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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 09.30.24
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Brian Batko
12:28
We've seen the dam break for them when they keep at it, so I imagine they don't want to get outside their philosophy. But yeah, just never quite happened for them yesterday. Colts have good pieces on offense. I picked them to make the playoffs this season as a wild card.
Jimmy Z.
12:29
Hey Brian.  While watching the Steelers yesterday, I was wondering if the refs are assigned games on a season basis, weekly basis, other?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
12:29
Weekly basis, as I understand it.
epiballo
12:29
I live out of state and did not see the game. My impressions come from online reporting. With that said, how can professional football players who train all week for a game on Sunday play 'sloppy' and 'disinterested?' Is that how you would describe the effort against the Colts?
Brian Batko
12:30
Because they're also playing against professional football players and coaches who are actively trying to do things that make their opponent's play appear sloppy and disinterested. For what it's worth, I would agree with the former but not the latter. Some players mentioned lack of focus or attention to detail after the game. That's just as likely them trying to find a way to answer questions about why they lost as it is a grand indictment of coaching.
Atlanta Dan
12:30
Hi Brian - thanks for the chat.  So are the ultra conservative game plans on offense to start the game a never ending feature, not a bug, of Mike Tomlin’s offense post-Ben or are the handcuffs going to be taken off before the Steelers fall behind by double digits as Fields has shown the capability to do more or perhaps if Wilson gets the start at some point?
Brian Batko
12:32
That's a good question. My sense is Mike Tomlin will be willing to play it differently if he has the utmost trust in his quarterback, which is what he's evaluating each week with Fields. But yeah, as a defensive-background head coach, he's probably always going to be less willing to live with mistakes, interceptions, etc. than others.
Tom from NC
12:33
Here we go again… Tomlin’s team unprepared for a team they should beat. They have a statue for QB and minimal blitzing? Didn’t kick a makeable FG!! What does Tomlin say when questioned about his teams readiness,scheme adjustments, clock management, when asked by you all?
Brian Batko
12:34
He says the same stuff he's said after losses for 18 years, Tom. Little bit of explanation here, little bit of cliche there. This isn't his first rodeo and Sunday wasn't their worst performance by any means.
MrCJJr
12:34
Hello Brian, thanks for the chats. My question is probably both cynical and rhetorical. Do they no longer call holding in the NFL? TJ is getting mugged most of the time....not sure how the officials don't see that when they do their weekly reviews on how they officiated the game. Thx
Brian Batko
12:37
There's no league-wide conspiracy to let offensive linemen cheat against TJ Watt. TJ uses a rip move a lot, which basically gives the blocker an exception to "hold" so blatantly like it sometimes looks.
sbaileyland
12:37
Am I crazy for feeling better about this team after this loss?
Brian Batko
12:37
Not necessarily, but you do appear to be on an island in this chat.
Bulldog
12:37
Hi Bats.  How was your weekend?
Brian Batko
12:38
Hi Bulldog. It was pretty good, thanks for asking. Watched college football Saturday at a bar in Indy. Got to cover a decent game. Had some good conversation. The drive to/from Indy is awful though.
Bulldog
12:39
So in typical Tomlin fashion the team comes out flat, plays soft zone against Flacco, does not pressure qb, Tomlin continues to make poor decisions...etc.  Is ARII in his office today regretting that contract extension?
Brian Batko
12:39
Eh, probably not. Sixteen teams will lose this weekend. Steelers are 3-1.
PTBNL
12:39
2 quickies, if Russell is healthy, does he play this week or is Justin still the starter?  Why did Patterson look so much more decisive and quicker than Najee?
Brian Batko
12:40
I'm gonna guess no on Russell Wilson, both to him being healthy enough to play and sitting down Fields after one loss.
Jim Bow Dean
12:41
Ray gave the Coaching an F in his report card and I agree.  How would you grade it?
Brian Batko
12:41
D- but maybe I'm a bit nicer than Ray
Lambert’s Teeth
12:41
The Colts do not have the best defense, and I am not counting the “drive” after CA3’s Matrix-like return, but the offense left 6-10 points on the table between the “eschewed” (in the words of your colleague) and the Pickens fumble.  Is a realistic 30-34 points, the number and length of the second half drives, and another beautiful downfield pass an indication that both JF and the offense are turning the corner?  I am optimistic that they are.
Brian Batko
12:43
There was a lot of good from him and them, absolutely. The running instinct inside the 10 feels like a cheat code for a team that has had so much trouble punching it in the last couple years. His ability to extend plays and in turn his receivers' knack for getting open for him in those situations seems to be improving by the week. But it is concerning that the knock on him and his ball security from Chicago keeps popping up. That's a fairly significant Achilles heel.
steeler in nc
12:43
Brian thanks for the chats, who's head is going to roll for the loss yesterday? Also what do think about the upcoming Dallas game?
Brian Batko
12:45
I don't think anyone's gonna get benched or anything like that. If you have a suffocating defense for three-game stretches and then stink it up once every four weeks, you're still gonna have a fine season. Not sure yet what to make of the Cowboys game. Steelers open as 2-point favorites and they're missing their two best players in the front seven.
Kyle
12:45
It seems like Najee is constantly running into a wall. Is it a schematic issue and he’s too slow for this offense or something else?
Brian Batko
12:46
There shouldn't be schematic fit issues for a first-round running back. That guy should be able to excel in any NFL offense, right? If he can't, then it was a bad pick and right move to not pick up the option.
Bats JR
12:46
Just wondering, this is the third time in a row that he Colts Head Coach took Tomlin to the wood shed.  This time it was SLOPPY Play. I think it is once again Tomlins ability to prepare his team against a weaker opponent.  What say you Bats?
Brian Batko
12:48
Shane Steichen has been on several staffs that have had success against the Steelers defense. I can't help but notice that too. But I don't know, man, the Falcons and Broncos were "weaker opponents" the first two weeks and the Steelers slammed them.
Steel Town D
12:48
Does the body of work after 4 weeks lead you to believe this team can win a playoff game?  They will be most likely be facing Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, or Buffalo?
Brian Batko
12:48
Can they? Sure. Would I pick them to? Probably not.
Tom
12:48
Coaches talk about players needing to routine things routinely...well how about coaches calling a routine  qb sneak routinely to pick up less than a yard? It is almost 99% guaranteed to work to get a foot so why not just tap the center to get the first down?
Brian Batko
12:48
Didn't work in Atlanta Week 1. Not really agreeing with Arthur Smith that the shotgun was a good move, but I'm just saying.
Pauli from Down South
12:49
I'm willing to let new players get acclimated, but Queen is looking like a bad signing. Better than Bush, yes, but not nearly living up to expectations. Baltimore seemed comfortable enough letting him go. They knew he's not the LB stud needed by the Steelers.
Brian Batko
12:49
Yeah, and he knows it hasn't been great so far. I give him credit for standing up and answering for that yesterday. Let's not write the guy off just yet.
Scuba Steve
12:50
Najee’s longest run as an NFL player is 37 yards in his rookie season. Other than stiff arms and ill-advised hurdles…what does he bring to the table as far as production?
Brian Batko
12:50
Ball security, fights for yardage, decent pass-catcher. But I hear you.
Farley
12:50
Another Tomlin dud. This one seems like he’s coaching not to lose instead of aggressively going for it. Tomlin needs fired.
Brian Batko
12:50
OK folks, I'm gonna call it a day. Thanks for playing me out, Farley.
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