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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.12.21
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Brian Batko
2:01
Hi everyone, back from my vacation to Virginia Beach. It was nice, thanks for asking. We're still in the quiet time of summer for the NFL calendar but there's never a bad time to talk Steelers. So what's up?
Jps717
2:01
I would like your opinion on the recent criticism of Ben in the national media.  I tend to agree that it’s over for him.  Some local writers point to Bens big numbers in 2nd half of the playoff game.   Let’s not forget, his terrible 1st Q play spotted them a 28 pt Lead.  By the start of Q2, the Browns we’re playing prevent D with two back up corners.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:02
I think he has critics and he has backers, just like a lot of QBs who get up there in age and eventually fall into the middle-of-the-pack category at the position. Personally, I think those doubting Ben Roethlisberger saw the same things and the same concerns I did late last year. It didn't look too good. It's fair to wonder if he can still get it done.
ErnieHartnerMr.305LIT
2:03
Does TJ Watt's engagement affect his ability/ willingness to sign a long-term deal with Steelers? Is that still management's priority this offseason?
Brian Batko
2:03
You're certainly thinking outside the box there on that one, Ernie. But, uh, no. And, uh, yes. I would assume so.
Jake
2:05
your best guess as to what free agent the Steelers are going to pursue once we get into camp?
Brian Batko
2:07
My best guess would be a reliable slot corner or solid backup safety given the lack of experience there. I have to wonder if Malik Hooker is still on the table?
Chilly Dawg
2:09
Hello Brian: Thanks for the chats I am stuck in the Viking land so I do enjoy all the Steelers info I get (By the way Huge STEELERS following here in the Twin Cities). Do you think the Steelers will address both Watt's and Fitz's contracts this year or take care of Watt's first and then address Fitz next?
Brian Batko
2:11
Thanks, Chilly. Never been but Minnesota folks and Vikings fans generally seem like a nice lot. I think they take care of TJ Watt this year and then Minkah Fitzpatrick next year. They do have an extra season to get something done with Fitzpatrick, and as we saw with Watt, they don't mind letting All-Pro types like that play on their rookie deals until it's time to negotiate.
Ted in Lakewood Ranch
2:12
What are the top 5 story lines heading into training camp?
Brian Batko
2:13
I think Ray Fittipaldo is going to put something together along those lines next week, but off the top of my head, I'd say ... backup QB battle, Najee Harris, new-look O-line, new-look secondary and Devin Bush's health.
Artie Bridge
2:14
Brian, do you sense the Steelers have any interest in signing Jesse James?  We heard a lot of talk about him pre-draft, nothing since.  Your take?
Brian Batko
2:15
Not since using their second-round draft pick on a TE. With Eric Ebron and Pat Freiermuth in line for a lot of snaps, I'm not sure James would be a big enough upgrade over your No. 3 options to warrant that signing, and I certainly don't know why he'd want that role at this point in his career.
Gene
2:16
I think the criticism towards Big Ben is a little unfair. I know he played poorly at the end of the season but with a no running game and a poor OL he put to much on himself. Hopefully with Harris and a better OL the outcome will be better.  Your thoughts please.
Brian Batko
2:18
Well, that's what we're going to find out, and that's what the Steelers seem to be banking on. I've heard the idea floated that the Steelers can win by rolling out the same formula the Bucs used with Brady last season, but that's pretty much what the Steelers WERE doing and having success with the first half of the season. Defenses countered and the Steelers started to fade. So now they have to punch back, and that likely means an offense that can either run the ball a lot, throw it downfield effectively, or both.
GET3
2:19
Hi Brian, Has K. Green signed his rookie contract yet?  If not do you have any clue why he has not.  Is he not going to sign with the Steelers.
Brian Batko
2:20
It's really just a red tape kind of thing at this point. Negotiations behind the scenes but nothing that will result in Kendrick Green not signing. He's back in Pittsburgh working out at the team facility. No need to worry.
Paul from Sacramento
2:21
Hiya Brian,  Love your chats and podcasts with Ray. What is your take on the new O line? Do you think Kevin C and Mike T will bolster up after final cuts and training camp?
