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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.19.24
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Brian Batko
1:56
Hey everyone, let's go ahead and start a little early on dissecting the latest Steelers happenings. Saturday night wasn't pretty, but we're here to chat about it.
Stairway to seventh seed
1:56
Brian: I was getting Huey Richardson flashbacks watching Jones Saturday.  Richardson was the last 1st rounder cut in camp in his 2nd year.  Jones' implosion is consistent though with many top draft picks either failing to improve or regressing dramatically in their "2nd lap around the track".  Since 2015: Burns, Edwards, Bush, Claypool (top pick, but 2nd round), Harris, and certainly Pickett were at best the same in year 2 as in year 1 and at worst (Bush, Claypool, Burns, Pickett) regressed and started a decline they never recovered from.  Is there something in coaching, culture, or who they are drafting that links why all of these top picks are failing to improve (TJ obviously is the one exception)?
Brian Batko
1:58
It's way too early for me to say that about Broderick Jones. He had a rough game, for sure, but I'm not certain he's healthy. given that big bulky brace on his right arm. If this continues, though, it might be more of an indictment on the development of the Steelers' young linemen, or lack thereof. I've seen plenty of draft picks get better in their second season, but the OL has been more worrisome.
DD
1:59
If Warren is not ready to go to start the season (assuming that'll be the case),  is there someone in the RB room who could step into that role ? Or are the Steelers going to be limited to what Najee offers?
Brian Batko
2:00
I would've said Jonathan Ward, hands down, but now he's got a hamstring issue of his own that forced him out of practice early last week. Cordarrelle Patterson doesn't look like much of a change of pace so far. Maybe La'Mical Perine, but he too strikes me as more of a bruiser. RB could be an area where they look to make a waiver wire move or at least sign someone new for the practice squad to guard against  Jaylen Warren's injury.
STEEL72
2:01
It's preseason. Didn't look potent. Did you see anything good come out of the game versus Buffalo? Did you see any progress from the week prior?
Brian Batko
2:02
Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Cameron Johnston.  Last year's preseason taught me to use these games as more of an individual evaluation tool than the team itself.
Nick
2:04
I think the Steelers D will be a Top 5/10 D in the NFL. Can the offense be a top 15-20 offense in the league?
Brian Batko
2:04
It can if everything breaks right, but I'm not going to predict it.
Steeler Joe
2:05
Dr. Bats: Did Mark Robinson do enough on Saturday to secure a roster spot? He flashes like that in preseason but then seems to disappear once the games count.
Brian Batko
2:06
Not sure I'd say that, but he was by far the most noticeable he's been all summer for me. Still might be tough with Payton Wilson and Tyler Matakevich ahead of him. Could come down to how they approach other positions and how many to keep.
Bern
2:07
Let's just cut to the chase, neither of these QBs are very good, are they?
Brian Batko
2:07
That's a tad reductive for my liking but yes, both guys were available this offseason for a reason, Bern.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:08
Steeler QB room does not look a lot better than last year. Even Trubisky looked better than Fields and Wilson Saturday. Chalk it up to both QBs shaking off rust and playing in a new system or this is who they are making Sean Payton chuckle?
Brian Batko
2:10
I don't want to overreact to one preseason game for Russell Wilson, who may well be rusty. But yes, again, neither guy was the guy for their previous coaching staffs/front offices.
Jake
2:10
They say in preseason you don’t want to show much. Steelers offense hasn’t shown much in years. Do you think we need to execute in the third preseason game or treat the Falcons game like a preseason game and  hopefully by then look for cohesion?
Brian Batko
2:12
We don't know yet what kind of personnel they'll use in the third preseason game. On one hand, just keep it vanilla and don't show anything to Atlanta. But I'm concerned enough from the other night that it might help to see the ball go through the net a bit, so to speak.
Florence Fan
2:12
Hi Brian!  Is Payton Wilson in concussion protocol?  Will we see Roman Wilson in the last preseason game?
