You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.08.25
powered byJotCast
Brian Batko
12:00
Hey everyone, I'm still in Jersey so figured I'd chat before I head back home. Heck of a Steelers opener yesterday, I'd say. Let's talk about it.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:01
Brian:  were you reminded during the game that in your Connor Heyward piece you forgot to include that he is a penalty machine?
Brian Batko
12:03
Here's a screenshot of an excerpt from that story, so who's the one here who needs to be reminded of things?
12:04
Off to a great start here ...
Tom in Dallas
12:04
Give up 32 points and still get a W on the road.  Ravens lose.  Tied for First place.  Overall, would you consider it a good opening weekend?
Brian Batko
12:04
Absolutely. The Ravens looked downright explosive on offense, but all you can do is win the games on your schedule. The Steelers did. The Ravens did not.
Steeler Joe
12:05
Hey, Bats. Any chance Steelers fans will actually enjoy a hard-fought win over a scrappy team on the road in the opener? Or is this going to be a hand-wringing festival over the poor line play?
Brian Batko
12:06
We're only five minutes in and so far it's too early to tell. Let's keep chatting.
KB
12:06
Please tell me why I should be anything but pessimistic about the Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs.
Brian Batko
12:07
Aaron Rodgers looked sharp, Arthur Smith's offense is a great fit for him so far, the wide receiver collective was greater than the sum of its parts and Jalen Ramsey showed signs of being a force multiplier for this defense (better late than never). Also Chris Boswell exists.
Tampa Too
12:08
Brian. I did not hear Yaya‘s name called yesterday. Did he play much? If so, how did he do?
Brian Batko
12:09
First of all, Yaya is my mother-in-law's name to my children (and I hear that get called a lot). Yahya Black played 24 snaps. I'd agree that he wasn't particularly noticeable in his debut, but no one was on the D-line. Horrendous outing for them. Now, this could be the part where I say Derrick Harmon can't return soon enough, but on the contrary, they should be safe with their first-rounder and not rush him back.
Turk in MD
12:10
Hi Brian thanks for the chats.  The team has somehow squandered 2 years of development for Broderick Jones.  If he was better than Moore, he should have played LT 2 years ago.  If it didn’t matter which position he played, why was he completely overmatched yesterday?  Thoughts
Brian Batko
12:11
You're quite welcome, Turk. Rough start for him for sure. And from watching in real time at least, it didn't strike me as his issues were related to switching sides. It was more just technique, physical ability, etc. which is a tough look for a top-15 pick. In retrospect, though, to your point did they squander his development or did they keep Dan Moore in there because they were concerned about this? Maybe they were right.
Steeler fan near Philly
12:13
Thanks for doing the chats.  What positive result from the game for a player/outcome/unit did you find most surprising?
Brian Batko
12:14
You're very welcome, my Philly-area friend. How can I not say Aaron Rodgers? As someone who was predicting 18-14 Steelers, with no shortage of miscommunications and timing mishaps in the early going, I've gotta eat my words on that one.
the real guest
12:15
Brian, The Steelers D clearly has a communication problem. They didn't hear their coach say they are historic. Or perhaps their coach has a vision problem.
Brian Batko
12:15
More of a comment than a question, but your voice has been heard, real guest.
scottydog
12:16
Is there hope for this "offensive" line?
Brian Batko
12:18
Yeah I wouldn't say I'm hitting the panic button just yet. Nor am I changing my record prediction, let alone Super Bowl pick. Not much could make me do that after one game. They're young. As uninspiring as it was, I'd be a hypocrite if I said going into the game that there could be some growing pains for that group and then crush them for, well, some growing pains.
Matt
12:19
What happen with the defense?  Watching the game, it looked like a team failure... not a certain individual performance.   I did notice Queen appeared to be all over the field making plays!
Brian Batko
12:20
From my view in the press box they weren't defeating blocks up front, which made life harder on the linebackers, and pair those issues with Justin Fields being a damn freak of nature with his mobility and Breece Hall looking shot out of a cannon you're gonna be in trouble. And they were.
J. Fields
12:21
Greetings Brian. Just wanted to thank the Steelers' defense for making me look so good yesterday!
Brian Batko
12:22
I still believe in you, Justin. Avid chat readers and podcast listeners know I still have my duplex on Fields Island.
