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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.03.22
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Brian Batko
12:00
Good afternoon. I still can't believe the Steelers lost yesterday. I was busy typing up the "Kenny Pickett wins NFL debut" instant analysis story as, well, that happened. So let's talk about it.
Vegas Steeler
12:00
With so many people calling for Canada to be fired, I wonder who takes over if that ever happens. Do you know who on staff would be the most likely person to be the new OC? I am really curious if we have someone with that type of qualifications on staff.
Brian Batko
12:02
QB coach Mike Sullivan, who's in his second year on staff and was hired for that role when Matt Canada was promoted, is the only realistic option. He was Giants OC for two seasons with Eli Manning, and no one else on the staff has called plays, at least not in the NFL.
Yogi in Yonkers
12:02
Would Dick LeBeau have lost that game yesterday?
Brian Batko
12:03
Maybe
mrbig
12:03
same problems year after year.... Tomlin's STILL not on the hot seat?
Brian Batko
12:05
I get it, mrbig. It's hard to not have some of those thoughts after that game. People who read these chats often probably know that I'm generally a believer in Mike Tomlin as a coach and stability as a philosophy. The way I see things now are: the Kenny Pickett era is here, and having Tomlin in place to oversee this transition makes sense. He's tied to this QB. If things go south beyond this season, it will be time to have discussions about whether you keep at it with one, both or none.
Ed in Carrick
12:06
Let’s start the Pickett and “rebuilding” chat. Thanks Bats.
Brian Batko
12:07
Already there, Ed! And perhaps you're referencing Diontae Johnson using the "rebuilding year" phrase yesterday postgame. Interesting, but I'm not sure that's a huge deal. He's just being honest, and regardless of what you think that might say about the direction of the franchise in the big picture, it's factually correct that they're rebuilding the QB position at this point and even the WR corps to an extent. I'm not going to assume he meant it as "we're gonna stink this season but we knew that," as I'm sure some will interpret.
LarryG from Punxy
12:08
Great to see Pickett play the second half.  I thought he played well, interceptions aside.  Do you think he starts the next game?  How about for the rest of the season?
Brian Batko
12:09
Yes, I do, LarryG. Mike Tomlin said last week he'll exercise patience with the offense, and a lot of folks ran with that as "he doesn't think there's an issue and won't change anything." But he's a guy who chooses his words carefully and actually said he'll exercise "the appropriate" amount of patience. Obviously, he'd seen enough of Mitch Trubisky in the first half Sunday and thought it was appropriate to switch. And I've thought all along, since they drafted Pickett, that once you go to him it's mighty hard to turn that stone back over. Gotta let him live and learn now.
Johnny U
12:10
Would you agree this has to be the least talented coaching staff in the AFC?  Yes Flores is there but he is limited to what MT mandates.  Canada should be fired and let Sullivan handle for now especially since Kenny will be taking over .  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:12
That's hard to quantify/answer, John. Coaches and coordinators always look better with better players, especially in the NFL. To be honest, I have no idea how various position coaches stack up between the Steelers and, say, Bengals. The thing about Canada is I know for a fact some of his offensive concepts have caught the eye of people we'd all consider "good coaches" in the NFL.
Lou
12:13
Hi Brian.  Any updates on the returns of TJ, Calvin Austin, and Kazee?
Brian Batko
12:15
Nope. Perhaps Mike Tomlin will have updates tomorrow. I think Austin is getting close, if they're ready/willing to use him. Haven't seen Kazee around because of his suspension, which has one more game to go. As for Watt, I noticed him on the sidelines the last couple games but not yesterday. For whatever that's worth.
More unpopular
12:15
More hated in Pittsburgh ? Matt Canada or Bob Nutting ?
Brian Batko
12:17
Probably Matt Canada because you have to care about something to have hatred toward it right? Based on some of the crowd shots lately, I think apathy has set in for many when it comes to the Buccos. Not sensing that in Steeler Nation, and even if they continue to struggle the rest of this season, it'll be the Kenny Factor that keeps fans invested, I bet.
Miles McGuire
12:18
Good morning Bats,
Gut wrenching loss, reminisce of with Ravens loss with Mike Vick at QB. Thoughts on T. Austin running the Defense? I would assume is seat starts to warm with the outside noise.
Brian Batko
12:19
Good afternoon, Miles. Too early to say on that. The defense has been disappointing, no doubt, especially to this particular reporter who thought they'd be a top-5, maybe even top-3 unit. Now, of course, that was accounting for the presence of TJ Watt. But the Jets were in shambles yesterday, too, and they couldn't finish the job.
Stat Man
12:20
BB, I don't think you are the PG stats guru, but if you were, could you kindly research if a disgruntled and miscast back-up QB ever captained a team to non-losing record?
Brian Batko
12:20
I
will see what I can do!
