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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.18.19
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Nino Bruce
2:42
I like optimism in most coaching situations. As a former coach who won a championship in another sport, I believe athletes feed off the coach. I believe confidence should always be what you want to infect the team with.
Brian Batko
2:42
And I think Mike Tomlin is, by nature, a pretty optimistic guy. I also like stability in most coaching situations. Doesn't mean the Steelers can't ever make a change when they feel it's needed, but I think continuity is generally better more often than not.
Nosmo King
2:43
Any chances we will see you doing some punt fielding as a local evening news spot?
Brian Batko
2:44
I'm all for it. Get my guy Richie Walsh on the horn. Although I am still nursing a dislocated and/or broken finger from a couple weeks ago. Never did go get it looked at.
OSU-Burgher
2:44
Did Sutton Smith get any reps at inside linebacker?
Brian Batko
2:45
Don't believe so
Jason C
2:46
Who is the strongest Steeler in the weightroom? And do Steelers players ever talk about their strength and conditioning coach?
Brian Batko
2:47
Not sure, but it's probably not Jordan Berry. I've seen some of the players shouting out assistant S&C coach Marcel Pastoor on social media.
Paul
2:49
assuming JuJu, Moncrief, Washington and Johnson are locks, who fills out the rest of the receiving room?
Brian Batko
2:50
Depends on how many players they want to keep on the 53. My gut has Ryan Switzer above Eli Rogers for No. 5, but I could see Rogers sticking around, too, given his experience. Folks like Trey Griffey, Diontae Spencer, Johnny Holton and Tevin Jones are all interesting in their own rights, and maybe guys who could catch on elsewhere, but probably not enough to make this particualr team.
Just Wonderin'
2:51
If there any player currently on the Steelers roster capable of effectively covering Julian Edelman for the entire game in week one?
Brian Batko
2:53
No one effectively covers Edelman for an entire game anymore. He's too good and playing pass defense is too hard. Just look at what he did in the playoffs last year. Merely containing him should be the goal - say, 7 receptions for 90 yards or fewer. That was good enough for a 17-10 Steelers win last year.
ALB
2:53
Brian, an awful lot is being counted on with Devin Bush this year. How confident do the coaches seem that he is capable of performing like a veteran from the getgo instead of a confused rookie?
Brian Batko
2:54
When the Steelers broke minicamp Thursday, Mike Tomlin left us media hacks with the statement that he's mostly reserving his evaluation of the young guys until Latrobe.
Bake
2:55
With only 1M or so in cap space its unlikely they will add any Jun 1st or preseason FA's.  However, will they have to create cap space to extend anyone in their final year?
Brian Batko
2:56
Not that I know of. Joe Haden is probably most likely to get that done. I don't see much changing with this roster between now and camp.
iowasteelersfan
2:57
There really are a lot of question marks for this year. Dupree, Nelson, Grimble, Boswell, #2WR, Davis, etc.  How many of these players can fail to meet expectations and we still make the playoffs?
Brian Batko
2:57
No more than three.
Gary
2:57
What is your thoughts on Ollison having such a high ranking among rookie running backs?
Brian Batko
2:59
Makes sense given the backfield situation in Atlanta. Devonte Freeman has dealt with a lot of injuries, Ito Smith doesn't do much for me and Tevin Coleman is off to San Fran. Ollison could get a lot of work in his first year.
Tom from VA
2:59
Are the Steelers heading to the land of Hard Knocks or will Boswell make some clutch kicks this year?
Brian Batko
2:59
I don't think the Steelers will ever be on Hard Knocks.
Franco
2:59
Hello Brian, does this team make the play-offs?
Brian Batko
3:00
Sorry I spurned you earlier in the chat, Franco. But as of this date, June 18, I'll say no. My AFC playoff teams at this juncture are New England, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Cleveland, San Diego and Houston. I reserve the right to change my mind, though.
3:01
OK, everyone, that does it for this week's chat. Thanks, as always, for joining. Feel free to hit me up on Twitter or email or in the comments for the Steelers mailbag. Later!
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