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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.23.21
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Brian Batko
10:59
What's up everyone? I was off last week but I'm back now ready to answer some Steeler questions. So, send me some Steeler questions.
Joe
11:00
Hi Brian - when TJ was holding back, nobody said anything but it was not hard to tell why given the contract issue.  With Tuitt, assuming medical privacy, will he be ready to start the season?
Brian Batko
11:02
That's a sensitive issue right now with Stephon Tuitt and the team, but no one is expressing any concern publicly. I see it as more of just a murky situation right now than a concerning one, but hey, you never know. Especially with this team in 2021. They had a nine-year vet get cut after minicamp and an 8-year vet retire the night before training camp.
Jim
11:02
I still don't see anything from Terrell Edmunds, when are we going to find a replacement? Is there one on the roster already, if so, I say play him and get it over with.
Brian Batko
11:03
Not really. Miles Killebrew doesn't project as someone who was brought in to legitimately challenge for the strong safety spot. So to answer your question, they probably find his replacement next year, as evidenced by not exercising his fifth-year option.
Buster
11:04
Do you know if Harvin held for kicks in college?
Brian Batko
11:05
He did.
Guest
11:05
What are your thoughts on Alex highsmith ? Prediction on how many sacks he’ll have ?
Brian Batko
11:07
Has looked very good in camp and the preseason. And obviously playing opposite TJ Watt was a great boon to Bud Dupree's sack numbers. But I also think Melvin Ingram will eat into Highsmith's production. Put me down for 10 sacks.
TP Hunter
11:07
Hi Brian. What is the Steelers' infatuation with McFarland about? He looks to be the epitome of mediocre, which describes all of the Steelers backs with the exception of the Alabama stud.
Brian Batko
11:09
I'll admit I didn't understand that draft pick, but he does have a lot of burst. And Mike Tomlin/Matt Canada were familiar with him from his Maryland days. I'm not ready to write him off, but would be nice to see him use that speed in real-game situations this year.
MG
11:10
Mason Rudolph's success rate inside the red zone is not very good. He seems quite adept at moving the team between the 20s, but scoring TDs has been elusive. Just bad luck or is there something missing in his game?
Brian Batko
11:13
My head tells me it's just bad luck. My gut tells me something's just not there. Not having the mobility factor definitely hurts a QB like Rudolph. If I'm playing armchair psychologist, is he maybe leery of taking too many risks/chances when he gets in close like that? I seem to remember a guy coming into a Week 2 game at Heinz Field, cold off the bench, in his NFL debut, and firing two red-zone TDs to Vance McDonald in 2019.
The Dude
11:13
Are any of the backup Steeler quarterbacks worth anything in trade?
Brian Batko
11:15
Not sure but I actually think Rudolph might be worth the most. Dwayne Haskins and Josh Dobbs have their positives, but the whole league had a chance to sign those guys for basically nothing earlier this year and didn't.
Guest
11:15
How do the coaches feel about big Dan currently ?
Brian Batko
11:16
Has Dan Moore Jr. replaced Dan McCullers as Big Dan? Is that a thing?
Dwight
11:16
In the 1st series Saturday night on 3rd & 4, Ben's athleticism and escape-ability clearly is still present.  But also the drop by Ebron indicates one of his trademarks are still with him.  If the drops continue into the regular season as they did in Indy and last year in PIT, would the Steelers release him or just sit him?  It's not like he's Donte Moncrief but he's also not Jason Witten or Tony Gonzalez.
Brian Batko
11:18
They'd probably just sit him. Ebron restructured his contract this offseason to help the Steelers' cap situation while essentially making himself uncuttable. It would actually cost them nearly $3 million to let him go, per overthecap.com.
GM
11:19
Hi BB,Lots of high praise for Dan Moore, but mums the word on the old swing tackle Banner... has he been under preforming or just that good that he doesn't need praise?
Brian Batko
11:20
He's looked fine to me, in a limited sample size. Hasn't been repping as much as the other starting O-linemen, in practice or games. Which is understandable, given that he had the most significant injury, but I can understand if you have some trepidation about him holding up over the course of an entire game come Week 1 in Buffalo.
Ryan
11:21
brian with the play of sexton on special teams does he get the punt returner spot or does Ray Ray come back
Brian Batko
11:22
I'm not ready to give him that spot yet, albeit two nice returns help his cause. But Ray-Ray McCloud is pretty electric too, remember. And I think Mike Tomlin has really liked him ever since they got him in camp mid-August last year. Not saying he's a lock, but I think he's closer to that than being cut.
Corn pop
11:23
Ben once again puts the doom and gloomers comments to rest.  T's crossed and I's dotted in Hall Of Fame style.. and Haskins proves why Washington let him go. He's a Tomlin project so he'll make the team anyway.
Brian Batko
11:23
Got it.
Emilio
11:24
If Green doesn't make it as center, could he start somewhere else in the line?
Brian Batko
11:24
Long-term, maybe guard? But he'd be even more undersized there. Kinda think it's center or bust for him, and that's the only spot he's worked at with the Steelers to this point.
Go Blue 21
11:24
Marcus Allen looked pretty shaky in that game Saturday.  Seemed to be either taking the wrong angle or getting run over all 2d half.  Is he in danger of getting cut or was it just bad half?
Brian Batko
11:25
Not sure he or Ulysees Gilbert can feel too safe now that Joe Schobert is here. Robert Spillane is and has been ahead of them, especially special teams-wise. Buddy Johnson ain't getting cut as a rookie fourth-rounder. Maybe the Steelers will keep five ILBs, but if they keep four...
TP Hunter
11:26
All the talk of being more aggressive with the running game and Rudolph ends up throwing on just about every down inside the 5. Were they just working on some stuff?
Brian Batko
11:27
They also didn't have Najee Harris in the game at that time. I think you feel better about him converting than Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels or even the great Kalen Ballage.
J$Money
11:28
Of the players you expect to go to the practice squad, which ones are you most concerned about that could be claimed by another team?
Brian Batko
11:28
Quincy Roche is a guy who's probably on the bubble that I wouldn't want to lose. I know he was only a sixth-rounder but I thought he was a steal there. And teams are always looking for pass-rushers. He might just take some time to get better at being a stand-up guy on the edge rather than a true end.
Iggy
11:29
Odds stillers open season with new punter and long snapper?
Brian Batko
11:30
I gave Pressley Harvin 85% odds to be the starting punter, but the long-snapper thing is a bit under the radar at the moment. It's interesting to me that Christian Kuntz has worked exclusively with Harvin and vice versa, whereas incumbent snapper Kam Canaday works exclusively with Jordan Berry. Things that make you say hmm...
OK folks, I've gotta kick it into high gear and head over to practice soon. Steelers hit the grass on the South Side, not Heinz Field, at 1 p.m. Ray Fittipaldo will be back to chat more with you all tomorrow.
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