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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.23.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Afternoon, folks *hat tip*

My first chat in two weeks, and last before Steelers fever hits Saint Vincent College. Here we go...
John Strange
2:01
3 playoff wins in the past 8 years. How many years will it take for the Steelers to get their next 3 playoff wins?
Brian Batko
2:01
Two
Hey, let's do a poll
2:02
Should Mike Tomlin get a contract extension before the season?
Yes (48.1% | 51 votes)
 
No (51.9% | 55 votes)
 
Total Votes: 106
NH Steelers fan
2:02
Hi Brian. Does chemistry or communication suffer if Tomlin and Butler decide to start Bush and Barron as ILBs? Williams is a thumper with improved coverage skills but he still presents as a glaring liability when QBs audible to take advantage of his lack of speed.
Brian Batko
2:04
I definitely think you could see those two guys as the Week 1 starters, and then maybe Vince Williams is the one used more in sub-packages, on obvious blitzing downs, etc. Communication will be one of the talking points - pun intended - from Day 1 of camp when it comes to Devin Bush and his development.
John Strange
2:04
Your prediction for the Steelers Rookie of the Year .... if not Bush.
Brian Batko
2:05
Hmmm well I suppose Bush is the obvious choice, and I'm not sure there's a close second but if not him, I'll go with Diontae Johnson. Best combination of pedigree and opportunity.
FloridaSteelers
2:06
Brian,  who do you feel is going to be the training camp star this year?
Brian Batko
2:07
Training camp star, eh? Well, that's a label that probably lends itself most to the skill positions, so I'll use that to narrow down my answer. How about Mason Rudolph? If he looks good, he can probably put to rest the questions of whether it's him or Josh Dobbs as this team's backup QB. Everyone loves to evaluate QB play, so if he's dropping dimes, fans and media will notice.
John Strange
2:08
Of the 3 QBs taken in the same draft who would most likely play for a different team before the end of their career?  Big Ben, Rivers or Manning?
Brian Batko
2:09
J.P. Losman!

OK, OK, I'll field the actual question as phrased. Maybe Eli Manning? If only because Daniel Jones is there now, and if Eli isn't ready to hang 'em up, perhaps someone else would throw him a bone. I don't think it's a particularly likely scenario for any of that trio though.
PITTOCLT
2:10
Brian, what are you looking forward to the most about covering your first Steelers camp?
Brian Batko
2:12
Injecting my opinion on the debate between Sharky's and Dino's as the go-to spot for good grub in Latrobe. But honestly, I'm definitely looking forward to covering what could be the first days of a future star in Devin Bush. Being in the general orbit of JuJu Smith-Schuster is probably something that a lot of non-journalists would think is really cool. And, of course, the fans!
'Double Divot Dewey
2:12
This is the time of the year when I am tempted to turn off any and all connections to football, fearing that the next scroll on the bottom of the screen is an injury update concerning the Steeler's......Do you have any such concerns during the next 3-4 week period?  There is so much promise this year and season ending injury at the wrong position could be telling....your thoughts.
Brian Batko
2:14
I'm also looking forward to getting back to covering actual things that are happening, rather than reacting to random listicles and "reaching" for ideas this time of year. Unfortunately, that will include injuries, but hey, the Steelers got out of the spring unscathed. So, consider yourself lucky, maybe. And knock on wood.
Ryno
2:14
84 had 15 touchdowns last season.  Do you think the Steelers will make up those 15 touchdowns by what their 2019 offense scores, AND by what their 2019 defense does NOT give up?
Brian Batko
2:16
I think that's the plan. No one's expecting Donte Moncrief or Diontae Johnson to hit pay dirt 15 times and be the second coming of AB. Probably can't even expect that from JuJu Smith-Schuster, though he might come close. Defense needs to be better, not just at keeping points off the scoreboard, but also creating takeaways, which go hand-in-hand.
Rayray
2:16
How does the pittsburgh post gazettes coverage of the steelers differ from bob labriollas coverage of the team?
Brian Batko
2:18
Bob covers the Steelers for Steelers.com, which is an arm of the organization, but he does a great job, is extremely knowledgeable and remains objective despite that, at least from what I can tell so far. Reporters for the team site are probably going to have better and more access a lot of the time, but that doesn't mean we can't still make our coverage at the P-G valuable in other ways. The way I see it, we're in Pittsburgh: A lot of people and outlets are covering this franchise from wall to wall.
Eric L
2:19
Good afternoon Brian!  Hope you had a good week off!  Q1:  are you nervous going into your first training camp with the team?  Q2:  There is 1 year left (I believe) left on Def Coordinators contract.  I would love to see some periodic articles written this year on 1st what he needs to do to accomplish getting a new contact?  2nd:  the dynamics between DC, HC and new defensive assistant (who previously was a DC) will or will not allow him to be successful in getting that new contract or is Austin “in the wings” for a reason?  Thank you!
Brian Batko
2:21
Oh, I enjoyed my time off, for sure. Although I was supposed to go to New Orleans and chickened out because of the tropical storm/hurricane threat. Probably would've been fine.

