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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.09.19
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Brian Batko
2:01
Nice of you to join me today, amigos. I'm back for a quick chat in between a couple of vacations, so nothing but the best questions, please. Just when you thought nothing weird was happening with the Steelers, the random tandem of Ryan Switzer and DeAngelo Williams appear to be having some sort of falling-out in real time on Twitter? Anyway, away we go...
John Strange
2:02
Writing off another Super Bowl win as a pipe dream --- as in 0.000% chance of happening --- will the Steelers even win another playoff game in the Big Ben/Mike Tomlin era?  Those playoff pick-sixes are killers.
Brian Batko
2:03
John, I award you the badge of honor for being the least most subtle Ben Roethlisberger troll who faithfully reads the chats. But that obligatory dig aside, to answer your question, I'll say yes. And I wouldn't write them off as Super Bowl contenders at all. It won't be easy to even make the postseason given the schedule, but if they get in the dance, they have a shot.
Jonathan
2:04
Hey Brian. In your opinion, what is one player that has been flying under the radar this off-season that you think will play an important part in the success that the 2019 Steelers will have? Thank you!
Brian Batko
2:06
Hmmm I'll go with right tackle Matt Feiler. He's in a competition to even be a starter there, but I think he'll win the job and pick up where he left off last season after finishing it out as a starter. I'll call him my under-the-radar pick just because it's possible he won't even beat out Chukwuma Okorafor for the spot.

As an aside, as someone who used to cover Kenechukwu Chukwuka on the Pitt men's basketball team, it's gonna be really hard for me to get Chukwuma right. As such, like most others, I shall call him Chuks.
TC in Big D
2:07
Switzer or Rogers?  Who makes it?  For me it's a no brainer, I go with Switzer.
Brian Batko
2:09
That's tough. Both seem to have a pretty good rapport with Ben Roethlisberger and both seem to be well respected in that locker room, though Switzer could probably stand to do a little less responding to perceived slights on social media (though that's neither here nor there when it comes to making the team).

I think there's a wide range of possible outcomes for these guys though. If Diontae Johnson starts slow as a rookie, could one or both be a bigger cog in the passing game than him? On the flip side, what if Diontae Spencer, another shifty 5-8 speedster, continues standing out in training camp after a solid spring? The wideout competition(s) is intriguing, indeed.
John Strange
2:10
BTW --- You could have just written "least subtle" instead of the nonsensical "least most subtle."
Brian Batko
2:10
But I think you try to make it subtle, so I wanted to give you a modicum of credit for that.
Luigi
2:10
With Bush, Nelson and 2nd year Edmunds on defense AND Moncriet, Washington, Johnson and our 3 RBs, I see the underrated steelers going far this year.  Seems like the front office did their job.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:12
It certainly looks like a complete group on paper, Luigi. When the holes that most people bring up are backup tight end and third safety, those are pretty close to nitpicky issues, and you're probably in good shape. That said, the roster on paper doesn't mean anything. Lots of front offices in the NFL did their job this year, the Browns especially. I think it was ESPN who named them the only team that had an "elite" offseason, with the Steelers among some others in the next tier.
Heath
2:12
Hello Brian
Brian Batko
2:12
Hi Heath
Jimmy
2:12
Hi Brian
Brian Batko
2:12
Hello Jimmy
Heath
2:12
Steelers mgmt isn’t dumb.  What do you think they know about the apparent lack of tight end depth that no one else knows ?
Brian Batko
2:14
They did reportedly try to add Jordan Leggett off waivers when he was released from the Jets, so I think they're aware that they could stand to upgrade at that position. But internally, perhaps they're figuring that they'll be using a lot more formations that include only Vance McDonald. Now, it's one thing to have depth behind him given his injury history, but maybe they know that OC Randy Fichtner plans on getting creative with the usage of Jaylen Samuels, or Roosevelt Nix, or just the other wide receivers behind JuJu.
John Strange
2:16
What is you prediction for the opener against the Pats? Will the Steelers be losing in a blowout by halftime? Say it ain't so!
Brian Batko
2:17
I think New England will win, but no, I don't think it will be a laugher by the half. There, I said it ain't so!
Larry from Punxy
2:17
What are you most looking forward to covering during training camp?
Brian Batko
2:19
Great question, Larry. Thanks for thinking of ME and MY feelings. You Punxy people are all right. But I'll say my fellow rookie, Devin Bush. The expectations are sky-high, and monitoring how, when, or if he'll live up to those is near the top of my list of story lines, for sure.
2:20
I'm at the point now where I've typed "Devin Bush" so many times that it's starting to look weird to me.
Eric L
2:20
Hi Brian, thanks for the chat!  What are you looking forward to the most as your first year covering the Steelers in Latrobe?
Brian Batko
2:22
Oh, my bad Eric, I just saw that you asked this, as well. So many people CARE ABOUT ME. Sorry, things are tough at home right now.

