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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.06.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, Steelers start mandatory minicamp tomorrow and then we have a long lull before training camp. What's on your mind?
Bill
2:01
What more the main deficiencies of Mitch Tribizki's game that caused the Chicago Bears to give up on him?
Brian Batko
2:01
OK, let's start over...
Ike
2:02
Do you know if Zach Banner has signed with anyone?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:03
Hey, Ike. He has not. I know he posted on Twitter last week that his right leg is feeling better and he's still working hard to get back to the field.
Steeler Dan
2:04
when will Tomlin get over himself thinking he is so smart. they will never win with Bush at linebacker and the defensive line as presently constructed.  Bring in some quality players.
Brian Batko
2:06
I don't see either one of those position groups, ILB and DL, as being built upon hubris. Giving up on Devin Bush this early isn't realistic, but it's not as if they haven't added bodies around him. Myles Jack is the new alpha in that room, while guys like Robert Spillane, Buddy Johnson and even Marcus Allen are there to compete with Bush. As for the DL, even without Stephon Tuitt, they have five players with significant NFL experience plus a third-round rookie.
Scott
2:07
Merril Hoge was very critical of Bush recently. Do you agree with his assessment that Devin is the worst LB on the team? How many games would you give him to prove he is past whatever contributed to his poor play last year before you would bench him?
Brian Batko
2:08
Definitely some incendiary comments from Hoge on 93.7 The Fan's PM Team last week. I hesitate to say he's the worst LB on the team. That's pretty harsh when you're lumping him in with guys who have barely played any defensive snaps in the NFL. But in general I agree that Bush was pretty bad last season. The discussion of "how many games" might be moot if he doesn't look the part in preseason games and even training camp.
AZ Stiller
2:09
Hi BB, do you see the Steelers signing Suh or signing / trading for DL assistance in your crystal ball?
Brian Batko
2:11
They have the cap space to do it, but my prediction is they stand pat. As I wrote above, they have six NFL-caliber guys at that position and that's usually the number they keep. Even if someone gets hurt, which is entirely possible, Henry Mondeaux is your No. 7. I don't want him playing significant snaps but as a "next man up" at the bottom of the roster or on the practice squad, he's serviceable and versatile. If you ask me, I'd use that cap flexibility to help me out down the road in a season where they have a more realistic shot at competing for a title.
Tom M.
2:12
Do you understand the NFL rules related to minority hiring and draft compensation?  I don’t think there are any teams better than the Steelers when it comes to minority hiring. They’ve hired a minority defensive coordinator, hired Flores when he seemed untouchable and have now hired a minority GM. Yet, I don’t hear anything about draft compensation. What’s up with that?
Brian Batko
2:14
Yes, Tom, I believe I do. The NFL has incentivized minority hiring but not in the way you're thinking. Teams receive draft compensation if a minority is hired FROM their organization, not to it. Does that make sense? So, for example, if Brian Flores is hired as a head coach next year, that's when the Steelers would get a comp pick. The idea behind it is to reward franchises for giving minority candidates more chances and developing them long-term.
ev
2:16
Hello Brian, A Steeler opponent question:  Will Mayfield play for the Browns this year?
Brian Batko
2:16
No, I don't think so. The damage in that relationship seems irreparable.
Guest
2:17
So, we found out that last year Tuitt last year went back and got his degree from Notre Dame.  Good for him.  Yet, he was "too depressed" to play football and his obligation to the team but took the millions of dollars for not playing.  That tells alot about the character of a person and the people of this city are not going to forget it how they hoped he would return to help the team out during the season.
Brian Batko
2:20
Guest, might I suggest that you're oversimplifying a pretty complicated situation for Tuitt? He went to class to get his degree, yes, but as far as I can tell that process also included being closer to his family in Indiana. His wife is from there. And, according to his own statement, that work is part of what convinced him he was ready to move beyond football. Far be it from me to tell a guy he should keep playing a sport.
Steeler in Virginia
2:21
Do you think the Steelers third OLB that will come in whenever TJ or Highsmith need a rest is on the team right now?
Brian Batko
2:24
That's a great question. Who are the candidates? Genard Avery, Derrek Tuszka and now Tuzar Skipper. That's certainly an area where they could upgrade, but as we all found out last year with Melvin Ingram, it's a tricky role to fill. If you're trying to find a veteran to do it, it needs to be someone who's OK with being the third wheel behind one superstar and a third-year guy with more to prove. I'm going to say ... no, the No. 3 OLB is not on the roster yet.
JR from Jersey
2:25
If Devin Bush plays like he did last year, which was truly God -awful, how long before they pull the plug and move on? How/who would the replacement be?