Zburdette34@gmail.com
12:21
This defense who Tomlin said he expected to be “dominant” both due to personnel and schematics coaching is putrid and has now lost this team three very winnable games in a row VS what should be considered the softest part of our schedule. And this is Tomlin’s Defense - when will this man ever be held accountable for constantly getting out coached and his defense looking like Swiss cheese instead of being dominant, when, if ever, we are all dying to know man??? Because the one liners that you guys in the media love so much are way past old to die hard steeler fans such as myself who watched this severely over rated coach absolutely waste the vast majority of a 1st Ballot HOF QB’s career!! He’s done nothing in 12 years, NOTHING!! When will he be held accountable, when, please, for the love of god????
Brian Batko
12:23
Did you read my story from yesterday's game on the defensive collapse? I made it pretty clear that Tomlin's explanation didn't hold up. Now, I can't make him answer questions truthfully or the way fans want them answered, but no one's letting him skate on this: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/10/02/pittsburgh-ste...
Utah Jim
12:23
Did Kenny get any first team reps in practice last week?
Brian Batko
12:23
If he did, they were extremely minimal one-offs. The way he put it after the game, he tries to "steal" as many chances as he can to work with George Pickens, et al.
Art from NC
12:25
Hi Brian- Well will the D coaches address the over-the-middle coverage that is killing us? NE, Cleveland, and yesterday in crunch time the opponents through to TE's or WR on crossing routes for whatever yardage they needed for a first down to keep these 4th quarter drives alive. One game OK, but where are adjustments to this issue?
Brian Batko
12:26
That's a good question. I think it's pretty clear the middle of this defense is where you can attack the Steelers, personnel-wise. The outside corners do their job for the most part, unless it's Mac Jones throwing deep to Nelson Agholor. Naturally, teams want to stay away from Minkah Fitzpatrick in the deep third. But when you're asking Arthur Maulet, Robert Spillane, Devin Bush to cover guys over the middle, that's not ideal.
Bob in TN
12:27
I for one am glad for the change in QB. If we are going to have a losing season I prefer to do it with the QB of the future not a stopgap QB. Payton Manning had a losing season his first year.

If Mitch is not back as the starter, who do you think will be number 2 now?
Brian Batko
12:28
It'd surprise me if they don't make Trubisky the No. 2, but hey, Mason Rudolph's presence complicates it more than your typical QB depth chart would. I'd say Trubisky made his displeasure pretty clear yesterday without being overly dramatic. Could've been worse, but definitely could've been more diplomatic, too.
SouthernYinzer
12:29
How long will Tomlin leave Gunner Olsomething in the lineup to fumble punt returns? I sure don’t remember him having so many in New England. Has he fumbled one in every game so far? They’re having enough trouble in every other facet of the game (with the exception of Bosworth
Brian Batko
12:29
Not every game, but sure, I'm with you. Why not give Steven Sims a helmet one of these days to see what he can do? Doesn't mean you have to bench Gunner for good. Just give someone else a chance, not only on returns but maybe with a few offensive snaps here and there, too. Or Calvin Austin if he's healthy enough.
Manassas John
12:30
With Mark Whipple probably being a short timer at Nebraska, what are your thoughts on him being a good OC replacement for Canada? He and Pickett had great chemistry at Pitt.
Brian Batko
12:32
I don't know. They did. But if the Canada experiment doesn't work, it'll be a tough sell to go back to another coach from the college ranks. I'd rather see a coach with more of a pro resume who might be able to unlock something different in Pickett, I think.
Sunner in Orlando
12:33
So the Steelers have not won a game the last 2 years without Watt. What does that say about the rest of the defense? I say they are overrated and need to get back to the basics of stopping the run which they have not done all season. If they win 1 of the next 4 games, I will be surprised.
Brian Batko
12:33
Yeah, pretty much.
Ryan
12:33
Good afternoon Brian does Kenny start vs the bills i think he should he looked good vs the Jets
Brian Batko
12:34
That's my expectation, Ryan. I would guess Mike Tomlin announces tomorrow that they're moving forward with Kenny, but hey, he wasn't exactly transparent with the QB "competition" through camp.
12:36
Regardless, we will be in Buffalo this weekend to chronicle all of that. The P-G will send all three of us beat writers - me, Gerry and Ray - plus photographer Matt Freed and columnist Ron Cook. We're committed to providing great coverage of the Steelers and everything else in the city/region/Pittsburgh sports landscape. If you don't subscribe already, give it a shot. It's only $6 for 6 months right now: https://promo.post-gazette.com/digitaloffer
YUCK!
12:37
We just lost to the JETS....at HOME....blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead. 3 points used to be a comfortable lead around here. Just what hope do we have of winning ANY of the next 4 games? Nice to see Pickett, but he's playing with WRs who drop passes, a bad OL, and Canada calling plays. Our defense can't stop anyone when it counts. We're staring at 1-7. Hope?
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