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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.27.19
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Brian Batko
2:23
No, Mike Tomlin has not offered any sort of formal or official update on that. With the spark Bud Dupree has shown in preseason, and with what you think you might have in Great Warrior Tuzar Skipper, maybe just keep Adeniyi on ice for a bit. Again.
Felix Unger
2:23
We will have a punter with Berry in his name, correct?
Brian Batko
2:25
The guess here is yes, Felix. But what if it's this guy? http://www.nfl.com/player/zacatterberry/2508728/profile
Stash
2:25
Brian,  Impressed with your intelligent reply!  Who wrote it for you...
Brian Batko
2:25
Two for you, Stash. You go, Stash.
Larry from Punxy
2:26
The coaches and players keep denying that there is more of an upbeat, focused, and overall better body of work this preseaon than in the past...but my eyes tell me something different.  Do you notice a better product on the field this season so far?  They've been a lot more exciting to watch!
Brian Batko
2:26
Nah.
36 bus!!!
2:26
Did you see Tuzar skipper seem to take a couple plays off? Just seemed like he didn't try some plays compared to others. Just curious on his want to on every down.
Brian Batko
2:27
I didn't, but if he had Sutton Smith's motor coming out of college, he probably would've been considered a better prospect. Not sure there's any need to question his desire, though. Skipper has been through a lot, on and off the field https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/20/Tuzar-Skipper-...
Sharon
2:27
It seems to me that Vance McDonald hasn’t looked good this preseason.  Is there an injury we  don’t know about?
Brian Batko
2:27
Not that I'm aware, no.
Colin
2:28
What tight ends do you think we may look to trade for?
Brian Batko
2:29
I think Tampa has a surplus. Indy and Oakland, too.
Alt
2:30
Do you see Marcus Allen as being on the fringe of the 53 or more of a practice squad guy to start the season?  Would hate to lose him on waivers.  He's still young and seems to have good upside and could adequately fill a special teams spot.
Brian Batko
2:30
Probably the fringe. He and Jordan Dangerfield are both strong safeties with special teams abilities. Not sure you need 'em both.
livinthedream
2:31
Brian, I really enjoyed the 2nd NSD podcast (didn't hear the 1st one). You and Ray did an excellent job assessing the team talent and gave us good insite on how they may be used. My ?, has the Fullback position become enough of a unicorn in the NFL that Rosy may lose out to Edmonds as the 4th RB?
Brian Batko
2:32
*gasps* This is the greatest chat comment I've ever seen! Yes, OF COURSE you should listen to someone by the name of "livinthedream" and ESPECIALLY when he/she shouts out the North Shore Drive podcast. Listen online here or download it wherever you get your pods https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...

Now, on to your question. I still think Rosie Nix is a lock to make this team, not just because of his short-yardage utility as a lead blocker but also because of his willingness on special teams. Those traits are more valuable than what Edmunds brings, from where I sit.
UK Yinzer
2:33
Hi Brian, welcome to the Steelers team, your views are very refreshing and insightful.  I don't think we should trade Eli Rogers unless we get a good TE in return or a 5th round pick.  There are always injuries so we could loose one of the WRs at any time, so why not keep 17 on the roster and stash one or two of the promising WRs on the Practice squad
Brian Batko
2:35
Thanks, old sport. I don't think anyone is trading a fifth-round pick for Eli Rogers. Or really any of the fringe Steelers wideouts. Pretty much every team has guys like that, with every beat writer discussing with every fan base who should and should not be kept. You can't risk losing Diontae Johnson to the P squad, so that's out of the question.
John D
2:35
How many AAF players are still on the Steelers' 90 man roster and how many realistically have a chance to make the 53 outside of Kelly?
Brian Batko
2:37
Winston Craig, Casey Sayles, Greg Gilmore on the D line. JC Hassenauer on the O line. I don't think any of those four are making it.
PrimantiBro1
2:38
What up, BB? Is it ridiculous to think Dobbs has trade value. And do you think Rudolph has QB2 locked ... and is there any good reason to think Dobbs would be a less talented pro than Duckie? WWBBD about the QB order for now and in the foreseeable future?
