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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.16.20
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Brian Batko
12:00
Well, a lot has changed since last we chatted. The world stopped turning, but the NFL show goes on. New CBA, start of free agency, plus the draft. Should be no shortage of topics today.
marty v
12:01
Up until last year, the backup QB positions were irrelevant. Now, they may be one of the most important positions on the team.  How confident are you (and the Steelers coaches) with Rudolph, Hodges, and Lynch?  And do you think they will try to get an experienced backup with FA?
Brian Batko
12:02
I'm not sure I'd say they were "irrelevant," but certainly there was less of a belief that the Steelers could realistically compete in light of an injury to Ben Roethlisberger. Now, with this defense taking shape, that's not so much the case. It would seem the Steelers are more confident in that trio than I am, but I also probably wouldn't make a move there this offseason if I had the power to. Just don't think it would be a wise investment as opposed to other areas.
Steelers2020
12:03
Brian, in reference to the cap, the Steelers are in the red. Who do you envisioned getting cut today? Who gets restructured?
Brian Batko
12:05
Well, Anthony Chickillo is already gone. That was the easiest call to make. But I also expect Ramon Foster to be released and potentially another cap casualty among Mark Barron, Vance McDonald, maybe even Al Villanueva. Cam Heyward is a prime candidate to be restructured.
Guest
12:07
Any chance with Melvin Gordon? How good would he look in a Steelers uniform?
Brian Batko
12:08
No way. He'd look great as a Steeler, sure, but there's no way they'd want to pay a RB what he'll eventually get. Nor should they.
San Diego Steeler Fan
12:08
I asked this before, Ross Dwelly George Kittle's back up in S.F.
Brian Batko
12:09
Sorry but he doesn't do much for me. But he's a San Diego alum, so I can see why you might be on board.
Guest
12:10
Do you think all 3 resticted free agents will be tendered?
Brian Batko
12:11
I assume you mean the big three in Matt Feiler, Mike Hilton and Zach Banner. To me, you almost have to bring back Feiler and Hilton given the way they've produced for you on the field. Banner could go either way. He's a really nice story, but ultimately, the Steelers didn't trust him enough to start against the Rams last season when Ramon Foster was out. They actually activated Chuks Okorafor and put him at right tackle.
Ryan
12:13
Good afternoon Brian Any news on what is going to happen before Wednesday and will Tuitt be back for organized team activities and training camp
Brian Batko
12:14
At this point, who knows if anyone will be back for OTAs? Given COVID-19 precautions, there could certainly be changes to the NFL offseason calendar beyond the draft. As for Tuitt, I don't see why he wouldn't be ready in time for camp.
AK
12:15
Could you see the Steelers not tendering Banner and drafting an OT instead?
Brian Batko
12:15
Sure
Turk in MD
12:16
Hi Brian.  TE has to be our biggest need.  RB or WR has/can be handled by committee.  Chucks & Banner are potential OL talent, even if Finney moves on.  TE is a seriously thin position on the current roster. Thoughts?  All the best to you and your loved ones.
Brian Batko
12:18
Thanks Turk, you as well. I'm pretty much with you on this corner. Others are, too, but they don't necessarily like this tight end draft class. Personally, I don't hate it. Plus, it might be the ONLY realistic way to upgrade that position with young talent given the dearth of options on the free-agent market.
fLORIDA STEELERS
12:18
Hi Brian,  I'm not sold on franchise tag for Dupree but what do you think?
Brian Batko
12:20
I used to be in that camp, but the more we saw Bud produce in 2019 - in all sorts of situations - the more it made sense to me. The Steelers might have something special right now in this defense. You could argue they already did last year. I'm sure their thinking is "don't mess this up." Letting a double-digit sack guy go with no clear replacement would be its own kind of risk.
Riddler
12:20
Hey Brian, Every mock draft I read about the steelers has so many conflicting opinions about the best player to take at #49. I know the Steelers need to plug some holes at certain positions but, to me, the running back position is the one that stands out to me as most critical. And, with this being a receiver deep draft and with some good edge rushers coming off the board early, I believe a really good running back is going to be available when the Steelers do get a pick at 49. Why do the most recent mock drafts not reflect this urgency or need?  I see TE, OLB, WR...but never mention of a running back. The Steelers always use to have a mantra that dictated their draft strategy "best player available"...if they stick to this then clearly a RB should be their first pick in the draft. What say you?
