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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.04.20
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Brian Batko
12:00
Oh, hey, didn't see you there. Welcome to my chat. We can talk about the Steelers, but not much has changed since last week, so feel free to get weird if you want.
Questfor7
12:01
I see a lot of people complain about picking a RB in the fourth. I hear a lot of people comparing him to to Dri Archer and Chris Rainey. They were both 5’8” 180 lbs. Little dudes. MacFarland Jr is 5’9” 208 - nearly 30 lbs heavier. Much closer to Alvin Kamara (5’10” 215). He breaks tackles, he’s fast and I think he could be an every down back. I look forward to watching him take it to the house a few times this year. I love the value in the fourth. What’s your take on AM Jr?
Brian Batko
12:02
I didn't like the pick for a number of reasons, but you make a good point about his size. The comparisons to Archer, Rainey and even Kerrith Whyte aren't quite  apples to apples. But still, the Steelers need to find a way to get a little bit more out of him right away, even if they do think he could eventually be a feature back. It'll be interesting to see if he can break NFL tackles on first contact rather than get swallowed up immediately at his size.
Scotty
12:03
With the drafting of Claypool and barring injuries, do you think Switzer will be on team if and when the season starts?  I think Cain can contribute more than Switzer.
Brian Batko
12:04
Could see that going either way, Scotty, but that's a boring answer and what good am I if I don't take a stance in these chats? So I'll flip a coin and say he ends up being the odd man out if they keep five, if only because both JuJu and Diontae Johnson can play in the slot, I think.
Brett
12:05
Hi Brian. Not meant to be a serious question, which Steeler would you like to see make a position switch just because it would be fun to see?
Brian Batko
12:07
Non-serious questions are ideal, Brett. It's May 4, people! I'll pick a new Steeler here and say I'd like to see Derek Watt at linebacker. You can see it in his special teams work. He was recruited as one and started his career there at Wisconsin before they realized he could block the snot out of people at fullback.
Tampa Too
12:08
Saddened to hear of the death of Don Shula. He was one of the greats
Brian Batko
12:08
Before my time, but yes, RIP.
Bob
12:09
There sure seems to be a lot of articles about JuJu leaving after this season.  Is he unhappy, is it about money or it is just click bait?
Brian Batko
12:10
Click bait, basically. It's worth having a discussion and even writing about whether JuJu is in the long-term plans, but just because a reporter somewhere predicts that a player won't be here in 2021 doesn't make it a headline. Just my opinion.
NYCJOHN
12:10
I feel like over the offseason our team has only gotten stronger, especially on offense but the one place I’m not so sure about is linebacker. How do you think we’ll change the defense to more one inside linebacker formations?
Brian Batko
12:12
I feel like there are a few things they could do. Maybe play some 3-3-5 nickel if you like your defensive line makeup. Or just play more dime, bringing in that dime linebacker. Or if you want to get really creative, three outside linebackers in there if you like the way Alex Highsmith is coming along? Dropping into coverage isn't Bud Dupree or T.J. Watt's strong suit, of course, but it could allow you to disguise some different things.
Sunner in the sunshine
12:13
Hey Brian! Any kicking of the tires on UFA's for middle LB? Seems to be the only gaping hole with no depth.(although Punter/Berry needs to be addressed too!)
Brian Batko
12:14
Not that I'm aware of. As I wrote in my mailbag last week, there aren't many out there who would be good fits, at least not on paper https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/04/30/steelers-mailb...
Donna
12:15
Thankfully, all the talk about Winston coming to the Steelers ended when the Saints signed him.  Now, there had been some talk about Newton coming to the ‘burg. Maybe Bradshaw will come out of retirement.  Unbelievable!!!  Stop the madness.!
Brian Batko
12:17
My biggest issue with signing Cam Newton would be having to decipher the font he uses on social media. If you've ever seen it, you know what I mean.
Richard
12:18
Without a preventative vaccine shot this fall, would you sit in a crowd at a Steelers game? Assume you would not be able to avoid close contact with others.
