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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.13.19
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Brian Batko
1:59
Thanks for joining me for today's chat. Still a somewhat somber day here at Saint Vincent College after the passing of receivers coach Darryl Drake, but the Steelers will resume training camp this afternoon. We'll have a little shorter chat than usual so that I can get out to watch practice from the start. And off we go...
John Strange
1:59
Does Tomlin have any idea who he would use as a backup long snapper? I mean now that James Harrison is retired?
Brian Batko
2:00
Vance McDonald was handling that duty when Kam Canaday missed a practice or two with a minor injury. It, uh, didn't go particularly well, but it's probably more logical than keeping another guy on the roster just because of snapping potential.
Jim
2:01
What impact do you think Daryl Drake's untimely passing have on the Steeler's young receiving corps?
Brian Batko
2:01
That's tough to say, other than that I'm certain they'll all try to use his memory as motivation. How could you not? At the same time, the Steelers lost a valued, respected, veteran position coach, and at a spot where development from new and inexperienced players will be crucial.
ALB
2:02
Have the Steelers made a decision about replacing Coach Drake's duties?
Brian Batko
2:03
Mike Tomlin told us this morning they do have a plan in place, but that he didn't want to get into those specifics just yet. Second-year offensive assistant Blaine Stewart, son of the late WVU coach Bill, is a former college wideout who helps at that spot already. Jerricho Cotchery is in his second season as assistant wideout coach for the Panthers, but it's probably too late in the game to look outside the organization.
James from Philly
2:03
Hey Brian! Thanks for the chats and as we all should, condolences to Coach Drake's family.. Any chance more starters play in this weeks preseason game vs. Kansas City?
Brian Batko
2:04
Possibly, just because so few did play last week. Still, though, you'll see the most of them Week 3, I would assume. Probably more important to get a couple young guys who didn't play at all Friday night a chance to get some "stadium ball" work in. Diontae Johnson, Sutton Smith come to mind.
Paul
2:04
Can you provide an update on Sutton Smith's injury? Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:05
I cannot, other than it doesn't seem serious. I've seen him walking around with some ice wrapped around the hip/groin area, so it's probably lower-body of some sort. I'd definitely like to see more of him, because he was standing out to me early in camp.
Whoha
2:06
I couldn't watch the game live so I dvr the game & watched it last night. Two questions: 1) everyone was critical on the rookie CB Layne. Why didn't the coaches make an adjustment sooner for him. They had him off the ball 10/15 yds with easy quick throws. 2) What was Tomlin thinking on challenging the fumble/non catch?  A long season for the coaching staff on challenges 🤪
Brian Batko
2:07
They were definitely throwing him into the fire, they'll admit that and so will Layne. But better now than later. He got beat deep very early on, so I'm not sure how much the cushion was an issue. Also needs to make that tackle on the Bucs' first TD. As for your second question, I asked Tomlin about how the first challenge process went with new assistant Teryl Austin and, well, he didn't really want to say much about that. He said it went fine. Perhaps he's a bit defensive about that matter given his recent history.
John
2:08
Don't you think the starters should play a little more in the preseason? They came out in the opening game against Cleveland last year rusty. They had 5 turnovers. They win that game and they would've made the playoffs.
Brian Batko
2:08
If I say yes and then someone who matters gets hurt, I look like a dingus. But sure, there's something to be said for gaining that in-game experience with free agents and rookies who might be able to contribute this year. Then again, that's what camp is for, and you can make sure Ben Roethlisberger doesn't get touched in camp.
Junior High
2:09
Pro Football Focus gave these Steelers high grades in pre-season opener:  Mondeaux, Gilbert, Buggs and Skipper. Which if any have impressed you?
Brian Batko
2:10
Gilbert and Skipper, for sure. Mondeaux and Buggs look the part on the DL in practices, which is why they've gotten some first-team reps when the vets are down. Gilbert's really quick to the ball and that doesn't always work out in his favor against the run, but it was helping him make plays Friday. As for Skipper, the pass-rush skills shouldn't come as a surprise. He was a DE at Toledo and had 8.5 sacks last year. But if he's to become a capable OLB at this level, he'll need to be able to move laterally and make plays in space, not to mention cover.
sean
2:11
thanks for your time Brian love the chat my question is I saw both Cameron kelly and Jaylen Samuels wearing #38 why was that allowed and is that only for preseason? thank again!
