You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.24.20
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Brian Batko
1:57
Hey there everyone. As a pre-chat PSA, if I don't have time to get to your question - it looks like the queue is already pretty full - you can always tweet me @BrianBatko or email me at bbatko@post-gazette.com for my weekly mailbag.

OK, let's get started.
iowasteelerfan
1:57
Why do the steelers believe Mason is the answer as our backup?  If a back-up stepped into any other position and played as poorly as he did - they would have drafted someone to challenge them right?
Brian Batko
1:59
The Steelers have liked him for a long time. They thought enough of him to use a third-round pick on Rudolph, and then said they had him graded even higher. As Gene Collier likes to say, the Steelers as an organization think in generations. Now, Mason Rudolph isn't a generational player or anything like that, but they stick to their guns more often than not. And they're doing that here, best we can tell so far.
TPhunter
2:00
Brian, I find myself increasingly optimistic about the Steelers making a deep playoff run this season. Am I a clueless homer, or are the Steelers good enough to be trouble for the rest of the AFC?
Brian Batko
2:01
You're not clueless if you're in this chat. You might be a homer, but that's fine. Because while I'm also skeptical of this team in some ways, I acknowledge that they can absolutely be a huge threat if everything falls into place. To me they have a high upside but a low floor, as well. So let's call them a high-variance team. Because it all comes down to Ben in the end, I think. Not some earth-shattering analysis there.
Steeltowntim@aol.com
2:02
I would think adding a vet like Thomas would stunt the growth of new players like Edmunds and also might hurt team morale like the guy we cut a few years back plus hurt the cap for signing guys like Watt, JUJU etc.
Brian Batko
2:04
Uh, yeah, I don't think the Steelers are going to add Earl Thomas. He only knocked out Mason Rudolph last year and has been putting out the exact kind of distraction vibes/drama the Steelers have distanced themselves from the last couple years.
Hank
2:04
Any chance the Steelers split carries between Conner, Snell, and McFarland (I've read he's had a strong camp) to keep Conner healthy?  Or do you think theyfeed Conner most of the carries like they usually do with their number one back?
Brian Batko
2:06
I actually think they'll split up the workload more than they have in the past. Because as much as it makes sense to run James Conner until the wheels fall off and then let him walk to another team, it would also behoove the Steelers to see what they have in the rest of the room. No better time than now, right?
Donna
2:07
Hi Brian, what’s your gut feeling about the Steelers being able to keep Cam and JuJu?
Brian Batko
2:08
My gut originally told me both would be back in 2021, somehow, some way. Then the pandemic happened, and my confidence dropped for both, naturally. But I still lean toward Cam Heyward getting something done here before kickoff Sept. 14. And with JuJu, I now think the method of keeping him that is most likely/makes the most sense is a franchise tag. Again, assuming they'll be able to afford that with a reduced cap.
Tony
2:09
Seems Ebron is saying all the right things and making every effort to fit in, especially with Ben.  Have you heard or seen anything different?
Brian Batko
2:11
Nope. Everything that he was billed to be - gregarious, loud, media-friendly, etc. - he looks the part so far. Obviously, Ben seems to like him a lot, but so do the other guys, the teammates who don't need a dangerous pass-catcher to help them out this year. Which seems like a good sign.
Steely Dan
2:12
Don’t know how you feel, but sure won’t miss seeing Steely McBeam this season!
Brian Batko
2:12
I'm pretty depressed about it, actually.
Tom
2:13
Hi Brian. Most underrated Steeler ever. My vote goes to Aaron Smith, good pass rush and no one could run on him. Who is yours?
Brian Batko
2:13
Dan Kreider!
fredward
2:14
What role do you think Chase Claypool can play in the early going of the season, given he's had limited practice and no preseason?
Brian Batko
2:15
From what we've seen in camp, I don't think we need to be all that conservative about our predictions with Claypool relative to a typical year. That kind of sounded like a Mike Tomlin answer, didn't it?
Waxman
2:16
How much different do you imagine the make up of the reserve roster will be this year vs. a more normal year.  Historically reserve rosters were populated with a greater percentage of developmental projects (Higher risk, greater upside)... do you anticipate that that will give way to a much greater percentage of players who are  ready to Immediately step in (lower risk, but known entities).  Also... do you anticipate that they will look to deploy some reserve roster spots driven by Covid protocol (eg. making way for kickers + punter).
Brian Batko
2:18
The practice squad will certainly be more interesting to monitor this year, given that it's expanded to 16 and more spots are available to players with an unlimited amount of experience. It would definitely make sense to keep an extra specialist on there, although they don't even have a No. 2 kicker or long-snapper in camp, so maybe they'll wait until cut-downs to look into that.
And of course, the new expanded roster rule this year means two players are allowed to be promoted from the P squad to the active roster each week.
CD in SC
2:19
Brian - how’s your spike ball game?
Brian Batko
2:20
It's not my best yard sport. I'd say it's a game predicated on sheer athleticism rather than strategy and cunning, so yeah, not my strong suit. But my sister-in-law played college volleyball so she's really good at it. If you ever come to a party at my house, try to get on her team.
Oh by the way, this is why CD is asking about Spikeball - a story I greatly enjoyed writing https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/08/24/steelers-spike...
MrSamsonite
2:22
How Is the offensive line looking? What position will Feiler play to start the season?
Brian Batko
2:23
Matt Feiler will start out at LG. Tough to really gauge the play of the line so far from what we've seen in practice.
Duce Staley
2:24
How much do you see a fullback being used ? Is Watt a receiver/blocker/occasional runner,or just a blocker ?
Brian Batko
2:26
Great to hear from you, Duce. I think they'll use Derek Watt more than they used Rosie Nix, at least in the last couple years. He's a blocker first and foremost, not much of a runner, but does have some receiving ability. More than Nix, IMO.
TC
2:26
Have you been able to attend any practices yet?  Anybody grab your attention (at practice)?
Brian Batko
2:28
Yo, TC. I was there Friday and will be back tomorrow. Curtis Riley looked solid, didn't really expect that, so I wrote about him after practice https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/08/21/curtis-riley-s...

I also liked the burst I saw out of Anthony McFarland, but camp is usually a good setting for RBs to stand out.
Earl Thomas
2:29
Are the Steelers interested  in signing me ?  If so, do you think they can afford me?
Brian Batko
2:29
No.
RJT
2:30
Who has been practicing in the nickel linebacker position?
Brian Batko
2:30
From talking to DBs coach Tom Bradley on Zoom this morning, it sounds like Marcus Allen is getting a look in that department, or at least similar roles.
Duck
2:30
Is this tall guy with all the tangibles actually going to send me back to the swamp?  My amusing background and excellent nickname should win out over those overrated measurable attributes, yes?
Brian Batko
2:31
No, I think your not-killing-us performance when called upon last year - and your moxie - will do the trick for you. But I do enjoy your background and nickname.
Eli
2:32
Do you think Jaylen Samuels makes the team based on his position flexibility and receiving chops? Or is he on the outside looking in?
Brian Batko
2:33
I was a little unsure about him initially after the Wendell Smallwood addition, but now from what I've observed lately, I feel better projecting him to be back on the roster. Tricky position group to forecast, though. Good for Samuels that he has the pass-catching ability and protection that he does.
Dude
2:34
I see teams picking up linebackers- would any of these guys be improvements for the Steelers ?
Connecting…