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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.22.24
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Brian Batko
11:00
Hey there, thanks for stopping by for our final pre-training camp Steelers chat in 2024. Let's get into it.
Mats
11:01
Hi, BB, thanks for the chats! What changes would you make to the actual Steelers roster to transform them into a Super Bowl winning team, thanks
Brian Batko
11:03
Sure thing, Mats. I'm not sure there are any realistic alterations to be made in my mind, mainly because I'm skeptical of the QB position compared to the league's top Super Bowl contenders. But reinforcing the slot corner position might be one marginal move to make.
Paul
11:04
Hey Brian! Considering the current state of the WR room (and that we probably won’t add to it), is Jefferson the best blocker out of all of them? Are any of the others passable?
Brian Batko
11:06
George Pickens is the best blocker when he wants to be. He has the requisite frame, length and attitude for it, no doubt. You've probably seen some of the highlights. But as far as being assignment-sound and technique-oriented and all that, yeah, I'd think the son of a longtime NFL receivers coach would be the best. Roman Wilson seems to have the appetite for it too, but the physicality will be an adjustment from the Big Ten to the pros.
Cosmo Kramer
11:08
Hello Bats. The Steeler's WR Corps doesn't exactly strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. I just can't see the Ayiuk deal happening. Are there other names being tossed around to make a deal or do they just wait to see if someone is released after camp. They just can't go into Atlanta with this receiving corps, can they?
Brian Batko
11:10
Hey Cosmo, good to see you in the virtual room. I'm not exactly optimistic that any WR who'd be cut after preseason would be much of an upgrade over guys like Jefferson, Wilson, Calvin Austin, Quez Watkins, et al. Perhaps Courtland Sutton is another option if the Broncos really want to rip it all up and rebuild.
Jeff M
11:11
Now that we have AM football in Latrobe, do you have any breakfast recommendations to visit around St Vincent?
Brian Batko
11:12
Breakfast is typically some overnight oats or toast or granola bar for me on my way out the door, maybe a stop somewhere on Route 30 if I'm making good time.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
11:14
Will there be an actual competition at QB or will Wilson start at QB to begin the season no matter how bad he looks in training camp? I don't feel really good about either QB no matter who starts.
Brian Batko
11:15
That's the million dollar question, isn't it? From everything I'm observing in-person, it won't be much of a competition. That's how much faith they have in Russell Wilson, at least compared to Justin Fields at this point. But I keep hearing from national media folks that Fields has a shot. Sometimes those types are plugged in and know, other times it's helpful to be close to the situation. The good thing is those puzzle pieces will start coming together Thusday.
John in Florida
11:17
Good morning Brian, thanks as always for your chats. While a lot of attention has been focused on the need for another WR, I think the team is very thin at OLB/Edge. While Watt and Highsmith are set as starters, the depth is thin. Golden has not been replaced and Herbig is the only proven backup. This is a key position in their defense. Do you look for the team to acquire a veteran backup, or is there someone currently on the roster you think can step up?
Brian Batko
11:20
Hi John, my pleasure. That is an under-the-radar potential trouble spot, because you're only one injury away from being in flux there. We've seen it the past two or three seasons with TJ Watt. I think Nick Herbig is ready for sure, and could also fill in as a starter if need be. But after him it's a shallow pool. A guy like Jeremiah Moon looks like a million bucks but can he play? Kyron Johnson has been around the team and the system for a bit, but he's undersized. Markus Golden does remain unsigned, in case something happens.
Tom M.
11:20
Robert Woods may be the odd man out in Houston. Would he be a worthwhile addition to the WR room or is he just another guy?
Brian Batko
11:22
I'd categorize him as just a guy at this point. He's 32 already. But whether it's Houston or another team that's flush with receiving talent, it would behoove the Steelers to keep an eye on those situations and see if they can swing a deal
Seferg
11:23
Steelers superbowl record with a hall of fame quarterback: 6-1 over roughly 30 years.  Steelers superbowl record without a hall of fame quarterback 0-1 over roughly 50-60? years.  Do we have a good enough qb room?
Brian Batko
11:26
On paper, no. I'm just very lukewarm on the possibility that Russell Wilson has found the fountain of youth at age 35, especially given how much mobility and athleticism was a key part of his skill set when he was great. He could be good enough to get this team to the playoffs, certainly. But this question is about winning the whole thing. One theme from the last 5-10 Super Bowls I've watched is how often the Jared Goffs, Jimmy Garoppolos and Brock Purdys of the world always seem to be one step behind the legend on the other side and it costs them.
G Money
11:27
B Money, Do you hold the same dreadful concerns about the "Lack of a WR2 is a major detriment to the season" as some others in the local media?  I think it's a very overrated issue.  I'm more worried about the DT's on this roster...
Brian Batko
11:28
G Money. Nah, I feel like I've been less enamored with that take than others. Part of that is being pretty damn high on George Pickens if he can keep the main thing the main thing. The D-line is interesting because they have no shortage of NFL-caliber dudes, but whether any of them will be dominant is another story.
