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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.13.20
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hi, everybody. Welcome to our second-to-last pre-draft chat. We'll be chatting/writing/podcasting a whole bunch next week, too. For now, your finest questions, please.
Rick Sunner in Orlando
12:01
Hey Brian! Some commentators were talking about the Steelers trading back into the first round in order to pick Jordan Love. Do you "love" the idea or are the talking heads running out of material?
Brian Batko
12:02
I don't even like it, let alone love it. Even if the draft capital-strapped Steelers could pull off a trade to get back into the first, I think they'd want to do it for an even better shot at one of the best playmakers in this class. But I have noticed Jordan Love getting a ton of buzz lately. One of those late-rising type prospects who will make Draft Day a little more fun.
Retire21
12:03
Steelers signed 6th XFL player, way more than most. Is this because they have only 6 picks or do they want players with some experience with shortened offseason possibly?
Brian Batko
12:05
Some of both. They shook the tree for a bunch of AAF guys this time last year, too, and kept most of them around for training camp. I think they probably see some value in kicking the tires on productive guys from spring football leagues, and they might've been prospects that they've liked (relatively speaking) for a long time. Saeed Blacknall from Penn State is the latest one, a 6-3 receiver who can fly but was never all that productive in college.
I shouldn't say he can fly. That's inaccurate. He can run fast.
Doyle37
12:05
Will there ever be a Spring football league again ?
Brian Batko
12:06
I won't rule it out. From the sounds of it, the XFL was doing a lot of things right and seemed pretty committed to continuing until COVID-19 hit.
AP
12:06
Do you think the Steelers should take a RB in the 2nd or 3rd or not at all?
Brian Batko
12:08
Personally, I don't think they should take one. If I were calling the shots, I'd probably use my six picks on a receiver first, then an offensive lineman, inside linebacker, safety, edge rusher and defensive lineman, though not necessarily in that order.
James
12:08
Hey Brian, as far as I know, the Hall of Fame game between the Steelers and Cryboys is still scheduled to be played.  Have you heard if the corresponding induction ceremony is still on?  I would think there would be a high number of Steelers fans who would like to be in Canton but may be unable to to so because of the pandemic travel restrictions?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:10
The NFL hasn't announced any update on that yet. Whether it's training camps, the games themselves or something like the induction ceremony, I assume the league is going to hold out as long as possible before making any major postponement/cancellation decisions.
DaquidoBazzini
12:11
What would it take for the Steelers to move up a bit higher in the 3rd Round?
Brian Batko
12:13
Something like their third-round comp pick plus a future third. Or maybe a package of the comp pick, one of this year's fourths and this year's sixth? I wouldn't bet on it.
Dionte Johnson
12:15
Will I have 1,000 yards receiving and 10 TDs?
Brian Batko
12:16
That's a steep prediction, Diontae. The guess here is no, with the thinking that the receiving stats will be a bit more spread around.
Chuck
12:17
Trying to remember history. Was there some debate about drafting QB Ben? I vaguely remember Cowher wanting to draft immediate defensive help instead of a QB that would take time to develop. Or am I misremembering? Comes to mind because of the debate whether to draft immediate help this year, or a QB if one drops.
Brian Batko
12:19
Your memory only partially deceives you, Chuck. The Steelers did indeed almost pass on Ben, but it wasn't for defensive help. They were looking long and hard at Arkansas OL Shawn Andrews.
chuck Mac
12:19
If we cannot go to St Vincent, is it a done deal that we go to South side for camp?  This seems nearly unmanageable with that many players and many of them not having homes or living quarters.  What scenario do you see playing out?
Brian Batko
12:21
Yeah, I think it'd be camp on the South Side. They'd make it work. Pitt has its version of training camp there every August and puts up players in a hotel down the street. The Steelers could certainly do something similar for those who don't have their own places in the area. At this point, while I'm no infectious disease expert, I'd put my money on no Saint Vincent for camp.
Donna
12:22
Hi Brian.  Please answer me this:  what’s up with some of the national and local sports guys dyeing their hair?  Are they being told to do this or is it a personal choice?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:23
Hi Donna, I must be honest this question came out of left field. I don't know how to answer it or what to tell you. But as a "local sports guy" whose beard renders him basically unrecognizable from his Post-Gazette mug shot, I have no room to talk.
