You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.21.20
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Brian Batko
2:34
Ben likes it. Simple as that. Lots of teams use a ton of shotgun too, not just the Steelers. The days of I-formations and full house backfields are all but over. But hey, the Steelers still have that jumbo package in their back pocket when they want to line up and smack a defense in the mouth.
Guest
2:35
Hi Brian and thanks for the chats! Edmunds is horrible on coverage. I think he makes a better edge rusher or inside LB. Our Db's also looked a step slow as a better passing team would have torched them. I know our pass rush looks great now but no way they can get to Mahomes or Jackson quick enough to make up for the loose coverage. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:36
They'll get a good test this week with Deshaun Watson. He's right there behind those guys in the upper echelon of dual-threat QBs who can make defenses look silly. Takes a lot of sacks though, so we'll see.
Retire21
2:37
Is that Craig Colquiitt back there punting for the Steelers.? Not bad for a septuagenarian.
Brian Batko
2:37
I'll have you know Craig Colquitt is only 66 years young.
Bo Schembechler
2:37
Are you concerned with how the defense let a journeyman quarterback nearly beat them at the end of the game?
Brian Batko
2:38
Yeah, that wasn't great, Bo. They need to tighten up. But I'll say this much, even as it was third-and-2 and it looked like they were about to have to come from behind after a 2018/19-esque collapse, I was never really doubting that the defense would find a way. And they did. Against Jeff Driskel.
Theon
2:38
Great chat as always, Brian. I'm on the move on from Connor bandwagon, why show such blind loyalty to a fourth year player? It's not 2018 anymore, he stunk last year, stunk so far this year, and doesn't show a penchant for improving. I know Snell had the fumble, but he looked so much better in that Giants game than Connor even before the latest injury...how say you?
Brian Batko
2:40
Thank you, dear Theon. Watch your step as you exit the platform. I've always thought of the proverbial "bandwagon" as more of a train, with a conductor, making occasional stops to pick up more passengers. But that's not a wagon at all.

Anyway, indeed, Conner probably is what he is at this point. I thought we might be in for a gradual changing of the guard at that position between he and Snell, but then Snell goes and does the worst thing a RB can do, putting the piggy on the ground. Now I'm not so sure.
Mercury
2:41
Do you think Ben calling so many of the plays at the line contributes to them not running the ball enough?
Brian Batko
2:42
In two-minute/hurry-up situations, sure, you're going to see a lot more short, quick passes than runs. That is part of the reason why at the end of the day the balance will be so pass-heavy. But I also think through two weeks the Steelers offense has looked best when they go no-huddle and Ben just improvises on the fly a little bit.
Distant Fan
2:43
Hi Brian. 3rd and goal from the 2 and you run to the right side of the line with two new starters? Where are these tall targets for Ben we have heard so much about?
Brian Batko
2:43
They're around. One of them had an 84-yard touchdown catch.
other Jeff
2:43
how about less playing time to one of the two tight ends.  Ebron does not look good as a blocker
Brian Batko
2:44
Fair enough. Ebron played 50 snaps and Vance McDonald 36. They seem to like what Ebron is offering in the downfield passing game, though. He's a smooth route-runner, no doubt about that. I'd agree though the blocking leaves a lot to be desired.
Guest
2:45
Will Claypool have more snaps by the end of the year than Washington?
Brian Batko
2:46
That's the other thing that probably makes it tough for a guy like Derek Watt to all of a sudden get a huge uptick in snaps. Many want Chase Claypool to get more playing time too, as they should. He's been great when given the chance. I do think he'll surpass Washington and I've thought that all along since they picked him. It was pretty clear to me they were putting some pressure on Washington (and JuJu) to improve by bringing in another young stud who can play on the outside.
Tom
2:47
Do they play crowd noise in the stadium after big plays?
Brian Batko
2:47
It's hard to hear from the press box, but what I can tell you is that each team has prerecorded crowd noise they play on a loop at a set decibel level. Watching from home, you're hearing different sounds piped in for the TV broadcast, which is where you'll hear more animated reaction, good or bad. For the players, it's pretty sterile.
Googleybear007
2:49
Should we be scared?
Brian Batko
2:49
The only thing we have to fear is feat itself, Googleybear007.
CENTER
2:49
Is Fitzpatrick making plays or just not showing up? With such a strong beginning last year, it seems like he has been mediocre.
Brian Batko
2:50
He's obviously not making the splash plays. But teams know now he's an All-Pro safety and they need to be wary of him. Granted, Ben wasn't very wary of throwing a lollipop to Justin Simmons, so he looks like he had a much better day with an INT to his name, even if I could've picked that one off.
M Filak
2:50
Has anyone ever figured out what the problem is with DeCastro?
Brian Batko
2:51
All we know is a knee. Could be an MCL, meniscus, something less severe than an ACL, given that he wasn't placed on IR and has already missed two games. Makes you think he could/should be back this week, but first practice isn't until Wednesday. If he does sit out again, then it will have made no sense not to open up his roster spot for the first few weeks.
Emilio
2:52
Do you still think the current Steelers defense compares to the ones around 2009 favorably?
Brian Batko
2:53
Let's see more than two games.
E.VA
2:53
The secondary is getting exposed based on the past two weeks.  Getting slower or needs more time to gel?
Brian Batko
2:54
I've never been real into the idea that they're some lightning-fast secondary. Haden is getting up there, Nelson isn't really known as a burner, and even Fitzpatrick and Edmunds aren't like sub-4.4 guys or anything. They shouldn't need much more time to jell. Everyone's back from last year and they're all vets at this point.
Judy
2:55
brian We don’t want to hear they (Broncos) get paid too, yesterday performance even with a win was inexcusable, seems always we have to make it a cardiac game vs inferior teams either win or lose.. and yesterday was no excepción in general.. right ?? Or what say U?
Brian Batko
2:55
Well Judy, they get paid too.
Jatt in Abbotsford
2:56
Chase Claypool
Brian Batko
2:56
That's it, that's the chat.
CoalportKid
2:56
Saw Highsmith in there a few times - not getting much push - your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:56
Yeah I tried to home in on him a couple times I spotted him on defense and he didn't really do much.
Hobbster
2:57
I am viewing these first four games (really for every team) as preseason even though they count. For that reason can you see getting too worked up over any seeming deficiencies, either individual or scheme? (By scheme I mean how the pre-snap motion has looked very much like a Work-In-Progress in both games so far)
Brian Batko
2:58
That's probably fair. It's not as if the Steelers have had any issues with the motion, though. Not getting called for illegal procedure penalties or anything. Just seems to me as a layman that the pre-snap stuff isn't really throwing off any defenses to this point. Of course, could be setting up some misdirection down the line they can break out when they really need it.
Joe
2:58
Was it me or did it seem the refs gifted the Broncos first downs on phantom penalty calls against the Steelers Defense in second half? The refs kept the Broncos in the game
Brian Batko
2:58
It's not just you because Vince Williams tweeted last night that the Steelers had to beat two teams Sunday.
Steeltowntim@aol.com
2:59
2 TD's given up on 98 and 55 I think we still need to figure out help on these guys
Connecting…