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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.23.20
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Brian Batko
12:01
What's up, quaranchatters? You could be ... well, pretty much nowhere in the world other than your house right now, but you're here with me, so I appreciate that.
Retire21
12:02
Does the Ebron signing mean they will use both he and Vance at the same time, is it insurance because both have injury history or will they dump the Egg McMuffin?
Brian Batko
12:04
McDonald's, you still have plenty of time to sponsor this chat. Anyway, I think signing Eric Ebron can signal a lot of things. Declining confidence in Vance McDonald, both in terms of his health or productivity. Or maybe a lack of faith in Zach Gentry's development. But, probably most conservatively, like you said, a renewed commitment to using two tight ends and having both of them actually be dangerous pass-catchers. Nick Vannett is a nice guy and was always helpful in the locker room, but clearly he wasn't much of a threat downfield. Ebron should be.
12:05
One idea I think we can safely rule out is bringing in a player of Ebron's caliber as "insurance."
marty v
12:05
With the addition of Watt, do you think the OC will incorporate the fullback into most of the running plays for this season blocking for Conner?
Brian Batko
12:07
"Most" is a long shot, but signing Derek Watt does tell me they intend on using a fullback more than they did with Roosevelt Nix last year (when healthy) and the season before. Art Rooney II and Kevin Colbert have been clear about needing to improve the running game, so they're leaving no stone unturned there ... pending what they do with the actual running backs themselves.
keith
12:07
After free agency the draft needs:  Wide receiver.  All other positions are for depth.  I can see 1st pick being on defense - a safety or cornerback
Brian Batko
12:09
You could argue any positions added will be for depth at this point. Even a wide receiver would come in here behind JuJu, James Washington and Diontae Johnson. But I still think that's the most likely target for the Steelers a month from now, mostly because that's where the best value will be, one would think. They don't need a cornerback, and on defense, inside linebacker is more of an issue than safety.
CoalportKid
12:10
If the season doesn't happen, will the players still be paid? Would that come from teams and/or insurance companies?
Brian Batko
12:10
Probably some of both, but as fluid as the situation has been, the latest rhetoric out of the White House regarding coronavirus makes me think the season will be played.
Tomlin's Heroes
12:11
What do you think of the Ebron signing.  Ladarius Green maybe, but possibly dangerous weapon.
Brian Batko
12:12
You're right, injury history is a bit of a concern, as are drops and blocking ability. Ray Fittipaldo and I discussed him at length on a podcast we just recorded, so keep an eye out for that a little later today wherever you get your podcasts or right here https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...
Jessica
12:13
Hi Brian, Sooner or Later the Brownies will get it right.. Yes I Know it's always the same with them but this time I think they Will Give a though fight in the División, they have a scary team top tô bottom This time.. Agree?
Brian Batko
12:14
Jessica, you're talking to a guy who thought the Browns had it right last year. Predicted them to win the division, even. I have the receipts right here, unfortunately. The Internet is forever: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/09/05/2019-NFL-predi...
Nitro
12:14
Hi Brian - Which in division team plugged the most holes to date?  Which FA signing will be most impactful in 20 season?
Brian Batko
12:16
That said, I do like what the Browns did once again. But there's a lot working against them in terms of hiring a new coaching staff and a new front office to deal with the already toxic situation there. The Ravens haven't done a ton, but did fortify their defensive line in the middle. Franchise tagging Matt Judon helps them a lot, too.
SOMD Panther
12:17
Assuming that all things are equal, and each position group has an equally rated "best available player" on the Kevin Colbert Big Board,  which position to do you see the Steelers targeting in the second round?
Brian Batko
12:19
Receiver, but not necessarily another possession-type guy between 5-10 and 6-1. Give me someone with some legitimate size to diversify this current group, or someone with blazing speed to make plays in space. Diontae Johnson is slippery, but not really the type to take the top off a defense or break a huge play.
Gino
12:19
Hey Brian...with the signing of Derek Watt and Mr. Rooney’s saying he wants the Steelers to emphasize the running game, do you think those factors increase the odds of a running back being drafted (assuming a quality back is available) at #49?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:20
Not really. I won't rule it out because of the possibility of one of the big 3 (Jonathan Taylor, D'Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins) dropping to the mid-second, but if I were running the show, I'd wait until next year to draft my running back of the future.
Nate
12:21
Hi Brian, appreciate the chats!  Would like to get your thoughts/reaction on each of external FA signings - Wisniewski, Ebron and Watt.  Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:22
No problem, Nate.
