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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.24.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Greetings, friends. Not much new in Steelers land, but we should have plenty to talk about the rest of the week once OTAs start tomorrow. What do you have for me today?
Craig
2:01
Are the Steelers currently pursuing any free agents , OLB or CB?  It sure appears that those positions are pretty thin
Brian Batko
2:03
They reportedly had interest in veteran pass-rusher Ryan Kerrigan, who signed a one-year deal with Philly last week. But other than that, all is quiet on the Steelers front. They're currently at the 90-man roster limit for the offseason, too. Not saying that precludes them from adding if they see fit, but generally, they've waited until closer to the start of the season for late FA signings.
ELev412
2:03
A truly splendid article about our new punter and how racialism has affected his career. Well done! How far are we from a female kicker in the NFL? Yeah, I said it. Is this same sort of prejudice also limited women from a real shot at kicking at the college and professional level?
Brian Batko
2:05
Thank you. Here's the link to that story on Pressley Harvin III, who's really interesting: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/05/24/pressley-harvi...

As for your question, I think it can happen eventually. If more and more women get to try it out in college and have some degree of success, that could create a trickle-down effect in the sport. Would there be inherent biases to overcome? Yeah, probably. But kicking is a skill where you either have it or you don't. It's right there in the numbers.
ErnieHartnerMr305
2:05
Congratulations on your fabulous article on our new punter Pressley Harvin III. He seems like a special PERSON. Is there anything about his unique body type that are limiting from a kick perspective? For example, does his girth limit his flexibility, which allows punters to get extra torque and get extra "english" on the pig skin?
Brian Batko
2:07
I wouldn't think so, Ernie. Much like kicking, there isn't a whole lot of subjectivity in evaluating punters. Now, directional punting, being clutch, things of that nature do matter. But not as much as hang time and distance, and Harvin has that. If the Steelers were worried about his weight being a problem, I don't think they use a draft pick on him.
Jeff
2:07
Thanks for the chats B squared.  Bigger need OT or CB?  A lot of noise about some available OTs, any truth to that or just people who know nothing about this team trying to get articles read
Brian Batko
2:09
Cornerback, in my opinion. Neither the Steelers nor any other team build their roster like a video game where they simply sign a bunch of free agents who might be slightly better or at least more accomplished than their incumbent players. That's the whole point of drafting and developing, building from within. Would it be nice to have a better insurance policy for Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner? Sure, but if the Steelers thought it necessary, they probably spend more money on a tackle than they did with Joe Haeg.
kevin in Punxsy
2:10
Hi Brian.  Are the Steelers currently looking at, and considering, players at certain positions that have FA's still available? I heard that they are looking at Edge Rushers and running backs for additional back-ups.
Brian Batko
2:12
Running back would be intriguing. They did already bring in Kalen Ballage earlier this offseason, but how about adding a veteran to get a few carries here and there but also help mentor Najee Harris? I don't know what Todd Gurley or Adrian Peterson would be willing to play for, but it'd be an interesting scenario.
21-58-66
2:13
Brian - Thanks for the chats.  Who do you think shows for first phase of OTAs tomorrow?
Brian Batko
2:15
I get the sense most, if not all, young players will be there. I'm talking guys on their rookie deals, by and large, which comprise most of the roster at this point. On the other hand, I think you see most veterans skip out this year, and maybe every year going forward.
AA
2:16
I’m happy that we’re no longer hearing about adding Jesse James, like he was some kind of great TE.
Does the new punter hold?
Brian Batko
2:16
Yes, he does.
LivingInMyFears
2:17
Thanks for the chat, Brian! With the expansion of the regular season by one game, how far away are we from expanded roster allowances? I know that it's only one game, but I'm interested to see if there will be more banged up star players by season's end - equating to some less-than-ideal football matchups.
Brian Batko
2:18
They already expanded gameday rosters by two last year. I'm not sure one game will make a huge difference. Now, if you go to 18 games? I think then it starts to become more of a discussion.
J$Money
2:20
If you had to bet right now, is the Steelers long time replacement for Ben: A. On the current roster B. Acquired thru free agency or trade C. Drafted in the future?
