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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.08.25
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Miami Maniac
12:41
Hey Brian,  you're going to be asked a lot about this, but what is wrong with the Steelers run defense?  On paper they have the players, but it looked to me like Queen didn't show up.  He was out of position a lot on some of those inside runs by the Jets.  And Black didn't seem to have the impact I thought he would.  Was he confused out there?
Brian Batko
12:42
That's a good way of putting it. And that's what I've been getting at. On paper, they're solid. On the field, it's a disturbing trend that carried over from the end of last season. Now I guess we should acknowledge that by the end of the year, we could see the Jets being one of the better rushing attacks in the NFL. But still, everyone from Cam Heyward to Keeanu Benton to Payton Wilson to Patrick Queen needs to make major improvements against the Seahawks next week. They didn't run the ball well at all yesterday vs. the 49ers but Kenneth Walker is underrated in my opinion.
Jim K in Jax
12:43
Two questions. What is the fans' obsession with thinking Mike Munchak can cure any offensive lineman's deficiencies? That ship sailed several years ago people. I see it in the comments often; mostly regarding Broderick Jones. He's possibly simply a poor draft pick which would be another on the recent list...

Secondly, I'm assuming Rodgers is happy with his new helmet and the results which it led him to. Maybe something to ask him since he seems to have a nice light-hearted attitude about things as a Steeler?
Brian Batko
12:44
Well, Mike Munchak was a really good OL coach, so yeah that tracks. But yes he's not coming back here. As for Rodgers, he still kind of looks like the Great Gazoo out there to me but yeah, got the job done, clearly.
Uncle T
12:44
do we have a contingency plan for BJones at LT, or is it play out this season and address in offseason.
Brian Batko
12:47
Calvin Anderson is the contingency plan, followed by Andrus Peat. Two vets who are versatile but not exactly longtime left tackles. I've been confused why they kept 10 O-lineman on the initial roster, one more than the usual amount, but maybe that's why.
Ken Ward
12:47
Hi Brian, What's your take on the LT position? Seemed to me the position is far from solid. What happens next, Washington helps Jones on every play so AR8 doesn't get killed? A lot of draft capital spent on a player that doesn't seem to be getting better. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:48
Gotta just move Darnell Washington there now, right? I kid, I kid. But seriously, there aren't external options out there to help.
TVC15
12:48
Did Coach T. not say that despite the hold in that Canned Ham Heyward was conditioned and in football shape and he had "no reservations about his participation or his readiness.?"
Brian Batko
12:48
He did, yes. And I take it you disagree...
Gene
12:50
Do you think Andrus Peat could play LT if Jones continues to falter?
Brian Batko
12:52
Maybe. He was mostly a guard with the Saints. They moved him to left tackle in 2023 but then didn't bring him back, so I'm assuming that experiment didn't go great.
Me
12:53
Do you think Calvin Austin is a good #2 or will the Steelers keep looking for one?
Brian Batko
12:54
Early returns indicate he's ready to step up and be that player. The Steelers are always looking but I kept hearing from people I talked to there that they were comfortable with their wideouts, so I guess a sigh of relief was had yesterday to some extent.
Dan
12:55
Good afternoon!  Are any of the injuries from yesterday potentially long term or concerning in any way?
Brian Batko
12:55
DeShon Elliott leaving with a knee injury and being ruled as doubtful to come back pretty quickly, then out, is definitely cause for concern. And I don't like hearing soft tissue for Joey Porter Jr. We'll see what comes out between now and Mike Tomlin at noon tomorrow, Dan.
Mrbig
12:55
Is it time to discuss if our d coordinator is holding them back?
Brian Batko
12:55
Based on the tone of this chat, apparently.
Ryan
12:56
Brian what do you think about the play of Chris Boswell His kick yesterday from 60 was a Good Kick
Brian Batko
12:56
Yeah it wasn't bad
The Simple SImian
12:56
Rodgers was great. But he won't be here next year, or for the end of the year if he keeps getting hit that often.  A porous defense and a shaky offensive line will be here next year. They will regret not trading Watt for picks to shore those up.
Brian Batko
12:57
I do think there will be a bit of a "hold your breath" moment every time he gets hit. Some of those sacks yesterday looked particularly painful. But at 41, and closer to 42, that first step/escapability isn't coming back.
Jersey Danno
12:57
I'm suffering from Fields remorse. The Jets seem to have unlocked his massive ability. All that MT Talk of wanting a mobile QB and there he was right on the bench. Any regrets you're hearing from the coaches?
Brian Batko
12:58
Hey, I'm with you, Justin Fields looked really good marrying the athleticism with some pinpoint throws. But still faltered in the clutch. I'm sure the Steelers coaches were quite happy with what they got from Aaron Rodgers yesterday, though.
Henry Hill
12:58
Greetings Brian; instead of 'historic', HCMT should've said: 'meet the new defense, same as the old defense.'
Brian Batko
12:59
That actually was my headline and lead all ready to go before the fourth quarter flurry took place. Now it'll never see the light of day.
DK DeCaf
12:59
Will a certain sector of Steeler fans ever be able to simply enjoy a victory or will they constantly find fault?
Brian Batko
1:00
Lots of Steeler fans are enjoying this victory and have been since 4:15 p.m. Sunday but those who spend an hour in a Post-Gazette chat on a Monday afternoon tend to be a bit more critical, fanatical, obsessive, whatever you want to call it DeCaf.
1:01
Sorry all, the play clock just ran down to 0 so I've got to snap this ball and keep it moving with the rest of my day. Thanks for stopping and hope you enjoyed the chat. Ray will be back in the saddle tomorrow and I'll be sure to bank some of the questions that didn't make it for my mailbag Thursday.
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