Wisniewski - new BJ Finney more than the new Ramon Foster
Ebron - highest upside, lowest floor
Watt - nice story/player and should be useful, but spent too much
Jacque Strap
12:22
Ben said “I’m throwing without pain for the first time in years.” He also said "I normally don’t work out in the offseason." So, no word to any Steeler doctors about the pain in his elbow until he couldn't throw anymore and surgery was required? No offseason rehab at the first sign of pain? We all love his spirit/moxie/competitiveness, etc, but this is the kind of attitude and work habits that gets you three playoff wins in ten years, talent be damned. A guy Like Lebron, with all the talent in the world, still words hard to get BETTER at his game every offseason. Ben, well...
Brian Batko
12:24
I hear you, Jacque. There's always going to be a microscope on the franchise QB. But I think the difference there is not putting extra wear and tear on your arm in the offseason. Not that that helped matters last year, obviously.
JerseySteel
12:24
Hi Brian - is Wormley intended to replace Hargrave as the starting NT or is he just added into the DL rotation?
Brian Batko
12:26
More so the latter, in my view. He played five-technique in Baltimore, so the end in their 4-3, but the Ravens have used him at "nose." In an odd-man front, though, he's probably more likely Stephon Tuitt/Cam Heyward insurance, not to mention someone who's in between Tyson Alualu and Isaiah Buggs when it comes to NFL experience.
Jakester
12:26
Brian - thanks for taking the time during these strange days.  Now that the Steelers have filled a bunch of gaps, what are your thoughts on their first 2 picks?  I think RB/WR or vice versa
Brian Batko
12:28
My pleasure, Jakester. I've already said my piece on why receiver, why not running back, but the other dark horse for that second-round pick would be an inside linebacker. Vince Williams is in line to play a lot of snaps as we sit here March 23. Problem is, the clear-cut top three in this draft of Isaiah Simmons, Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen are all expected to be gone by then.
sixfingerfame
12:28
Long term solution for QB given that Ben is closing out his career soon.....what do you think about Winston from TB, I think he would flourish in a system like the Steelers given that they wouldn't have to rely on his arm as much.
Brian Batko
12:29
Hard pass. Jameis Winston might yet have a long career ahead of him, but he and the Steelers seem like an awful fit right now. Ben has bristled at drafting rookies in the third/fourth round, and now you want them to sign a guy like Winston? That'd probably send a strange message to the locker room.
Steelers2020
12:30
GM Brian. Reports have surfaced that Diontae Johnson is training with Antonio Brown. Do you think Mike Tomlin will have a Father to Son talk with Diontae, tell him to be cautious with the company he keeps? If you recall, they tried to warn Martavis Bryant, we all know how that turned out.
Brian Batko
12:32
I hesitate to make too much of this "story." These guys are all adults who can decide who they want to interact with off the field. Are the (cliche alert) optics bad? Sure. But we're in an era of sports where as soon as the game is over, opponents are pressing palms at the 50, players are instagramming their highlights win or lose. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, just that NFL football players look at their jobs and lives a lot differently than fans do.
paullochrane@yahoo.com
12:33
don't you think its way past time steelers just release ben, 3 playoff wins in 11 years, 2 of the last 2 years no playoffs, and hits the cap real hard!!!!
Brian Batko
12:33
Other than that it would cost them like $20 million to do so, yeah, they should do that and sign LeBron.
Manny
12:34
Ok Mr. BB With the current signings it must be BPA @49. With the exception being TE QB CB DL. So if BPA is OLB or ILB pick must be in Right? Even if Safety Winfield Jr (Heck of a player) is BPA we must take him, With a 3 great safety tandem we could do great things and by míddle season Minkah and Winfield could be playing Back There and Edmunds moving into kind of Barron Place.. Are you in BB?
Brian Batko
12:35
BPAWHYWN - Best Player Available Who Helps You Win Now. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, I know, but rules out edge rushers and safeties.
YinzerinVA
12:36
We should bring back more sports like the Ocho!  ESPN is showing us we can create our own sports!
Brian Batko
12:37
I wanna watch people play Jenga for sport, but not regular Jenga, the life-sized one. PUT IT ON MY TELEVISION ALREADY
Utah Jim
12:37
Watt's contract is back loaded.  Any insight into Ebron's.
Brian Batko
12:37
Not sure, but I'd assume the same
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