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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.30.19
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hi. Busy weekend in Pittsburgh sports, eh? And now it's Monday Night Football time, Steelers vs. Bengals, somebody's 0 has to go. Unless there's a tie. Please, no tie. Let's chat.
Thumper95
12:00
Hey Brian:

What are the chances if the Steelers flop on their faces tonight, Keith Butler gets demoted to just linebackers coach and Teryl Austin gets a shot at coordinator?
Brian Batko
12:02
I can't see the Steelers doing that midseason, but hey, they'd never traded a first-round pick before in the Super Bowl era, either. As far as Teryl Austin goes, sure, he has some NFL DC experience. But it's not as if his defenses were particularly good in Detroit and Cincinnati. Not that obvious of a guy to promote, is all I'm saying.
CCL
12:03
What up Brian.
Brian Batko
12:03
Just hangin' out, you?
Stephen
12:03
In light of the current poor defense against the run, might the Steelers turn to Tyler Matekevich?
Brian Batko
12:05
You never know, Stephen. Since I started covering the team in April, i've always thought he looks pretty solid in practice settings, but he's pretty much been used exclusively as a special teamer in the NFL, save for one start last year vs. Atlanta. Keith Butler said Friday that Mark Barron and Devin Bush need to be better and more physical against the run, and that does seem like something Matakevich could help with as Vince Williams remains out. But would Cincy be able to pick on him in coverage?
Tampa Too
12:06
Call me crazy but with Cleveland beating Baltimore if the Steelers win tonight they will once again control their own destiny. :)
Brian Batko
12:07
Hey, crazy. Yeah, this was a battle royal week for the AFC North. Suddenly, my Browns pick to win the division at the beginning of the season doesn't seem so stupid anymore. I still think the Ravens have the best shot because of how pleasantly surprised I've been by Lamar Jackson, but sure, the Steelers outlook changes a lot with wins tonight and next week against the Ravens. Both games at home. All is not lost yet.
BB
12:07
Brian - One of the theories behind the poor run game performance so far was the difficulty in run blocking from a two point stance for the O line when in shotgun...which is most of the time.  When I was watching the Eagles this past Thursday night, they had no difficulty getting into their run blocks from a two point stance...they were opening nice holes.  What gives?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
12:08
More than that, I think it's that this offensive line was built to favor pass pro over run blocking, which makes sense. The Eagles also have Carson Wentz under center, so the Packers can't tee off on the run the way teams might do until Mason Rudolph shows a little more. But no doubt, the Steelers O-line has to get a little nastier and beat some dudes off the ball to help out this ground game.
ALB
12:09
Hi, Brian. In your opinion is there anything that could transpire this season that could cost MT his job, or does the loss of Ben give him a pass no matter what happens?
Brian Batko
12:11
I mean, there's always something that could happen. Unless Art Rooney guaranteed somewhere that Tomlin will be back in 2020 and I missed it. Like, what if the Steelers go 0-16? I think the odds of that are very low, but, ya know, that'd be hard for anyone to survive. For the most part, though, if everything about Ben's recovery goes as planned, there's an argument to make to get the band back together next season and let them take another run at it.
Andy
12:11
brian, it appears from watching the All22 film that the OC hasn’t changed the old isolation type of routes with AB, to more scheme oriented to help receivers get open. He does understand JuJu, DJ & JW have a combined 3 yrs of complete season experience?
Brian Batko
12:13
There were some guys open early on, and Mason Rudolph just missed them. You make a valid point, but hey, talent is talent regardless of experience and age. Obviously, no one expects Washington, Johnson or even JuJu to be the second coming of AB, but Fichtner what does this quote Friday from Fichtner tell you? "You've got to win one-on-one. You win one-on-one, don't worry about what the quarterback can or can't do, or isn't doing. To me, that's always the challenge individually ... It's not a want-to thing. It really comes down to man vs. man. You have to whip someone's ass."
My apologies for the language if there are any young children in the chat. Why aren't you in school?
Greg
12:14
Would you take Martavious Bryant back at the league minimum at this point?
