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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.01.24
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, poking my head up from offseason vacation time to talk some Steelers this afternoon. And I want to know...what you're thinking. Tell me what's on your mind.
chuck mac from Houston
2:00
Why the disinterest in keeping Najee?  The guy is durable, runs hard, and spent the last 2 seasons running into brick walls with little blocking - and still got over a 1000 yds.  Seems as if an extension offer at a reasonable cost would solidify the backfield for the next few years.  I he has a great season - he's gone for sure!
Brian Batko
2:02
Chuck, I think Mike Tomlin was being truthful when he said during OTAs there are several layers to that discussion. Najee Harris has indeed been a good, dependable engine for the offense, but not quite a game-changer in my mind. Steelers seem to agree with that and thus aren't willing to commit a sizable amount to keeping him long-term. They probably like Jaylen Warren at his price point better and might even prefer him in a vacuum.
Reggie from Chicora
2:02
Who is the Steelers most underrated off-season move, draft or free agency?
Brian Batko
2:05
Signing punter Cameron Johnston to replace Pressley Harvin. Special teams always goes a bit underrated.
7 year drought
2:05
Brian, Once training camp starts do you believe we will see Broderick Jones getting most of the starter snaps at LT or will they continue to waste time with Dan Moore in that position?
Brian Batko
2:05
They will continue to do what you view as wasting time, is my guess. But that could change depending on how Dan Moore/Troy Fautanu compete in that setting plus preseason games.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:06
The roster today is better at every position when compared to last season with the obvious exception of WR and maybe DL and OLB. You can argue that DL will be improved with a healthy Cam and if Benton takes a step forward. Same for OLB if Herbig improves. Do you agree?
Brian Batko
2:07
I'll say what I always say on questions like this, JBD. Yes, the roster is improved, but it's all relative in the NFL. In this league, just about every team is getting better on paper within the confines of the salary cap. That's what free agency and the draft are for. Jettisoning players who have lost a step or haven't gotten better, replacing them with the vast potential of younger guys or backups-to-be-starters.
LarryG from Punxy
2:09
Which rookie do you think will make the biggest impact this season?
Brian Batko
2:11
That's a close one for me between all of the first four picks, really, but I'll go with Zach Frazier. I actually think both he and Troy Fautanu will be starters Week 1, so it could go either way. Slight nod to Frazier here.
Cosmo K
2:11
I've not really seen it written or mentioned anywhere, but shouldn't the fact that the Steelers have Connor Heyward on the roster factor into Cam's contact situation. The Steelers could easily cut Connor as he's not integral to the team as there are plenty of TEs on the team and the fullback position isn't utilized. Does that give the Steelers some sort of extra leverage, not that they need it?
Brian Batko
2:13
No, I feel like that sort of crosses the line to operate in those waters. The Steelers should not have drafted Connor Heyward on anything but merit, they shouldn't allocate him snaps on anything but merit and they shouldn't keep him on the roster year to year on anything but his own merit. This isn't House of the Dragon, it's a football team with personal relationships, human dynamics and family ties that will last long beyond the 2024 season.
TVC15
2:14
Hi Brian, If you had to bet $1 million dollars either way ..... will the Steelers win a playoff game this season? Yes or no?
Brian Batko
2:15
I would bet no
Peteburgh
2:15
With the depth of the competition to be wide receiver #2, I think someone will emerge to fill the bill.  What say you?
Brian Batko
2:16
Sure, someone will, even if they don't make another move there. It's not as if the No. 2 guy will be stumbling around like a baby deer, looking like Limas Sweed out there. But it's fair to wonder how much of a threat this passing game can be as it's currently constructed. There are question marks from the WRs to the QB to the pass protection.
Richy
2:18
It appears all three professional sports teams are in a similar position regarding mediocre performance and not a lot of cap space or valuable trade resources. BB, would you agree of the three the Pirates are in the best position to make significant improvement?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:20
Honestly, I don't follow the Penguins and Pirates closely enough to give a real strong take on this topic, but it is fun food for thought in our fair city. That said, I'm not going to agree with you because of the very structure of the league the Pirates play in. I'd go Steelers then Penguins then Pirates because of the nature of the salary cap and how that can lead to fairly quick turnarounds if you hit on some significant roster moves.
CoalportKid
2:21
When will the timing of the Cam Sutton discipline be known?
Brian Batko
2:23
Not sure, but if the past couple years are any indication, my guess would be around the start of training camp.
Randy M
2:24
In the previous couple of seasons, the Oline has struggled to play its best ball in the early parts of the season.  Given the potential change in 3 of the 5 positions, how likely do you believe it will take a good 6-8 games for our Oline to perform better than last season?