Anyway, beyond Devin Bush, JuJu Smith-Schuster is always interesting. Always something with him. How will he show up to report day before camp begins? Obviously, I missed the days of AB rolling up in his Double-R and helicopter. So, yeah, I guess I'm looking forward to that whole spectacle, too. And will it even be a spectacle?
'Double Divot Dewey"
2:23
I know we lost AB - and I know he is one of the most talented athletes in the NFL...........but, somehow I feel with the addition of wide receivers in both free agency and the draft........we are more talented at that position this year.......am I in a deep sleep?  What you say?
Brian Batko
2:25
Hmmm, more talented? Yeah, you might be passed out after a long night of Dewar's, Dewey. Considering the swaps are essentially Donte Moncrief and Dionate Johnson for Antonio Brown and Darrius Heyward-Bey, I'm gonna have to say that the talent level did take a hit, overall. But that doesn't mean there can't be some degree of addition by subtraction. Such as...
Gene
2:25
Hi Brian do you think Ben throws fewer interceptions this year since he won’t be forcing the ball to AB ?
Brian Batko
2:28
A lot of readers have been throwing this out there, Gene. And actually, I think it's a little overblown, just as a hypothesis in general. The way I see it, Ben is still going to take his shots. He's going to take his chances. He's going to, uh, sling his gun, so to speak? Kind of a weird term when you think about it. But anyway, yeah, maybe that number goes down a little - it should, considering it was higher than any other player in 2018 - and maybe it will be because of AB in some respects, but let's not pretend he's gonna turn into a checkdown guy now that he has Donte Moncrief instead of AB.
Jimmy
2:28
Any chance of the Steelers signing a f.a. named Bell,Brown, Staley,Parker, or should I garage sale my jerseys ?
Brian Batko
2:29
Jimmy, my guy, it's the perfect time of year for you to make some bank off those bad boys in the front yard. I'd probably give you a dollar for Duce.
GSMP
2:30
How much better in camp do Wright and Berryman have to be in order to beat out Boswell and Berry?
Brian Batko
2:32
At kicker, I think it's more about Boswell vs. Boswell than Boswell vs. Matthew Wright. If the Steelers decide to part ways with him, I imagine there'd be a scrap heap full of potential kickers to assess. As for punter, I don't know, what do they owe to Jordan Berry? If Ian Berryman is better, and you're OK with judging him off a relatively small NFL sample size compared to Berry, carry him as your punter instead.
Hombre
2:33
I’ve heard rumors JJSS may be getting a little ‘big headed’ with all the media attention, should steeler nation be concerned?
Brian Batko
2:35
No, I don't think so. Listening to him on Adam Schefter's podcast the other day was pretty interesting. He was pretty candid about his work-life balancing act, juggling his dedication to football, building his brand, giving back to the community and, his other love, video games. Honestly, though, he seemed to have a pretty mature way of looking at it. Get what you need to get done when you're at work, do what you need to do to enjoy life away from it (within reason). He said he doesn't gamble or go out and party, so that's probably a plus if true.
JerseySteel
2:37
Hi Brian - do the Steelers have their traditional slow start to the season again this year?
Brian Batko
2:38
Starting with at New England, home to Seattle and at San Fran? Yeah, I could see that. Can't really imagine losing to Cincinnati at home in Week 4, though. That should go a long way in helping to avoid an 0-4 or 1-3 start.
Mago
2:39
If Ola shows his hunger and potential in training camp, would the brass have enuf cojones to actually start him over dupree, who we know what he brings and fails to bring, and also perhaps dupree would be better served to watch, observe and come off the bench...ur thoughs brutha
Brian Batko
2:40
Nah, that seems unlikely. Ola Adeniyi may very well have a great camp, but I think it's Bud Dupree's job to lose once the season begins. Too much invested in him at this point to not see if he rises to the occasion when it's gut-check time. He's had his time to watch and learn.
Bored Today
2:40
I just saw video of Ryan Clark talking about opposing defenses trying to stop two #1 WRs (Odell & Landry), stud TE (Njokeyou), angry talented RB (Hunt) on Browns and got me thinking. Will Steelers D be good enough to stop that?
Brian Batko
2:42
Appreciate the chat name, Bored Today. Keeps me grounded. But yeah, will any D be good enough to stop that? The hype around the Browns isn't just coming out of thin air. These are legitimate dudes, now. You didn't even mention Nick Chubb. And Duke Johnson is a guy who can create mismatches too, if he gets his situation there figured out. I also believe Baker Mayfield is legit.
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