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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.23.19
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Jake
12:26
I’m not saying Mason Rudolph played like a stud but I don’t think the blame of not getting in the end zone after all those turnovers should be placed on him. The offensive gameplay was way too conservative in the 1st half. They didn’t even attempt to let him throw the ball downfield. Sure hope that changes next Monday night.
Brian Batko
12:27
He looked way too indecisive to me early on, but hey, that's probably natural for a guy in his first NFL start. His decision-making improved from there, other than the pick. It should also be noted that throwing the ball downfield requires separation from your receivers. I haven't been able to watch the all-22 coach's film yet or anything, but it did seem to me there were a few times early on that he had JuJu in one-on-one coverage and it might've been smart to target him and let him make a play.
JerseySteel
12:28
Hi Brian - with all of the good DB's we now have on defense - why are there receivers open on virtually every play?
Brian Batko
12:29
I wouldn't say virtually every play, but on the plays you speak of, you need to have a pass rush. Stephon Tuitt has been a monster the past two games, but he's fading away in the second half. On San Fran's first go-ahead touchdown, he wasn't even on the field for that drive (or the next one when the 49ers went 3-and-out). Terrell Edmunds also hasn't been great, especially in the first half yesterday, he was noticeably a step behind on a few completions.
12:30
What's your early feeling on Steelers-Bengals next week?
Still an easy win (15% | 20 votes)
 
Could go either way (65.4% | 87 votes)
 
Looking at 0-4 (19.5% | 26 votes)
 
