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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.09.24
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Brian Batko
2:41
Hi Shane. I really don't think Wilson's health is a binary issue at this point. It's a spectrum. How could Tomlin not start Wilson in the season opener? If you believe the report from Adam Schefter that Wilson told the team he could play Saturday night, then Tomlin shut it down (with info from medical staff) and went with Fields. And no, this has nothing to do with living in one's fears.
TVC15
2:42
Is Justin Fields the new Big Ben? The Steeler’s season opener 18-10 win was eerily similar to their last playoff (2016 playoffs) win, a touchdown-less 18-16, 6 field goal win against the Alex Smith led Chiefs. Big Ben tried his best to lose but was foiled by Le'Veon Bell running wild on 30 carries for 170 yards. The next week they got clown stomped by the Patriots 36-17 in a game that was not at all as close as the final score (losing 36-9 until the Patriot soft prevent defense gave up a TD and 2 point conversion with 3:36 left to play). Since then, it has either been miss the playoffs or get blown out by halftime in the 1st round.
Brian Batko
2:43
I kept reading after the first sentence out of respect. And I posted the question. But that's where I'll leave it.
Big Bri
2:43
Do you think the Steelers would consider putting Fautanu in at left guard if healthy? Seems it would be less disruptive than putting him at RT and putting Jones at LT. Although I thought Moore and Anderson played ok.
Brian Batko
2:45
Nah, not at all. He hasn't done anything there since he's been a Steeler. Wouldn't make sense, particularly for a guy who's still trying to get to 100% and ready to go at right tackle after playing left tackle in college. I was trying to keep an eye on Spencer Anderson, and yeah, he looked fine to me. Good job by him.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:45
I know they didn’t get into the endzone, but do you think the offense at least looked better than most games last year not started by Mason? I think there was only one three and out.
Brian Batko
2:46
Ehhh, not really, no. There were some ups, for sure. But there were some ups last year, too, such as the deep shot to Calvin Austin in Vegas, the dominant run game in LA, the George Pickens touchdown to beat Baltimore. Let's wait and see a bit before going too far one way or the other on the Steelers' new-look O, can we?
62 Stack Monster
2:47
Hello Brian!  The Offense didn't score a touchdown against a very hapless opponent.  Playing for 3 isn't getting you anywhere in this league.  Will this offense come around? As I see it, and granted it's only one game, they will struggle to score 20 points a game all season.
Brian Batko
2:48
Why are we assuming the Falcons are a hapless opponent? They have some legit dudes on D. Raheem Morris is a defensive coach. Might turn out they have a really good unit in 2024.
Steel City ExPat
2:49
What happened to Patrick Queen yesterday?  1) Slow start but only one game?  2) Just doing his job allowing others to make plays?, 3) Cause for concern?
Brian Batko
2:49
It was only one game and it's not as if the defense struggled overall. He'll probably be fine.
mrbig
2:50
Wow.... SO many touchdowns were scored & we lost our punter, any reason to think they won't sneak in the 7th seed & get pummeled like previous years?
Brian Batko
2:50
A lot of teams in the AFC had issues yesterday, too. Settle down, mrbig.
bwalker
2:51
First game, some things to be cleaned up for sure, but overall was a positive first step. Fields playing well means Russell will have a shorter leash when he gets back on the field. What ya say Bats?
Brian Batko
2:53
Agreed. Fields didn't knock it out of the park, just like he didn't really seize the moment in preseason games, but he showed some things to build on. You know Mike Tomlin had to be buzzing the first time his QB took off and converted 3rd-and-7. Say it with me, gang: QUARTERBACK MOBILITY
tom
2:53
Brian, This team as currently constructed cannot compete offensively in the AFC with the Ravens, Chiefs, Colts, Texans, Bills, Dolphins and most likely the Bengals. They cannot win playoff games against them if they cant score 24 a game.  So why not let Fields play, get him some actual NFL WR's aside from Pickens, let the O line grow, and make progressive advancements through the season. And determine if a multi year extension makes Justin the long term answer?  And demote Wilson to Sous Chef.
Brian Batko
2:55
That's not a bad take at all, tom. And not far off from where I'm at on Fields. You at least know for certain he has one superpower - his running - and if he figures out the rest of what it takes to play QB in the NFL, you might have a real stew going.
Same Old Same Old
2:55
Tomlin got his new OC and QB, and the offense was exactly as productive as last year.  Smith/Fields produced no more than Canada/Fields.  While Smith calls plays, Mike sets up the game plan.  Is Tomlin just not the guy to create a scoring offense?  Is this also further proof that Ben carried Mike for 15 years?  Tomlin looks clueless since he retired..
Brian Batko
2:56
It hasn't been a good time for Tomlin figuring out the QB situation post-Ben Roethlisberger. But how much of that is an indictment on him and how much of it is just ample evidence that it's the toughest position to get right in football? The Steelers were one of the haves for a decade and a half with No. 7. Now they're one of the have-nots and we're all living through it, Tomlin included.
Homer
2:56
BB, True or False: JF's inaccuracy on the short routes, considering how often we dump off into the flat, is more concerning than his documented challenges with the basics of the center-to-QB ball transfer?
Brian Batko
2:58
Both are concerning, but I also think both can be attributed to nerves, a murky week of work in practice and just the general kind of rust a lot of teams displayed Week 1. For what it's worth, Fields was pretty hard on himself for the way he started the game and said it won't happen again.
Mark in Buffalo
2:58
At the risk of over-reacting to yesterday and acknowledging how sloppy teams traditionally are the first week, DeShaun Watson has now played 13 games in a Browns uniform.  Does he deserve more time to prove himself, or is the story almost fully written on how the Brownies whiffed badly on that mega-deal?  (could Brady have come out of the booth cold and outplay him yesterday?!)
Brian Batko
2:59
Yeahhh I think he might be cooked, Mark. My money would've been on Tom Brady.
Yates
2:59
Hi Brian-  Good day. Two questions.  Will Boz have any input on which punter is signed?   Did 30 get fewer touches because of his hamstring injury?
Brian Batko
3:00
From what I know of Chris Boswell, he barely wants any input on anything. And yes, I do think they were easing back Jaylen Warren because of his hamstring.
Ken
3:00
You know, everyone is talking about the great defense & the FG kicker who wears a cape.  But, there were zero turnovers.  Why isn't anyone talking about that too.  Good ball management.
Brian Batko
3:00
That was good ball management, Ken.
3:01
OK folks, I've gotta close down the chat and give my kids their souvenirs from Atlanta. Don't tell them that half came from the Pittsburgh airport. They'll never know the difference. Have a great week!
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