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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.28.21
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone. Surprising amount of questions given the date on the calendar, but then again, last week was busy with Steelers news. I'll get to as many as possible. Firing it up...
SOCAL21
2:01
Based on what we know so far, and how he was released was hand, can you see DeCastro,  if he is healthy, playing for the Steelers next year?
Brian Batko
2:02
Next year as in next season, or in 2022? Either way, I can't see it happening. Seems like things ended abruptly, maybe not that warmly, honestly. Not only that, but Dave DeCastro might not be healthy enough anyway, and could just call it quits. Put that all together and I'm leaning no.
Sunner in Orlando
2:03
Hi Brian thanks for the chats. I have been hearing rumblings from Decastro about his release as he allegedly said "that's why the owners are billionaires" etc....But if Decastro wasn't going to be healthy enough to start the season, can you blame the team for cutting ties and saving money to bring in replacements like Turner? Also is Turner healthy as he wasn't last year?
Brian Batko
2:05
It's hard to say without truly knowing all the ins and outs of the situation. Of course, DeCastro has gotten his side out there, to an extent - he's never one to make waves or controversy. But we haven't heard from the team, which is generally how the Steelers operate. It is indeed a business and it appears they made a business decision here. As for Trai Turner, he claims to be 100% healthy. I get the sense that some Chargers fans, all three of them, feel like he mailed it in last year after being traded there.
Yinzer Maniac
2:06
Bats - what do you make of the Dotson rumblings that he isn't in shape and has the coaches ire? Seems shocking from a small school guy who came in with a chip last season
Brian Batko
2:08
This is the first I'm hearing of it, honestly. I can say he didn't strike me as looking out of shape physically, but it's not as if I was putting him through the drills. Perhaps it's telling that neither Adrian Klemm nor Mike Tomlin really went out of the way to praise him. But I don't think they did with any of the OL. Klemm even said all spots are open, more or less, though he later acknowledged that we can surmise who has the inside track at various positions.
Turk in MD
2:09
Hi Brian!  The Steelers suddenly have a lot more cap space. My hope is they use it to shore up their current/future salary cap issues.  What sat you?
Brian Batko
2:11
Hey Turk. They don't have too many "future salary cap issues," other than some restructures pushing money into next season via void years. But they do have some big money deals to hand out to good players, from TJ Watt to Minkah Fitzpatrick and maybe one of these O-linemen if someone takes a great leap forward. It's good to have more cushion, but at what cost? The loss of DeCastro? Not that he was particularly good in 2020, but it leaves behind a line that's now an even bigger question mark.
Jake
2:12
Read that we saved a decent amount of money w the release of Decastro, any chance they use that money to sign M Hooker?
Brian Batko
2:14
Yeah I think there's a chance. He'd be a fantastic depth piece. But how much do you want to spend on a guy who'd most likely be a backup? Hooker's skill set is that of a deep safety. And Minkah Fitzpatrick has said time and time again that's where he wants to play in this defense (and also what he's best at). Maybe there's a way to get them both on the field at the same time, but otherwise, he's a rotational and/or bench player and would have to accept that role.
BPOS
2:15
Can't fault the Steelers for grabbing Trai Turner to replace DeCastro but it does seem odd that he was the best out there considering how poorly his 2020 campaign was.  What are the odds the Steelers grab someone released from another team after training camp.  Not only as backup, but to even potentially start.
Brian Batko
2:18
Hey, I looked at the FA guards available, and there ain't much. I can see why the Steelers looked at Turner, thought he struggled because he wasn't healthy, and decided to take a chance. Most of the guys out there at this point, regardless of position, are either aging or coming off injuries so teams are hesitant. As for whether the Steelers could surf the waiver wire, yeah, no doubt. They always look into those options. Just last year they brought back Jerald Hawkins (after Banner went down), they brought in Ray-Ray McCloud during camp, then Sean Davis and Josh Dobbs after cut-down day.
John
2:18
Thanks for the chats Brian. Live in SC now, but have traveled most of this country and lots of the world. Always wear something Steelers and am amazed how many people say something to me about this team. Is there another team in the NFL that even approaches this fan loyalty?
Brian Batko
2:20
Appreciate it, John. And happy to be worldwide every Monday at 2 p.m. (except for next Monday when I'm at the beach). The Steelers are certainly up there in that regard. I think the other gold standard franchises of the league, at least in terms of popularity, are the Cowboys (hold your groans), Packers and Patriots. Winning begets fandom and loyalty, so naturally those teams have garnered large followings.
Jim
2:21
Why all the hate for the O-line this year, could it really be any worse than it was the second half of last year?
Brian Batko
2:22
Yeah, probably. Especially since the 2020 line was solid in pass pro, according to sack statistics and the like. What if this year's unit is mediocre in that area too? And with their track records, or lack thereof, we really don't know what to expect. It's entirely possible they'll be better - younger, more athletic, more physical, etc. But it's still a leap of faith the Steelers are taking on a lot of these guys.
2:23
Actually, all of these guys, to be more precise.