Brian Batko
2:21
Always a fun question to think about. I lean toward C, after a year or two of A, B or some combination of both.
ctb
2:22
this seems to be a very important draft class, if things work out it will allow them to concentrate on other areas of concern, contract extension .. future QB .. etc , it feels like the draft fell to them exactly as they wanted it too they got the players the wanted at positions they needed at the picks needed, am I to excited about this draft class or could it be special ?? To get 4 to 5 futures starters in one draft class would be amazing !
Brian Batko
2:24
Oh yeah, to achieve their stated goal of hoisting another Lombardi, the Steelers had a lot of pressure on them to crush this draft and find immediate contributors. But you're right, it also was significant for setting them up in the post-Ben era.
LivinTheDream
2:26
Batman, I really enjoy the "Draft deep dive" articles where the PG interviews a person who has watched the draftee play his college ball.Outstanding concept excellent articles.Three cheers for Adam Bitner
Brian Batko
2:27
Wow, this chat has someone living in fear and living the dream. Running the gamut of emotions. But yes, I concur, that's been a very good series by our Adam Bittner. You can find the latest one here on Dan Moore Jr., and then click through at the bottom to read the others: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/05/24/2021-nfl-draft...
Just a fan
2:28
Odds Ben comes to camp in good condition weight wise? Hopefully great condition given the stakes?
Brian Batko
2:28
I don't think he'll look noticeably different than last year or the year before that.
fredward
2:29
What's the biggest takeaway the Steelers can get from OTAs?
Brian Batko
2:30
To hear Mike Tomlin discuss "football in shorts" the biggest takeaway is often conditioning. Which players are staying in shape in the offseason, both mentally and physically? Who's putting in the work to take that next step? Football-wise, evaluations will be minimal, given the setting. Save those judgments for training camp.
Wayward
2:31
What are the things you want to see during the OTA's (if there is even much to see/hear)?
Brian Batko
2:32
I want to see everyone stay healthy so we don't have to write about injuries. But I will be curious to get a glimpse of Dwayne Haskins, and see the early stages of how he navigates this fresh start for himself in Pittsburgh. Other than that, the media's process of "covering" OTAs is informed a lot more by post-practice interviews than what we actually see on the field.
iowasteelersfan
2:34
Is there any legit reason to think Harris will be significantly better than Conner was last year?  Conner was no slouch - and the OL doesn't appear to be much - if any - better.
Brian Batko
2:36
The James Conner I watched last season, and at certain times the year before, did not strike me as the one I saw at Pitt or even his Pro Bowl campaign in the NFL. Hopefully for his sake he can find his groove again in Arizona, but I see Najee Harris as a player who's just hitting his stride as a runner. You're right though that he'll need OL help. Every running back does, even the great ones.
Munkeefist
2:36
Richard Sherman seems ready to don the black and gold. Are you hearing any interest from the Steelers in making this happen?
Brian Batko
2:36
No, but it would certainly spice things up for the 2021 season. From a story line perspective, I'm all for it.
Brad B
2:37
Will Tre Underwood be used at safety or cornerback?
Brian Batko
2:38
Tre Norwood, not Underwood, but I think he was drafted to be a slot corner type, maybe more in the versatile Cam Sutton role than as a one-to-one Mike Hilton replacement.
Kdot
2:38
Are OTA's open to the public or is that just training camp?
Brian Batko
2:39
No, they've never been open to the public. And that limits what us beat writers are allowed to report. That's an underrated reason to hope for training camp to return to Latrobe, with fans: fewer secrets about what's going on with this team in the run-up to the season.
Stlrdave1
2:40
Brian you may have noticed that ESPN and the NFL channel constantly find something wrong with the Steelers. Many Steelers fans will attest to this. Some of it is warranted, but much is not. I would venture to say many NFL teams and businesses would love to have it run the way they have. What's your take and thanks for taking my comment
Brian Batko
2:42
It's not just those two outlets. Folks who cover the NFL for other national publications are generally down on their 2021 outlook, too. Fans might not want to hear it, but the world isn't out to get Pittsburgh. They aren't Steelers haters. They're just taking an objective look at the team and its personnel, comparing it to the rest of the league's rosters, and forming an opinion on it - while often noting that they're a difficult one to gauge given the way last season ended.
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