Brian Batko
12:18
I think it would be hilarious if fans aren't allowed at the games but then us beat writers scatter about a 60,000-seat stadium with our laptops and a beer to write about them.
Ohio Steel
12:19
Didn't Rudolph have a winning record in his first and only time as a starting NFL QB.  Without going into the season expecting to play.  Weren't both Aikman and P. Manning big losers in their first seasons.  If either of them played in Pitt they would have been chased out of town.  Your thoughts??
Brian Batko
12:20
Yeah, that's kind of what I've been saying. Mason Rudolph looked really bad at times last year, don't get me wrong, but I don't get this rush to jump to the conclusion that he won't improve. He might never become an NFL starter or even a guy you're comfortable with as your backup, but I do think it's too early to tell.
pozone
12:22
Do you see the Steelers picking up a couple FA like LB Kendricks? Anything to the A Rodgers rumors?
Brian Batko
12:25
Well, Mychal Kendricks has played most of his career in a 4-3 scheme, is coming off a torn ACL in December and will soon go to trial facing 25 years for insider trading. I think I'd rather have Aaron Rodgers.
Guest
12:26
What’s the under/over, or likeliness - of JJ joining TJ and Derek next season.  I’d say Bud for JJ would be an even swap - the wattage at Heinz would be incomparable, and al least unparalleled - well, possibly never before seen, under this wattage
Brian Batko
12:29
That'd be off the charts. Not sure I can see it, though. The Texans should do every single thing in their power to keep an icon like him in Houston. Plus he gets paid a ton of money and the Steelers are pretty set at DE with Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.
Charlie
12:29
Brian...what did you think about the virtual draft?  Since next year’s draft is scheduled for Cleveland, I think we should just have another virtual draft so nobody will have to go there.
Brian Batko
12:30
Whether it was to be held in Cleveland or Bora Bora, I agree. Don't really understand the draft as an in-person event to begin with. I love drafts and am something of a draft nerd whether it's the NFL, NBA, sometimes even MLB, but 2020 showed us it can be enjoyed just the same with everyone sitting around at home.
Tom88
12:31
What does the the future of J.T. Barrett hold with the Steelers?
Brian Batko
12:32
Battling for the No. 3 QB spot and if that fails, hoping to stay on the practice squad. Doesn't hurt to have a Lamar Jackson stand-in there, especially now that rosters/p squad spots will expand.
Higley
12:33
Considering how the draft  played out , Why don’t the Steelers try to trade one of their running backs or receivers for an inside linebacker?
Brian Batko
12:34
Maybe they will. The old days of being trade-averse no longer line up with the 2019 wheeler-dealer Steelers. But you gotta realize how devalued RBs are these days, and now a bunch of teams just replenished their WR depth charts with a great draft class at that position.
ALB
12:34
Do you think the Steelers actually went after both Winston and Dalton?
Brian Batko
12:35
No
Mtsteel
12:35
Hi Brian and thanks. So after seeing that contract Winston got from the Saints, it seems like something the Steelers really should have considered. He got 1.1 mil. I mean we can def afford that, at the mere risk of cutting one of our back ups and possible soomeone to have around until you find Ben's replacement. Your thoughts? Thanks again
Brian Batko
12:36
At that price, it's hard to argue. I mean, the dude's practically playing for free. Still, it'd be a distraction of sorts that might not be worth the upgrade. There's a big difference in being one year away and learning behind Drew Brees versus coming here where Ben Roethlisberger still has two years left on his deal.
steelmann58
12:37
HI Brian what do you see as the steelers biggest need after the Draft?
Brian Batko
12:37
Punter
Mark
12:38
Hi Brian.  If the Steelers play before no fans, wouldn't there be a local TV blackout?
Brian Batko
12:38
No I don't think that would happen.
Jacque Strap
12:39
Hi Brian...in the scenario where leagues may be playing with no fans in the stands, I think a lot of players would struggle with how odd it feels. Do you think they would allow artificial crowd noise to be piped in, provided it stayed below a certain decibel level? Would give the players at least a better sense of the game day feeling.
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