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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.21.21
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Brian Batko
1:59
Hi everyone. We're in the dog days of the offseason now. If you're logging on to read/participate in a Steelers chat in mid-to-late June, you are among the diehards, no doubt. Thank you for being here.
Sunner in Orlando
2:00
Hey Brian thanks for the chats! Anything to Trai Turner's visit to the Steeler headquarters? Is he even affordable? Or are they both kicking the tires on each other?
Brian Batko
2:01
At this point in the offseason, I'm not all that concerned about a player's price point. Gotta think just about anyone is relatively "affordable" if he's still looking for work this late in the calendar. I'd say it's another case of the team checking in on an established veteran at a position where the depth is a bit thin - just like Malik Hooker at S, Ryan Kerrigan at OLB, etc. But we'll see...
Rocky,
2:02
Are you seeing a measurable difference in the punting game now with the Steelers new punter?
Brian Batko
2:03
I think it's gonna be a real camp battle between the entrenched Jordan Berry (well, was entrenched until getting cut last year, but still the incumbent nonetheless) and new guy Pressley Harvin III. And I'm actually very intrigued to see how it plays out. As Mike Tomlin noted in his final post-minicamp presser, he's going to try to create some pressure-like situations for those two. More likely Harvin, who has the college numbers and accolades on his side, but hasn't done this at the pro level the way Berry has. I love punter competitions!
Scott
2:04
How and why does Danny Smith still have a job?
Brian Batko
2:06
Not sure I understand those who are so anti-Danny Smith. Maybe it's just the nature of being a special teams coach. By nature, it's a part of the game that you never notice or pay much attention to it until something bad happens. Does the guy not get any credit for Chris Boswell bouncing back? If you're into advanced metrics, the Steelers were 14th in special teams DVOA last year per Football Outsiders. That's above average.
Daniel
2:08
What is going on with David DeCastro? Is he still recovering from an injury or does he want an extension? There must be a reason for last week's visit by Trai Turner. RIght?
Brian Batko
2:09
That's the other point of the report that the Steelers had veteran guard Trai Turner in for a visit. It's easy to connect dots and say there must be some concern with DeCastro, who was playing hurt and not particularly well last year, then sat out minicamp last week. But the fact that he was there, albeit not participating, makes me tamp down the panic meter just a little bit. Still, it's not a situation I feel great about, overall.
Krugerrand
2:10
SCOTUS says NCAA cannot unilaterally prohibit compensation to student athletes.  What says Brian?
Brian Batko
2:12
I think I'm very much on board with this, but to be honest, I haven't paid all that much attention. And to be really honest, it's not that interesting to me. I know, I know, it's seismic for the idea of college sports as amateurism, could change those sports as we know them, things of that nature. But when I transitioned from covering Pitt to the Steelers, I got to leave a lot of philosophical discussions and court cases behind.
Smoke
2:13
Can the steelers running game equal the browns...and if so, do we not then have an advantage over them or is their defense better than ours?
Brian Batko
2:15
That's asking a lot, considering the Browns were one of the best rushing attacks last year and the Steelers ... well, "attack" doesn't really fit whatever it is they were doing. In addition to schemes that had the X's and O's gurus out there clapping their hands, the Browns have a couple fantastic backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, plus one of the best O-lines in the game, if not the best. So, I'm probably going to reject the premise of your question, but the Steelers don't have to have the best ground game in the division. They need to be better than last year and I think they will be (hard to be worse).
SOCAL21
2:16
I really liked Conner as the #1 RB.I know Harris deserves all the press he is getting, but wondering was Conner that bad, and he was part of the problem as both the ball carrier and a receiver? Because if Harris will solve the RB problem then Conner must have been the problem.
Brian Batko
2:18
To me, James Conner peaked in 2019 and then hit a progressive downturn. Maybe it was health, maybe it was changing his running style BECAUSE of health, or maybe he's just lost a lot of tread on his tires. Don't get me wrong, he didn't have much room to work with, but even when he did get to the second level, or get a one-on-one with a defender, his ability to finish runs, bully people over or make them miss was lacking. Just one man's opinion on it, but clearly the Steelers had seen enough too, and that's what matters. Still, Najee Harris will need to have some holes opened for him. He won't just break 11 tackles every play.
Ryan
2:19
Good afternoon Brian how did Najee look at mini camp can’t wait for the season to start soon to watch him Ben juju Diontae Washington Claypool Ebron Tuitt Heyward and watt and everyone else play
Brian Batko
2:20
Looked great. Big, quick, and his coaches/teammates have raved about his work ethic already. Should be fun to see what he can do in the preseason, and if you're the Steelers, you probably won't want to see too much of him.
Retire21
2:21
I know some people ridicule the Steelers QB situation as it stands but I'm glad I won't have to fork up the $$$ soon for Lamar or Baker...the first is RGIII injuries waiting to happen and the other is terminally short. Who would you risk $30M a year on?
Brian Batko
2:23
I'm a Lamar Jackson fan. I know not everyone is, which is fair, because he does indeed have his flaws. But I'd give him $30 million a year. I don't see that being a Jared Goff or Carson Wentz kind of mistake. Not quite as sold on Baker Mayfield, but I generally liked what I saw last year, especially after the Steelers dominated him at Heinz Field early in the season.
