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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.07.23
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Brian Batko
12:02
Hi everyone, welcome back to the chat. Since we last spoke the Steelers have made some roster moves, sustained some injuries and tinkered with personnel. Let's talk about it.
the real guest
12:03
Brian, Camp reports suggest Mr Canada wants his QBs to go deep. Is this real or is he just giving us false hope? When I think Canada offense all I see are one yard sideline passes. Are we really going to see a vertical offense in Pittsburgh?
Brian Batko
12:05
Don't hold your breath on that. I think they've done a better job picking their spots on throwing deep but this is just practice, and I still don't see that being a big part of this team's offensive approach.
Incrinculent Fool
12:05
Good Afternoon, Brian.  The Steeler offense takes the field for its first set of downs for the 23-24 season,  who’s starting from left tackle through tight tackle?
Brian Batko
12:06
Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Mason Cole, James Daniels, Chuks Okorafor. But I wouldn't bet on it, because the left tackle position could go either way. The other four? I'd be surprised by any changes there.
Jay Daven
12:07
Brian, as you watch the practices has Pickett been running the offense more from the shotgun or behind center?  Also, have you notice anymore play action pass plays this year as in past ones?
Brian Batko
12:09
Primarily shotgun, but there has been play-action too. I assume Kenny Pickett will always be more comfortable in shotgun, just like any QB - especially young ones - but they're using this time to figure out what can work and what might not.
Texan Steeler
12:11
Hey Brian, Why did the Steelers waived/injured RB Alonzo Graham instead of keeping him on IR? I thought they really liked him.
Brian Batko
12:15
That's mostly a procedural thing. He cleared waivers and has reverted back to their IR, technically, and now he won't count against their 90-man roster.
artie bridge
12:15
Brian, Any update on Cory Trice's injury status?
Brian Batko
12:16
He's out for the year. Unlike Alfonzo Graham, the Steelers didn't want to risk losing Cory Trice to waivers, so they placed him on IR and will pay his full salary this season.
62 Stack Monster
12:16
Brian, Kendrick Greene as a fullback?  How would that work with the roster?  Wouldn't he have to supplant either Connor Heyward or Gentry?
Brian Batko
12:17
Not necessarily. The Steelers will almost certainly keep their usual nine O-linemen, with eight of them getting a helmet on game days. Having that versatility to play the fullback/F-back/H-back position could go a long way toward helping him supplant, say, Le'Raven Clark. Or Kevin Dotson?
Jay
12:18
Hello Brian, always enjoy and appreciate your work.  Is the K Green situation overhyped?  Anything he does in the back field Im sure Washington can do, and Green is 9th or 10th OL at best.  Why waste a roster spot on him?
Brian Batko
12:20
Thanks, Jay. To add to this discussion on Kendrick Green, I'm guessing OL will remain his primary position. If injuries set in, he could at least help you get through a game. Why waste a spot? Because "the more you can do."
STEEL72
12:21
Hi, Batkhan! If you could add one player right now at any position that would be financially doable... who would it be?
Brian Batko
12:25
As a free agent? No one really comes to mind, because if you're available on Aug. 7, you're either old, hurt or ineffective. That said, Dalvin Cook might still have some gas in the tank, right?
Alan from Indy
12:26
Brian, do you think MT gives Kenny P the entire season to prove himself regardless of his performance? Hoping it’s not an issue.
Brian Batko
12:27
Yes, I think it would take a lot of poor performances for Mike Tomlin to bench Pickett for any reason in 2023.
Big Daddy 98
12:27
Given his unfortunate injury and the skill set that he could bring to the team, I'm rooting hard for Calvin Austin III to make the roster and shine during the season. My question is: In general, do a smaller/jitterbug guys like that (i.e. McFarland) tend to look better in camp than the regular season due to less all-out hitting from the D (as opposed to a bruiser who looks for contact), or is is there not much of a difference between how the two styles compare in camp/season? (Also, am I being naive about the D not laying the lumber in camp like they do in the season?) Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:29
No doubt those kind of guys shine more in practice, because even when the pads are on, it's a controlled environment and you probably aren't risking your body as much as when you face a team in different colored jerseys. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some huge hits in Latrobe, but everything they do is football-like. It's not football.