Total Votes: 133
kevin in Punxsy
12:30
Hi Brian.  Seems that Randy Fitchner isn't really a OC, he is just a guy who's best friend is a HOF QB.  He, not Rudolph is responsible for the lack of 1st half scoring.  Your thoughts???
Brian Batko
12:31
He's had a game and a half so far to adjust without said HOF QB. I'm not gonna crush the guy just yet.
CanadianSteelersFan
12:31
Hi Brian! No one should be blaming the defense for this loss. We all know that 6 points off 5 turnovers is unacceptable, but the time of possession would wear down ANY defense. Possession times of 2:00, 1:26, 2:40, and 3 and outs. No wonder the defense was tired in the 4th quarter! What can Randy do to increase possession time?
Brian Batko
12:32
Ha, this is a funny question given the line of thinking we've been on for much of this exercise. So many saying that the Steelers offense was far too conservative, but guess what? Running the ball is how you try to control the clock and a game. Can't have it both ways, folks. Therein lies the challenge of winning in the NFL. The other guys are trying too.
tcalantc
12:32
It seems so easy to beat the Steelers over the last 3-4 years. Throw over middle, to the TE, run the ball in the middle and don't let the Steelers throw mid-range over the middle. I've always liked coach Tomlin and want him to stick around as long as he wants, but it's getting to the point where you do have to look at scheme and coaching, don't you think? It's a bit absurd that every game is almost the same.
Brian Batko
12:34
Of course. You look at scheme and coaching after every game, win or loss. There's more heat on those guys right now than there's been in a while. If any team misses the postseason two seasons in a row, you likely won't see them take the same exact masthead into Year 3.
Paul
12:34
I say the Steelers win next 3 games your thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:34
Bengals, Ravens, at Chargers? My thoughts boil down to: No.
Kennewick
12:35
I think the turnovers keep the Steelers from being blown out by 3 or more TDs.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:35
Ehh not necessarily. They also turned it over twice themselves. It was a weird game all around.
HBCTP
12:35
Can you point to any observer who believes the Steelers are a well-coached team?
Brian Batko
12:36
Paul up there, I guess.
Bob from the Poconos
12:36
Any word on Vance's injury and availability?  Not having a viable back up was a huge gamble.
Brian Batko
12:37
Nope, Tomlin said his shoulder's being evaluated. Xavier Grimble didn't do much for me yesterday. Zach Gentry took some of his snaps late in passing situations. Grimble kinda strikes me as that fifth guy in basketball the defense doesn't bother guarding because he mostly just sets screens and passes the ball.
Craig in CA
12:37
I'm  so frustrated watching 3rd and long get completed time after time with a wide open receiver or the wide open TE. Why can't they limit this???? Its crazy!!
Brian Batko
12:37
Remember that time they limited it only to have it erased by an obvious defensive holding penalty on a veteran linebacker away from the play? That was pretty crazy.
Guest
12:37
Worse free agent signing this year; Baron or Moncrief?  We all know Moncrief's struggles but Baron has done nothing and looked terrible yesterday.
Brian Batko
12:38
I mean, it's still Moncrief, for sure. Didn't even get a "hat" in Week 3. But yeah, Barron was just really, really bad from my point of view. I don't think that'll be a fun film session for him. He looked slow most of the time in coverage, almost always trailing pass-catchers, and was washed out against the run, too. But who else are you gonna throw in there?
Chicken Little
12:39
Brian,  The Steeler sky is really falling?  What to you think is ahead? Sunshine or Rain?
Brian Batko
12:39
It's raining at my house for the first time in a couple weeks, it seems. What a run of weather we enjoyed, though.
bRiAn BaTkO
12:39
Hey, Brian! Love the name. Where is James Washington? Why is he not putting up huge numbers!? Now, he's got his college QB throwing to him. Thanks, Brian!
Brian Batko
12:40
He drew a very useful pass interference penalty yesterday. Might've been a TD for him and his old buddy old pal if not for that. He needs to get himself more involved, though.
Jimbo
12:40
To me it seemed like our middle linebackers aren't performing like many expected. Barron seemed to be a step behind on pass coverage and gets blown up on run plays. Also looks like he gives up on plays. How do you feel Bush has played so far? Worth everything we gave up for him?
Brian Batko
12:41
Devin Bush hasn't been as good as I expected so far. Definitely has a nose for the ball, as you saw on the fumble recoveries, but still looks lost too often in coverage.
James from Philly
12:41
Brian not a question.. You just said that you would not crush the guy just yet of Fichtner, please as a fan, crush this guy with difficult questions during his availability. If a casual fan can watch that game and see a pathetic game plan, an NFL OC should answer up to it.
Brian Batko
12:42
I can't imagine it will be a fun interview for him after practice Friday. But it wasn't after the Foxborough blowout, either. And he owned up to it, saying he got spooked away from running the ball.
Roger
12:42
Tomlin 2-7 over last 9 games.
Brian Batko
12:42
Roger that
Whoha
12:43
I didn't get to see the game in Florida but try to follow it on my app. Two questions: 1) on defense, is it out scheme or talent that's in question for not being to stop the other team when it counts? 2) Did the OC keep Ruldoph under wraps in 1st half with all the short passes?
Brian Batko
12:43
1) Both 2) Rudolph was also getting flushed out of the pocket way too often. Not sure if receivers weren't getting open downfield or what.
Winning
12:44
How has Nelson done so far this season, in your opinion?  You don't hear him mentioned much, and maybe that's good thing for a DB (?)
Brian Batko
12:44
Yeah I was just thinking that yesterday before the game. That is a good sign for a corner. He probably blew a couple assignments in Week 1 at New England, but who didn't? Lost a couple battles with rookie DK Metcalf against Seattle, but you can't win em all. I think he's been fairly steady. Good, not great.
Brian
12:45
How nice is it to see JP Holtz sign with the Bears ? It looks like he may have finally found a home with a defined role with this team.
Brian Batko
12:45
You love to see it. He was inactive last week, but hopefully will get a helmet tonight on MNF. Would be a great cherry on top of the football weekend for my Shaler Titans.
Steeler in Virginia
12:46
Rudolph hit Vance a couple times in that Seahawks second half, then went to him early before the injury. How important is the big TE for the offense to get going?
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