Jeff
2:24
Thanks for the chats Brian.  What is your take on the whole Rodgers fiasco.  I would put the packers right behind the steelers as far as organizations go.  Seems like this is more him.  It's not like he is playing for the Bengals.  All because they didnt take a playmaker in the first round?  It is not like their offense stinks
Brian Batko
2:26
You're welcome, Jeff. I really don't know what to make of it. Definitely have gone back and forth on what I think will happen. Although, I suppose logic would dictate that the longer it goes on without him having a new team, the more likely it is he'll be back in Green Bay, somehow, some way. I want to be on Team Rodgers because he's a great player, so fun to watch, the Packers really HAVE neglected offense, and there's something sort of likable about him. But when the only leg he (and, thus, I) has to stand on is the draft decisions and vague disdain for the front office, it's hard to find too much fault with the team.
Dr. Mike
2:27
Could you see any way that Richard Sherman is playing for us this year?  He would be just the  missing piece to put us over the top.
Brian Batko
2:29
Never say never, but I'd be stunned if Sherman is a Steeler. The stuff about him being a zone corner and the Steelers preferring man schemes is legit, but even more than fit, I don't see it happening because of what seems to be their plan for Cam Sutton. And not only do they clearly like him, and his ability to replace Steven Nelson outside, but they keep touting James Pierre, who's only been an outside corner to this point. But boy would it be a juicy story line to have Sherman on board.
TP Hunter
2:30
Hey Brian. Considering all factors, the realist in me thinks this upcoming season has borderline playoff potential at best. How much of this roster will be around in two or three years when, hopefully, the Steelers are in a position to make a Super Bowl run?
Brian Batko
2:33
I'm with you on that. But we can't just assume they'll be in position two or three years from now, too. Sure, they'll be less cap-strapped, one would think, but they need to find a successor to Ben Roethlisberger. Love him or hate him, most years he's been the single biggest reason why you could feel like the Steelers were legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Do I still feel that way about his QB play? Eh, probably not. But it's the most significant position in the game, maybe all of sports, and no amount of talent on defense or offense will get you over the top if you don't have a QB who can win the big one (that sound you hear is Nick Foles harpooning my entire argument).
Clapton Beasley Hagler Aaron DMX
2:34
Other than the fact that he can actually catch the ball without falling down & get YAC I just don't  see what makes Minkah Fitzpatrick AllPro worthy or huge contract viable. Can you enlighten me on the non tackling trait Safety's worth at that level?
Brian Batko
2:36
Catching the ball is a trait the Steelers haven't had much at safety! I like that trait! But seriously, his ability to be in the right place at the right time is what makes him great. Not many lapses as far as that goes, and even the tackling woes, I see those as gambles that don't always pay off (and sometimes leave you in a world of hurt). It might take making him the highest-paid safety in the league, but I think the Steelers will make it happen.
V. Fontaine
2:37
What is your best guess as to whether camp will be open to the public in Latrobe or not?
Brian Batko
2:38
My best guess is yes, to an extent, but that it still won't be the Saint Vincent training camp of old. Not sure exactly what it will look like though. Selfishly I hope it is, because otherwise we might have to go along to get along with more practices under the veil of secrecy.
Merc
2:39
What do you think of Cole Beasley’s stance against getting vaccinated?
Brian Batko
2:40
I don't agree with it, personally, but that's his right. It also wouldn't bother me if the Bills, or even the NFL, decide that if he won't follow their protocols that he can't be a part of their organization(s). He seems to have gone off the deep end, and I'm not saying that because of his choice, but because of the way he's handling it.
chuck Mac
2:41
players that won't get vaccinated???....employers have a right to terminate them for non-compliance that same way workers would sue companies for not providing a safe workplace????
Brian Batko
2:43
Chuck, I'm not a lawyer and I'm absolutely not a medical professional. But yes, non-compliance would seem to be the issue here, considering the league and the players' union have agreed upon the restrictions for unvaccinated employees. They aren't mandating it, but yeah, these protocols seemingly are making it very difficult to be a part of a team if you choose to not get the shot.
Dick
2:44
When will we get some idea as to whether Haskins will make the team; what do you think the chances are that he can replace Rudolf as the number one backup.
Brian Batko
2:46
Should get a chance to evaluate him in the preseason. And that's why this should be one of the more interesting preseasons for the Steelers in a while, or at least more interesting to me. Mike Tomlin likes to talk about creating pressure situations but also letting guys shine organically, and I'd say this is kind of both for Mason Rudolph after a year spent mostly on the shelf.
Jake
2:48
Did bush run or otherwise participate in otas?
Brian Batko
2:48
Yeah I think I saw some photos/videos out there of him participating.
Mac and Cheese
2:49
Wrong chuck Mac.  An employer cannot force a person to have a medical procedure against their will or religious belief.  Same for schools trying to force students to be vaccinated.
Brian Batko
2:49
What time is Brian Batko's Human Resources chat?
marty v
2:50
With a 17th game, will they expand the 53 man roster, with 46 active and will they be able to keep more on the practice roster?
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