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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.15.22
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Brian Batko
12:31
Hey everyone, what do you have for me today?
Dennis in NC
12:31
Brian, I have often wondered whenever the time comes that ARII decides to step down, who would be his sucessor?
Brian Batko
12:31
I'd be shocked if it's anyone other than his son Danny Rooney.
Duke
12:32
Will this be the "dress rehearsal" game for the starters vs JAX?   Can we see Johnson, Ahlualu, Watt, Cam or Minkah?   Is Claypool ok?   Saturday must have made him sick in the stomach watching 14 do everything better than CC does.   My guy better practice all week or get phased out.   Warren > Snell or McFarland.   Bush stinks.   Start the search for a decent iLB, and it aint Spillane.
Brian Batko
12:33
Most likely. This is the first time the Steelers have had a three-game preseason, as they played in the Hall of Fame last year, so it's new ground for Mike Tomlin as well. Not sure you'll see any of those guys in the preseason, but if you do, it'll likely be this weekend. Maybe Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool to get some in-stadium work with Mitch Trubisky.
Uncle Shady
12:34
Which aspect of their game still needs the most improvement?
Brian Batko
12:35
Two trouble spots from last season cropped up again Saturday night, one of which is more concerning than the other. The O-line play, specifically pass protection, needs to improve. We just talked to left guard Kendrick Green about that outside the locker room and he chalked it up to some miscommunication errors that you can't necessarily glean from the outside. Also, jury is still out on the run defense, but most of the starting defense was MIA so let's wait and see on that.
Mike from NC
12:36
Hello, Number 14 appears to be the real deal. When was the last time you saw a head coach pull a rookie out of his 1st preseason game so early in the game. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Brian Batko
12:37
Najee Harris last year? But you're right, George Pickens continues to look the part, even against different-colored jerseys. Not sure I'd hold him out of the next game - it'd be nice to see more - but certainly limit his reps as if he's a starter, because he is.
ssa76
12:38
Is Bush as hopeless as he looked? Watching him trying to tackle the ballcarrier reminded me of Steve Blass attempting to find the plate.
Brian Batko
12:39
Eh, "hopeless" is strong, but I've not been in the camp of those who think he'll bounce back from 2021 now that he's healthier. And Saturday night didn't change that for me. I just don't see it. Not sure I've ever heard of a linebacker having the tackling yips, but yeah, he was noticeably unnoticeable.
Henry
12:40
Devin Bush biggest bust of Tomlin’s tenure?  People will say Artie Burns, but the Steelers did not trade up for Burns. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:42
If Bush doesn't course-correct, then yes, he's definitely the biggest bust under Tomlin. Heck, he's the highest pick of the Tomlin era, so unless he figures it out and earns a second contract, it's really not even close.
SOMD
12:43
Do you think there’s a player nobody was paying attention to that will start getting a lot more attention after Saturday’s game?
Brian Batko
12:44
Steven Sims, maybe? Wasn't on my radar much but he showed what he can do in game settings with his speed. Tough to crack that receiver group, but hey, just a couple years ago they kept Ray-Ray McCloud for his return merits instead of Ryan Switzer and that was a surprising move.
Peter in Philly
12:46
Any thoughts on running backs and wide receiver Sims?
Brian Batko
12:47
Yeah, to expound on Sims, that dude was sliding. Would've been nice to outrun everyone on that punt return, but still, he seems to have that extra gear that Matt Canada likes to use for jet sweeps.
Fill
12:48
Hi Brian is Devin Bush as bad as he looks , I watched him in that game he couldn’t get off a block and sometimes it looks like he runs to the blocker instead of the ball
Brian Batko
12:49
Hey, maybe it's a situation where he was playing his assignment and someone else on the defense didn't do their job. There's some benefit of the doubt you can give him, but certainly, it was an inauspicious start.
Ryan
12:50
Deep and talented at the wide receiver position this year.  As of today, who makes the 53 man roster and who goes to the practice squad?
Brian Batko
12:52
So tough to say. Was just talking to Canada about how difficult those decisions are going to be eventually. Especially since you also have to factor in special teams - returners, coverage guys, gunners, etc. But OK, on Aug. 15, I'll go with 11, 18, 14, 19, 89 and ... 82. And I'd keep as many guys as possible on the practice squad.
Mike from DC
12:54
Hey Brian, any chance that mcfarland and warren make the team over Snell?
Brian Batko
12:55
Yeah I think so, and Snell isn't fully healthy right now either. His special teams prowess is a real thing that might help him, but not good news for him that the other two showed some juice as pure runners. To me, all three are on the bubble, and the Steelers should only keep three.
(Obviously, with one being Najee Harris)
Steelers Fanatic
12:55
Hi Brian,  How long does Rudolph's contract run, and if the Steelers hang onto him this year for depth will they lose any opportunity to get a draft pick for him?  I am thinking that a draft pick this year would mean that Pickett did cost them a first round choice, but maybe getting back a 4th round pick for next year would sweeten the deal for the long term.
Brian Batko
12:57
This is his final year under contract. And sure, I imagine the decision they need to make is whether it's worth keeping him for QB insurance versus acquiring something, anything via trade, or just outright releasing him to hang onto another player at another spot who might actually contribute. If they can get a fourth-rounder for Mason Rudolph they should sign the paperwork ASAP and hand-deliver it to the other team.
daniel11
12:57
Good Morning, What would be Steeler's backup plan in case LT Moore struggles?
Brian Batko
12:59
Good question, Daniel, even though it's no longer morning here in Latrobe. The second-team guy right now is Joe Haeg, so if it's a matter of Moore not playing well and they just want to sit him for a while, that'd probably be the move. But if it's a long-term thing, would they try to transition Chuks Okorafor? Not many options there.
Guest
1:00
isn't it great to see qb's throwing it farther than 2 yards downfield, after 2 years of that stuff?
Brian Batko
1:01
Yes, it was improved QB play from last year, but we must keep in mind the opponent (mostly subpar NFL talent), the stakes (low to nonexistent) and sample size (1 game total, 2-4 series per player).
OK folks, sorry we had to start late, but pre-practice interviews were delayed today. Players will be on the field soon so I've got to run. We'll do it again next week, I promise.
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