Brian Batko
2:26
That's a very real possibility. Just a few years ago, the Steelers took a leap of faith with Dan Moore and Kendrick Green starting as rookies, and it was probably fair to say that OL was overwhelmed early and often. For Green, things never really got better. The big difference of course is a tackle and center who were first and second rounders as opposed to third and fourth rounders, but still, there's almost always a learning curve for rookies no matter how much college experience they come in with. And yes, it's not as if Broderick Jones is a seasoned vet either.
Joe Momma
2:26
Does Pittsburgh use man coverage more than most teams? I saw Donte Jackson’s man coverage skills ranked as“elite” by PFF, which may or may not mean a lot considering the source, and I know Porter’s strengths are in man coverage primarily. So I was wondering if we can expect to see more man coverage this year, or if we are already typically ahead of the pack in our usage of man coverage? Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:29
Yes, the Steelers played a lot of man last year and I believe they ranked in the top 10 league-wide. They had the tools, or tool to do so in Joey Porter Jr. My guess is you will see more of it with Porter having another season under his belt as a shadow corner, Cam Sutton being a solid coverage option in the slot and even DeShon Elliott's ability to match up with tight ends as the strong safety.
KJ
2:30
Helli Brian. How much salary cap space do the Steelers have for this season? We have heard they have a relatively large amount (over $20 million?) which they could use to get an established WR. Is this true? If so, it seems like the better WR option for the Steelers would be Courtland Sutton, which they wouldn't have to give up as much in return. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:33
Right now they have right around $16 million, according to the various cap-tracking websites. They always like to keep some wiggle room for preseason or in-season moves. And they also could roll over any unused cap room to next year, which might not be a bad option given the uncertainty they have at QB, the potential of a mega deal for George Pickens if he takes another leap, etc.
SoCalSteelerFan
2:34
How serious are the Steelers about acquiring (or trading for) a proven #1 or #2 WR? They have the cash, it’s seems like an essential move, no?
Brian Batko
2:36
I'd say they're serious if it can be done at a price that's right for them. Not so serious that Omar Khan will pay $1.10 on the dollar or over-extend where he feels the value is. Because I wouldn't call it "essential" for this team. Pickens has #1 WR talent, no doubt. They've got a few options who could emerge as a #2 or could just field one by committee.
Anthony
2:37
The quantity of "Watch" reports seems to have exceeded the number of written articles on the website.  I am rarely in a situation where I can actually watch a podcast report.  Count me old school, but I kind of dislike them because it is more conversation than reporting.  That's just my preference of course.  The question is, why has the ratio of video to written report shifted?
Brian Batko
2:39
We've steadily increased the amount of podcast/video on the site over the past few years, particularly Steelers-wise. But the written content hasn't decreased as a result. There's just not much going on with this team or the league this time of year between minicamps and training camps. You can always just listen rather than watch the shows we do, too.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:40
Are the Steelers the least bit concerned that neither QB will work out this year causing the need to start over next year looking for a QB? I think this is a real possibility unfortunately.
Brian Batko
2:41
Of course it is. But they did what they could this offseason to improve that group and they did it at a ridiculously cheap price. Low-risk, high-reward moves as far as what they mean for the future of the roster and the QB spot in particular. If neither guy works out, they'll have to start over, but it won't be that painful to do so.
Adam in ATL
2:41
Happy Monday.  Is there an expectation for assistant coaches to take a second year leap within the organization, like a player might? Thinking guys like Aaron Curry. If MT stays long term, is the next DC already on staff if a decision is made to move on from T.A? Have a good holiday.
Brian Batko
2:43
Sure, that's a fair expectation. In an industry as competitive as pro sports, if you aren't getting better, you're getting worse relative to others. Just like backups should want to become starters and starters should want to become All-Pros and All-Pros should want to become Hall of Famers, I imagine you want position coaches who aspire to be coordinators and coordinators who aspire to be head coaches.
2:44
Sorry, missed the second part of your question. Teryl Austin was promoted from within to be the DC, so if they weren't satisfied and wanted to move on from him, it'd make more sense to go outside the organization for a fresh perspective.
Tom in Dallas
2:44
What is the biggest NFL news in the past week that is not about the Steelers?  Just curious if there is anything I missed or need to pay attention to...
Brian Batko
2:45
Zach Wilson got engaged
Gregg from Shaler
2:46
Is there any indication of when Sutton’s discipline will be handed down? I would think it’s relevant to Pat P and or Chandon Sullivan resigning.
Brian Batko
2:47
Again, recent history would point to early August for a general idea of when the NFL rules on such cases, but I'm not sure those other two are gonna be in the mix regardless. I like Beanie Bishop the UDFA out of WVU as a slot corner, too.
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