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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.04.25
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Brian Batko
10:00
Goood morning everyone, don’t you want to talk Steelers?
Limus Tweed
10:01
Hi Brian, I recall that Zach Frazier had a rough start of camp. More recently, Rodgers has been complementary of his feel for his unconventional cadences and intelligence. What's your reading on Frazier? Just some back-to-work hiccups?
Brian Batko
10:01
Yeah that’s probably a good way to put it. Had to get back in the rhythm and routine of snapping after 6 weeks off or so. Those issues should be smoothed out now … knock on wood (Zach Frazier is a woodworking hobbyist on the side).
Ben
10:03
Hey Brian - I don’t get what Tomlin and company are thinking on WR2. Based upon the Warren contract, it seems like they had money. Hard for me to believe, given Tomlin and Rodgers collective sense of themselves, that they are merely aiming for a first round win. How do you go into a season with such wishful thinking at this position? Reminds me of the ILB situation after shaziers’ injury… what are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
10:05
It's an intriguing debate. I keep hearing they're comfortable with what they've got, which actually does make sense given how many targets are going to be dispersed among DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and the running backs before you even get to the WR2 committee. But to your point, if Metcalf misses any time at all, then you're scrambling to say the least. We know they were keeping tabs on Gabe Davis. And we know Aaron Rodgers tried to recruit Marquez Valdes-Scantling, perhaps even Romeo Doubs, too.
Mediocre Mikey
10:05
Brian, regarding your article yesterday, the Jets have a brand new coaching staff. How would any former Jet, including Aaron Rodgers, know anything at all about what they may or may not do?
Brian Batko
10:08
They have a brand new coaching staff, yes, thank you captain obvious. But they have some of the same personnel on the field, who of course can have individual play style tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, etc. For instance, if Rodgers knows from countless practices, "Oh, this guy is susceptible to back-shoulder throws, he can't cover those for the life of him" that could be an advantage.
D9 Dave
10:08
Do you think part of the reluctance of the Steelers to seek an outside WR2 relates to the strength of their TE room?  Will we see a lot of 2 TE formations with both Friermuth and Smith on the field together? OC Arthur Smith didn't use the TE much last season but with these TEs how can he not?  How much will Darnell Washington be incorporated into the offense too?
Brian Batko
10:11
That's pretty much what I was saying, yeah. You'll see a ton of 12 personnel and even 13 personnel with Darnell Washington thrown in there. Not ruling out some Connor Heyward reps, too, given Rodgers' stated trust in him. To me, part of the lack of TE usage last year was more on the QBs than noted TE-lover Arthur Smith. Justin Fields, for as much as I still believe he can figure it out, his strong suit is not seeing the field and dicing up a team from the pocket. Russell Wilson has never been especially adept at throwing over the middle.
Zamo
10:11
And so it begins…..  this team will live or die in the trenches.  need to run the ball and stop the run. Does one side concern you more than the other?  I’m more concerned on D counting on 2 rookies but we’ll see.  Have a great season buddy!  Thanks for all you do!
Brian Batko
10:13
Thanks man, was good to meet you in-person at training camp. Both sides are question marks, but in the long run (pun intended!) I think the ability to run the ball is more of a concern. Stopping the run this week against this Jets team could be a challenge, and add on to that the absence of Derrick Harmon, the DL depth will be tested even more.
MD Steeler
10:14
It appears the Steelers are set at the center position for the foreseeable future, but who would you pick as the best 3 all-time steeler's centers and in what order?
Brian Batko
10:15
Historical question catching me off guard, MD. I'll go Mike Webster at 1 because of how dominant those teams were, Dermontti Dawson at 2 because my son's name is Dawson and Maurkice Pouncey at 3.
Steeler fan near Philly
10:16
Seems to be some tepid optimism now in regards to the Offensive Line at least related to pass protection.  What is your feeling on whether they will progress to be be above average in supporting the run game?
Brian Batko
10:18
I shook my magic 8-ball and it said "Cannot predict now"
Lou
10:18
Hey Brian!  What is your flying under the radar, just you wait and see, I told you so, Steelers prediction? ;-)
Brian Batko
10:20
Hey Lou. What a loaded prompt. I could say something nuclear that makes you think I have an inkling about a huge development that COULD happen. Or I could just give a benign prediction such as the first player to be axed from the active roster will be an O-lineman.
CA fan
10:20
Thanks for hosting this chat.  As the preseason progressed did you see improvements in the play of the offensive line? Do you feel it’s going to take four to eight games for the line to gel?