Brian Batko
2:14
I don't think we'll be updated on that in preseason the way we would in regular season, but for what it's worth, Payton Wilson was up and moving around just fine postgame in the locker room. Roman Wilson better get three good days of work in this week if he's gonna play in Detroit.
Kurt Naples
2:15
Keep Aiyuk Niners, need O Line strength, throw the deep ball I say, what say you?
Brian Batko
2:15
Hear, hear
GMJoe
2:15
A $30M wide receiver sure looks like a luxury now, doesn't it? Can he play OT, TE, or RB?
Brian Batko
2:16
I wouldn't say the Steelers need a TE but your point is taken. Brandon Aiyuk would help, sure, but doesn't change the calculus much of an underwhelming QB situation and iffy OL at the moment.
Jim
2:17
3rd and inches we run a sweep with the game on the line!!! Is all hope lost for the season with idiotic calls like that???? Please, talk me off the ledge!
Brian Batko
2:18
It's the preseason, Jim. Calm down.
Gino
2:19
Hi Brian, the Steelers obtained a linebacker from the 49ers.  Might this be an indication that Payton Wilson’s injury is more serious than initially thought to be when first diagnosed ?
Brian Batko
2:20
They reportedly are signing Kyahva Tezino, who last played for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. That's a pretty big difference from obtaining a linebacker from the 49ers. Good luck to him, but I doubt it has anything to do with the eventual make-up of the 53-man roster.
the real guest
2:20
Brian, First it is the starting QB pushing a tackle sled and now it's the starting tackle playing with an injury in preseason. "Stupid is what stupid does." Not a good look for the coaching staff.
Brian Batko
2:22
I didn't miss many practices in Latrobe this year but the day Broderick Jones got hurt was one of them. But you make a good point that now they're in a predicament. Do you shut him down and let him get healthy? Or does he need the reps to work through his issues with Sept. 8 right around the corner?
MAD DOG
2:24
What do think the Steelers look term plans for Mark Robinson are? Thank you.....
Brian Batko
2:24
Not sure he's in the long-term plans, Mad Dog. Most 7th-round picks are not.
TVC15
2:24
True or false: The Steelers could go 0-17 in each of the next 4 seasons and the Rooneys would absolutely extend Tomlin because they are still as “blown away” (their words) by his fancy talk as they were at his initial job interview to be head coach.
Brian Batko
2:24
False
WVblack&gold
2:25
Brian,  i was at the game Saturday and 2 things stuck out:  the struggles of the line, and how much more zip Justin’s passes had compared to Russ.  I hadn’t really heard any concerns about Russ’s arm or line protection issues during camp.  Was this just a bad night/in-game rust for Wilson?
Brian Batko
2:26
From what I observed in camp, I don't have any issues with Wilson's arm strength. More so his mobility. But those could intertwine if he needs a lot of time and space to maneuver the pocket, step up and into those throws, etc.
Vincent LaGuardia Gambini
2:27
I find it amazing some folks are calling for Fields to start after that game against the Bills. He's made a few plays here and there in these two games. But his old problems are still showing up..not processing fast, holding the ball way too long, spotty accuracy. Plus, Wilson cannot be judged by those 4 series. O-line was overtly horrific, Russ never had a chance. Let's see how the last preseason game plays out.... what says you?
Brian Batko
2:29
Sure, I hear you, but at the same time, people watch a game and want to react to what they see. I get that, too. And it was five series, for the record.
Dave Heyl
2:30
Does anyone believe Pat Meyers has the coaching know how to elevate these top picks?? Another wonderful Tomlin hire and a waste of draft talent, will it ever change?????
Brian Batko
2:31
Pat Meyer seems to have helped Dan Moore improve and I was impressed by how Broderick Jones made the move to right tackle midseason as a rookie. But yeah, the lack of development for other guys, from Kendrick Green to Kevin Dotson, and now we'll see where things go with Jones, that's a fair criticism.
bwalker
2:33
Who will be the backup center now?
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