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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.12.22
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hey everyone, first postgame chat of the regular season and it sure is lively in here already. Let's get to it.
Q
2:01
A few other teams with QB injuries  this weekend (i.e. DAL).  Any new outside interest in a trade for MR about which you are hearing?
Brian Batko
2:02
Nah, Jerry Jones said this morning that the Cowboys are comfortable with Dak Prescott's backup Cooper Rush. Now, maybe he's just blowing smoke, but I feel like he's usually more upfront than most NFL decision-makers.
there you have it
2:02
Trubisky accomplished nothing and the game would have been a loss if not for the defense. On the road to mediocrity. Tomblin know it by the look on his face during the game. Randolph as starter by game 6. write it down. Once the media stops squealing like little girls over Trubisky maybe, they will really look at his QB record. It didn't take anyone to the playoff, He rode their backs.
Brian Batko
2:02
Let's go Randolph.
Turk in MD
2:03
Thanks for the chats, Brian.  I understand the OL needs time to jell, but the failures in I formation on the goal line (with a FB!!!) cannot be "system related".  At some point, our guys have to move their guys off the line of scrimmage.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:05
Absolutely. Now, maybe there are some schematic issues too - there probably are - but going back to Randy Fichtner's last season, which included a couple of the same players, the O-line also struggled. At some point the linemen themselves have to get the job done no matter the X's and O's.
walterabercrombie
2:05
BB - I'm confused and hope you can shed some light on ILB responsibilities.  Is Jack the Buck and Bush the Mack or is Bush the Buck and Jack the Mack???
Brian Batko
2:06
Myles Jack is the all-situations linebacker in this group. What's confusing about that?
Retire 21
2:06
I think I read that Burrow because of a 'serious appendectomy" did not take one preseason snap and with the new offensive line, too, maybe this was an anomaly for them? Hope not!
Brian Batko
2:07
It probably was. You saw them get in much more of a rhythm in the second half. Tee Higgins will be back. The Bengals offense will be just fine I think.
Yates
2:08
Hi Brian-  Trying to understand why DJ and Pickens got so few targets yesterday?  Nice to see Claypool make a few hard catches but no way can this offense get on track if 18 and 14  are not getting 8 plus targets per game. What did you see to explain this?
Brian Batko
2:09
Conservative game plan, especially with the early lead provided by the D. Mitch Trubisky's No. 1 priority at that point was taking care of the ball, which he did. He's going to need to take more shots at some point, though. That should include more Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
Jimmy McGill
2:10
What has to change in order for this OL to start opening holes for the run game? Over the past few years they have changed players and coaches along the line and still can't run the ball. What is the biggest issue and how does it get corrected?
Brian Batko
2:10
They've changed players but have they acquired good players? Maybe they need a time machine.
Zburdette34@gmail.com
2:11
Trubisky is not the answer, I know that now and understand what Bears Fans and Media were talking about. He holds the ball due to his inability to read an NFL defense and is unable to throw people open with great anticipation passes. We have a 24 year old QB who started 50+ games in college who’s greatest traits are his ability to do what Trubisky cannot and is acceptionally accurate! Do you believe Pickett would be a fire to light this offense and unleash its potential moving forward as I do and probably all of Pittsburgh believes as well??? Because 16 points, 55% accuracy and balls thrown 5 yards out of play when receivers are running open down the field ain’t cutting it when your defense forces 5 TO’s???
Brian Batko
2:12
Well, your points about his track record to this point are valid, but in his Steelers career it's been one week. I'm not gonna say Kenny Pickett is the spark they need right now after one regular-season game, a win.
Dubble07
2:13
Howdy Bats, thanks for your chats!  With all of your NFL connections - could you reach out to legendary Hard Knocks coach Dan Campbell to see if that guy he talked about with "one butt-cheek and three toes" might happen to be an OL and available to sign?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:14
Howdy Dubble. They should try to bite some kneecaps, for sure.
I'm open
2:15
Are there any crossing routes in our offensive playbook?
Brian Batko
2:15
Only for Derek Watt.
JerseySteel
2:16
Hi Brian - I like Mitch and he is a gamer - but I saw a number of throws so off target - they did not look like NFL throws. This will only increase the chants for Pickett if it continues. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:17
Oh of course. But that's what the Steelers signed up for when they rebuilt their QB position this offseason. I didn't think he was all that bad. About what I expected. If you thought they were getting Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, that's on you.
Steeltree
2:18
Thanks for the chat.  Cowboys lose Dak for 7-8 weeks.  If they express interest in Rudolph what would you expect the Steelers to want in return.  Parsons would be nice (tongue in cheek)
Brian Batko
2:19
You're welcome. Don't look to Dallas for OL help. Did you see their unit last night? I know they lost Tyron Smith and Jason Peters isn't ready yet but yikes. Maybe they have a pass-rusher they aren't using? In all honesty, I'd deal Rudolph for a 6th. That's just me. Reasonable minds may disagree with that compensation.
JackieFF
2:20
Man....5 turnovers and it takes the entire ot to eek out a win?  Love the W but it feels more like a loss when you factor in THE injury.  What say you?
Brian Batko
2:21
Eh, a loss never feels like a win, especially in the AFC North Hot Kitchen, but I hear you. No getting around an injury to TJ Watt, long term or short.
Tom88
2:21
How in the world can Steelers management be OK with only using two 3rd rd picks and a 4th over the last three years for the Oline and think it's OK?  Jim Brown & Walter Payton couldn't be successful behind this line. They are wasting #22 and risking his life.
Brian Batko
2:23
Their first- and second-round picks in that span haven't exactly been duds, Tom. Chase Claypool, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, Kenny Pickett, George Pickens. There's always an opportunity cost in draft picks. Certainly you can argue not enough attention has been paid, be it in the draft or free agency.
AtlantaDan
2:24
Results of TJ Watt’s MRI to be held for Tomlin’s media conference on Tuesday or do you expect results to leak as was the case when Ben being out for the season was confirmed before noon the Monday after his injury in the Seahawks game?
Brian Batko
2:25
They'll leak. They always leak.
Turn down for Watt
2:26
Steelers won exactly zero games last reason when TJ Watt was not playing…talk me down off of the ledge please!
Brian Batko
2:26
Probably gonna face Joe Flacco in Week 4.
Minor Pec Injury
2:27
Please give us some good news on TJ!!!
Brian Batko
2:28
He seemed like his normal self today in the locker room, that's all I can tell you. Declined to talk to us in the media and obviously he's going to miss time, but I'd be more pessimistic if he wasn't around at all.
Brian in CA
2:28
Thanks for the chats. I know nothing about QB mechanics, but it looked like Mitch was awkward when throwing sometimes. Even when he had time to set, it seemed like sometimes he'd be leaning backwards or off-center. Am I off?
Brian Batko
2:30
I'd have to go back and watch more closely - and no one is about to confuse me for Peyton Manning - but I thought he did some good things, too, that will look pedestrian on the stat sheet. The throw to Najee Harris for the TD had just the right amount of touch. The dump off to YAC Gentry was harder than it looked, needing to get it over the oncoming rusher who jumped to tip it.
2:32
OK folks, normally I'd stay and chat for a while but I have to type up some of what we just heard from Steelers players in the locker room. If you don't already, would appreciate you considering a P-G subscription so we can continue all the great content on Steelers and elsewhere - chats, road coverage, etc: https://t.co/UpnXfZMw0D

Talk to you next Monday, and in Friday's mailbag.
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