Brian Batko
10:23
Yes, I did, but with the caveat that I'm still hesitant to evaluate much from that group until the real show starts. They have it tough out of the gate with the Jets and then a Seahawks front that could throw a lot of different blitz looks at them in Week 2.
Pittfan
10:24
Hi Brian. 2 questions. Can trades be made now and until the trade deadline happens or is there a trade window that comes later in the season? I ask those questions because maybe the Steelers are using the Jets game to see what WR talent they really have before going out get one.
Brian Batko
10:25
Sure, the Steelers can make a trade at any time now. And that's always part of it, too, that they can constantly assess how their receiving corps looks before making another move there. Remember last year they stood pat until the deadline and then finally made their move for Mike Williams.
Connor Heyward
10:26
Brian, I saw last night that the 49ers added 3 million in playtime incentives to Juaun Jennings contract. Why can’t the Steelers just do this for my big brother? Sounds like a win/win.
Brian Batko
10:27
I still think they will do something along those lines, though not necessarily incentives. And I feel as if that news could leak at any moment between now and Sunday at 1 p.m. sharp, to be honest.
Gracie Lou
10:28
Good morning Brian!  The season is about to KICKOFF, pun attended!  Half of the NFL teams obviously have to start week 1 with a loss. Any guesses on the negative comments you will receive on next week's comments, OR the first negative  word on the game chat? Bad caaching, no number 2 receiver, highest paid defense blew a 4th quarter lead? Anymore you can think of????
Brian Batko
10:29
Fire Tomlin, Rodgers is washed up, TJ's overpaid, DK stinks, etc al
TVC15
10:30
Hi Brian,  Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson seem injury prone. Scotty Miller is 5' 9", 174 lbs.  It kind of sucks that Jonnu Smith is already injured too. Is Ben Skowronek the de facto #2 receiver?  Yikes!
Brian Batko
10:31
Jonnu Smith was dealing with a lingering knee issue from the offseason but he's been back for a bit now. Ben Skowronek is not the No. 2, no. Staying on the field will always be an obstacle for NFL players of their size, sure. They're healthy now though. One of those two will be the WR with the second-most targets by the end of the season is my projection.
Mel B.
10:32
Hey Brian, can’t wait for the season to start.  Haven’t seen Jonnu
Brian Batko
10:33
Jonnu is kind of a Pittsburgh-ese name, isn't it? Jonnu jeet jet?
Mel B.
10:34
Hey Brian, can’t wait for the season to start.  Haven’t seen Jonnu Smith on the injury report, but I wonder how healthy he is.  Is he close to being 100%?   Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:34
Oh, whoops, I cut you off - yeah I think he's good to go.
Surly in Sheraden
10:34
There have been many reports that the Steelers may blitz more this year, since they believe the DBs are better this year; do you think they will blitz more against expected run heavy teams like the Jets?
Brian Batko
10:35
Yeah I do believe that it'll be a staple of the game plan each week, primarily because they have the ability to do so with the confidence they have in their coverage people, as Mike Tomlin calls them.
Melissa
10:35
Hi Brian.  I’ve heard that Ryan Clark has had issues with Aaron Rodgers.  Do you if this is still true?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
10:36
It probably is, yes. I don't think it's unfair to say they don't like each other much. Rodgers did not even refer to Clark by name on Cam Heyward's podcast, calling him "your buddy the safety." And Clark said somewhere recently that Rodgers didn't acknowledge him when he stopped by in Latrobe. So, it really doesn't matter whatsoever, but yeah I guess there could be some fireworks down the line if things go south at all this season - or if they go really well for Rodgers.
Seven
10:36
Thanks for the chat, Brian. Steelers should have a huge advantage defensing Fields this week, no? They know his strengths and weaknesses as well as anybody.
Brian Batko
10:38
Yeah I do feel like that helps, absolutely. This Steelers staff was trying to build game plans to accentuate Fields' strengths and minimize his weaknesses this time last year. Never been in an NFL meeting, but I tend to think it's usually the coach side of these equations that have a leg up.
Broadway Bo
10:38
Hello, Brian.  Will the Steelers blitz the Jets’ offense?  Fields might gash them on the run.  Would it be better to have him try to complete passes?
Brian Batko
10:39
That's a potential pitfall for sure. But I'm still guessing they'll try to heat him up. Just can't let him break contain and hut them too much on the ground.
CG
10:40
What is the big surprise on Sunday? Cam doesn't play? Fields outplays Rodgers? Roman Wilson proves to be a potential #2 WR? What do you think will surprise us?
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