Brian Batko
2:26
Probably Robert Spillane. They really seem to like him. But Buddy Johnson is kind of a forgotten man given how sparingly he played as a rookie. Can't count out a fourth-round pick after one year. He told me during OTAs that he lost about five pounds to try to get more lean this offseason, and he feels much more comfortable now in the defense. To me, Bush is actively competing right now to be a starter, but of course he has the inside track given his pedigree and experience.
Kris
2:28
Good day and thanks for the chat!
Did Kirk approve the hiring of Khan to run this ship?
Brian Batko
2:28
Good day, Kris. Sorry, but I'm not a Star Trek guy.
John P
2:29
The loss of Tuitt is huge however, I feel the bodies we have in camp a definite starter has to emerge and be coached up to fill his shoes... thoughts
Brian Batko
2:31
Not sure I agree they need a 1-for-1 replacement there. I mean, realistically, the Steelers don't have a guy capable of playing at the level Tuitt did in 2020. But with how much they like to rotate on the DL, it might not matter. Chris Wormley in some situations, Isaiahh Loudermilk in other situations, even Tyson Alualu and Montravius Adams can hold it down next to Cam Heyward when they go to their nickel and dime packages. And at that point, anything DeMarvin Leal gives you is a nice bonus. Can that committee be as good as peak-Tuitt? Wouldn't say I'm confident, but there's no quick fix for that.
Utah Jim
2:31
Chuks played LT in college and we’ve been told that’s his natural position. Is that door closed?
Brian Batko
2:33
I think that door only opens again if there's an injury to Dan Moore Jr., and even then it wouldn't be a slam dunk. With Chuks, it's probably just a case of where he's spent most of his time in the NFL, how he's taken to the position (some good, some bad) and where the Steelers are most comfortable playing him. The LT/RT discussion isn't what it used to be given how many teams like to move around their pass-rushers or even put their best guy on the left side. Exhibit A: Watt, T.J.
Cosnation
2:34
There is a lot of doom and gloom predicted for the 2022 season.  Where does that come from?  The team addressed a lot of perceived weaknesses and did not lose a lot from their roster.
Brian Batko
2:35
Uncertainty at QB, a miserable playoff performance and a horrible run defense combined with all the major moves made by other AFC teams.
Tim
2:36
If Bush washes out after this year, could he go down as the all time draft bust in the history of the Steelers?  Worst picks in burns, jones, stephens etc but considering pick 10 and draft capital we gave to Denver, i think he earns this distinction.
Brian Batko
2:37
You could definitely make a case for him due to everything you noted, as well as the "can't-miss" perception when he was picked. It just seemed like he had a very high floor when the Steelers made that move, even if he never became an All-Pro and yet, here we are. But with all due respect to Bush, let's see what he does in 2022 before diving too deep into these weeds.
Joe Deeeee
2:39
Now about the gaping hole on the defensive line- are the steelers waiting to see what they have- and if so- with money to spend- where do they look to improve?
Brian Batko
2:39
I do think there's something to be said for seeing what they have in guys like Loudermilk, Leal and even a longer look at Adams.
Buster
2:39
How does mini camp differ from OTAs, other than OTAs being voluntary?
Brian Batko
2:41
That's about it, Buster. They might ratchet up the intensity a bit more, on and off the field, for minicamp but it's essentially the same deal. For media purposes, assistant coaches will talk at minicamp. We didn't hear from them during OTAs.
jwheaney
2:42
The three way competition for the QB position will be interesting to say the least...please provide your thoughtful analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of each and who eventually will be proclaimed the starter in week one...Thanks and keep up the good work!!!
Brian Batko
2:45
First Steelers QB competition in the age of social media. Fun, fun, fun. I don't have a ton of analysis on that front until we see them in more competitive settings, but big-picture, I think Mitch Trubisky is the most well-rounded at this point (NFL experience, arm talent, mobility), Kenny Pickett has the highest upside (poise, instincts, etc.) and Mason Rudolph has the best handle on the playbook. But Rudolph is obviously the weakest athletically and Pickett has the steepest learning curve as a rookie. Trubisky would be my bet to start Week 1.
Y-Town Steeler
2:45
What up BB?  Can you see the Steelers picking up a better then average free agent with the Tuitt retirement freeing up some money?  Not necessarily D-line, any position.
Brian Batko
2:47
Two areas where I could see a reasonable upgrade would be OLB (discussed earlier), backup RB and possibly swing tackle. But keep in mind that rosters will be shaken up with salary cap casualties and things of that nature come August.
PghFNinCali
2:48
Hi Brian
If you had one game to win, which Steeler Head Coach and QB over the years would you want for that game?
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