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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.17.21
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ClosetHockeyFan
2:33
How cooled off is Tomlin's seat after the extension?  Being out-coached (by a rival HC not even in the stadium) during a playoff game again should spell the end no matter how many years remain.  That's hard for me to say after years of cringing at Tomlin critics.  Seems like a make or break year for the whole of the franchise.
Brian Batko
2:35
I think it's pretty cool, just based on the length and timing of the deal. It was a brutal finish, again, no doubt about it. But I don't see this as a make-or-break year. If anything, last season was. And you know what? They won the AFC North. For whatever that's worth. To you, maybe nothing. To the Steelers front office, apparently something. Now it's likely Ben's last ride, and if you struggle, then what? Blow it all up? Not their style.
Tom Perri
2:37
Brian- Are there any tryouts who made the team or looked overly athletic  over the weekend in shorts?
Brian Batko
2:37
Not to this point, no. I've seen some other teams sign tryout guys, and the Steelers have done the same in past years, but not sure they have a whole lot of room for that in 2021 (and also just didn't bring in many tryout guys at all).
Measure Twice • Cut Once
2:37
Dr. Batko...  If a 23 year old man grew 0.625 inches in 12 days, would you consider it a 'growth spurt' ?
Brian Batko
2:38
OK, I'll bite, who are you talking about here?
Jose Deleon
2:38
Brian. Chipped ham and football. Do you foresee any circumstance where Mason Rudolph gets surpassed by Dwayne Haskins barring an injury.
Brian Batko
2:39
I won't completely rule it out, but it's hard to imagine, especially now that they've inked Rudolph for another year beyond this one (though it wouldn't be all that cost prohibitive to move on).
Gene
2:41
Besides Joe Haden who do you think will be the other outside corner?
Brian Batko
2:42
Cam Sutton. They could opt to move him inside to the slot when they go to the nickel defense, but here's the thing: Nickel is practically their base defense, and they told Sutton when they re-signed him that he's going to get the chance to be a full-time starter outside. Then they cut Steven Nelson. Ipso facto (did I use that right?) that all adds up to me that they want to find a replacement for Mike Hilton and let Sutton settle in as the starter opposite Haden.
Tim
2:44
Best observations you made while checking out new players this past weekend?
Brian Batko
2:44
Najee Harris is good.
DirtWinston4Prez
2:44
Do you believe the Steelers (and other teams) had access to Freiermuth's pre- and post-surgery medical records/scans prior to the draft?  If so, have there been any reports on the type and degree of the SLAP tear?.
Brian Batko
2:45
I know the lack of a combine made it more difficult to ascertain medicals, but no, I don't think they were in the dark on him at all. He participated just fine this weekend (not that there's any contact or anything).
schnail
2:46
What's struck me about Najee Harris in watching interviews with him so far is that he's clearly a smart and thoughtful guy, and I think that's going to help him a lot in the NFL.   Have you gotten  impressions on character  with any of the other draft picks yet, from watching them answer questions and so forth?
Brian Batko
2:47
As I mentioned back on our draft podcast that Saturday night, it really felt like the Steelers went after high-character guys this year. No one with anything even close to a red flag or even any whispers, as far as I can tell. Dan Moore Jr. responded to every reporter by name during his initial interview, which is a small thing, but is certainly not common. So, shoutout to Dan Moore Jr. (whom we did not hear from over the weekend).
Wayward
2:47
Anything that you havent printed/discussed yet that came out of rookie camp that caught your eye?
Brian Batko
2:48
Sure, plenty of stuff. I'll be writing some follow-up stories, so stay tuned.
Lost Vegas
2:48
OTAs are around the corner. How intense does it get or is it just  "football in shorts"?
Brian Batko
2:49
It's football in shorts, and the players' union actually wants OTAs to be even less intense than normal years (for those players who do decide to show up). The story this year will be mostly about who's there, who isn't, why or why not, etc. But I expect Dwayne Haskins to be there and you don't necessarily need full-contact action to gauge a QB's play in 7-on-7, passing drills, things like that.
Measure Twice • Cut Once
2:51
Reportedly, over 50% of CDC & NIH... scientists... have declined/refused the mRNA gene Therapy 'jab'. What's  that tell you?
Brian Batko
2:51
That I shouldn't get pertinent health information from random people in a Steelers chat room?
Javi
2:52
Hello Bats. How fortunate have Steelers really been that every year seems we could probably sweep series vs Browns and Bengals? Not the case anymore and I think this will really test Tomlin and could be his toughest year yet as HC. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:53
Very good point. The AFC North is the best division in football, for my money, or at least the AFC. The days of penciling in four Ws are long gone, especially for the Browns, and even the Bengals should be much improved this year. Although Ryan Finley had the Steelers' number and he's gone now, so maybe they can sweep Cincy again.
Gm
2:54
Are rookie camps limited only to rookies?  I can see guys like Mason/Haskins getting better by sneaking in a few extra reps or working with their future team
Brian Batko
2:55
They are limited to rookies and players without an accrued season, if I'm not mistaken. So, no, Rudolph/Haskins were not eligible to be there. But a few of last year's practice squad guys were: Jarron Jones, Christian Kuntz, Calvin Taylor, Brandon Walton, Cody White. Those underdog types who are still waiting for their big break.
Linus
2:56
How would you compare the Steelers' draft with other teams in the AFC North?
Brian Batko
2:57
About even. I didn't really think any of the four had a bad draft. Not too many head-scratchers and a lot of exciting picks. The Bengals taking a kicker in the fifth round seems stupid to me, but hey, maybe you're playing with house money if Ja'Marr Chase is really that dude.
ABTennessee
2:57
Name sounds like a billionaire, weighs 260, throws touchdown passes and wins Ray Guy award as best punter... How does Pressley Harvin III not make this team?
Brian Batko
2:57
Oh, I think he will. And if he doesn't, we storm the Rooney Sports Complex.
Jake
2:58
Do you think that Mason can perform at the level of a Matt Cassel or Jimmy G?
Brian Batko
2:59
I think he basically did for half a season in 2019. Then, the wheels fell off. The thing about those guys and others of that ilk is the ability to be consistently solid for years and years, regardless of scheme, situation, etc. That might be Rudolph's ceiling, but he's not there yet. Need to see more, and we should get a chance in the preseason (albeit, a far cry from when the real bullets are flying).
gosteelers38
3:00
What's your pick for Steelers record this year ,? I'm saying 10-7 or 11-6
Brian Batko
3:00
On last week's podcast I went with 9-8. Ray Fittipaldo gave his prediction, too. Give it a listen if you haven't yet: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub3J0aHNob3JlZHJpdmUubGlic...
3:01
OK folks, that's all the time we have today. Gotta get back to work. These chats are pure pleasure. Ciao.
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