 handed finger gunning at the players head/face, after the opponent dropped a pass. It should have been flagged. One of the most childish & cringeworthy things that I've ever seen from a Steeler!
Brian Batko
2:08
Mike Hilton is very good at what he does. But in the grand scheme of things, I do think you can replace his skill set more than you can, say, an outside corner or safety. As for Claypool, yes, he has some growing up to do. So do most rookies. I don't get the sense that he was a distraction in terms of wanting more targets, confronting teammates/coaches, etc. But he might need to rein it in a bit when it comes to some of the on- and off-field look-at-me stuff.
Philoopos
2:09
after reviewing several of the mock drafts by the experts, I noticed that many of the Pitt players have dropped significantly. Which if any and what round do you see the Steelers picking any of them? Thanks
Brian Batko
2:10
I've noticed that myself. Jaylen Twyman doesn't seem to have helped himself by opting out of the season, though I certainly respect his decision to do so. Patrick Jones isn't getting quite the bump that was expected for him preseason. And I'd say the same goes for Paris Ford. As for which might fit the Steelers, and when, I'm going to defer to the North Shore Drive podcast on that. Sometime before the draft, so either this month or next, I'm going to sit down with Johnny McGonigal to discuss the Pitt prospects vis a vis their NFL utility, so look out for that.
Lambert
2:12
Do you think that it is possible that the Steelers try to sign Mason to 2 or 3 year contract extension during training camp??
Brian Batko
2:13
Yes, it's possible. That would be their biggest display of confidence in him to date, I think.
IsItJustMe?
2:13
As it seems, this organization continues to make steady, but smart moves. So many fans are clamoring for the team to draft a QB. Yet, if you told them you could have a highly rated 1st round QB at a minimum salary, would you take it? They did that with Haskins. It just shows they continue to buy low when they can and sometimes, it might work. Might not. But they still have future ammunition to take a shot if this doesn't work out.
Brian Batko
2:14
It's not just you. I've liked the Dwayne Haskins move since they made it. Lots of teams have had success with young QBs who sat and watched for a year, and while this isn't Haskins' first year, it's worth a shot.
AK
2:16
Do you think Mac Jones is overrated and is not a first round prospect?
Brian Batko
2:18
Not sure I'd call him overrated, because I do think he's worth a first-round pick. But I'm a little leery of his upside given that he always had a more talented supporting cast around him than the opposing team at Alabama. That won't be the case in the NFL. But for a team to fall in love with his cerebral approach and accuracy and intangibles and all that, I get it.
Yuri
2:18
Hello Brian.  Do you think the Steelers have any interest in signing B.J. Finney?  His familiarity with the Steelers’ system and his versatility could provide some offensive line depth.  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
2:20
I don't know that for sure, but it would make a lot of sense given their OL holes and penchant for bringing back guys who know the organization and vice versa. However, they are re-signing J.C. Hassenauer, who profiles as a fairly similar center/guard type best suited for backup duty. I won't say that closes the door on Finney, but not sure you need both.
Artie Bridge
2:22
I keep thinking that Connor's injuries and declining performance will prevent him attracting a big money fa offer.   If I'm right, do we bring him back in a secondary role?
Brian Batko
2:24
You're probably not wrong, but no, I don't see it. To me, both sides just need a fresh start. I kind of think the Steelers have a better chance of finding the right fit for their run game than Conner has at finding the right team for him to get back to his 2018 self.
Do I stay or do I Batko?
2:26
Bob Labriola of Steelers.com says Claypool has diva-like tendencies.  What are your thoughts about Claypool's attitude as the season progressed?
Brian Batko
2:27
As I said above, I think Claypool did get more confident, and with confidence usually comes a little ego. Did I see that? Yeah, somewhat. But do I see a diva in the making? Not really. I think Claypool is good and isn't shy to tell you he's good, but as long as that doesn't manifest in being a bad guy for the locker room, that's OK.
fredward
2:28
Do you see the Steelers extending Haden this year and maybe moving him to safety in a year or two if the team lets Edmunds go?
Brian Batko
2:28
Nah. Joe Haden's about to turn 32 next month, so I think if he plays beyond this year, it will be elsewhere. Rather move on from a veteran corner too early than too late.
Paul
2:29
Do people realize last year's dink & donk offense was actually to replace their putrid run game. Had nothing to do with Ben's arm?
Brian Batko
2:31
I do not agree, Paul. That might have been part of it, but there were certainly other factors. Now, if you want to say it was more about pass protection, or lack thereof, than Ben's arm? I think that's arguable. But also, maybe the run game is better, and has more advantageous looks from the defense, if the passing offense is more wide open. That's just me.
21-58-66
2:32
Brian - How do the Steelers evaluate potential free agents?  Game tape is out there but what do they do to gauge the other aspects of a player's profile that will not show on game tape?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:34
Probably talk to other people they knew around the league, go back to their interviews with said player coming out of college, things of that nature. Not to mention the usage of statistics and even advanced statistics. They have a couple "football analysts" in their front office, plus a boatload of measurables from players when they were draft prospects.
obxandy
2:34
Brian, Enjoy your chats and insights. Think Jags would trade #1 pick for TJ Watt and Steelers's first round picks in 2021 and 2022? If so, Steelers could choose Trevor Lawrence.
Brian Batko
2:35
Thanks, Andy. That's gonna be a no for me, but you can dream about it on the beach all day long.
Bill in SF
2:35
Did the Steelers consider B.J. Finney to be a good enough as a center to try to sign him now that he's been released?  Sounds like he could be had relatively cheap given what happened in Seattle and Cincinnati, but I don't recall how much effort the Steelers made to keep him the year he left a a F.A.
Brian Batko
2:37
Seattle way overpaid him at 2 years, $8 million, and it took no time at all for that to be proven out. I don't think the Steelers viewed him as a potential starter, but he definitely was helpful as a sixth-man type while he was here.
Nathan C.
2:37
Hey Brian, my understanding is that Tomlin has more say in the draft and free agency than most HCs.  Is this correct?  Or does Colbert have the final say in player personnel?
Brian Batko
2:38
I do think Tomlin might be more involved than most, but then again, he's been with the organization much longer than most. So, that comes with the territory. But, yes, I'd say the GM has final say in acquisitions, unless of course you count the team president. I've only been covering the team for a couple years, but I do get the sense it's a fairly collaborative effort across the board.
Joe Deeee
2:40
The clock is ticking, the recent moves have been helpful, but we're still stuck- are there rumors as to who else can or is considering a restructure?
Brian Batko
2:42
Logical candidates include Stephon Tuitt and Chris Boswell, since they have more than one year left on their respective deals.
Jud
2:43
Saw we picked up Hassenauer, so our focus is still OL or we have a bit more flexibility in adding in RB?
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