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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.17.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, rookie camp is in the books and OTAs are up next. But first a little week-long break or so. What's on your mind?
Focus on Winning!
2:01
Glad to see Devin Bush is focused on a Jax practice squad TE, Juju thinks he's winning and Cam is pressuring rookies to skip OTAs.  I've been a fan since the '70s but the recent Steelers teams have come across as very unfocused and unlikeable.  Am I just an old guy yelling get off my lawn!!??
Brian Batko
2:01
Yeah, pretty much.
Jim
2:02
Based on the interviews I have seen, Harris seems very charismatic, does it come off that way in person? Does he appear in as great shape as the photos suggest?
Brian Batko
2:04
Yes and yes. He's quite fun to talk to, and if I'm being honest, there aren't a ton of players I can say that about. At least not after a year of Zoom calls that were starting to feel like Groundhog's Day every time. Harris is unapologetically himself, every time. He uses words like "dope" and "hella" and all kinds of other stuff that is actually refreshing to hear, but is extremely engaging at the same time. Hopefully he won't hate talking to the media by Week 4.
lamberto55
2:04
still no true nose tackle?????
Brian Batko
2:05
Nope, the two-year international search to replace Dan McCullers continues posthaste.
Tampa Too
2:05
Brian, just a question about the draft. If a player who gets drafted by a team doesn’t wish to play for that team and does not wish to go to Canada what options does he have? In other words I guess I’m asking how long does the team that drafted him own the rights to the player? Thanks
Brian Batko
2:06
Not even sure the last time this happened, but I think they own the rights to sign a player for a year. Steelers this year actually had a quartet of draft picks go to Canada - Matt Canada, that is.
Jud
2:07
Thanks for the Chats!  Over/Under on which game this year Green moves to center from guard?
Brian Batko
2:08
I don't think he's gonna play any guard, Jud. The plan is center all the way, and why wouldn't it be? Even if he doesn't start, he can back up, and there's no need to replace starting guards Kevin Dotson or David DeCastro at this point.
EFromNC
2:08
Do you have any insight into why a team like Pittsburgh would bring in QB Rivers for rookie minicamp? No disrespect to him at all, but with 4 QBs on the offseason roster it's hard to see much of a path for him to make the final squad. Is it as simple as needing a QB's arm out there for the others to work with?
Brian Batko
2:09
Yeah, I think that's all it is. I did see that the Detroit Lions didn't bother "rostering" a QB for their rookie camp, not even a tryout guy like Roland Rivers III was in Pittsburgh. They had assistant coaches do the throwing, including Antwaan Randle El!
ppozone6031@gmail.com
2:10
BB, we missed on Kerrigan. What are chances on Houston?
Brian Batko
2:12
You're referring to a report this morning that Ryan Kerrigan, WFT pass-rusher who signed with the Eagles, had strong interest from the Steelers. That's a bit surprising to me, honestly. Kind of figured they might be OK with Cassius Marsh/Quincy Roche as OLB backups. And maybe they are. I don't think we should assume that they desperately want to sign another edge guy. Perhaps they just really like Kerrigan. At 32, I can't imagine Justin Houston would want to come here and back up a second-year Alex Highsmith and do it for cheap, but who knows.
Titan in Charlotte
2:12
Happy Monday Brian, can’t think of a question this week. Have a great week And GO PENS!!
Brian Batko
2:12
Noted.
Scott
2:12
Based on his college film, which former Steeler does Roche most resemble in terms of his style of play?
Brian Batko
2:15
I've been saying since the pick that he's actually pretty similar to the guy he'll be competing with, Alex Highsmith. Both were more DE than OLB in college, playing in 4-3 schemes, and racked up huge production at group-of-five schools. Highsmith was 6-3, 248 at the combine, Roche was 6-3, 245 at his pro day. Highsmith ran a 4.7, Roche a 4.69.