Brian Batko
12:23
Dear Riddler, I can assure you you aren't alone in your wish for a running back. Joe Starkey, for one, agrees with you. But the whole "best available" idea never TRULY means best available. It has to be BPA within reason. I'm a believer in the current backfield, relatively speaking, to look a lot better with the return of Roethlisberger, an improved O-line, etc. That's why I'm not in the "draft a running back" camp. Receiver, on the other hand, could be quite tempting based on the high-end talent that might still be there at 49.
AA
12:24
With the cuts they have to make, it sure seems like the Steelers won’t be able to sign any external free agents, agreed?
Brian Batko
12:24
I wouldn't say they can't/won't sign ANY, but yeah, don't expect to see three starter-type additions like last year in Mark Barron, Donte Moncrief and Steve Nelson.
Mick
12:26
Hello Brian. How do you think the Steelers will address the punting position this off-season?
Brian Batko
12:28
Hi there, Mick. I think the time is right to move on from Jordan Berry. He's about to have his highest cap hit yet as a Steeler. Just bring in a rookie or a guy who hasn't quite gotten a fair shake yet in the NFL and save yourself a little bit of cash at that spot.
Tomlin's Heroes
12:28
Hey Brian, with ATL moving on from Freeman, could that be a Steelers type signing to solidify running game?
Brian Batko
12:30
Nah, that's a stay-away. Devonta Freeman's a nice player but Atlanta released him for a reason. He just turned 28, he missed all but two games in 2018 and just wasn't worth what they'd have been paying him in 2020. Again, I have the backfield fairly low on my priority list for this offseason.
Fredward
12:31
Do you think all of these COVID-19 concerns and the lack of travel by scouts will eliminate a lot of the later leg work for players and trips, and put more emphasis on the film study and earlier interviews?
Brian Batko
12:32
Yeah, I'd imagine it would have to. I saw a tweet today that said players who weren't at the combine are looking less and less likely to be drafted. That may be, but hey, teams can still do their due diligence on combine snubs by watching last year's tape, conducting phone interviews, etc. Lack of pro days isn't ideal, but these teams are doing their draft scouting all year long. This time of the calendar is just the home stretch, and if anything, this unorthodox process might be less of a disadvantage for a franchise like the Steelers with so much front office continuity.
AA
12:33
They can not sign Canaday and use the 2nd round pick on a long snapper (KIDDING)
Brian Batko
12:33
Only if that snapper is the best player available
River Rat
12:34
Watt & Hayward extensions this season.  But I understand that the salary cap is going to increase substantially in 2021.  If correct, is that the time Steelers may be able to add Bud Dupree to long term contract?  Or are there just too many other players up in that year?
Brian Batko
12:37
The idea of signing Bud long-term is nice, but I just think it's never going to be feasible to commit that much of your cap to two edge-rushers once T.J. Watt gets his deal done. The Packers currently have the highest-paid duo in Za'Darius Smith (16.5m/year) and Preston Smith (13m/year)
Nightrain42
12:38
Marquette King?
Brian Batko
12:40
Would probably be the most INTERESTING free-agent punter the Steelers could look at https://theundefeated.com/features/nfl-oakland-raiders-marquette-king-...
Hines868686
12:41
I have a question about the latest Patriot taping scandal.  I have read that the person who was doing the taping was not part of the Patriots football operations...can you explain what this means?  Also, can this make a difference??
Brian Batko
12:43
Teams have videographers who work for the "football side" of the organization, and others who work for the in-house media side. The former are taping practices, cutting up film, etc. The latter are producing content seen by the public, doing interviews with players, etc. This can without a doubt make a difference, considering putting someone from your football operation on an opposing sideline would be much more suspicious.
Oregon is Steelers Country
12:43
Hey Brian, how are you sittin on TP ?
Brian Batko
12:44
We're all set, thanks for asking. Stocked up on the stuff when our baby was born two months ago. Toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, wipes, we got it all.
Peter
12:45
Have you heard any comments from the Steelers regarding the narrow passing of the CBA?
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