Ryan
11:29
what position Battles will you be watching in Camp i think Wilson wins the Quarterback Job what other ones to watch go Steelers
Brian Batko
11:31
The offensive tackle love triangle is the big one for me. Zach Frazier is probably gonna start, but still, he'll have to beat out Nate Herbig at center. And then wide receiver, to an extent, though I imagine it could be a committee approach after Pickens.
Slash
11:32
Should there be more pressure on Tomlin to make the defense elite given that the majority of money is allocated on that side of the ball?
Brian Batko
11:35
Yeah, the defense is gonna have to do the heavy lifting most likely, particularly early in the season when a new-look offense will be trying to jell. There's always pressure on Mike Tomlin, at least from the outside world. But the inside? I'd say pressure and accountability aren't necessarily the same thing. Teryl Austin will have to answer for it too if the defense disappoints.
Lou
11:36
Brian!  Is this new guy Russ gonna bunk up with Cam or TJ orrrr?
Brian Batko
11:38
Maybe he should room with a different teammate each night to get to know everyone better. In all honesty, those veteran players probably won't have to worry about roommates. Even the young guys often just have suitemates now, adjoining doors and so forth. The trappings of Saint Vincent aren't exactly glamorous by any means, but I believe the players get a bit more space/freedom than they used to.
Nebby Tom
11:40
Single, shared, or players choice at Latrobe and away games? Thanks for chatting BB!
Brian Batko
11:42
The accommodations at Rooney Hall in Latrobe are not as friendly as the hotels the players stay in for road games, I know that. But in that annual NFLPA survey, Steelers guys reported that they aren't required to have roommates on out-of-town trips. We might have to get you on the phone with their travel coordinator at this point.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
11:42
All the talks about trading for Aiyuk don't seem to be in the Steelers best long-term interests. He will cost 35 mil a year and they have to give up valuable draft capital. Plus, he sounds like a diva. Not worth it IMO.
Brian Batko
11:45
I'm not close enough to the situation to say whether Brandon Aiyuk acts like a diva or not, but I do feel like the way he's been handling this offseason has seemed a bit over-the-top. Business is business and players don't have much recourse when they aren't being paid what they're worth. I get that. But it's not as if he's dealing with a dysfunctional, failing franchise in this fight. The Niners are highly successful and well-respected in the front office. Might be a losing battle for him.
Jeff
11:46
Why so much discussion about Justin Fields as a starter, when clearly the Steelers have said it is Russ's job? Same with all the discussion of a huge WR trade? I personally think they gonna roll as they say they are.
Brian Batko
11:48
They've said Russ is in pole position. That strikes me as a carefully chosen phrase from Mike Tomlin and Co. Fields has had his struggles in the league but there are still some evaluators fairly high on him and his potential. As for WR, I tend to agree with you that what you see is what you're gonna get, but Omar Khan has been aggressive and risky enough in recent years that we can't rule it out.
TVC15
11:48
This December on "Hard Knocks" which Steeler will mug for the camera the most? Tomlin?
Brian Batko
11:52
You know, I get the sense that Tomlin will either be all over it or will try to really stay out of the spotlight, no in-between. I'd assume HBO will want to focus on him quite a bit given his stature around the league, but we know he and the Steelers have been rather averse to the Hard Knocks experience. Player-wise, Calvin Austin III has a fantastic personality. Roman Wilson could be interesting too if either one of those young receivers are excelling at that point in the year.
dpreble001
11:52
Brian , with all of the talk about the two qbs, I personally feel the Steelers are going to ask alot out of them, run the ball with the new o line and play defense,  what do you think
Brian Batko
11:54
You mean not ask a lot out of them? That makes sense, yeah. But other teams aren't just going to let the Steelers offense dictate the way they want to play if they can help it. So every team needs a counter-punch in this league. The last time we heard from Najee Harris, back in Buffalo, he was extolling the virtues of the phrase "run it anyway" for this team. It's not usually that easy, but hey, the Steelers did what they could to strengthen that dimension with the OL this offseason. Still need to be two-dimensional, though.
Marc from Germany
11:55
Hi Brian! How was your weekend? Do you and your colleagues get enough early access to get a feel for the vibe of the team? If so, what has it been so far? Or is that just esotherik mularki?
Brian Batko
11:58
Pretty good Marc, thanks for asking. We get those 3-4 weeks of OTAs and minicamp but in my experience, so much can change over the course of the summer, training camp, preseason, etc. that it’s hard to say how much that really sets the tone for a team or a given year. Hope springs eternal for everyone in July and August.
BCStiller
11:59
Hi Brian, thanks for the chats!  Makes the offseason a bit shorter.  In the panicked takes on our receiver room, no one seems to remember Cordarelle is a 3-way guy.  Where would you slot him with the other guys in that room?
Brian Batko
12:00
Eh, I think his receiving days are behind him now. Might be able to move around from the backfield to the slot or whatever but I don’t envision him being a true wideout or anything close to it.
Stephon Gilmore
12:00
I hear the Steelers need a outside corner... Have 'em call me!
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