Alan in Bama
12:22
Brian, exciting game yesterday regardless of how the season goes. Watching yesterday it seemed like the kickoff teems were letting the Jets start at the 35 or better on most of the kicks. Is this a symptom of special teams not executing/ being prepared or just the way it is around the league?
Brian Batko
12:23
Good question, because Ray Fittipaldo and I kept saying that to each other too. Chris Boswell kickoffs were not ideal. We'll see what we can find out this week, whether it's strategic or just lack of execution.
Lou
12:24
Hey Brian. How fast do you think they move Black ahead of Benton?
Brian Batko
12:26
Not so fast, Lou. There are multiple factors in play there. First of all, do you want to see more of Isaiahh Loudermilk then? He's just a guy. Very friendly and nice and reliable, but just a guy. Now when Harmon gets back maybe it's worth trying out some different wrinkles with that three-man front. And also I'm just not ready to discard Benton yet. It was one game.
Sam
12:27
Hi Brian.  Happy regular season!  I'm concerned that for a defense that does a terrible job of ever just stopping anyone from moving 10 yards on 3 plays and relies on sacks/turnovers, that it's far too easy to scheme against those things when you can run for over 170 yards whenever you want to and just mix in some easy quick and/or rollout passes.  They can't just be Derrick Harmon away from fixing this can they?
Brian Batko
12:28
Certainly not. Harmon has a ton of ability and a high ceiling but he's a rookie. Not necessarily a game-changer just yet.
Steel City Kid in Alabama
12:29
It’s clear to me now that the Steelers have a pattern for replacing a coordinator that’s not performing well. Bring in a guy that’s known to you, the area or the organization (Canada, Austin) a year or so before the coordinators contract expires and then the contract is not renewed and the other guy is elevated. It seems clear to me that’s the plan w Gerald Alexander. Austin (and Tomlin I suppose) have had more pedigree on that defense and more money spent on that defense with way too few results. “Good but not great” got Justin Fields benched last year, and I was in total agreement with that. Should this defense not be held to a similar standard?
Brian Batko
12:31
Interesting thought. They didn't do that with Matt Canada they way they did with Randy Fichtner, and started fresh with Arthur Smith as an outside hire, but I see what you're saying. Teryl Austin did replace Keith Butler, who retired and was not fired, so that's worth noting as well. Gerald Alexander may well be on that track and Austin could become a fall guy of sorts but let's also not forget how involved Mike Tomlin is with this defense himself. More so than he is the offense.
Takoma Tom
12:32
Steelers need to take a few of TJ’s millions and give them to BOZ.  He’s really the only one that deserved a new contract.  Not impressed with TJ and Cam.  They have big paydays but can’t stop the run.  Ratbirds will run for over 200 yards and maybe 300.
Brian Batko
12:33
Always blows my mind when people say stuff like "Chris Boswell wants his contract adjusted with two years out? Come on, the guy's a kicker ..." Maybe you can say that about 30, 31 other dudes around the league. But not Chris Boswell. He's ridiculous.
Thebigwoo
12:34
Where was Roman Wilson yesterday? There was a lot of hype over how well he was looking, then zip on the stat sheet. I didn't hear his name being mentioned at all during the broadcast.
Brian Batko
12:35
He was on the sideline because Calvin Austin was balling out.
Canton-Bound
12:35
Should the Steelers have locked up Chris Boswell before the season? Could/would the Steelers break another tradition and sign Boswell during this season? That field goal could’ve/would’ve been good from 70 yards. Thanks for all the keen and kind chats.
Brian Batko
12:36
Not expecting that, no, but I imagine he'll pretty much be able to name his price after this season if he keeps doing bonkers stuff like that.
Lenny from NY
12:37
Hi Bats. Once again the d-line was horrible. Do you think it’s personnel, coaching, scheme or all of the above. Tomlin is supposed to be a defensive guru, but year after year we cant stop the run. Your thoughts?  Also Heyward looks old and slow
Brian Batko
12:40
I'd say the personnel did not play well yesterday, clearly, but I still generally like the depth they've assembled there. They just need to get better. If they don't, then we can revisit this. I think it's fair to be more critical of the scheme and coaching. This is why I was mystified that they didn't do more this offseason to address that, whether that be changing coordinators or, if you still believe in Austin, at least bring in some fresh eyes from outside the organization. Scott McCurley came in as the new LBs coach but even Gerald Alexander was already here previously. Not a lot of new ideas coming in.
Load More Messages
Connecting…