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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.09.21
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Brian Batko
11:01
Hey everybody, little earlier chat than usual today but we’ve got Steelers practice at 1:30 so that’s what I’ll be doing later. Let’s get to your questions
jud
11:02
slow playing TJs contract so he's fresh for the season start?
Brian Batko
11:03
Yeah that could be part of the current practice stalemate, too. The Steelers may well know he's about to be their biggest-money player, but still have to go through the delicate dance of drawing up an appropriately massive contract that they're also comfortable with. As much as Watt doesn't want to risk injury, nor should the team that needs him out there on defense.
Alan
11:04
I know there’s only been one preseason game so far but what’s the general feeling about Kendrick Green? I read on Ray’s chat last week that he’s a bit undersized so curious how he’s done so far.
Brian Batko
11:05
I think he's giving the Steelers exactly what they thought they'd get, and not too much inexperience at center hurting him thus far. For what it's worth, when you're at practice and you sit in the lower bowl at Heinz, his voice/calls are noticeably loud. You have to love that from a rookie coming in who knows he hasn't played much there, but has to prove he can handle it. Really liked Kendrick Green when I learned more about him after they drafted him and I continue to like what I'm seeing (and hearing) out of the guy.
Matty D
11:06
Random question here, watching the hall of fame speeches made me think about it. Who is next in line for the Steelers ownership after Art II? I’m sure it will be another Rooney, but wasn’t sure
Brian Batko
11:08
Safe money is on Danny Rooney, Art II's only son. He was on the coaching staff in 2016 and has held a few other business/executive-type jobs outside the NFL since then, when Ray Fittipaldo wrote this informative piece on this very subject: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/steelers/2016-preview/heir-ap....
Marnie
11:10
Is TJ Watt holding himself out of practice as leverage in contract negotiations?  Usually players hold out for new contracts by not showing up.  Showing up and not participating in drills, presumably with the support of your coaches, is certainly a new twist on an old story if true.
Brian Batko
11:12
No one, especially Watt, wanted to acknowledge that earlier in camp but it sure sounds as if his DC and position coach Keith Butler let the cat out of the bag on that one Saturday. This isn't as unprecedented as you make it out to be, though. In fact, Melvin Ingram did this last year with the Chargers, at least for a few days.
Darnell
11:13
Ok Brian, please set the record straight…has James Washington requested a trade or has he not?  Could you speculate what the Steelers could get for him if he is traded?  Thanks Brian.
Brian Batko
11:15
Only a few people know that for sure, but here's the thing: I reached out to Washington's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, for clarification right after Adam Schefter reported that and Rosenhaus had no comment. That tells me they don't want this to go away. And let's be honest about the semantics here. Did James Washington HIMSELF walk into a coach's office or call up Kevin Colbert and ask to be dealt? Almost certainly not, given everything we've come to know about his personality. But did he ask his representation to do that on his behalf? Well, that's why players have agents, right?
As for potential compensation, I explored that a bit here https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/08/06/james-washingt...
Dennis
11:17
When players are waived injured, and the injury happens at practice or an exhibition, is the team still responsible for that players related medical expenses?
Brian Batko
11:18
As far as I know, the player continues to be paid until he's healthy, which is the reason for that designation.
Kevin
11:18
What's the deal with Kevin Dotson? He showed up fat, dumb and lazy and appears to be in terrible shape.
Brian Batko
11:18
What's the deal with you using 50 different usernames to ask questions in this chat?
coach15
11:19
What are the chances that Rudoph would be ODD man out at QB?
Brian Batko
11:21
Ehh I think it's pretty low given that they committed another year to him, but hey, you never know. Very few expected this team to cut Landry Jones a few years back, a situation that Mike Tomlin actually specifically referenced after the Hall of Fame Game. So that's interesting. They wouldn't save any money doing that though, so if he is trending as the No. 4 and the Steelers know it, they'd be better off trying to trade him.
Danny
11:22
Has Pressley been holding kicks?  Who held in the hall of fame game?
Brian Batko
11:23
Yes, he held for Sam Sloman in that game.
Carmen
11:24
I like to just read the chat on your web
Brian Batko
11:24
Th...thank you, Carmen.
Seferg
11:25
If I said that my 2 biggest problems with Mason Rudolph were pocket presence and accuracy, how do you think he did in the first game?
Brian Batko
11:25
He did OK. Not great, not awful. Didn't move the meter for me much one way or the other, but if I have to take a side, I wasn't particularly ecnouraged.
Guest
11:26
Hey Brian, Do you think the Steelers will entertain a trade for Washington for a linebacker maybe?
Brian Batko
11:27
They might entertain a trade, but I don't see a player-for-player one. I suppose if they did one, inside linebacker might be a reasonable position to target. But draft pick(s) would be more likely. Problem is, even if they want to do right by Washington, this is a business and it's never wise to sell low.
Mar
11:28
Do you think pat Freiermuth can become a star
Brian Batko
11:28
Sure.
Reggie B
11:28
Are you content with the cornerbacks or would you like to see the team make a move?
Brian Batko
11:29
Ehh, more content than I thought I might be, but James Pierre and Antoine Brooks - the most likely candidates for No. 3 corner, be it outside or inside, respectively - are still question marks. If they make a move, it should be for a slot guy who's an upgrade over Brooks and/or Arthur Maulet.
Presidential question
11:30
Thoughts on Washington’s over-under on total catches this year given latest churn ?
Brian Batko
11:31
That might be the one thing oddsmakers HAVEN'T emailed me about. I just got one putting a line on who will be the first Dallas Cowboy to speak during Hard Knocks tomorrow night on HBO. Which I absolutely can't wait to watch, every year. If you're curious, it's ...

Dak Prescott +150

Ezekiel Elliott +200

CeeDee Lamb +300

Amari Cooper +350
Donna
11:32
Hi Brian I enjoyed the new NFL Hall of Fame induction procedures having taped presenters’ speeches and the limited time the inductees had to speak.  What are your impressions of the ceremonies and the Steelers inductees’ speeches specifically?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
11:33
Agreed. The segments were pretty breezy, delightfully brief, and I thought the Steelers speakers were excellent. Especially Troy Polamalu, whom I was most curious to see out of all of them. Peyton Manning was great too, as expected.
11:34
OK folks, I've got to cut the chat a little short today. Again, Steelers practice at 1:30, their third of four straight days, so I'm leaking oil a bit. Gotta catch up on a few things and then head down to Heinz Field. But Ray will regale you with fantastic answers and opinions tomorrow. Arrivederci.
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