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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.29.21
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Brian Batko
1:54
Good day, friends. We're officially a month away from the NFL draft. I'm sure you'll have many questions about that, so let's get to 'em.
TJ
1:55
Hi Brian, Whats your feel on Free Agency. We have a couple staring spots open but most needs look to be for depth. Will we look to add low priced Free Agents to fill these positions. Seems we have too many holes for Draft alone? Nice to get Aluala back though.
Brian Batko
1:56
I get the feeling they're just about done in free agency. Or at least until after the draft. Remember that some of their best additions in recent years have come in August, from Joe Haden to Vance McDonal.
21-58-66
1:57
Brian - Do the Steelers sign Jesse James or is that not going to happen?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
1:58
Really thought they would, but it's surprising it hasn't happened by now. At this point, might just be best to wait and see how the draft plays out at tight end. I went into a little more detail on James in my mailbag a couple weeks ago: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/03/18/steelers-free-...
Denise
1:59
Hi Brian.  Is there a chance that Vince Williams can re-sign with the Steelers?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:00
Sure, there's a chance. Especially if we're sitting here in July/August, the Steelers didn't draft an inside linebacker and Williams is still available. Perhaps things didn't end on the best of terms, but I imagine he and the organization have built up enough equity over the years that a reunion would be possible.
Breaking news early in the chat! Hot off the press! Punter Jordan Berry has re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year deal.
Titan in Charlotte
2:01
Hi Brian I am glad JuJu resigned, however it also concerns me if he did it because of his brand. He had better offers, both in money and opportunity for a ring, but he decides on the Steelers. Is it me or does this seem like he chose brand JuJU over football. Hard to brand in KC with Mahomes and same in Baltimore with Lamar. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:03
I'm not entirely sure what to make of that, because while he has built a huge fan base in Steeler Nation, he has to be aware of some of the criticism surrounding that too. I think he could've done really well for himself with the Chiefs. Ravens haven't been as kind to pass-catchers, but I do think Baltimore would've embraced him too. It could be as simple as he just truly does love his life here.
Scott
2:04
Is it more difficult to teach pass or run blocking to rookie linemen? It seems many come in more polished at pass blocking from college spread offenses, etc. Does it make more sense to get a guy excels at playing with his hand in the dirt from a more run centric, or at least balanced, college program?
Brian Batko
2:06
There are always projections teams have to make with O-linemen, especially if they're going from one scheme to another. But I don't think there's a huge difference in whether guys develop quicker as pass or run blockers.
Polovtsian Dance No.2 by Borodin
2:06
Just 2 Q.s from me today Brian: I see Etienne as having one thing on Harris & that's straight line speed, by a bit but, Harris has size, already great hands & is already a better blocker & route runner. If Harris & Etienne are both there when the Steelers pick, which one do they take? Will they try to move up to take one of them?
Brian Batko
2:08
I don't know. To me, it's really close between the two, for all the reasons you mentioned. If it were up to me, I'd give the slight edge to Travis Etienne just because of that game-breaking ability. And I'm not sure Harris is definitely better in the pass game. As for moving up, no, I wouldn't do that for a running back.
Jacque Strap
2:08
What's up B Money...any insight into why Alualu decided to return...personally I think he had a conversation with Urban Meyer and thought, "I can't play for this <insert bad word here>."
Brian Batko
2:10
The only insight I have is Tyson Alualu's Instagram feed, which paints the picture of a man who greatly enjoys living in Western Pa. with his wife and six kids, at least one of whom looks like a kid who could help out the North Allegheny football team someday. So in that sense, not shocked that he'd want to stay here and not uproot his family.
Steeler Fan in GA
2:10
Not expecting them back, but are you surprised at the lack of news of Connor, Al, and Avery Williamson?  Is it just a total lack of interest in those players?
Brian Batko
2:11
Yeah, I am. Our Gerry Dulac reported that James Conner had an offseason surgery on his toe, so I assume teams are aware of that. Not sure what's up with Al Villanueva and Williamson. Especially the latter, who's still got some good ball left in him, you'd think.
