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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.01.25
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Brian Batko
2:01
Hi everyone, I'm back in the U.S., back in Pittsburgh and happy to take questions about the game, the Steelers, Dublin, whatever. Have at it.
Big_Bri
2:01
What’s up with Payton Wilson? He seemed to be a training camp sensation then a bust in the first 2 games but now he looks like he could be the next superstar, that rundown was very impressive, reminds of the rundown that DK Metcalf did back in his Seattle days.
Brian Batko
2:03
He's a second-year player and the progress won't always be linear. The training camp hype was probably a little overblown in retrospect. To me, it was more about the potential he has long-term rather than what he's going to be immediately when the season kicks off. But yes, that tackle (which I'll have a story on shortly) was a good reminder of just how much athleticism and motor Payton Wilson brings to the table each game, whether he's playing particularly well or not.
Happy Gilmore
2:04
Brian, Why does Mike Tomlin get away with making such poor game management decisions? It seems like nobody ever calls him out.
Brian Batko
2:06
It's kind of difficult to "call someone out" for what are legitimately subjective decisions. Do I agree with him punting at the end? No, but I can understand why. Did I agree with him going for it on 4th down earlier instead of kicking the field goal? Yes, but it didn't work, and I can understand the opposite side of that too.
Daniel
2:07
Thanks for doing the chats.  I know a lot of Steeler fans traveled to the game.  Just curious if due to the Rooney connection there were a lot of native Irelanders at the game that are Steelers fans, if you were able to discern that.?
Brian Batko
2:08
From what I could tell, the Steelers are plenty popular in Ireland and maybe get a bit of a bump from the franchise history but the natives there love other teams, too. Chiefs, Patriots, Packers, Cowboys - basically the big brands you'd expect people without a natural home team would have anywhere. And the fandom there is widespread. No joke, I would bet good money that all 32 teams were represented by a jersey or some other gear at Croke Park just due to the number of general Irish NFL fans who went to the game for their first chance to see it in-person in their country.
Ryan
2:09
Good afternoon Brian what do you think about the play of DK Metcalf i think he has looked good this Season so far
Brian Batko
2:10
He got off to a bit of a rocky start dropping a few routine passes but to me the good has far outweighed the bad. He's also made some great catches when the scoring opportunities have come his way. And then Sunday he did the spectacular.
G Money
2:12
Brian I have the vibe like I've had about the past 10 years.  Steelers start strong, get a lead in conference play, wilt down the stretch, Get crushed in a playoff game.  They play so many poor teams and back up QBs year in/year out.  They get lucky that way then when headed to the playoffs, they're off their details, the older players hit a wall, and well you know......
Brian Batko
2:13
I get that. And I don't think you're alone. Not many Steeler fans seem to be even as high on this team as they were when things were going well last season after Russell Wilson became the starter. That felt like the franchise had more momentum than any time since the Ben Roethlisberger era ended.
BadBoyBurv
2:14
What is wrong with these Moe-Rons Tomlin and Arthur Canada?  They run the most conservative offense every week with zero flair or pizzazz, throw the damn ball downfield, have a killer instinct, stop letting every game come down to the last possession, with your defense on the field!!!!!
Brian Batko
2:16
The Steelers OL still needs to show me the pass protection is there to really push the ball downfield. Those routes take time to develop and Aaron Rodgers needs space to step up in the pocket.
Stairway to seventh seed
2:16
Brian: did you notice or hear anything about the spot of the ball for the now infamous 4th and goal failure?  On 3rd down it looked to me like Gainwell was clearly inside the 3, closer to the 2 or 2 1/2.  After a timeout, the play ended up being snapped from just inside the 4.  That was a huge mistake by the refs that I have not heard anybody mention.  Did the Steelers call a running play assuming they would be just outside the 2?
Brian Batko
2:19
I don't get too caught up in arguing ball spots. The Steelers saw where the ball was spotted and could've changed the play at the line if they were that concerned about it.
Peter
2:19
Is it too early to use the B word about Kaleb J?  The guy barely got on the field Sunday even with Warren injured. I've always thought of running back as an instinctual position. You either have or you don't.  Talent shows up early. Not seeing much here but I didn't any practices or preseason so maybe I'm missing something?
Brian Batko
2:21
He's actually trending up compared to zero snaps the week before, his first real doghouse game against the Patriots following the Seahawks snafu. I agree that RBs should generally be able to get on the field a little sooner but let's not write him off just yet. He was a true junior who might need a bit more time to marinate.
Gene
2:22
Do you think Roman Wilson will finally get more targets now that Austin is hurt?
