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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.13.20
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Brian Batko
11:59
Hi everyone, welcome to another rousing edition of a Steelers/NFL/football chat in early July. Programming note: Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo are both off, so this will be your only chance to chat Steelers this week. Don't be shy!
Trier1981
12:00
Brian, who do you think has the most upside, JuJu Smith-Schuster or Diontae Johnson?
Brian Batko
12:03
JuJu. Diontae showed some exciting flashes last year as a rookie, no doubt, but I think there are fewer receivers out there who are JuJu's size with the breakaway in-game speed he's shown over the years. I also must point out that Diontae is actually four months older than JuJu. They're both 23. That's crazy.
Gene
12:03
Hi Brian if the NFL allows fans into stadiums this year how can they expect them to follow social distance policies?
Brian Batko
12:05
Well, to a certain extent, you can't. But to the extent that you can, I suppose you just have ushers watch out for fans to make sure they follow the rules just as you normally would. Keeping an eye to make sure masks are on in the seats, that people aren't clustering together, etc.
Jimmie
12:07
Why did our running back from Maryland opt for the draft after only two seasons with Maryland?
Brian Batko
12:09
Anthony McFarland was actually at Maryland for three years, but missed his entire freshman season with an injury and redshirted. Obviously, he felt that he displayed enough pro potential in his two healthy campaigns to make the leap, and has already had to come back from one serious injury in his career.
Buster
12:10
Will we get to see Paxton Lynch play in the preseason? If there is a  preseason.
Brian Batko
12:11
I would think so. To me, the Steelers would want to see as much as possible of Devlin Hodges and Lynch to sort out the QB depth chart. Perhaps you'd want to give Mason Rudolph some live reps too, but it's not as if his role as the backup is in question.
This Guy
12:12
Dude, Terrelle Pryor as our 3rd string QB, gadget/trick play guy and 6th receiver.  Thoughs?
Brian Batko
12:14
Doesn't move the meter a whole lot for me. He's 31 now and was also trying to get back in the league last season but to no avail. Also has had some legal and health issues, not independent of each other either, in the past year or so. If the Steelers weren't interested last season with all their receiver injuries, can't imagine they will be now.
Picksixlisberger
12:16
Brian,                                                  Who has a better chance to catch a pass this year:  Antonio Brown, Martavous Bryant or John Stallworth?
Brian Batko
12:17
Give me AB over MB ... and JS, for that matter.
Mercury
12:18
I’m sure if Ben is unable to come back they would look for veteran qb help. If Ben is ok, but Rudolph would go down, would they do the same?
Brian Batko
12:21
It would depend on what they've seen from Hodges and/or Lynch to that point. And potentially Ben and his ability to stay healthy, as well. Let's not forget Mike Tomlin's ringing endorsement last year of Duck: "He didn't kill us."
Ron T
12:22
Hi Brian no question just a comment. In this sportsless world we live in now, your chats and insights help to fill that void, and are much appreciated. Thanks for your time and efforts and best of health.
Brian Batko
12:23
Why thank you, Ron. Hopefully there will be some sports on the horizon, or at least a little bit more for us to talk about in terms of knowing when there will be sports.
JerseySteel
12:24
Hi Brian - will the Steelers get a deal done with Cam Heyward before the season or will the pandemic force them to hope and try after the season?
Brian Batko
12:25
Yes I still think they will. The deadline to sign franchise players to an extension is Wednesday, so perhaps the Steelers didn't want to make a move before that date passed, if only for the optics of it.
Morse
12:26
Have you heard of any teams kicking the tires on Landry Jones?
Brian Batko
12:27
Nope. Last we saw of Landry, he was throwing three interceptions in his final XFL game (seven over his final three) and then reinjuring the knee that delayed his comeback before the league folded. He might be cooked.
Mikey
12:28
A month or two ago there was some talk of the NFL (and probably college football, as well) fitting helmets with some sort of plastic or plexiglass shield to help lower the risk of spreading covid. Did that ever go anywhere?
Brian Batko
12:29
Yes, last I saw, some helmet companies were still putting together prototypes of such a design. And then the idea got sacked last week by none other than JJ Watt, who said if the NFL mandates that kind of facemask, he won't play. Yikes.
Also Mikey, this story was posted five minutes ago, literally, by the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/nfl-oakley-come-up-with-face...
Steeler in Virginia
12:29
I know the Steelers are tight against the cap. Would they have the room as is right now (without restructuring other contracts) to pay Dupree more on the franchise tag?
Brian Batko
12:30
From what I'm seeing at overthecap.com, our trust resource for cap-related matters, yes they would.
This Guy
12:30
Pittsburgh's best "football" team played their opener last night on ESPN2 and got a 3-1 win.  Did you catch it?
Brian Batko
12:30
No, I'm not much of a soccer fan. But good for the Hounds.
Alan in Nashville
12:31
Hi Brian. I know it’s not the 70’s and 80’s anymore and many NFL QB’s like Ben like to ride with their brothers to the end, good or bad but times might be different this year. If we have no preseason games and Ben stays healthy, the team would be in the exact same position with the QB spot as far as having a plan for the future. Do you see a way where the team tries to get Mason on the field if any games are out of reach? Even if they have a big lead, you still run some plays to see what you have? It sounds like a stretch but what else can they do?
Brian Batko
12:31
If games are out of reach, one way or the other, I'd want to get Ben Roethlisberger out of harm's way. For his own sake and the team's sake, not necessarily to gauge Mason Rudolph's readiness.
livinthedream
12:31
KC is nuts. Guaranteed money is a big risk, guaranteeing nearly 50 mil over ten years is insane.One little accident and your team is kaput.
Brian Batko
12:32
I disagree. To me, the long-term deal for Patrick Mahomes is great for both sides.
OK folks, out of time for today and not a ton of questions anyway. That's fine. Hopefully you're all on vacation or at least have found peace in the unknown when it comes to sports, the NFL, etc. Have a good week!
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