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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.11.23
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Brian Batko
10:34
Hi everyone, I get the sense you're all itching to vent after how yesterday played out, so let's get to it. 49ers 30, Steelers 7. Ugli fruit. Ask away...
RAM
10:35
Does Presley Harvin have something on Tomlin that keeps him on this team? I was at the game and he was booming his punts in warm-ups and at half time. But when he’s in a game situation he just falls apart. There has to be a better punter out there we could grab, right?
Brian Batko
10:37
Opening with a punter question. I like the vibe. Yes, Pressley Harvin was also bad in addition to just about everyone on offense or defense who doesn't wear No. 90. The Steelers made it clear to Harvin this offseason that he was on a short leash by claiming Braden Mann on waivers. That job security, or lack thereof, wasn't helped by matters in Week 1. They could always go back to Mann if Harvin's struggles continue.
Coach15
10:37
Team effort yesterday-embarrassing!
Best thing Steelers could do, would be to TANK, & draft some talent, along with firing coaching staff-This circus has been spiraling downward for years, & NOBODY seems to notice or care-as long as they don't have a losing season, they're headed in the "right direction"--The Tomlisms/cliches are getting hold
Brian Batko
10:38
It's September 11. Can we at least hold off on the tanking talk until Week 2?
Kyle J
10:39
Steeler football is starting to feel like Groundhog Day with the same problems repeating. On the defensive side, is it bad scheme, bad coaching, or bad player acquisition?
Brian Batko
10:40
Too soon to say with this group. Early returns are not good on the free-agent acquisitions, which is why I try to caution about getting overly excited about the roster on-paper. News flash: Every team thinks they get better every offseason. I'm always someone who puts more stick in the talent than the coaching, but clearly when you get beat down like that, it's both.
pauljr13
10:41
Hi Brian, I heard a lot of players saying they didn't execute.  Could it be that the game plan, that they had all summer to prepare, stunk?  I mean, 28 mins, 1 yard, no first downs on offense.  That can't be all on the players.  And the defense was just as bad in those 28 mins.  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:44
That's a blanket statement made by players after most games when you take one on the chin. If anything, I take it to mean you made physical mistakes, such as missing a tackle or getting outjumped for a touchdown ball. But sure, there's also something to be said for not having the right plan in place, too. Not to make a mountain out of a possible molehill comment, but Patrick Peterson - in addition to holding himself accountable - did say "we weren't in good enough position to make those plays." Could that be a subtle indictment of the scheme?
Shawn Kessinger
10:45
Hey Brian - Pickens has all the talent in the world but looks to be another prima donna WR. Why didn’t Tomlin yank him in the 4th after that dumb personal foul? Just a pat on the back and trotted him right back out there.
Brian Batko
10:46
Probably a few factors. No. 1, they were already down a wideout in Diontae Johnson due to injury. No. 2, I assume he'd view it as a chance to let a young guy grow and play through frustration. But yes, it's hard not to notice when someone with GP's track record does something like that late in a game. It's not surprising at this point.
The Truth
10:47
I am not absolving Pickett of blame. He, and basically everyone other than TJ were awful. To me, this ALL funnels back up to Matt Canada and his pathetic scheme. We're going on year 3 of the same nonsense on offense. The offense only seems to ever work in the no huddle, receivers never seem to be schemed open, its all horizontal, no deep shots, no sense of urgency, no rhythm. Why can the 49ers have Brandon Aiyuk running wide open all game but we can't seem to scheme a single guy open? Canada has had 3 quarterbacks running this and all have largely failed or succeeded in spite of him. He gets the lions share of the blame for continuing to put the team and the defense behind the 8 ball with this amateur scheme. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
10:50
You make some good points. Look, I have not been the biggest Matt Canada basher, but I also thought it was time for a change this offseason. You're right that a lot of offenses, certainly the best NFL offenses, make it look much easier than the Steelers do (and have since, I don't know, 2018?)

In Canada's defense, there were more than a few plays when Kenny Pickett had good options, be it single coverage on a George Pickens go route, Pat Freiermuth breaking open, etc. I imagine when we chat with Canada on Thursday he'll say there are answers for every coverage on every play, but that it starts with him and he didn't do a good enough job.
Jeff M
10:50
Seems like the Steelers swapped out a young up and coming CB in Sutton for an over the hill vet in Pat Pete. On top of that he bragged before the game about finding a tell and having a pick, then was promptly targeted for 2 TDs. I thought this signing was at least supposed to bring leadership to the DB room. Do you see King and JPJ eating in to his playing time as he is continually to be exposed?
Brian Batko
10:52
It was not a good start to Peterson's Pittsburgh tenure, that's for sure. These are the risks you take when you sign a 33-year-old corner, even a likely Hall of Famer. Is he bringing leadership? Probably. Is he making plays on the ball? Not yet, other than the one nice PBU on George Kittle. I hesitate to move on too soon, but another game like that and I'd be taking a longer look at Joey Porter Jr. and Desmond King on the outside. Doesn't mean you have to outright bench Peterson. You can try him in other roles, which is why I was surprised they didn't tinker with that more in preseason.
kicker
10:53
Does Pickett have the arm strength to throw line drives?
