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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.01.24
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Steeler Joe
2:47
Hey, Bats. I can't help but think the Steelers' WR2 situation might be overstated. Doesn't Arthur Smith throw a lot to TEs and RBs? If so, there's only one ball, and maybe we can get by with a decent WR2 instead of rolling out two high-paid stars at the position. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:49
Yes, Joe, I'm with you. It certainly helps to have more playmakers - always does at any level of football - but what this team wants to be offensively is fairly obvious from the outside. Just can't be one-dimensional about it. And I could be wrong, but I do think there are some ancillary pieces in the receiving corps who can help keep defenses honest through the air.
Polevetsian Dance No. 2 by Borodin
2:49
Good day Brian, Over his career so far Stephon Gilmore has come into free agency a few times yet, despite the Steelers needs at CB all those times, especially outside CB, I have never even heard a inkling of the Steelers being even interested, in both National & Local media. Each case their may be different reasons but now they say they are in "win now mode" so... Sure he'll cost a bit more than P.P. but he started 17 games last season and still plays at a high level. Have you any insight as to the seeming lack of interest before and now?
Brian Batko
2:51
Not really. Stephon Gilmore is a former defensive player of the year. He can play in any system and help any team, so I can only assume all 32 have had interest in him over the course of his career.
Kent Nix
2:52
With Pickett being a 1st round choice, are the Steelers on the hook for any of the contract money? Same question regarding Fields...
Brian Batko
2:52
Yeah, a little bit of dead money this year, $3.7 million. But it's a lot harder to swallow the loss of a first-round draft pick than it is that cap hit. That's the real lack of return on investment.
Coach15
2:53
Thanks for the chats---   What are the two biggest NON-STORIES, fans & media are NOT talking about, 1 @, offensively & defensively-
Brian Batko
2:55
Trying to compute the double negative here. Guess I'll have to go with whether Dan Moore Jr. should change his number from 65 (offense) and if Aaron Curry could be a player-coach given that he's only 38. Those are two non-stories no one is talking about.
Zell
2:55
I've read that Calvin Austin looks much improved.  Do you agree ?
Brian Batko
2:56
It was only football in shorts, but yes, he did stand out to me in OTAs/minicamp. Always been a believer in his game and loved that they picked him in the fourth round, just hasn't translated yet in the NFL. Perhaps this is the year for him.
Orpheus Kyle
2:57
Which coach or player would you like most to see featured on Hard Knocks this fall?
Brian Batko
2:59
That's a nice one, Orpheus. Isaac Seumalo would be knida fascinating because he's so reticent to open up to the outside world. He's a gruff, no-nonsense lineman personified. So yeah, seeing a deeper look at him could be unique and interesting.
Ryan
2:59
Good afternoon Brian do we sign Pat Freiermuth to a contract Extension During training camp
Brian Batko
2:59
My guess is yes
Jeff M
3:00
Injuries are always a key factor in how a team finishes. What position do you think is the best and worst prepared to deal with injuries to starting players?
Brian Batko
3:01
Best, probably RB because they have two excellent ones at the top. Worst, I'll say tight end hence the value of Freiermuth.
Mago
3:02
Young superstars with million dollar contracts and fame typically have trouble adjusting ..since the brain is still developing up to age 25 mental health problems ..depression ..anxiety ..bad decisions seem to follow a lot of people around.. what steps have the Steelers made to be proactive and address  this outside of the physicality of football and address the psychology of the brain and why people do what they do.. is there a therapist on staff so players have options of meeting with counselors.. therapists to deal with issues and problems? Turn on the monster on the field turn into a decent citizen off..sounds difficult complicated and lonely
Brian Batko
3:03
Mago, I don't mean to dismiss your thoughts on this at all, but I do think you win the award for deepest, most complex question in the history of Steelers chats. Way above the proverbial pay grade for this forum, and I'm also out of time, so I'll internalize this for now and ponder it indefinitely.
3:04
Thanks to all and apologies if I didn't have time to snag your entry. We'll return to your regularly scheduled chat programming closer to Camp Latrobe. Enjoy the 4th.
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