Brian Batko
12:15
No. Martavis Bryant has had enough chances, here and elsewhere. It's not like he ever played with or would have any kind of pre-established rapport with Mason Rudolph, anyway.
Roy
12:15
Judging from watching better teams play so far, I don't think the Steelers can compete.  Even the Browns and Ravens appear much better.  Giving up the number one pick next year may end up being a disaster for the Steelers.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
12:16
I'm kind of with you there, Roy. From what I've seen from this Steelers team versus the quality of play I saw from Cleveland and Baltimore on both sides of the ball yesterday when I was watching, the going will be tough. I still don't mind the Fitzpatrick trade, though. Even if it's really high, as long as you believe Ben is coming back, what would you do with it? There'd be people arguing for a trade down anyway.
CCL
12:17
Hi Brian. Game score prediction for Steelers-Bengals?
Brian Batko
12:17
I'll save that for the end of the chat. The ol' tease n'at.
Steeler Nation · Peasant '63
12:18
The head coach sez, rather than "embracing" it... he is going to "absorb" the negativity. Is that counterintuitive for a man known as "Teflon"?
Brian Batko
12:18
I don't know, man, I wasn't a Physics major
Brian
12:18
Do you think the Steelers window has closed with this group of players to challenge for a Super Bowl run ?
Brian Batko
12:21
No, I really don't. I think that's probably out the window now, unless Mason Rudolph really figures something out, and soon. But there are still pieces in place for this defense to be good again next year. All depends on Ben's health and effectiveness.
Texas Steeler
12:21
Wouldn't you know it... The over/under for my "Vontaze Burfict Gets Suspended" pool was 4 games. Looks like the house wins everything!
Brian Batko
12:21
Aw, nuggets. I had him in a prop bet vs. Richie Incognito.
jacklambert58
12:21
If the Steelers don't win tonight Tomlins  job has to be on the line no
Brian Batko
12:21
No
LA Matt
12:22
Will Moncrief ever see the field again in a Steeler uniform?
Brian Batko
12:24
Great question, Matt. As I wrote in this week's Skinny Post newsletter (which you can subscribe to at the top right of this page and I'd be delighted if you did), can two (really bad) games really erase the body of work on which you evaluated a guy to sign him this offseason? Moncrief didn't take that bait when I essentially asked him as much in the locker room this week. There'd be some salary cap issues to deal with if they cut him, but possibly also a compensatory draft pick in return. It's an interesting story line to keep monitoring.
I guess I should answer the question, at least. I'll guess no.
James from Philly
12:25
Thanks for the chats! Any work on how P. Lynch has performed in practice? Will he soon unseat Hodges?
Brian Batko
12:25
My pleasure. He hasn't been especially impressive or anything, but yeah, his experience in this league might eventually get him the No. 2 job. Depends just how much this staff believes in "Duck." He's one quack away, you know
NickFromVA
12:25
Do you think there's any chance that we'll see Mason Rudolph under center more tonight? To me, that is one of the biggest reasons the running game is having a hard time getting started. The O-line can't line up and tee off against the D-line.
Brian Batko
12:26
Oh yeah, I think we will. The question is how much. He did take some snaps under center last week, just not many. Against an 0-3 team that isn't doing anything terribly well, there's something to be said for getting back to basics and just having your guys beat their guys.
Morey
12:27
Hey Brian...do think the Steelers playbook needs revamping?  It seems the offense is unimaginative and predictable.  For instance, when (if ever) have you seen a fake screen to one side and then a screen to the other side?
Brian Batko
12:28
Sean Morey, is that you? Honestly, I'm not going to pretend to be some brilliant football mind. Wouldn't be fair to me or you or the folks who actually are. Randy Fichtner tried quite a bit of motion with Diontae Johnson last week, including the very first play, when he ran through the backfield pre-snap and stopped as if he'd be an option for a screen. But no, to your question, I can't really point to or think of off the top of my head a play design through three games this season that really blew me away.
jake
12:29
i was looking at some of our previous drafts and can you believe that Hargrave and Matechevich are the only players from the 2016 draft that have a chance to be on the team next year. talk about a wasted draft
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