Jay
2:15
Hello Batsy.  Steelers seem to carry alot more dead money this year into next.  Do you think they should take a year to clear the dead caps in post Ben era?  Just so they have extra ammunition in the future versus using it already
Brian Batko
2:17
Let's not get ahead of ourselves too much here, but at this point, I do kind of see 2022 being a see-what-you-have year. I know, I know, the Steelers are a proud franchise that likes winning and putting a good product on the field and never wants to rebuild and the standard is the standard but guess what? When you have a future Hall of Fame QB, it's a lot easier to operate that way. Extending Mason Rudolph, especially this early, signals to me that the plan is to let him sink or swim two years from now and go from there
steelmann58
2:19
Hi Brian. any other position besides OLB becomes a need i still a bit worried about OT
Brian Batko
2:20
I still see the secondary as the thinnest spot on the roster, be it cornerback or safety. I'm not sure who the slot corner would be at this point, other than Cam Sutton moving inside. That would then leave a major question at outside cornerback. And safety-wise, they've struggled to find quality depth. Tre Norwood should have a chance to stick if he can learn any/all of those roles.
Scott
2:21
Thanks Brian but I was curious if Roche reminds of any FORMER Steelers who have a larger body of work.
Brian Batko
2:22
Not particularly. He's built the same as a lot of the players they've converted from college DE to pro OLB. Part of the reason I thought it was a slam dunk of a pick for them.
Paul from Sacramento
2:22
Hi Brian, Love the chats (especially the podcasts with Ray later in the week)   Do you think it matters much to pros if the bye weeks are early on on the year? Last year, I think the league really hosed the Steelers with the constant moving goalposts with the Titans and Ravens..  but getting it early on again, thinks there might be some kindof vendetta of sorts.. probably just a hint of conspiracy theory.. but one wonders..
Brian Batko
2:24
Thanks, Paul. I do think the off week matters, and the NFL seems to agree, as they didn't schedule any earlier than Week 6 this year. That's a change from past seasons. I don't spend a ton of time thinking about scheduling quirks and things of that nature, because guess what? All 32 teams are miffed about something. I must say I like the Mike Tomlin approach of "We Do Not Care."
fredward
2:25
In your mind, does Loudermilk have potential to be a starter in a couple of years?
Brian Batko
2:25
Maybe if Stephon Tuitt leaves as a free agent. But that's still expecting a lot out of a fifth-round pick. I wouldn't bet on it.
Buffy
2:26
Since Cam brought up covid as a reason for rookies to skip voluntary camp, I am wondering if the Steelers are saying what percentage of their personnel have been vaccinated. The Pens have said they are well over 85% and apparently the Pirates are well short, but I haven’t seen anything out about the Steelers.
Brian Batko
2:26
Last I checked, they are not saying. Cam Heyward did do a PSA advocating for the vaccine. Quincy Roche posted on Instagram yesterday he got his first shot. That's about all I know.
John Q
2:27
Did mini camp reveal anything interesting about the new offensive scheme?
Brian Batko
2:28
Per Steelers policy, media personnel are prohibited from reporting, blogging or tweeting anything heard or seen during practice, lest you risk losing your access.
2:29
However, keep an eye out for a story on what players (rookies, at least) are saying about Matt Canada's offense.
Gm
2:29
Can we make a prop bet?  (for bragging rights) The new punter will attempt at over 7 passes this season.  Dude has cannon!
Brian Batko
2:30
Hmm, I think I'll take that bet. Give me the under.
Ticco
2:30
I know that much has been made about the Steelers strength of schedule next year, but looking back it always seems that the team rises to meet the level of competition (with the exception of pesky New England) over the years. I feel that if the O-line improves, they’ll be just fine.
Brian Batko
2:32
Sure. Strength of schedule stats make for a good headline, but so much can change from one year to the next in the NFL. Take last year for example. I figured the Texans would be a tough out early on, then they simply fell apart. WFT looked like a layup on paper at the beginning of the year and then they rounded into a feisty team and handed the Steelers their first loss. Any given Sunday, you know?
Jacque Strap
2:33
Doritos or Sun Chips? The world needs to know.
Brian Batko
2:33
They both have their time and place, Jacque.
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