You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.19.22
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Brian Batko
2:35
I'm not gonna pretend to be a play-calling or play-design savant, so maybe I'm off-base here. But get Trubisky going on some designed runs. Put in some option routes so that Najee Harris isn't running to the flat on third-and-8 as a hot read vs. Cover 0. Encourage Trubisky to take more 1-on-1 shots and middle-of-the-field chances. Bench him if he can't or won't.
Greg
2:37
It's said a definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. That being said, there should be a padded cell ready for Matt Canada.
Brian Batko
2:37
Well, he cut down on the jet sweeps this week vs. New England...
TV
2:38
Reports/rumors last year were that the revolving door of offensive line coaches was because they couldn't get along with Canada, so they brough in a guy that had history with him and this offensive line stinks...if Canada gets fired, will everyone with ties to him get the boot as well?  If I remember correctly, there are a few coaches that were brought in because of their history of working with Canada.
Brian Batko
2:40
Yeah, there are, but that's not exactly uncommon. Naturally, coaches want to work with assistants with whom they're familiar. But it's not OL coach Pat Meyer you're thinking of. It's WR coach Frisman Jackson, who was with Canada at NC State. Look, if the Steelers want to fire Matt Canada midseason, the only logical choice to be interim OC is QB coach Mike Sullivan, who hasn't done it since 2017. Unless Tomlin does it himself. That'd be fascinating, right?
Jake
2:41
It seems to me that Canada is a poor game day play caller.  Has no trust in Mitch.  Have you heard any rumblings from coaches Kenny needs to play?
Brian Batko
2:41
No
Utah Jim
2:41
This ultra conservative offensive game plan is just the latest example of Tomlin living in his fears. Is there another coach in the NFL that lives there more?
Brian Batko
2:41
Probably
Manjo
2:41
Brian, do still think Big Ben was one of the Steelers main problems on offense last year?
Brian Batko
2:41
Yes
Hi Brian -
2:42
Are we wasting snaps and continuity when we know the end game is Kenny?  It's not like he's 21; he's the same age as Burrow and has been in college for six years.  Play the team that will help you build long-term success.  He needs to be on the field, making mistakes and learning.  Agree?
Brian Batko
2:44
That's the balance you have to strike when talking about developing any young QB. We've seen teams go about it a number of different ways. I don't think he's being "wasted" at the moment, because he's getting a chance to see this play out from the sideline and surely learning a lot. But you also don't want to waste the twilight of Cam Heyward's career, or T.J. Watt's prime, or Minkah Fitzpatrick's brilliance. It's easy to say now that Pickett needs to be out there to learn from experience. But that can also go sideways on a quarterback when it comes to confidence. I think part of the reason you draft Pickett is because he does have that confidence, that "it" factor, but there's no turning back once you make that move.
Ed in Carrick
2:45
How bad is Bush’s injury. I can only imagine a certain segment of this chat will be cheering it but what is alternative?
Brian Batko
2:46
More Robert Spillane and maybe Mark Robinson's NFL debut. But I don't get the feeling that Devin Bush's injury is significant.
FC
2:46
I don't care who's the QB is this system, the system is designed for failure.  It's obvious Canada is in way over his head, so is there any chance MT swallows his massive pride and makes a change at OC b4 it's too late?   In my opinion, MT's massive ego has cost the Steelers at least 2-3 wins a year on his stupid decisions.
Brian Batko
2:49
He's never made an OC move like that midseason. Granted, there haven't been many times that was even worth considering. But Randy Fichtner got three full seasons. Todd Haley and Ben had friction, but that change wasn't made until the offseason. Tomlin did make a preseason coordinator firing in 2012, but that was special teams coach Al Everest.
Dev from NJ
2:50
Which comes first -  KP starts or Matt Canada out as OC?  Don’t wish ill on anyone but don’t think KP will develop properly with Canada as OC.  And perhaps being overly optimistic, I think KP has significant upside.  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:50
I'd guess Pickett starting. Remember, he has a prior relationship with Canada, so that's not necessarily a bad thing for optimism that the pairing would work better together.
Weegie
2:51
Hi Brian. I think the offensive line  did ok protecting the qb, but still can’t seem to get it going in the rub game.  Do you think it is lack of talent, too many ok coaches teaching different blocking techniques, a lack of cohesiveness, or something else ?
Brian Batko
2:52
Probably all of that, PLUS a lack of a passing game that's allowing defenses to stack the box. If you've ever seen some of the Chiefs' big runs over the past few years, they often come when the defenses are playing two-high and the safeties *aren't even in the screen*. That's just one of many reasons having someone like Patrick Mahomes helps an offense.  Man, imagine if the Steelers had Patrick Mahomes. These chats would be nice.
Jimmy
2:53
Since we can’t seem to block well enough, why not use a fullback?  Canada was very creative with us position at
Brian Batko
2:54
People forget Derek Watt's stat line yesterday. One snap, one touch, one carry, two yards, one first down. Can't top that efficiency.
2:55
But in all seriousness, yes, part of an OC's job is to adapt and tweak things if the offense isn't working. You're not going to reinvent the wheel or install the triple-option, as Tomlin said today, but there's no rule against adding a wrinkle that might *gasp* fix or improve the running game!
Yates
2:56
Brian- on the muffed punt which Steeler was not on field?
Brian Batko
2:56
Not sure. Tomlin didn't single-out anyone by name, players were off today so the locker room was very sparse. I'll see if I can find out.
Arrow pointing down
2:57
Not a question, just a rant.  Mediocre people are happy with mediocre results.  When we have trophy case for non-losing seasons then I'll anoint Coach T as a winner.
Brian Batko
2:59
Fair enough, but the Steelers have the third-most regular-season wins in the NFL since 2010. They're one of seven teams that have made the playoffs in back-to-back years. Of course you want more, but I'm not sure that fits the definition of mediocrity.
Guest
3:00
Did Pickett QB under Canada?  Thought Canada went to LSU when KP was a Freshman.
Brian Batko
3:00
No, but he recruited him before leaving for LSU.
3:01
OK folks, that's it for today. We had a nice run there of questions that only required one-word answers, so that was nice. And ending on a fact-based answer never hurts. See you all next Monday. Never a bad time to subscribe to the P-G: https://t.co/UpnXfZMw0D
Connecting…