Y-town Steeler
12:23
What up BB?  Hope you're staying safe.  Today is my son's Drew's birthday.  Can you give him a shout out?  GO STEELERS!!!
Brian Batko
12:24
I've got love for Youngstown, and I've got love for young Drew. Happy birthday, my man. One day off from the coveted "412" birthday, which is shared by my twin cousins, my friend Greg and my college roommate.
Big Bri
12:25
What do you think about adding a 2nd bye week with a 17th game schedule? Seems like a win win, NFL gets an additional week of TV revenue and players get another week to recover.
Brian Batko
12:26
Fine with me. When I covered college football, Pitt only had one off week. Last year was my first season covering the Steelers, who, obviously, had only one off week. But 2019 was the first time in a while in college football that every team had two off weeks. Unlucky me.
KK
12:26
Spring football is a failure and always will be.
Brian Batko
12:26
Your complaint is noted and logged.
Melody
12:26
Let’s say is WR at 49 BPA these 5 players are available (none might we know) but if how would you rank them Brian for us in your gut : Mims, Shenault, Aiyuk, Claypool and Reagor.. (all healthy enough let’s think) I will be very happy with any of those, Thanks..
Brian Batko
12:29
I'd go Denzel Mims, Chase Claypool, Jalen Reagor, Laviska Shenault, Brandon Aiyuk. To be clear, that's my ranking in terms of how much each one could help the Steelers. Just think Shenault and Aiyuk would be sort of overlapping pieces with what the Steelers already have. The other three have 4.4. type speed.
fredward
12:29
Any insight on this new receiver the Steelers signed today? Slot guy, speed guy?
Brian Batko
12:31
Definitely a speed guy, fredward. Saeed Blacknall ran a 4.39 coming out of Penn State but went undrafted. Never had more than 347 yards receiving or three touchdowns in a season with the Nittany Lions, but averaged a staggering 19.6 yards per catch. I'm guessing the Steelers envision some Johnny Holton-like special teams potential if nothing else.
Patty
12:32
I still think we need to pick up another QB just in case Ben goes down and I am not sure Mason Rudolph can get the job done.  What about Andy Dalton?  For awhile in Cincinnati he a great group of receivers, but I think bad coaching led to the breakdown of that team.  I think he would be a good fit in our offense!
Brian Batko
12:33
Andy Dalton isn't a free agent like Jameis Winston and Cam Newton, so the Steelers would either have to trade for him or see if the Bengals cut him after presumably drafting a QB. He'd almost certainly be an upgrade over Rudolph, but overall ... meh.
Nitro
12:34
Hi Brian -  What is the biggest surprise move or non-move this offseason roster-wise?  What are the top two paths you think the Steelers have in mind to bolster LB position?
Brian Batko
12:36
Hmm I'd say signing Eric Ebron was the biggest surprise. As for non-moves, no real surprises. I think they'll look to the draft for LB help and if things don't pan out in terms of the prospects available, there's always street free agents once again. But maybe they can find a guy who has enough versatility to develop into an edge-rusher or off-ball linebacker. They thought they might have that with Sutton Smith last year. Remember him?
Scott
12:37
Of the players drafted over the past two years, who do you see making the biggest leap in 2020.
Brian Batko
12:39
Can I give you one on offense and one on defense? I can see Jaylen Samuels bouncing back with Ben Roethlisberger under center again. On defense, I'll go with Ulysees Gilbert as a guy who will show flashes of being able to help at linebacker.
Krugerrand
12:39
6 XFL players signed by the Steelers: WR Saeed Blacknall, DL Cavon Walker, OL Jarron Jones, S Tyree Kinnel, LS/LB Christian Kuntz, and DE Dewayne Hendrix.  How many of these have a chance to make the team?
Brian Batko
12:41
Let's give the edge to the linemen. Those two position groups both lost starters in the offseason, so there's opportunity there. It'll depend on what they end up with in the draft, but Walker and Jones are the most intriguing to me.
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