Brian Batko
2:23
Thanks, Paul. The North Shore Drive will be back this week with another guest filling in for Ray, so stay tuned. It's a bit of a catch-22 with this OL because I think there are a lot of promising but unproven players, guys you believe can be starters and want to see take the next step. But if they don't, you could be in a heap of trouble. So in that way, the Steelers taking a major leap of faith. Gotta trust the process though, right?
The Dude
2:24
Fast forward a month and a day - the first game against the Bills is in the books. What is the PG sports headline and what are fans saying ?
Brian Batko
2:27
Wow, that's a great question. I think the headline is something like "MORE OF THE SAME" with a photo of a dejected Ben Roethlisberger, and a subhead that reads "Steelers pick up where they left off last season" and so on and so forth. Naturally, fans will be talking about how the sky is falling, as they do after any Steelers loss, and not really bothering to mention that the Bills are probably very good.
Jud
2:29
Your thoughts on Heinz vs. Latrobe?
Brian Batko
2:31
Double-edged sword, Jud. I like that convenience of having camp at Heinz, and I'm sure the players, coaches and staffers join me there. But it's also just not the same. The environment should be better than last year when the fans are in the stands later this month, but I imagine it will still feel a lot more sterile than Saint Vincent did. I don't love the drive to Latrobe but it does have charm.
CAPT70
2:33
so Generally speaking the media that covers the NFL on a National basis seems convinced the BIG Ben is done, as they focus only on the last few games of 2020  without any allowance for the fact that The Steelers won 12 games with virtually no Rushing attack . if , as I hope , Ben proves them wrong do you expect any of them to admit their mistake or will it be a case of " I predicted 10 things and I will just keep talking about the three  I guessed right about."
Brian Batko
2:34
Only if that twitter account @OldTakesExposed comes through, I guess.
Chuck from Michigan
2:34
Brian, assuming HOF game is a fourth preseason game for the Steelers this season, who starts this game, Rudolph, Haskins or Ben and how many snaps does each QB get.
Brian Batko
2:35
It is A fourth preseason game for the Steelers, but it's their first preseason game. So, I definitely don't expect Ben to play at all. I think you see all of Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and Josh Dobbs, but an exact snap count is way above my pay grade. To hazard a guess, they'll all get somewhat equal time in such an early exhibition.
Jimmy
2:37
All off season people have been asking about Jesse James.  Did I miss something or was he more than a solid back up ?
Brian Batko
2:41
Might just be an elaborate troll job at this point. His name always seems to come up in these chats.
Guest
2:42
would any team pick up ben if he was released?
Brian Batko
2:42
Yes
Verbal
2:44
How many fans out there think like I do and don’t care about Tomlin’s never under .500 record? I personally would rather see them really good and a serious contender or really pitiful and just run a game or two. Either way the season is more interesting than 8-8 and miss the playoffs.
Brian Batko
2:48
I do think it loses some luster when the team isn't going deep into the playoffs. There's a fine line between consistency and mediocrity, that way. But as you mention, it's not really in this franchise's nature to bottom out, though they might not have a choice in the post-Ben era.
Jerry
2:49
I keep hearing how good Haskins is looking. What are you hearing?
Brian Batko
2:50
Just that he's doing all the right things in terms of maturity, being a pro, etc. And that he's throwing the ball hard. Now, we knew he could do the latter. The former is good to hear, but there's another component to this rehab project and that will be difficult to evaluate until we see him in live action, especially the preseason.
Bernard
2:52
So, first, is Devin Bush a jerk and, second, do you think he'll ever live up to his draft position on the field? Finally, why the hell wouldn't someone like Cam Heyward step in and get this kid focused on football and not Tebow, Hopkins, calling out team mates and becoming a fool on twitter?
Brian Batko
2:54
First of all, "Jerk" seems like a strong word here. Second of all, that's always tough to do when you go 10th overall and a team trades up to pick you there, but he was playing pretty well last year before he got hurt. And third, I really don't think that stuff matters as much to these guys as fans think. If Bush or anyone else is getting it done on the field, and not being a problem in the locker room, they probably couldn't care less whether he tweets too much.
Tim
2:56
Why is Steeler receiving corps so underrated?
Brian Batko
2:57
Is it? I think people who really study NFL rosters and don't just look at big names know it's a solid, deep receiving corps. However, they did have their faults last year, and it's still entirely fair to wonder if they have a true No. 1 in that group.
RK
2:57
What's your prediction on Najee Harris? Over/Under 1000 yards?
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