I'm always nervous trying to live up to the standard set by P-G sports boss Tyler Batiste. But the standard is the standard. As for Keith Butler, Teryl Austin and the dynamic there with Mike Tomlin, I think we'll see how that all plays out depending on the performance of the defense this year. If it doesn't improve, and as a result the overall record doesn't improve, have to imagine someone's going to need to answer for that. Austin is absolutely a capable hand there, and it shows in his resume.
Kool-Aid
2:22
Any truth to a rumor the Steelers are involved in talks to acquire Jalen Ramsey?
Brian Batko
2:23
Hadn't seen that until just now when you mentioned it, but uh, I highly doubt it.
Tampa Too
2:23
I think this could be Mike Tomlin's most challenging year as a head coach.  With both losing star players and coming off a non playoff year. This could be a year in which he can show how good  (or not so good) of a coach he is.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:25
I agree. The guys who created the most distractions for this group are gone, so that can no longer be an excuse. But to add to your point, it's not an easy schedule, by any means. Kind of reminds me of a couple years ago when Pat Narduzzi and Pitt were coming off their 5-7 season. It was a crucial year for him, I thought then, and he responded by coaching them to a divisional title.
Doug from Raleigh
2:26
Poll aside,  what do YOU think will happen concerning a possible Tomlin extension?
2:28
PS I think NOT extending him would create it's own distraction
Brian Batko
2:28
Looks like the poll is veering toward "No" at the moment. I think he'll get one, but I also won't be shocked if he doesn't. But you took the thought(s) from my head a little bit there, Doug. We know the Rooney family has always valued stability.
John Strange
2:29
Do you expect dramatically improved  OL play in Denver now that Munch is there?
Brian Batko
2:30
No idea, but they're already writing about that/him in Denver. Reportedly, he's working wonders with some guy I'd never heard of https://t.co/ruvGMOEroy
Neilson
2:31
Talking about the polls, how many yards AB in Oaktown? +/- 1250 yards with 10 TDs?
Brian Batko
2:32
I think Antonio Brown will have another great season individually, but with that defense, a lot of it might come while trailing late in games. So, I'll go over on the yards, under on the TDs. I'm still a little bit of a believer in Derek Carr, too, at least enough for him to get the ball to Tony.
Jeff
2:33
Hey Brian great chats.  why over the last few years we hear about these great special teams guys (big Red and others) yet our special teams suck (for the most part)?
Brian Batko
2:35
Rayray
2:36
Brian, what is the legacy of former Steelers quarterback Tee Martin?
Brian Batko
2:37
Paved the way for Brian St. Pierre, Omar Jacobs and Dennis Dixon
John Strange
2:38
Was the terrible play in the playoffs just a bad game for  Lamar Jackson e.g. Big Ben in his 1st Super Bowl, or did the Ravens make a monumental  mistake in getting rid of Flacco?
Brian Batko
2:39
You don't have to look high and low to find a bunch of Lamar Jackson doubters. They'll tell you he's more of a running back than a QB, and he'll never be a good enough passer at this level. HOWEVER .... no, I don't think the Ravens made a mistake, both by taking a chance on him and by moving on from Joe Flacco. Mr. Elite is in Denver now, and I don't think the Broncos will be very good this year with him under center.
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