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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.27.19
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Brian Batko
2:01
Good afternoon. As an homage to NFL roster cut-down time, I will be answering the 53 best questions today. If you get left out, you might just have to register for tonight's Punt, Pass and Chat event at Tequila Cowboy https://t.co/WEL38HSMm7?amp=1

Let's begin.
ssa76
2:01
Rumor has it that Indy is interested in Dobbs. Shouldn't we get whatever we can for a guy who will be cut eventually?
Brian Batko
2:02
He might not get cut, but yes. Even a late-round pick would probably be worth it, in my opinion.
kevin in Punxsy
2:02
Hi Brian.  Of these four LBs (Gilbert, Smith, Skiper, Spillane) either drafted or signed this year, which do you see making the 53 man roster.
Brian Batko
2:03
If it were me, I would keep Ulysees Gilbert (for special teams) and Tuzar Skipper (as a potential third pass-rusher). Two all-name team guys, as well. As for what I think the team WILL do, I think it might just be one of those guys who make it, and in that case, Gilbert (for special teams).
BB
2:04
Brian - Thanks for the chats.  Does Hawkins make the team or is he odd man out?  Looks like Marcus Allen will also be looking for work elsewhere?
Brian Batko
2:04
I think the affable Jerald Hawkins, a proud LSU man like my boss Tyler Batiste, is out. Marcus Allen probably competing for one spot with fellow safety and similar player Jordan Dangerfield.
Wisconsin Winters
2:04
Tampa is overloaded at TE...CAMERON
BRATE could be a possibility for the Steelers eh?
Brian Batko
2:05
Eh!
rambler66
2:05
Does it really matter whether the backup QB is Dobbs or Rudolph? Last year there was all kinds of worry over Landry Jones vs Josh Dobbs. It never really mattered then either. Now Jones is out of the NFL
Brian Batko
2:05
Yes. Ben Roethlisberger isn't getting any younger, and Nick Foles leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl should've quelled any talk of backup QBs not mattering.
Jay
2:06
Hola Brian.
Brian Batko
2:06
Not a question, but I like to be greeted every now and again.
FloridaSteelers
2:06
Hi Brian,  How did you feel about the Colts fan's booing Andrew Luck?    Luck is a outstanding young man with options & I applaud him.
Brian Batko
2:08
I think it's lame. Very lame. On one hand, you might argue that these guys get paid handsomely to do what they do, and that for that reason, why feel bad for them when they take some fan abuse? But to that, I would say: that must be why I always see people treating minimum wage workers with the utmost respect. Sarcasm, of course.
kevin in Punxsy
2:08
Brian, which receivers make the 53 and why?  Thanks
Brian Batko
2:10
If I were calling the shots, I'd keep JuJu, James Washington, Crief, Diontae Johnson, Ryan Switzer and Diontae Spencer. Because to me, each of those guys fill a specific role. I think I like Switzer as a Switz Army Knife for the offense, and Spencer has at least some value as a returner.

Who WILL make it? I don't know, other than that I'm probably wrong!
paul
2:10
Our back up qb mattered in Oakland last year!
Brian Batko
2:10
Another slam dunk for the active roster
Jay
2:10
Hows the steelers cap situation to allow them flexibility to pursuit other vet cuts?
Brian Batko
2:11
Not a ton of room, fourth from the bottom in the NFL, but they can almost always make things work if need be.
Rupert Pupkin
2:12
What do you make of James Washington not getting a lot of playing time w Ben? And how will they use him this year?
Brian Batko
2:13
Just that Donte Moncrief is ahead of him in the overall pecking order. I still think Washington can and will push for plenty of snaps and production, at least given the way he's played in preseason. I just don't believe that Moncrief was ever brought in here to play behind him. Otherwise, why go get him in free agency?
TC in Charlotte
2:13
Hi Brian!  Does the Luck retirement help the Steeler's in the win column and do we now see a wild card team coming out of the AFC North this year?
Brian Batko
2:15
Ohhhhh I think it does, TC. In the great prognostication game of preseason pontification, I pinned Pittsburgh for a loss to Indy. Now, I see that as a win. And now, I see a surefire playoff team as one fewer postseason contender. To me, the six will come from this group: Chiefs, Chargers, Patriots, Texans, Browns, Steelers, Ravens.

Upon further reflection, I guess I felt like Andrew Luck is pretty good.
Mike
2:15
There has been a lot made of the increase in team speed on defense. What are your thoughts about the increase in position flexibility at both the second and third levels on D? A lot more movement and shifting right before the snap than I’ve ever seen out of this defense. Confusion for Brady!
Brian Batko
2:16
I'm quite certain that's the goal, Mike, to be more flexible. Keep an eye on what Ray Fittipaldo and I write about in the lead-up to that Week 1 matchup in Foxborough. Mark Barron, Kam Kelly, Cam Sutton, Mike Hilton all moving parts for a defense that figures to keep playing a lot of sub-packages.
Guest
2:17
We have an usual amount of players from Toledo on our roster.  With the former head coach of Toledo now coaching at Iowa State, do you feel we should pay attention to ISU players come draft time?
Brian Batko
2:17
Not particularly, no.
Retire21
2:17
If Indy called and offered a No. 2 for Mason Rudolph, do you take it?
Brian Batko
2:17
Yes, I would.
Ryan
2:18
Hi Brian, last man in / last man out as of right now? As it Relates to the 53
Brian Batko
2:19
I feel like Joe Lunardi! I'll say last man in is Jordan Dangerfield. I'll say last man out is Diontae Spencer. BUBBLE WATCH, baby.
Stash
2:19
Brain,  Would you not agree Edmunds is the better RB than Snell?  Just keeping cause he is a 4th rd pick is a bit lame?
Brian Batko
2:20
No, I'm definitely not willing to write off Benny Snell this fast. He's got three years of college tape that say he's better than what he has showed in *counts fingers, does mental math, carries the one* two preseason games. Don't look at it as keeping him just because he's a fourth-round pick. Look at it as he was a fourth-round pick for a reason.
K dot
2:20
You think the team is waiting for that 21m cap hit from AB to wane a bit before renegotiating players like Hargrave and Hilton, or are they just waiting to see their productivity?  Or is it something completely different?
Brian Batko
2:21
Tough to say, K dot. But good question, which is why it made the roster. Javon Hargrave and Mike Hilton, for as solid and productive as they've been, still probably aren't every-down players. Hilton more so, but even now, this team might have big plans for a bigger-bodied, versatile safety in Kam Kelly. Not to mention the development of another slot corner type in Cam Sutton.
Cburg Stiller
2:22
Do you see a scenario where they keep U. Gilbert and T. Skipper on the 53-man roster?
Brian Batko
2:22
Yeah, I think it could happen. And not just if Toledo drops the bag on the South Side facility doorstep. It would be especially likely if Tyler Matakevich doesn't make the cut (though I think he does) and Ola Adeniyi starts out on the IR. Speaking of which ...
FoolBack
2:23
Brian, has their been any updates on Ola Adeniyi?  At this time of the year, 2-4 weeks is huge difference.
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