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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.21.20
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Brian Batko
1:59
Good afternoon, everybody. Steelers are 2-0, so it's a victory Monday chat here. Let's get to the queueue.
Ohio Steeler Fan
2:00
If teams need to carry a specialist as a long snapper, why not as a holder ?
Brian Batko
2:01
I suppose there's a fine line between the skill it takes to do certain specialized jobs on a football field as opposed to others. Holding? Simple enough for a punter to pull double-duty. Snapping? Kicking? Punting? You need a guy whose focus is solely on that task to be perfect at it. At least until someone comes around like a center who can long-snap, or a kicker who can punt.
DuPree's Bud
2:02
Why not try the 52 yard FG instead of going for it on 4th and 2? A FG there essentially ices the game.
Brian Batko
2:04
Ah, the old hindsight. I liked the decision to go for it. I didn't even mind the play call. To me, it was the execution that was the issue. If you kick it with Boswell and miss it, which is very possible given the distance, then you're giving the Broncos a short field anyway.
Duval Love
2:05
Steelers looking for another guard?  What is Wisnewski status ?
Brian Batko
2:06
Not necessarily. They seem somewhat comfortable with Derwin Gray to at least be a last-resort option in case of other injuries. Plus he might have the capability to play tackle in a pinch, too. Versatility never hurts. Wisniewski is out indefinitely. No real time table for him beyond the three weeks he must miss on IR.
Jimmy
2:06
How much did the injuries to the o-line hurt the run game ?
Brian Batko
2:07
Interestingly enough, we spoke to rookie guard Kevin Dotson and right tackle Chuks Okorafor today and both thought they held up better in pass protection. That's to be expected for Chuks - Zach Banner is viewed as the better run blocker - but a bit of a surprise for Dotson. If anything, he was seen as a mauler coming out of Louisiana (Lafayette) but was very solid in pass pro in his first NFL start.
Paul
2:08
I thought OL did a tremendous job. Wish they kept Kerrith Whyte and drafted a Tackle with pick vs McFarland pick. Their styles were too similar.
Brian Batko
2:09
Agreed, Paul. And I'm NOT using hindsight on this one. I've been saying since the draft that I didn't much understand adding another mid-round RB. Would've gone ILB there, but Kevin Colbert didn't ask me.
Steeler1974
2:10
Reason we are not giving McFarland at least a carry or two?
Brian Batko
2:11
Could be a few things. They might really like what Conner and Snell are doing and just don't want to take carries away from those two as they evaluate the position. Or, McFarland just isn't up to speed mentally with the playbook yet.
Duce Staley
2:12
Think there will fans at Heinz before the end of the year ?
Brian Batko
2:12
I really don't know, Duce. Don't have a real gut feeling either way. But if I had to guess, I'd go no.
Gene
2:13
Hi Brian I think the Steelers need help with covering TE what do you think is the solution?
Brian Batko
2:14
Simplest solution would be for Devin Bush to just get better at it. I thought it was a major weakness in his game last year and I'm not all that encouraged through two weeks this year. Still, he's too good in other areas that you don't really wanna take him off the field (and so far through two games, they haven't).
Love Lambert
2:15
With all the discussion over the potential cap issue in 2021 and Ben wanting number 7, why doesn’t he take a huge discount so we can sign our free agents? He has made his millions
Brian Batko
2:15
It never hurts to have more. But maybe he will.
Yuri
2:15
Hello Brian, with Snell’s two fumbles, do you think McFarland gets significant playing time this week?
Brian Batko
2:17
I'd like to see him get any playing time before predicting significant playing time. Mike Tomlin acknowledged that ball security is significant but didn't seem ALL that concerned with it yesterday after the game.