Yuri
12:29
Good afternoon Brian.  Would you consider Hakeem Butler a long shot to make the team?  I think his chances would increase if he can play special teams.  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
12:33
At this point, yes. I'm very much intrigued by his size and ability to make the highlight reel catch, but his inconsistency on routine plays is troubling. He's a hard guy to quit. That's why several NFL teams have given him a shot. I just don't see it though.
Hendershot210
12:34
Does it just come with the territory that these high profile receivers pout when the ball doesn't come their way? I was at training camp for a practice and noticed George Pickens body language looks like he is ticked half the time when the ball goes somewhere else.
Brian Batko
12:35
Yeah I've noticed that, too. And with Diontae Johnson at times. But both are saying all the right things when it comes to that dynamic. Doesn't mean they'll keep the main thing the main thing when the real games begin, but hey, if you're winning, everyone tends to be happy. George Pickens thinks very highly of himself, we know that much. And he feels like he's open all the time. Harnessing that will be key.
mrbig
12:36
What do you think of Green at fb. I wonder if they're just throwing KG bones since they whiffed on his attempt at center-
Brian Batko
12:38
I don't think they care about throwing a guy a bone. This is a business. It's probably more related to the fact that they used a third-round pick on him, so there's an investment there, and it's tough to cut your losses with someone like that after two seasons. Beyond that, they obviously saw traits they liked in Green. Now they're trying to wring something out of those traits.
Rob Ross
12:40
I was very impressed with Jaylen Warren last year.  Teams that want to run the ball need a strong #2 back and he stepped up as a runner, blocker and receiver where other recent #2s have not (e.g. Benny Snell Jr.).  Based on camp so far, is Warren's arrow still pointing up?  If he continues to rush for 4.9 yards per carry this year, could you see the Steelers choosing to sign him to a second contract over Najee (3.8 ypc)?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:42
It is, yes. The burst is still there for him as a runner, and apparently last weekend when I was off, he pancaked Elandon Roberts in backs on backers. Too early to call a second contract. Not sure I'd ever view Warren as a true No. 1 back, but he's a nice complement, for sure.
Chuck Mac
12:42
Does Najee get 1000 on the ground and 500 in the air?  And if so, we must pay the man / what say you??
Brian Batko
12:44
No, I'm not projecting him to hit both those numbers. Getting 1,000 rushing yards for a third straight year is attainable, of course, but they phased him out of the passing game a bit last season. Every throw to him is one fewer target for Pickens, Johnson, Freiermuth, et al.
Brian in CA
12:45
Cam has been a beast for the Steelers for a long time, but is now 34.  How much (if any) drop off in his play will there be this year?
Brian Batko
12:45
Hi Brian, I answered that in my mailbag Friday: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/08/04/monte-pottebau...
..
Yates
12:47
Brian -  Which is more likely to happen this year?  83 averages 15 or more offensive snaps per game or Sullivan and Riley combined average 75% or more of slot corner snaps at the expense of Patrick P?
Brian Batko
12:48
That's quite an either/or, Mr. Yates. I'll say the Connor Heyward 15< snaps a game one, but don't feel great about it.
stlslash
12:49
Mr Batko,  do you think Canada will use the middle of the field more this year.  especially in the red zone.
Brian Batko
12:49
Yeah probably.
Stash
12:49
BB, if the PG Chat Masters had a version of The Oklahoma Drill to test game readiness, who would you like to go against? I’m thinking Mackey?
Brian Batko
12:50
Mike White. He makes too many jokes about my height. Would be nice to blow him up.
KRUT
12:50
Hey Bats-  I love the encouraging news on Kwon hitting the ground running at LB.  He is a stud when healthy.  Have you had a chance to watch him and if so, does he look like a LB1?
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