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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.30.21
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hi everyone. Getting ready to start another week of Steelers practice this afternoon. They’ll go Monday-Wednesday before getting some time off. Questions?
Guest
12:01
just can't wait for this season, first buffalo and ben looks like he really is, over weight,old, dead arm,qb,,,,,i look for 6 wins, whats your prediction please,,,,thank you
Brian Batko
12:02
You do indeed sound very enthused. I predict they’ll win more than 6.
Jarvis Ragdoll Jones
12:02
The Steelers declined the 5th year option on Edmunds. Has he shown any significant improvement during camp? Do they part ways with him after the season? They really don't have an option behind him at the moment.
Brian Batko
12:03
Not that I’ve noticed. Although sometimes with him it’s good if you’re not noticing him. He was far too noticeable at times in 2019, and his issues in coverage didn’t do him any favors come option time I’m guessing.
John P
12:04
If we trade Berry or Dobbs what would be a reasonable draft compensation pic for the two? Wouldn't be much I assume, but we know what happens when we assume..
Brian Batko
12:04
I don’t see why any team would trade more than a seventh-round pick for a punter. Wouldn’t you be irate if the Steelers did that?
12:05
As for Dobbs, same deal. He was a street free agent earlier this offseason before the Steelers re-signed him. That tells me his market isn’t exactly buzzing.
Blackhawk Bob
12:07
Good Morning….I was wondering if all NFL teams have done away with paper tickets and forced fans to go digital or is this just a policy of the Steelers.
Brian Batko
12:07
I believe it's league-wide, Bob.
Lou
12:09
Is Matt Canada the kind of guy who will dial up a gadget play? I miss those!
Brian Batko
12:11
Yeah, I think he has those clubs in his bag. He certainly had some creative play-calls at Pitt. Not sure all of that can or will translate to the NFL level, but Canada has a very good mind for scheme.
Yankton Ern
12:11
Brian,    Depending on how bad Allen’s hamstring is, can you see Spillane being cut?  He has looked awful this preseason against both the pass and the run.Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:12
Didn't think he was particularly bad against the run. I'd be surprised if they cut him. He's good on special teams and has earned his keep, often to the praise of the defensive coaches, be it Mike Tomlin, Keith Butler or Jerry Olsavsky.
jud
12:14
Did Haskins play himself into a 3rd QB spot?  If he starred, could we have gotten a pick from him in trade?
Brian Batko
12:15
Not Friday night, but over the course of camp, I think so. It seems like forever ago, but he came into this process with the weird night in Vegas looming and some renewed questions about his maturity. But then he looked very solid in practice, had one great showing against the Eagles and has likely bought himself a year to learn/grow here in Pittsburgh. Trade bait, though? I doubt it.
Dobre Shunka
12:16
I thought Ballage earned himself a spot on the roster ahead of McFarland or Snell. He's a North/South runner that gains yards after initial contact. Am I alone in this assessment?
Brian Batko
12:17
Nope. I have him ticketed for the 53 as of now. Don't feel great about it, but Tomlin has picked up plenty of veteran rushers over the years and plugged them into backup roles. Stevan Ridley, Ben Tate, etc.
Jeff
12:18
Running back seems to be most crowded. I'm not a bif fan of Benny Snell. who do you think ends up being the odd man out?
Brian Batko
12:19
My guess is Jaylen Samuels. Special teams might save him, but his pass-catching skills are now rendered somewhat expendable by Najee Harris. Samuels is versatile, yes, but I think Harris is already a better receiver. Better question is whether Snell and Ballage are redundant pieces? You could convince me of that, no doubt. I don't think it's crazy to only keep one of those three along with Harris and McFarland.
ppozone6031@gmail.com
12:19
I think the Steelers need to trade for a CB and also get a LT. Do you hear any rumors?
Brian Batko
12:20
No. But if they add another CB, they should make it an inside guy, right? Think of it this way: you have a relatively solid four-deep at outside corner. Joe Haden, Cam Sutton, James Pierre, Justin Layne. You can barely even go two-deep in the slot. Sutton, Arthur Maulet (?), then ... who?
Guest
12:22
If the Steelers struggle it will more than likely be because of the offensive line. I don't understand these Ben haters?
