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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.18.24
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DangeRUSS
2:42
What other moves do you expect to be made soon or before the draft ?
Brian Batko
2:43
Still believe they'll sign a starter-capable center and add a slot cornerback. Probably add a tackle, too, preferably a swing option.
Sakj
2:45
Do you see Smith using Fields in some goal line packages to keep defense guessing.
Brian Batko
2:45
Why not? Would also be a good way to keep a former starter engaged in a backup role in addition to presenting an X's and O's challenge to the defense.
Beer_baron
2:45
Do you think the Steelers knew (or should have known) about Kenny’s bad attitude?  Are they surprised how it all went down, or did they always know it was a risk?
Brian Batko
2:48
I'll start by saying I'm not entirely on board with stipulating Pickett having a bad attitude. The optics aren't good here though, that's for sure. As for the Steelers, we have every reason to believe this caught them by surprise. They gushed about his intangibles when drafting him, throughout his time here and then even at the end of last season, Tomlin praised his competitive nat ure.
Steve Strenslaw
2:49
Brian I’m sure you, Ray, and Gerry are all nice fellas, but the way you all reported the Steelers off-season quarterback situation was awful. You all had the Steelers firmly going into camp with Pickett as the starter, maybe Ryan Tanneyhill as a veteran backup, and possibly Rudolph hanging around, and of course we all know what we have now. You all really don’t have any insight into what the Steelers brass is thinking. How can we put any weight on anything you report in the future
Brian Batko
2:51
Not sure if you expect us to read their minds or what, Steve. Things change, their plans change, their moves change. The Russell Wilson-to-Pittsburgh move? I'd say very few were calling that one, other than maybe Peter King and Chad Ochocinco, though I wrote in the mailbag about his connection to Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull when others were saying he'd never want to come here. Pickett's reaction to that was rather difficult to envision, by us or anyone.
Coach15
2:53
Where do the Steelers APPROXIMATELY stand with their salary cap, & if they are in respectable shape, would they go looking for a WR, Mike Williams, Tyler Boyd, Hunter Refro--seems like they're ""AWFUL"" thin & inexperienced at that position, for a team that gets MUCH publicity for their WR acquisitions--& do they have any YOUNGSTERS from the practice squad, that have potential?
Brian Batko
2:55
Having your QB room account for just $4.4 million on the cap gives you a ton of flexibility that other teams just don't have. Obviously, some of that is offset by the high salaries paid to guys on defense, but still. I'm all for making George Pickens the clear-cut No. 1 receiver. That might keep him happy and also clearly define the roles within your offense. And I've written before that yes, there is promise in the practice squad ranks from Dez Fitzpatrick and Denzel Mims.
Carl in Carrick
2:55
Hi Brian.  Getting Wilson and Fields is unbelievable, but I think people are forgetting about the current shortage of receivers.  What’s the latest on Tyler Boyd?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:57
Not sure. He's taking his time, clearly. Probably weighing the finances, of course. But he's also someone who loves winning and hates losing, so I assume that's a factor. And he's from here, family lives here still, so how do you not account for that, as well. Lastly, what will his role be in a given offense? He's a bit of a unique personality - no filter on Tyler Boyd - but could be an asset anywhere.
Bill
2:57
I watched a replay of the Bears and Lions where Fields looked great and I am hoping that the Steelers will use him and not let him sit on the bench. I know most teams don't like to switch qbs in and out of the game but he is too good not to be used like that.
Brian Batko
2:59
I highly doubt they'll muddy the waters like that for Russell Wilson and cause a distraction for the team, but you make a good point that Fields seemed to be at his best down the stretch for the Bears, the last month or so, including that Lions game. I'm gonna chat with a Bears beat writer tomorrow morning on Chipped Ham & Football, so be on the lookout for that.
Steeler MD
2:59
How do you thing the Steelers record would have played out if they would have never brought Mitch in, or started Pickett as a rookie and simply plugged Rudolph in at QB when Ben stepped down? I'm thinking the record would have been about the same...and now that we have Wilson and Fields, which do you believe will be a Steeler longer?
Brian Batko
3:01
OK we'll finish with a hypothetical and a prediction. I like that. Had Pickett or Rudolph started from game one, I guess they add maybe two more wins to their total, so let's say 11-6 instead of 9-8. As for Wilson or Fields, who lasts longer? I'm going Fields.
3:02
And with that I've got to move on to some other work. Thanks for joining for the first post-Steelers mayhem chat. Ray Fittipaldo will have his insights tomorrow.
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