ENTMD
2:12
Hi Brian!  Is it likely Steelers FO will essentially draft best available of their top positions of need (RB, OT, C,LB) and wait until after the draft and cutdowns to see who is available to fill the holes left with free agents?  It seems like that maybe riskier (than signing FA now so you know what you need) but allow for some cheaper options for those FAs without a landing spot especially in a year where no one has a ton of $ to spend.
Brian Batko
2:15
They could do that, yes. It's getting tougher and tougher to make a prediction on that first-round pick. With all the strong comments Art Rooney II has made on the ground game, you can probably still feel good about them going RB or OL to address that early.
Justin
2:16
Any truth in the rumor that was supposedly leaked online during "Call of Duty" about Coward coming to Pittsburgh?
Brian Batko
2:17
Yes, Rashaad Coward is signing with the Steelers, per Ian Rapoport a few minutes ago on Twitter. Coward started 15 games at guard for the Bears over the last two seasons, so, more depth to lessen the draft needs just a little bit
ALB
2:18
Sounds like the Covid protocol actually helped the Steelers in the case of Alualu. How does his return change things?
Brian Batko
2:19
It solves a big problem at nose tackle for sure. Now I think you can pretty much let that position ride into next season.
REID
2:21
Hi Brian, is there any chance Nelson or Williams could come back with reduced, cap friendly deal?
Brian Batko
2:22
Gotta figure it's more likely for Williams than Steven Nelson, although cornerback Cam Sutton did just tell us on Zoom that there's not necessarily any bad blood between Nelson and the Steelers. Take that for what it's worth. But if those two weren't willing to take pay cuts before, it'll take a rather weak market to have them come back.
Guest
2:23
Which need to you feel is most urgent to fill..... RB, LT or ILB
Brian Batko
2:23
RB for me
livinthedream
2:25
really glad Aluala is back. One of those players whose performance exceeds his paygrade and at a position of need.
Brian Batko
2:25
Yeah he's a solid vet who was playing really well last year, at least until the injury.
Paul
2:26
Jesse James still available as a FA. Wouldn't he be the perfect blocking backup TE the Steelers seem to need?
Brian Batko
2:27
Perfect is a stretch, but sure, he's most likely an upgrade over Zach Gentry/Kevin Rader and a better blocker than Eric Ebron.
Jeff
2:27
Thanks for the chats B.  Good news on Alualu coming back but how is that allowed to happen?  If i were the jags i would be a little honked off since now they have to fill that hole with less free agents than 2 weeks ago.  Weird the NFL would allow.  Anyways, any word on Williams coming back for less $$$?
Brian Batko
2:28
Yeah, I guess 99 times out of 100 the final details to iron out in contracts are formalities, and this is one of those exceptions. Not like the Jags just lost a franchise QB though. They made plenty of other signings.
steeltowntim
2:30
Since this is Ben's last year do you think there is any chance we trade future picks for immediate picks to either move up or get more picks this year? Great job I look forward to you chats
Brian Batko
2:31
Never say never, but they're already pushing off enough salary into the future to make this year work. If you think you need to change your approach that much to have a chance this year, you probably don't.
pdxJaxon
2:32
Happy Monday Bats,
Great to see Tyson Alualu coming back.
I see some chatter about the need of CB moving up. Any chance we see an earlier pick than expected for this position? Like 1st or 2nd round or is that essentially nonsense?
Brian Batko
2:33
I wouldn't say it's nonsense, but might be a reach. Especially if they're truly confident in Cam Sutton to hold down Steve Nelson's spot, then what, you're using your first-round pick on a guy who's coming in to play slot corner as a rookie? A running back there, be it Etienne or Harris or even Javonte Williams, is gonna be ready to come in and make a major impact from the get-go.
DoylestownDewy
2:34
Long time First time...what up Bats! Not a question, just a statement here. It is so refreshing to see today’s athlete choose loyalty,
Brian Batko
2:35
Oh wait, there's more
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