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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.08.23
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Alan
2:41
Brian, Benton will be mainly interior lineman, does that mean next year Steelers still need to focus on a replacement for Cam Heyward on the End?
Brian Batko
2:43
Not necessarily. Keeanu Benton should get his feet wet as an interior guy, mainly because that's where the Steelers need the most help, but I can see him playing the Cam Heyward role long-term. Time is ticking on Isaiahh Loudermilk, though he might be able to show this season that he can be Heyward-lite in some ways if he takes a great leap forward. And let's not forget about DeMarvin Leal as a futures bet, too.
Vegas Steeler
2:44
Any word when the NFL is going to release this season's schedule?
Brian Batko
2:46
Supposed to be Thursday night but the latest reports are that it could be delayed. Which ... give me a break. This doesn't need to be the dog and pony show that it already has become. Can we just get the god forsaken dates already? I want to start looking ahead and planning my fall.
PghFNinCali
2:47
Hi Brian.
Would you keep Mitch or Mason?
wouldn't Mason be Less $$$ and He has been in the system longer?
Brian Batko
2:48
Mitch Trubisky is a better fit for what this offense wants to accomplish. He has a better rapport with Kenny Pickett, from what I've observed. I really don't think Mason Rudolph will be back in any capacity.
Magnum P.I.
2:49
Any chance Alualu signs back for one more camp? So many Hawaiians on this team, we have to bring him back for one more go!  Maybe provides some veteran depth late in the season if injuries plague the team.
Brian Batko
2:51
That would surprise me. Tyson Alualu is a very nice man, so I've chatted with him a lot over the last four years covering the Steelers, and the vibe I've gotten is that his time is up. And you know what? Knowing him, he might do it quietly. Might not even make an announcement. But I'm all for more Hawaiians on the team. He'd probably be happy to come down to practice and chat with the Herbig bros, Isaac Seumalo and any others I'm missing.
Ken (not the doll)
2:52
Brian, you rock.   Why the 7th round OL?  Seems we have an overload of OL although I think Kendrick probably has his bags packed already.
Brian Batko
2:53
Thanks, Ken. Spencer Anderson might've just been the best player on their board at that point, due to his position flexibility and some decent athleticism. And, yes, could be another sign that they're completely out Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green or both.
TSH
2:53
Hi Brian!  Rookie acclimation?  I'm curious how soon the rookies have access to the facility and resources?  Do the contracts need signe first?  Do the rookie class have "at-will" acess to the Steelers facility and resources such as..film room, weight room, playbook, meet with coaches or are do they have restrictions until camp in July?  Thanks Much!
Brian Batko
2:55
Some rookies are already here (Joey Porter Jr. and Nick Herbig, at least, for obvious reasons). I believe most will be flown in later this week to begin that on-boarding process. They don't need to have their contracts signed. And as far as on-field activities, they can't do much of anything. It's your classic "football in shorts." Drill work, conditioning, what have you.
Silly In Philly
2:57
Bats.  Favorite pick and why?
Brian Batko
2:58
Broderick Jones because that's what I predicted...oh you mean for the Steelers? Brother thing aside, I legitimately feel they got great value out of Nick Herbig in the 4th. It'll stun me if he doesn't find a way to be a useful NFL player somehow.
CG
2:59
Hi Brian, are you going over or under of 1.5 Joey Porter Jr. interceptions?
Brian Batko
2:59
Under, but that's a good number. Just not sure how much of a snap share he'll have with Patrick Peterson/Levi Wallace returning. They can afford to ease him in, if need be.
Matt
2:59
Kenny Pickett has been considered average in his first year on a very vanilla offense and a so-so defense.  Yet Rothlisberger didn’t exactly put up great numbers in his first two years on a team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.  Is perhaps Pickett being unfairly critiqued?
Brian Batko
3:01
Yes and no. I see what you're saying in that there always will be people who get their jollies out of ripping Pickett, whether it's justified or not. Heavy lies the crown of a first-round QB, and it's a unique situation for him back in Pittsburgh. But at the same time, he knows that. The Steelers knew that when they picked him. He was an older prospect with five years of experience coming in, so it's fair to expect more sooner.
PRVET
3:01
Hi Brian! Every year after the draft, I watched the coaches assesment of the players drafted CBs, D line, WRs etc. The Steelers draft two O line players and coach PM did not give any assesment. Is thre a reason why?
Brian Batko
3:02
PM being OL coach Pat Meyer here. There's a pretty logical reason for that. When Jones was picked, they brought in the big guns to discuss him (Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan) and then the night was just about over for us in the media room. For Spencer Anderson, being their last pick of the whole gig, we had a brief conference call with him and then the big guns came in yet again to wrap the whole thing.
3:03
Speaking of wrapping, we're gonna wrap this chat. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and we'll do it again next week.
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