Joe G
2:23
So we are where we are with the o-line.  Two questions - roll the dice and try and make marginal improvements as needed throughout camp?  Or, roll the dice and bring in more established players as we have little experience and limited depth to support Ben in his (last) season?
Brian Batko
2:26
Again, there's not a wealth of talent out on the street right now. I suppose Kevin Colbert could tap into his wheeling and dealing ways, but do you really wanna give away any further future draft capital? You'd probably have to move a depth piece from another position and it's tricky to gauge how valuable those guys are to other teams.
ralph
2:27
Why didn"t Dicastro get an off  season operation? Did the Steelers want him gone? Did he want out ? Will he resurrect his career a year from now with another team ? This is a weird cut!!!
Brian Batko
2:29
Yes, it's pretty weird all around. But from what he's told our outlet and several others, he needed surgery last year, was given a certain timetable by his doctor for when he should feel 100% again, and realized just recently that he's not there. Which prompted another inspection and possibly another procedure now. Hey, for all we know, it's as cut and dried as he's making it out to be. But something tells me that's not the case. And sure, he could come back. Other O-linemen have. Kyle Long signed with KC this offseason after retiring last year (and now he's hurt again).
Jeff
2:30
Thanks for the chats B.  Now a totally new OL, new system, new OC.  Cause for concern or could this be a good thing?  also I read some reports that praise the Trai signing and others saying he is done.  What to believe?
Brian Batko
2:32
I lean toward cause for concern. But that might just be my general disposition. Expect very little, and be happy if it works out better than you anticipated! Seriously though, on paper, if this OL comes together it will be a pleasant surprise right? As for Trai Turner, yeah, it's a double-edged sword. Excellent career credentials, years of good ball on his resume, but we all know this league is about what you've done for me lately. And by all accounts he didn't do much well last year.
Ike Yinzer
2:32
Hello Brian, with the current cap space do you see the Steelers bringing Nelson back with a 1yr - 3m kind of deal? What about a solid backup at OLB position like Houston? By the way, do you think Steelers will sign another OL? Thanks man. Have a great start of the week
Brian Batko
2:35
Eh, I think that ship has sailed  (and that Steven Nelson is probably somewhere fishing off the bow of that ship). To hear him tell it, he's getting more interest than that - a lot more interest - and supposedly wants more than $3 million. Makes sense, since he was supposed to make more than $8 million this year.
Bernard
2:36
Biggest X factor on defense this season:  CB depth, Highsmith replacing Dupree or Bush health?
Brian Batko
2:37
I'll go with CB depth. So many questions there and the hourglass could be running out on your No. 1, too.
Manders
2:38
Is there an actual opportunity for the o-line to be better this year than last?  No offense to the prior line, but it felt like we got old - and soft - last year.
Brian Batko
2:40
Depends on if you think the Steelers are a lot smarter than other organizations. Considering Matt Feiler and Al Villanueva each got $7 million a year, BJ Finney and Trai Turner were cut by their previous teams, and none of the other guys were particularly high draft picks coming out of college.
Jeffrey P.
2:41
Many are wondering why the Steelers are not allowed to go to St. Vincent College for training camp. Could it simply be that the HVAC system in the dorms is non-existent or outdated?
Brian Batko
2:43
I should ask my dad. He does HVAC. Dynamic Heating and Cooling in the North Hills. Shoutout to him. Am I allowed to do that here? Who knows...
Tommy Clearwater Florida
2:44
Hi brian, thanks for the chats. Two part question..First, do you think with the free agent visits we've had the past few weeks, that we will be signing or bringing back any players of impact in addition to Trai Turner?  Secondly, are there any Steelers bars to watch the games down here in Clearwater/ST Pete?  I am relativley new to the area.  TY sir
Brian Batko
2:45
Hmmm we know the Steelers like their reunions. Jerald Hawkins and Danny Isidora, who were on this OL last year, are still out there unsigned. As for where to watch the Stillers dahn there in Florida, I'm not sure. But I bet you could find a place pretty quickly via Google. They're everywhere.
Brian
2:46
Do you agree FO should have made a better attempt to sign Feiler last year and not let him become FA?
Brian Batko
2:47
Not necessarily. To say that would be a bit of revisionist history, and I imagine the major ankle issues with DeCastro weren't entirely foreseeable. Feiler was useful, very reliable in 2019 in my opinion, but also kind of just a guy.
Booie
2:48
Me:  We are one injury away from a train wreck at CB & OLB....
Brian Batko
2:48
What about safety?
Jarvis Ragdoll Jones
2:49
What is the "real" stoty behind Saint Vincent? I have read that the league shut it down, the NFLPA would not allow it, and that the state of PA is responsible. Which of these narratives is true?
Brian Batko
2:51
No one's really saying. Steelers clearly pushed the blame elsewhere. The NFL is taking the brunt of it, but I have a feeling that in this era of player empowerment, the union wasn't entirely in the dark on this one. After all, remember last year, when the league screwed up the Steelers schedule umpteen times, were the players shy about expressing their disdain? On social media and elsewhere? I seem to recall them trashing the shield and calling the situation a joke, things of that nature. So I find it notable that we didn't hear a peep from them on Twitter regarding the Latrobe thing.
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