Brian Batko
2:39
BB would only keep two QBs and roll with that. I've talked myself into that strategy since answering a question about it in last week's mailbag (you can always tweet or email me questions for that too, by the way) https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/22/steelers-roste...

But the Steelers don't do that under Mike Tomlin. And so, I don't envision Josh Dobbs getting traded but I do envision him sticking around as the No. 3 behind No. 2 the No. 2.
Paul
2:39
It seems like everyone is thinking Switzer is safer than Rogers in terms of making the 53. Just wondering what it is that makes Switzer better positioned? Route running? Return duties? Relationship with Big Ben?
Brian Batko
2:40
Some combination of all of that, Paul. They like to use him in the backfield at times, whether you agree with that look or not. He's crafty, he's tough, great locker room guy. Add it all up and I think you have the clear-cut 5th receiver.
PVB
2:41
Malik Williams (RB) has looked pretty good in limited action, albeit against 3rd stringers but he hasn't had a good line either. Any chance he makes it to the practice squad?
Brian Batko
2:41
Suppose there is. He's shown better than I expected.
DaquidoBazzini
2:42
I'm not huge on camp phenoms, but Tuzar Skipper seems like he's done enough to make this team. Has he been on ST's at all? I have a feeling if it comes down to the practice squad, he might be scooped up. As you know, outside pass rushers are highly sought after in the NFL.
Brian Batko
2:43
He has not. I'm not sure the coaches see him as a viable option there. He's put-together and powerful, but is he going to be able to make plays in space or pursue a return man from behind? Keep in mind he was a college DE. Still like him a lot in his day job, though.
Jacque Strap
2:43
Reading a lot that Rudolph has obviously outplayed Dobbs in this preseason. Is it really that obvious? Seems pretty even between the two of them.
Brian Batko
2:44
Yeah, count me in the Rudolph camp, for sure.  Just think he's made more big-time throws and fewer mistakes. Tie goes to the higher-drafted guy anyway, and I don't even see this one as being very close to a tie. He's looked good.
Herewego
2:44
What's your practice squad thoughts? Who makes it in your opinion and who won't get past waivers?
Brian Batko
2:46
Former rugby player Christian Scotland-Williamson, the big TE, is an exempt so I'd say count him in again. Patrick Morris, the third-string center. Sutton Smith, Tuzar Skipper or both. Ulysees Gilbert, Robert Spillane or both. Tevin Jones or Trey Griffey as a bigger body at receiver. I like what I've seen from Pine-Richland grad Kevin Rader as a deep cut at TE. Those are just some names and thoughts rather than a full-scale prediction.
Bubby Brister
2:46
I'm not sure that I see a lot of value in keeping Anthony Chickillo. He's not a liability but seems to have limited upside. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:47
I agree with you, Bubby. But he signed on for two more years for $8 million over the offseason, so I think he'll certainly be back in special teams and backup OLB capacity.
Harrisburger
2:48
Question related to Steeler history: I recently saw a list of officially and unofficially retired jersey numbers, and understandably, there are a bunch. Any idea why 82 and 88 are not among the unofficially retired numbers?
Brian Batko
2:48
Maybe just because this time a year, you've got a lot of WRs and TEs you have to suit up. And while they can occasionally dip into the teens (for wideouts) and 40s (for TEs) those numbers are also used by QBs, kickers, punters, linebackers, RBs, DBs, etc.
John Strange
2:49
Hey B.B.   Is Snell destined to get stashed away on the IR?  (if this B.B. thing isn't catching on with anyone else I will go back to calling you Brian or the more formal Mr. Batko)
Brian Batko
2:50
I prefer Monsieur Batko, actually. Snell seems to be healthy and ready to go for preseason Week 4. Mike Tomlin gave an uncharacteristically loquacious answer about what 24 needs to do Thursday night.
Chris
2:50
Do you concur that Eli Rogers may on his way out barring injury?  I think Switzer and Spencer could be the punt and kickoff specialists.
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