Brian Batko
12:23
Agreed. Roethlisberger showed me enough against the Lions to make me think the OL is the biggest cause for concern going into this season. I'm also not convinced that Roethlisberger can still play so well that he elevates that whole unit, but hey, he's 39. Not sure anyone should expect that of him. Does that make me a hater?
LA Diaspora
12:24
Why not just give Minkah the green dot? He never leaves the field.
Brian Batko
12:25
That's a good question. Obviously, he has the mental aptitude to handle that. As far as I know, the Steelers have traditionally had an inside linebacker do it. My assumption is that's because they're in the middle o the defense, playing right behind the D-line and able to communicate with those guys up front. Would be a bit tricky for a safety to do, although I know other teams have done that.
Tim
12:26
Do you think Devin Bush plays a full season or does his undersized frame equate to more injuries?
Brian Batko
12:27
I'm not gonna try to predict injuries. But to equate it to his size, or lack thereof, doesn't make a ton of sense to me. He went down last year with a torn ACL, not a broken femur or something.
A-man
12:27
Zach Gentry is a huge TE and their best blocking TE. With fullback D. Watt, and with a 230 lb. N. Harris, your thoughts on if we could see some “power” looks from Canada’s offensive this year. NOT a big fan of 3 yards & a cloud of dust, but slobber-knocker football is occasionally needed (so says Wolf).
Brian Batko
12:28
Who am I to disagree with Wolf??? Yes, I think you could see that. And I think they'd do it in a different way than Randy Fichtner, who liked to bring in the "nipple-rubber" as that No. 3 tight end, an extra offensive lineman.
Eric Carr
12:29
Brian, do you think both Jones and Roche make the team? I think Jones is a no Brainer at this point but I'd hate to risk losing Roche
Brian Batko
12:30
Someone else asked me this over the weekend. I think it's possible, but not likely. Hey, let's rank scenarios for outside linebacker on the 53, from most to least likely. Just one man's opinion:

1. Jamir Jones in as the fourth and final OLB
2. Jones AND Quincy Roche make it, so they keep 5
3. Jones and Cassius Marsh make it, so they keep 5
4. They only keep four, and it's someone other than Jones
Bernard
12:31
OL seems to be the single biggest question facing offense going into the season.  What about defense?  Bush health, CB?
Brian Batko
12:32
I'd rank the secondary, specifically the cornerback group, as the biggest concern. But after that, Stephon Tuitt. Especially if he doesn't start practicing today to begin a week that is essentially like an extra ramp-up period to Week 1. And after that I'd say the Bush-Schobert combination at ILB.
Double-A ron
12:32
I was cautiously optimistic about the O-line being enthusiastic grinders which would make up for there youthful inexperience. But Chuks seems often inadequate, Dotson lone bright spot, Green gets beat on by bull rushers, Turner has not returned to top form and Banner just hasn’t played, suggesting he’s not fully healed. Do you have words of wisdom or encouragement or is this a train wreck waiting to happen.
Brian Batko
12:33
If you want to look on the bright side, the Steelers seem to have invested in pure athleticism and power with these guys. Given a bit of time to coalesce, perhaps that turns into a productive run-blocking group that can hold its own in pass pro. And I suppose you can sink your teeth into Adrian Klemm being an upgrade as the position coach.
Tommy
12:35
Thought it was interesting that no mention of how bad Shobert looked against Detroit by you guys... i.e. getting dragged 3-4 yards for a 1st down when they had the Lions 3rd down on their o
Brian Batko
12:35
Now that you mention it, Schobert looked bad against Detroit when he got dragged 3-4 yards for a 1st down when they had the Lions 3rd down.
Joe Snarky
12:35
Who is the Ted Lasso of this football club -- the coach who has the sunniest disposition, best relationship with his players, always dropping funny pearls of wisdom? Seems like six years ago the very easy answer would have been Dick LeBeau, but I don't know enough about the current staff.
Brian Batko
12:37
As a Ted Lasso viewer, I can appreciate this question, Mr. Snarky. How about Mike Tomlin? He's basically just a more hardcore Ted Lasso. Or bizarro Ted Lasso, Led Tasso. But he's got the isms, the rah-rah energy, the delegation down pat.
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