Brian Batko
2:23
Yes. Mainly because it's hard to get less. Two targets through four games.
Richy
2:24
The team is 3 -1 but I still seem them as very fragile. After 4 games what is your overall assessment of the team at this point and moving forward?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:26
I thought they'd be 4-0 at this point. So, I'm still sticking with 10-7, but the Bengals and Ravens look a lot less daunting than they did previously due to their QB injuries.
JaxSteelersFan
2:26
The bad thing about the punt at the end wasn't the decision to punt BUT bad execution. Instead of punting through the end zone he should have punted out of bounds inside the 20.
Brian Batko
2:27
Special teams coordinator Danny Smith was asked about that yesterday and said Corliss Waitman did what was best for them to win a football game, which was not put the ball in play. But you're right, trying to angle that punt would've made more sense.
Tom M.
2:29
The Steelers DL seemed improved, especially against the run. Do you think that was truly due to improved play or was it a side effect of poor OL play by the Vikings? Also, how did Harmon do since I didn’t see much about him in the grades issued by your colleagues?
Brian Batko
2:30
Derrick Harmon tipped Carson Wentz's pass on the DeShon Elliott interception. I noticed him quite a bit. Keeanu Benton finally had a breakout game. But you're right, the Vikings OL was banged up and lost its best player early in that game in right tackle Brian O'Neill. Still, I've seen the Steelers DL pushed around by backups in the past, so won't discredit them for wreaking havoc when they needed to.
MikeM65 in Florida
2:30
I saw where Austin stated he should have made a simpler call when the Steelers had the missed assignment to give up a quick TD.  Does this mean Austin does call the defensive plays?  I thought I've read in the past where Tomlin makes the calls.
Brian Batko
2:31
My understanding of the situation is that Mike Tomlin is heavily involved in every facet, particularly with the defensive philosophy and game-planning and coaching points throughout the week. More so than he is on the offensive side of the ball. But I've never been under the impression that Teryl Austin just stands there with an Eat'n Park menu during the games.
epiballo
2:32
Hi Brian - thanks for the chats! What do you make of the unfolding stories in the AFC North division It sure seems like the sea is parting and the Steelers have a real opportunity to win the division. I know it is early.
Brian Batko
2:34
It helps to have an unquestioned starting QB who's healthy, that's for sure. But we knew all along the Ravens had a brutal start to the schedule and the Steelers did not. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they go on a tear, assuming Lamar Jackson is healthy.
Fizzo
2:34
What’s up bats? Now that we are 4 weeks into the season, what are the chances that Howard and Trice come off IR and join the active roster, and if they do who do they replace?
Brian Batko
2:35
Hey Fizzo. I think Cory Trice is getting close and I think Will Howard could probably return right now if they had a spot for him. But they're getting by just fine with only two QBs on the active roster and they have so many injuries elsewhere that there aren't exactly depth spots to spare.
Tom in Dallas
2:35
What more surprising, the Steelers are 3-1 or the Ravens are 1-3?  Or maybe the question is: are you surprised we are first in the division with a two game lead over the Ravens after four weeks?
Brian Batko
2:36
The latter. I didn't expect them to lose all three to the Bills, Lions and Chiefs, but I would've considered all three of those 50-50 games.
Brian Batkos Best Fan
2:37
Do you think Mike Tomlin regrets trading george pickens?
Brian Batko
2:37
No, but I also assume he's not surprised by what George is doing in Dallas. Doubtful anyone is at 3200 South Water Street. They know what he's capable of purely as a player between the lines. It was all the other antics that became insurmountable.
CT art
2:38
The lack of TE production has been alarming. Are they not being schemed open by Arthur Smith? Is this Kyle Pitts all over again?
Brian Batko
2:40
They barely played Sunday, let alone got schemed open. Jonnu Smith has had a few nicely designed routes and finished with the catch. It's four games. I'm not panicking just yet. But with as much criticism as Pat Freiermuth has gotten and as few targets as he's gotten, how impressive is it that he's not having a full-fledged meltdown? Speaking of Pickens...
TXSteelersfan
2:40
Brian, the PG reported on Sunday that Ramsey and Austin would miss “several games”, before any medical information was known. What standard do you use to avoid being considered clickbait?
Brian Batko
2:43
Gerry Dulac tweeted that they're expected to miss at least several games, not that they will for sure. It wasn't in a P-G story, so I'd hardly call that clickbait. Perhaps their prognosis has or will improve since then. We'll see.
Jim H
2:44
Any chatter on signing an available WR now that Austin will be out? Please get some help!
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