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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.02.21
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Brian Batko
11:43
No. I see where you're coming from, but it's just such a long run-up to the season this year for the Steelers, specifically. There's no reason to rush any meaningful contributors into camp, especially someone coming off an injury. Banner re-signed a two-year deal this offseason worth more than $3 million guaranteed, so they're paying him like a starter and treating him like one health-wise and practice-wise.
Jparham28
11:43
How is the offensive line looking in your opinion?
Brian Batko
11:45
New, unproven, inexperienced, as they are. And - you would hope, actually - less talented given that Okorafor, Dotson and Banner haven't been in any team drills.
Fineline
11:46
I need an official ruling. Is it NAHjay,NAHgee or nah GEE or something else?
Brian Batko
11:48
NAH-jee Harris. It does not rhyme with day or pay or may. It's amazing to me that people continue to get this wrong.
JR
11:49
Are the Steelers planning to play the black national anthem before every game??
Brian Batko
11:49
From what I've ready it's a league-wide initiative, and not up to the individual teams.
TSH
11:50
Hi Brian,  I am curious if the receivers will improve by reducing their drops.  #7 stated they are not selfish and work good with each other which is great but recent PG articles have indicated the "drops" of catchable balls is still occurring.  Is this a symptom carrying over from last season or are the DBs' responsible for the drops?  Has there been a noticeable effort to reduce the dropped passes?  Thanks in Advance!
Brian Batko
11:51
I'm not optimistic that a guy like Diontae Johnson will just all of a sudden stop having that weakness in his game, honestly. Same with someone like Eric Ebron, who has a body of work in that regard. Zach Gentry's hands have been better, but he's a latecomer to the TE position and might never be as smooth as others. Are they efforting to improve? Absolutely. But will they? It's only going to get more difficult when the stakes are higher.
GM
11:52
Hi BB, been hearing a lot of news of our rookies, and some 2nd year players, but I haven't heard much (really nothing) about Quincy Roche... odd man out at OLB?
Brian Batko
11:53
He could be. Being a sixth-round pick, especially here, does not a roster make. But I was very much in Roche's corner as being a Day 3 steal, and I'm not ready to give up on that, dammit. Edge-rusher is a position that usually has a chance to shine in preseason games, what with real sacks being made, future real estate agents playing left tackle, etc.
Buster
11:54
Has anyone said anything more about Cowher calling some defensive plays Thursday?
Brian Batko
11:54
That was something he said in jest. I wouldn't get your hopes up. Tomlin will likely be locked all the way in, even for an Aug. 5 preseason game.
SteelCity21
11:55
Thanks for doing the chats! Any thoughts on the offensive line? I am thinking that the o line last year was the worst in the NFL. The Steelers may have upgraded the line by going younger and getting a new coach with a new offensive philosophy. Am I correct in my assessment?
Brian Batko
11:56
Yes, you're correct that they MAY have upgraded. Because they certainly made changes, they certainly got younger, and they certainly are teaching some new techniques. But I'm not convinced that this OL will be worlds better than last year's. In fact, I happen to believe they'll be a weakness in 2021. And it's hard to really know or have a better idea on that front until Week 1 in Buffalo.
Bob Hayes
11:56
Who has looked the fastest/quickest out of the Steelers so far?
Brian Batko
11:57
Still Ray-Ray McCloud for me, but Diontae Johnson not far behind.
OK folks, I've got to cut it off there. Got a radio interview coming up at noon on 93.7 The Fan with P-G columnist Joe Starkey, then another at 1 p.m. on ESPN 970 with Stan Savran, then it's time for practice. Busy day, eh? Talk to you in Thursday's mailbag.
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