Buster
2:17
I’m feeling pretty optimistic about the Steelers right now, but when I look at their next 6 games: Texans, Titans, Eagles, Browns, Ravens, Cowboys, I could easily see them losing most of them. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:19
Yeah, I could too. And in fact I did when the schedule first came out. But since then, the Texans have started 0-2 (against perhaps the two best teams in the world) and the Eagles have been ravaged by injuries (while also being 0-2). Jury's out on the Browns for sure, and Cowboys have looked shaky. They should all be good games because it's not as if the Steelers have been dominating middling teams either.
other Jeff
2:20
Thanks B for the chats.  Overall sloppy game at times but a win is a win.  I still don't understand why they don't use Watt more in the FB position especially when the running game is struggling.  We signed him for that much so he can play on special teams and at the end of a game?
Brian Batko
2:22
Only six snaps for D Watt, so sure, there's probably more you could do with him on offense. But Tomlin has been a lot more bullish in his praise of Watt regarding special teams, for sure. I suppose it's just one of those deals where if he's in there, you're a little more limited what you can do in the passing game, and this team is quickly developing so many pass-catching threats that who do you wanna give less playing time to?
Dr. Mike
2:22
Why in short yardage situations did they not use #44 at fullback?
Brian Batko
2:23
Now that's a good point, and an obvious situation in which you can use him more. He's actually not a bad receiver out of the backfield, either. He could catch those 2 and 3-yard flat routes the way Rosie Nix was doing at times the last couple years.
Hank
2:23
Just wondering how things were in the press box.  What kind of adjustments if any, did you have to make?
Brian Batko
2:24
Thanks for thinking of us, Hank. Things were fine, to me. We were spaced out 6 feet or so from every other reporter at our desks, were served box lunches and did postgame Zoom interviews with players from the press box. So, I don't think I really had to adjust much, other than getting used to wearing a mask for that long. And also sitting near some new people rather than my usual P-G crew.
Ohio Dan
2:25
Hi Brian.  Keeping in mind that there was no preseason, what have been your thoughts on the play of the secondary after the first 2 games?
Brian Batko
2:25
Not perfect, obviously, but still pretty good. Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn't been particularly noticeable, but that's not always a bad thing. Terrell Edmunds leaves a lot to be desired for me, though he got to be the hero yesterday, so good for him. Mike Hilton probably the defensive back MVP so far.
Tom 88
2:26
Hi Brian, I hope you and yours are well.  My question is WTF?? That was a mess.
Brian Batko
2:26
We're good, thanks.
Tom
2:27
Today's NFL doesn't seem to be about who can have the longest drives, more of who can make the splash plays. Steelers can do it on both sides of the ball. That means they have as good of a shot at it all as anyone, right?
Brian Batko
2:28
Sure. I think the Chiefs and Ravens are still better at sustaining drives and making the big plays than these Steelers, but one thing I've said all offseason is that if Ben's healthy and playing at a high level, there's no reason to say they definitely can't win a ring.
Toni
2:29
I noticed in the first quarter that Fitzpatrick missed two tackles because he only threw his shoulder into the ball carrier, in sharp contract to Nelson, who wrapped up and tackled the ball carrier.  Did you notice this, and if so, do you think it needs to be corrected or is it just the way NFL 2020 is played?  Also, it seemed like some of the pass interference calls against the Steelers were ticky tacky, especially the ones against Haden and Edmund.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:31
Hi Toni, I did notice the one miss by Minkah but not a second one. It's for sure a factor of guys going for the big hit and trying to jar a ball loose. This defense is opportunistic, so I'm willing to live with some of that. As for the DPI calls, I didn't think they were that bad. Especially the one on Edmunds. He bailed them out, in my opinion.
Bunker Boy
2:32
I think all of these awful NFL injuries will just go away like a miracle.  Especially if we have a heard mentality.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:32
Heard that.
RJT
2:33
Why do the Steelers insist on running shotgun soo much?  Their running game needs to improve and it’s hard to run out of shotgun with lineman standing up.  I thought we would see more under center and two tight end sets.
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