Brian Batko
2:12
Yes, it's allowed, and that's only for preseason. The Steelers have several other duplicates, too. Benny Snell and PJ Locke, both No. 24, to name one. Some teams do it this way, the college method, and others give single-digit numbers and stuff like that to receivers, etc.
Scott (Indy)
2:12
Real Steelers Fans (Today): Man, are WE glad AB isn't playing for us now!
Brian Batko
2:12
As a reporter, I, too, am glad.
Gravel
2:12
Brian -  TB played alot of starters at the beginning of game.  When you factor in opposing players on the field, do you think list of top performers for Steelers from last week's game changes much?
Brian Batko
2:14
Not really, but of course you have to factor that in. Did Justin Layne struggle? Yes, but he was facing a starting NFL offense on that first drive. Did Ulysees Gilbert flash some good things? Yes, but as Mike Tomlin cautioned this morning, his big plays came between snaps No. 80 and 89 on defense, so who was on the other side at that point? It's all relative.
Hood
2:14
How has baron looked in camp? He did not standout in the first game.
Brian Batko
2:15
He hasn't practiced a ton. Been given a lot of those veteran days off, unless he was dealing with something minor. He didn't stand out, but he also only played 27 snaps, a lot fewer than Bush and Gilbert. He knows what he's doing at this point in his career.
Tom
2:15
Are fans overhyping Donte Moncrief?  How often do veterans who got a lot of playing time suddenly become much better?  Didn't we learn from Justin Hunter that players are what they are?
Brian Batko
2:17
Possibly, but Moncrief has been more productive and for longer so far in his NFL tenure than Hunter had been before he got here. Robert Woods has blossomed with the Rams after four mediocre seasons in Buffalo, just to give one example.
Mtsteel
2:18
Hi Sir. So it appears that Layne wont be ready to contribute much this year, barring injury. Does the pick seem like a reach as the 83rd overall pick? (3rd round). Shouldnt we be getting more out of that high of a pick? Thank you
Brian Batko
2:19
Hello to you, too. I don't think it was a reach, no. In fact, a lot of draft gurus were calling it a steal. But that doesn't mean Layne wasn't a somewhat raw corner prospect coming in. He has the height and length you can't teach, but now he'll need to add strength and technique. Kevin Colbert always says he expects third-rounders or better to become starters at some point, but he doesn't mean right away. It's been one game!
Ratville, MD
2:20
Hi I’m just curious with all of the recent receivers coming out and having nice things to say about Coach Drake as a person and coach, did Mr. Big Mouth in Oakland have anything kind to say?
Brian Batko
2:20
I have not seen any comment on it from Antonio Brown, no.
BB
2:20
Brian - Thanks for the chat.  Do the Steelers wait until cut downs to find tight end depth so they don't have to burn draft capital?  Or, do they follow New Englands move and trade for one they like if available?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:21
I suppose it could go either way, but I'm not sure how much that matters. Look at the Pats trade. They got some guy named Eric Saubert, a 2017 fifth-rounder, and gave up nothing more than a seventh-rounder. That's almost equivalent to giving up nothing for a cut-down type of guy.
Mark
2:23
Who will be the surprise Steelers cut this year?
Brian Batko
2:23
Not sure there will be one. We in this business, at the request of readers, speculate so much on potential surprise cuts that how could any of them even be a surprise? Sorry to go all philosophical on you.
But I've had a lot of coffee.
ALB
2:23
Brian, what are your impressions of Benny Snell so far? He didn't impress me as a particularly hard runner in Friday's game.
Brian Batko
2:25
Yeah, I'm with you on the in-game observation there, ALB. But he's only had 13 carries to show what he can do, and in college, I think he had the reputation of one of those guys who wore down defenses and got stronger as the game went on. He also wasn't getting all that much room to work, from what I saw. Still, I thought he'd be more physical with the way he finished runs. Couple nice cuts, but I'd like to see him with a bit more nastiness. My impressions of him as a personality are great, though. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/05/benny-snell-ye...
PittsburghBob
2:25
Just want to say Coach Drake had an eye for talent.  He helped get Smith-Shuster and lobbied hard for the WR from Toledo.  That aspect of his abilities will be difficult to replace.
Brian Batko
2:26
Good point, PittsburghBob. I never had a one-on-one encounter with him, but I'll remember the way he lavished praise on Diontae Johnson the night they drafted him.
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