Brian Batko
10:54
He does have enough arm strength to throw line drives - and strikes. Also enough for home-run balls. Maybe too often he was looking for a double or triple instead of taking the base hit. Either way he needs to step up to the plate next week and knock it out of the park against the Browns. But their defense is no can of corn.
Bill
10:54
What will it take for the Steelers organization to  admit to themselves that Presley Harvin is an erratic and unreliable punter?
Brian Batko
10:55
On one hand, I'd say not many more 24-yard punts. On the other hand, this team stuck with Jordan Berry for a long time, so it's not as if they've had an itchy trigger finger when it comes to punters.
10:56
I'm sorry, 28-yard punt.
Ralph
10:56
Did Joey Porter Jr  play yesterday if so how did he do
Brian Batko
10:58
Barely. Just 7 defensive snaps, fewest of anyone who played a down on defense. It's clear that he just wasn't in the game plan much, nor was Elijah Riley. The cornerback situation is a bit of a moving target and has been since they drafted him, but at some point you're gonna need to see if he can help you sooner than later.
artie bridge
10:59
Wow!  What to make of that debacle?  Yes, I know..."It's only one game...yadayada..."  but what changes are warranted going forward?  Surely repeating the same behavior does not lead to different results.
Brian Batko
11:00
For starters, I don't think I'd opt to receive. Let your defense set the tone. Maybe TJ Watt will get a sack, force a fumble, recover it and run it back for a touchdown to give you an early lead.
Steel Town Danny
11:00
Thanks for the chats bats!  I am still standing behind my clain that Kenny Pickett at best is the second coming of Mark Malone.  Nice guy, athletic, but indecisive and inconsistent.  How many other NFL teams would he be a better option as their starter?  He is a solid back-up but not a franchise quarterback.
Brian Batko
11:02
That'd be a major disappointment for someone drafted in the first round to be the franchise QB after Ben. How many teams would he start for? Hard to say, but I do know Jordan Love played well yesterday for Green Bay and Desmond Ridder was very efficient for the Falcons. That's about his range as a second-year starter, with other younger QBs who haven't played a ton yet. I'm not ready to say I'd take another passer from his draft class over him and we'll see what these 2023 rookies can do.
Blount
11:03
How many games do you think Tomlin will lose before he starts playing his best this year? Last year we made it basically halfway, this year we have the like of Adams, Neal, and a distinct lack of JPj making the preseason D look like a better unit
Brian Batko
11:05
Not sure how to answer that, but you do raise a good point that this defense is relying quite a bit on career journeymen. Montravius Adams, Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, even Kwon Alexander probably fits that bill at this point. The way they've built this thing, they really need those veteran role players to step up and be better than their resumes/contracts would suggest. So far, not so good
Steeler Joe
11:05
At what point do the coaches look around and decide that Jones, Porter and Benton, in particular (and Herbig, in a cameo role), can't possibly be worse than what's out there? Throw them off the dock.
Brian Batko
11:07
That point might come soon for Broderick Jones, and not because of him forcing his way onto the field. If Chuks Okorafor is indeed in concussion protocol, it's always touch-and-go to clear that for the next game. Throws another wrench into things for an offense that was sloppy and impotent even with a clean bill of health. But maybe you're right that he'll be a gamer if pressed into duty.
Jim_Bow_Dean
11:07
The 49’ers receivers consistently got open and caught the ball on the run to gain yards after the catch. The Steeler’s receivers are always forced to make combat catches and are tackled quickly. Is it talent on scheme?
Brian Batko
11:09
Both, Jimmy Bow. I still can't fathom why the Steelers didn't add a more proven NFL offensive coach to their staff this offseason if they were intent on keeping Canada as the OC. They basically just ran it back other than bringing in another (mostly) college assistant in Glenn Thomas.
Brian
11:09
Hi Brian. First of all thanks for the articles and your reporting. Always enjoy your work. Watching the game on TV it seems that 49's receivers were open with large windows for the quarterback to feed them the ball. Our receivers rarely appear that way. When watching the game in stadium does it look the same or is our QB just not finding the open target. The camera usually follows the ball and I was wondering if we TV viewers are getting a false impression of an inability of Steeler receivers to get open.
Brian Batko
11:11
Thanks, Brian. You've got a good name on your shoulders. What you're referring to is why it's always difficult to make snap judgments in the moment, or even in the hours after the game before all parties have been able to digest the film. I haven't had a chance to watch the All-22 stuff much yet, but by the time we hear from Tomlin (tomorrow), Pickett (likely Wednesday) and Canada (Thursday) they'll have gone through it with a fine-tooth comb. So, stay tuned.
Narduzzi
11:12
Good thing UPitt runs a pro style offense.  Not sure what happened to KP after he left here but it wasn't me.  I have to go review Cincinnati tape now.  Bye.
Brian Batko
11:12
Bye, Pat. Good luck in Morgantown this weekend. Should be a good ballgame and fun atmosphere.
62 Stack Monster
11:12
Brian, what is the difference between a "weighty" down and a "possession" down?
Brian Batko
11:14
Not entirely sure on that one. I myself was confused why Tomlin kept referencing "weighty downs" when they were so roundly butt-kicked on really any and all downs. I mean, sure, converting on third-and-20 would be pretty great, but I don't think I'd call that a weighty down.
Jud
11:14
The Sky is Falling, the Sky is Falling!  who are we drafting next year... just kidding
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