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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.26.21
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Brian Batko
2:29
Eh, I'll reserve judgment on him until preseason games. But I will say he still looks like the team's second-best option at QB to this point. I think Dwayne Haskins has a sizable gap to make up, for better or worse.
Watson
2:29
Will the steelers pick up a FA ILB or stay with what they have?
Brian Batko
2:29
The guess here is status quo.
Miss the Bus
2:30
Gentry a likely cut this year?
Brian Batko
2:31
No, I wouldn't say that. Definitely don't think he's a lock to be the No. 3 TE or anything, but I'd still project him to make the team as of now.
TSH
2:31
thank you for your time.   What is the magic number of regular season games do you think this team will need to play to gel and be competitive this year?  Thanks Much!
Brian Batko
2:32
Not sure there's ever really a magic number as far as that goes. Didn't you think they were jelling last year 11 games in?
Fred Wright
2:33
Hey Brian! Who’s an under the radar name to keep an eye on when the pads go on?
Brian Batko
2:38
Sorry, had to really think about that one for a while. Is fourth-rounder Buddy Johnson under the radar enough? I just think he has the mentality and physicality to stand out more when the hitting starts.
Jud
2:38
Your thoughts on Najee not being vaccinated supposedly?
Brian Batko
2:39
Again, I don't see it becoming a divisive issue, given all that Steelers players have said publicly about it. My own personal take would be that if that's the case and that's his choice, I hope it doesn't limit our media access to him. He's got a great personality, is a huge part of this team's story already and a fan favorite.
AK
2:40
I assume the plan for Ebron this year is to split him out to create matchup problems, rather than using him as a conventional TE?
Brian Batko
2:41
Yeah, most likely. I think you will see him in-line some, but that's not really his strength. Will be an interesting position to watch if Pat Freiermuth keeps coming on strong.
TSH
2:41
Ben shared in a recent PG Article that receivers are running the same routes but with different verbiage.  Changing the name of a route seems excessive, how much how much of the playbook is being re-written?   20%, 50%, 80%? Etc.  what is the feel from the offense regarding the new playbook?
Brian Batko
2:42
That's impossible for us to say. I do think it will include a lot of Matt Canada's usual concepts, but the Steelers aren't going to overhaul their offense overnight (or over one offseason).
Turk in MD
2:42
With Bush and Spilly locked as starters, does the team have ILB depth on the 90-man roster or do they need to make a move?
Brian Batko
2:44
I'm OK with letting that depth chart sort itself out. All of Marcus Allen, Ulysees Gilbert and Buddy Johnson should be hungry to prove themselves. Allen and Gilbert have multiple years in this defense by now and Johnson, by all accounts, is a quick study. You'd hate to squeeze one of those guys out and you'd love to see at least one of them take the next step.
Alan
2:45
What’s your take on the national sports media’s dislike for Big Ben? Seems like they don’t take into account the complete lack of a running game last year when talking about him this year.
Brian Batko
2:45
Afraid I'm all take'd out on this one, Alan.
NurembergCode1947
2:45
And... 'committing to stopping the run' is easier said than done when your RB has as good of or the best hands as receiver on the roster... just sayin'
Brian Batko
2:47
That's right. If Harris is the real deal from the get-go, that should help this offense tremendously. If anything, it seems the Steelers have built this OL to be better in the run game and perhaps sacrifice some protection in the pass game. Maybe there's a belief that Ben and a dynamic young receiving corps can compensate for that, if need be.
Marnie
2:47
Just curious if the Steelers will continue to use the south side practice facility in addition to Heinz for the rest of training camp.  I had always thought one benefit of St. Vincent was having use of multiple fields so you don't need to worry about a punter dropping one on an unsuspecting player or coach among other hazards
Brian Batko
2:48
Last year they occasionally moved practice to the South Side, such as inclement weather days. So yeah, that could happen again. But I get the vibe Tomlin kind of likes being "in-stadium," as he always says.
Miss the Bus
2:49
Would they seriously consider trading Snell to the Rams? Thinking it would leave us awful thin there. Was there anything to this rumor or just people talking other than the Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:50
Just a rumor. Given his body of work, or lack thereof, I don't really think Benny Snell would net much of anything in a swap. If the Rams or another team would trade even a late-round pick for him, I'd do it.
Buster
2:51
Who takes  Bince Williams’ spot?
Brian Batko
2:52
Call me crazy, but I'm giving the early edge to Ulysees Gilbert. And not because he's a similar ILB, but because I think Spillane and/or Bush could fill the blitzing role.
Bernard
2:52
If you had to choose, what is the one most significant reason the Steelers have struggled in the playoffs and late in the regular season the last several years?
Brian Batko
2:54
Oh boy, that's a big one. I'm not even sure there's one spot-on similarity from year to year. But if I had to put my finger on one thing, I guess I'd say coaching - game-planning, adjustments, etc. When teams you beat earlier in the year come back and turn the tables on you when the chips are down, I feel like that's more so on the X's and O's than anything else.
NM Steeler
2:54
Any truth to the rumor that you are a Crowboy fan?!
Brian Batko
2:55
That is fake news. Although I did pick them to win the Super Bowl last year, I think. Absolutely atrocious prediction. It wasn't because I'm biased in their favor, just because I'm dumb.
Jeff
2:55
Thanks for the chats B.  Tip for my fellow yinzers with regards to the national media.  They say crap to get attention.  They are controversial to get attention.  They dont have to do research as long as it gets attention.  Ben is fat sounds so much more enticing than Ben looks to be in the best shape of his life.  Forgo national media and stick with PG. (be sure to send my check!)
Brian Batko
2:57
Bravo, Jeff. I can't imagine a better way to end the chat. Thanks for joining, friends. Check out Post-Gazette.com each morning for our "Skinny Post" file on the latest updates from camp, including our analysis and what's next. We'll also be cranking out video recaps and story after story all week from Heinz Field, with a new North Shore Drive podcast going up every Friday morning. Thanks in advance for your eyeballs and ears.
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