JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.18.20

Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.18.20

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Brian Batko

11:58

Hello, everyone. If you’re on time, you’re late, at least for today’s chat. Come one, come all, for Steelers banter.

yno

11:59

I see a lot of fans seem to think the Steelers should have moved on from Big Ben. If they had done that though, how would you see them going about getting a quarterback over the past two years? They usually draft near the bottom of the teams in the first round. so they wouldn't have gotten a first-round quarterback, more than likely. Do you get a feeling there is a good chance that Mason Rudolph may be the backup quarterback in Pittsburgh going forward?

Brian Batko

12:00

It's impossible to say. Depends when they would've moved on, how they would've done without him, etc. As for Rudolph, I have to think he'll want the chance to become a starter somewhere and would take that opportunity before signing something long-term here.

Dennis Dixon

12:01

Brian - What impact, if any, do you think empty stadiums will have on the outcomes of games? I'd like to think that professional athletes would perform at peak levels no matter how many fans are yelling for or against them.

Brian Batko

12:02

Hi, Dennis. If anything, maybe a slight edge to visiting teams, just because homefield advantage won't be quite the same. I know talking with a former NFL player recently, he mentioned how much easier it would be for offenses to operate on the road, so perhaps you'd see some higher-scoring games.

Sissy

12:04

why not go after Darron Lee for ILB kind of help/depth he is FA unsigned yet, experience, former 1st Rd, Ohio State U which seems we like, and he won’t command to much I think.. someone like him makes a lot of sense.. No?

Brian Batko

12:06

Possibly. He's got that first-round pedigree that the Steelers have been enamored with at times, especially on defense. But it's not like he played all that much with the Chiefs last year. It'd probably be an upgrade, but it seems that the Steelers are content to see what they can get out of their young backups behind Devin Bush and Vince Williams.

ketterer

12:07

Hi Brian, out of the 6 draft choices who makes the 53 man roster and who makes the practice squad

Brian Batko

12:08

Hi. I haven't sat down to really look at a roster projection since the draft, but with such a small class, it wouldn't be a shock if they all made it. Even seventh-rounder Carlos Davis, he'd essentially just have to beat out Dan McCullers.

seferg

12:10

What are the next 2-3 dates and activities on the NFL season calendar? Meet and greets? Mini-mini camps? Time with coaches?

Brian Batko

12:12

It should be the league's spring meeting this week, followed by OTAs and then mandatory minicamps, but obviously all of that is either scrapped or likely to be.

Tim

12:13

With the additions of Mcfarland as a homerun threat and Watt at fullback, is our running back room complete now? Factoring in Conner as a three down back, Samuels as our swiss army knife and Snell as the hammer. More than enough in today’s NFL. What say you, Brian?

Brian Batko

12:15

What say me? Me say yes, it's complete to the point of being crowded. Lots of competition for James Conner going into a make-or-break year. Gives the Steelers flexibility to either run the wheels off him if he's healthy and producing, or transition to more of a committee approach, which we know is not really Mike Tomlin's cup of tea.

John

12:16

After last year’s quarterbacking to the tune of the Hokey-Pokey, why won’t the Steelers go after someone like Cam Newton, with Rudolph at third?

Brian Batko

12:16

Because they want Rudolph to be second.

TX Steeler

12:17

Given the current situation and potential near future of college football, do you think the supplemental draft might be more important this year

Brian Batko

12:19

There was some speculation about that a while back, but then there was a report that the NFL won't allow college players to enter the sup draft for anything other than the usual reasons, i.e., no COVID-related factors.

Steeltowntim@aol.com

12:20

Seems like the NFL will need to accept that there will be people in and around them at some point who will test positive for the virus. The bug question is how will they deal with that

Brian Batko

12:21

Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.

Gino

12:22

Hey Brian. Have you heard any Steelers coaches or players express any reservations about participating in games if there is an nfl season?

Brian Batko

12:23

I have not. But if we're being honest, I'm not sure any coaches or players from the Steelers or any other teams would even openly express those thoughts if they are having them. Although I guess Blake Snell from the Rays is proof that I should be monitoring any and all video game streams. I think the kids call them Twitches.

Yuri

12:24

I must say I’m tired of seeing and hearing the antics of Antonio Brown and James Harrison. They didn’t go out in a good way and can’t seem to realize that their reputations continue to plummet with each inane utterance or action. Are they that insecure or need attention so much that they are willing to denigrate themselves? They should be grateful for what the Steelers did for them...on and off the field. It’s time for these guys and others like them to grow up and get a life!

Brian Batko

12:26

Kind of different cases here, Yuri. AB has actually been fairly underground lately, at least from a media perspective. Harrison seems to be keeping up the same edginess that made a lot of fans love him as a player.

Mo Nongahela

12:26

Hi Brian, I'm starting to read about the possibility that Ben might play longer than his current contract. Your thoughts?

Brian Batko

12:28

I think it depends how he fares this season (and next). But at this point I'd be surprised if he's on a roster in 2022. If he were to win another Super Bowl, I could see that being the impetus for him to retire and go out on top.

Jake

12:29

Brian, Do you think Eli or Phillip would have given the Steeler's more SB's than Ben? Thanks.

Brian Batko

12:30

No, I've always considered Roethlisberger to the best of that trio, followed by Rivers, who of course has zero rings.

Jeff M

12:31

Did you get the sense that Jaylen Samuals fell out of favor last year after the abandoned the wildcat formation?

Brian Batko

12:32

Not really. I think Benny Snell showed himself to be a more powerful runner between the tackles, which got him bumped up the pecking order. Remember that Samuels got banged up a little bit too midseason, right around the time of the off week. Everyone on offense was hurt at some point last year, right?

JDaven

12:33

What will the Steelers practice schedule look like next week when their facility is opened? How will the NFL monitor the teams to see if they are following the correct protocols?

Brian Batko

12:34

It won't look like much of anything considering coaches can't be there yet and players are only allowed in if they were undergoing rehab/treatment prior to closing. The offseason work, such as it is, will still be virtual until we hear otherwise.

Jim

12:35

Is there any reason, other than just fear, to think that Roethlisburger won't be back to his usual self this year?

Brian Batko

12:35

I don't have any faith in Roethlisburger.

Chuck S

12:36

Hi Brian, Are you surprised that Anthony Chickillo has not been picked-up by anyone? Do you think that domestic situation has hurt his chances to play somewhere?

Brian Batko

12:37

Not really. I'm sure that type of brush with the law doesn't help, especially when you're a backup looking for work.

Nosmo King

12:37

Who is the starter at TE...Ebron or old McDonald?

Brian Batko

12:38

Hello, Nosmo. I'm going with Eric Ebron, who has made his way to Pittsburgh, by the way. Has a pretty sweet outdoor setup in Sewickley and was catching balls from a JUGS machine by the pool over the weekend, as I observed on his Instagram.

Nosmo King

12:38

Say what....? No faith in Ben?

Brian Batko

12:38

No faith in Roethlisburger, Mr. King.

troyboy

12:39

what the odds paxton surpasses mason on the depth chart, me 100%. you heard it hear first.

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