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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.16.20
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Brian Batko
12:47
Nope. The previously outspoken Maurkice Pouncey has been mum for about a week now on social media. Same for player rep Ramon Foster, actually. Zach Banner did fire off this tweet yesterday: "It’s crazy to me that Retired Players are really causing drama about something they’ve had ample time to get involved. Y’all have Ex-Player reps at meetings, talk to them... Not Twitter

It’s an US thing, but don’t make it a YOU thing, especially if you’ve never been to a meeting"
Jud
12:47
Is the PG going to hunker down or limit your traveling?  Obviously the NFL schedule may play a significant part.  What have they told you so far?
Brian Batko
12:49
We don't do much traveling this time of year anyway. Gerry Dulac was set to go to Florida for the owners meetings, but those were canceled by the league. None of us were heading to Vegas for the draft despite my pleas.
Mr Medium Chest
12:49
I live in NYC and it seems we are heading towards mandatory lockdown. Can we do daily chats? All jokes aside be well 🙏
Brian Batko
12:51
Hey, we pretty much already do! Ray Fittipaldo will be here as usual tomorrow, and I'm sure you'll see Gerry and probably Paul Zeise throughout the rest of the week. And that's just the Steelers-related chat schedule. Thanks for your loyal participation, Medium Chest.
Paul
12:52
What effect will the extra playoff team have on the Post season? Will it be more interesting or will it dilute the process of the extended regular season?
Brian Batko
12:53
I didn't need to see another team in the postseason, or another regular-season game, but I don't mind it. Diluting the teams that make the field isn't a major concern in my eyes, not with how much parity there is in the NFL. Who'd have thought the Titans would be as much of a factor as they were last season?
Tag me
12:53
If the Coronavirus clears stadiums this season will they play online like a version Madden?
Brian Batko
12:54
It's hard to fathom no NFL season. If there isn't, I think that'll mean our country has much bigger issues with COVID-19. By then, yeah, you could probably sign me up to watch some video game football.
Eddie
12:55
Do you think the Coronavirus could have any effect on free agency.  There may not even be a season.
Brian Batko
12:55
Doesn't seem like it. Teams are still going to spend. Browns are reportedly closing in on a deal to make Austin Hooper the highest-paid tight end in the league. Who saw that coming this time a year ago? Nice player, but not a move that particularly scares me if I'm the Steelers defense.
Titan in Charlotte
12:56
Brian, Not a good time to be a Dayton basketball fan. Please tell me Barron will not be cut. Depth is a key piece to an NFL team and the Steelers defense has very little at any position.
Brian Batko
12:58
I feel for the Flyers fans out there who didn't get to see this season through. But on the other hand, there are about a hundred teams out there who can claim this would've been their year! Mark Barron figures to be among the toughest decisions for this front office. I didn't love the signing based on his play early in the season, but he grew on me as the year went on. You can kind of tell from his back-loaded two-year deal that the Steelers might not have been completely sold on how he'd fit in the defense.
Alan in Nashville
12:59
Hi Brian. With major logistical changes coming for the draft, how about this. Put all 300 draft candidates and all 32 head coaches or GM’s into separate rooms in a hotel. Like the HOF selections, the GM or coach (coach would be more interesting) goes to the door of each player picked to select them. This way you limit interactions but you can televise each pick. And we can all sit at home and drink beer and eat Doritos and watch. What do you think? (I know it’s not going to happen but it might be fun TV)
Brian Batko
1:01
Nice to see everyone's holding up OK in this no-sports universe. But as I expected, we still had plenty of questions in a lively Steelers chat to kick off the week. If I couldn't get to yours, my deepest apologies and sympathies. Maybe you'll see yourself pop up in a mailbag soon.

Also, breaking news: Mark Barron has been released. Steelers just announced. Now I really have to skedaddle.
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