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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.07.24
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Brian Batko
2:36
I don't know, Jake. I truly don't know.
And just to be clear, I don't have huge issue with the eye black in a vacuum. But it's not in a vacuum. It's in the context of *gestures wildly at No. 14*
Farmtastic
2:37
Slow starts, conservative play calling, and an "elite" defense that can't get off the field on 3rd down, even if it's 3rd and 99. I'm sure you've heard it before but players, coordinators, and assistant coaches have come and gone and we still see the same results year after year. The common denominator is Mike Tomlin. He keeps the reigns on Arthur Smith and we all know the defense is his. Art Rooney made it clear he wants playoff wins but then turns around and extends Tomlin for another three years
Brian Batko
2:38
Yes, it's entirely fair to wonder how much the overall philosophy handed down from the head coach handcuffs any given OC. That doesn't entirely absolve Smith or Matt Canada before him of any accountability, but it's an appropriate concern.
Chris
2:39
Is there a chance they trade Pickens? Seems like the behavior is reaching a boiling point. Obviously they don’t have anyone behind him but at some point it seems like he won’t change his ways
Brian Batko
2:41
Yeah I don't know, Chris. They would be awfully thin behind him. But I can't entirely rule it out. Because you're right, the sideshow is tiresome. The decision-makers see it. They have a front-row seat for it. And not just Mike Tomlin. The president and GM are in the locker room after games, too. They aren't blind to what's going on.
Atlanta Dan
2:41
Hi Brian - thanks for the chat.  After a tough loss, does this statement by Minkah Fitzpatrick indicate that George “Always ******* Open” Pickens is not the only player getting frustrated with the coaches? “We have to play simple defense,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have a lot of talent in the secondary, a lot of guys who can play man and play zone. We just have to make a play call, simplify it and it will allow us to play fast.”
Brian Batko
2:43
Two very different scenarios, I'd say. Minkah Fitzpatrick is one to speak his mind and gravely serious about things all the time, so you can imagine how he is after a loss. But yeah, can't say I disagree with him. Like I said, something needs to be adjusted on defense. As I wrote in the "trending down" section of my instant analysis last night - well, technically, this morning - Beanie Bishop is really struggling. Perhaps the first step would be making a change there and see what happens.
Bob D
2:44
Good afternoon...Why is that when certain players have a bad game the spotlight shines much brighter on them than when other players have bad games. Example...Beaine Bishop didn't have his best game last night, but it could be argued that DeShon Elliott had an even worse performance. However, the media is very quick to point out the doom and gloom in Beanie's game while glossing over Elliott's.  For that matter Patrick Queen has barely earned his paycheck since becoming a Steelers, but he has been given a free pass by the media and even excuses offered for his miserable performances. What gives?
Brian Batko
2:46
Hi Bob. I disagree with you on a couple counts. DeShon Elliott was front-and-center for the two biggest plays by the Cowboys and stood up and took responsibility for that. But other than those two - and I know those are weighted more heavily - I thought he played well again as he has much of the season. We've criticized Patrick Queen when warranted, which has been a decent amount so far through five games. Personally, just my opinion, Bishop playing 75% of the snaps at nickel is the biggest weakness for the defense at this moment.
Steeler72
2:47
A good question for Tomlin is the lack of aggression in the game plans on both sides of the ball. Some people have caught on to the lack of opening up the offense in the first half but what about the two high safety nickel defense with nary a blitz? These questions need to be put to Tomlin tomorrow. He is failing as a coach living in his fears.
Brian Batko
2:48
Your friend and mine Ray Fittipaldo pointedly asked Tomlin about not blitzing more last week in Indy vs. Joe Flacco. He gave his explanation. That's how it goes. Had they sent the house at Dak Prescott on that fourth-down, and he made a quick touchdown throw under pressure, people would be KILLING Tomlin for blitzing a guy who has really good numbers in those situations so far this season.
Leon
2:49
Great chat as always BriBat! I don't want to pile on, but the sample size is big enough now on Minkah, isn't it? I'm not an expert in coverages but if you don't break up passes or intercept the ball and you're the top paid player at your position, it's not worth the cap hit. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:50
Thanks, Leon. He's still a heart-and-soul type for this defense, so I think there's something to be said for that, but I can't really argue that he's playing up to being the third-highest paid safety in the NFL. I just can't.
KMan
2:51
The miscommunication in the secondary was pretty obvious. I saw the article about MF's quote. I'm not giving the offense a pass (pun intended), but if this team is going to rely on it's defense, those miscues need to be cleared up and fast. (Also, is there anyone left to play EDGE at a starting level?)
Brian Batko
2:53
Outside linebacker could be a real problem next weekend. You can't rush back Alex Highsmith from a soft-tissue injury just because Nick Herbig is down (if he's down). The Jeremiah Moon/DeMarvin Leal duo might bring back some Derrek Tuszka/Taco Charlton flashbacks, if we're being honest. But not sure what else they can do.
Tampa Too
2:54
Why did Pickens play so few snaps last night. It seems to me you want your best playmaker out there all the time.
Brian Batko
2:54
He is their best playmaker, no doubt. But it's entirely reasonable that he isn't giving the offense what it needs to be functional on plays where the ball isn't coming his way. Arthur Smith doesn't strike me as the type of coach who's gonna tolerate that.
Matt
2:55
Mackey’s article hit the nail on the head.  Pickens behavior must change.  There was one play last night where he dropped a pass that would have been caught if he just was more attentive and looked like he is determined to make the play.  We are seeing similar behavior to last year.  Looks like we need to draft 2 WRs in are first 2
opps… I hit send too early.  We need to draft 2 WRs in the first 3 picks next year.  Along with a stud DL.
Brian Batko
2:55
Yeah, not only is he not taking the next step, but he actually seems to be regressing as a player and in the maturity department.
Bill in SF
2:56
Hi Brian.  17 points from an offense that was handed 3 turnovers and a blocked FG (granted one of those was right at the end of the half) is not going to win a lot of games against quality opponents.  Yet,  Tomlin's comment about the game coming down to the defense's failure to recover that fumble at the goal line shows that he still thinks it is.  So is there any reason to be optimistic when I see the lineup of offenses coming for the Steelers after the bye that the Steelers D are most assuredly not going to hold to under 17?
Brian Batko
2:58
I can still squint and see optimism in Justin Fields. You get the wow plays. He was hurt by some drops last night. Now, clearly, the consistency - which often eluded him in Chicago - is a hurdle to clear.
pjsmith67
2:58
in 2020 we averaged 26 pts/game, since then its been 20,18,18 and so far this year 18.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Brian Batko
2:59
And I'm not even sure how that 2020 team averaged so many points per game, having lived through it.
dlongley44
2:59
So, as bad as it seems everyone wants Justin to be QB1, he isn't.  He might be, and he could develop to be one, but are we in a season to develop a QB or win a championship.  Justin needs to play better, and bring his team upward.  Yes the WR need to do better, yes the play calling is laughable, no i don't know why Conner Heyward is getting the ball thrown to him.  WE need to start Russell Wilson.  Everyone said look he's 3 & 0, then 3&1, now 3&2, I don't want to wait until he's 3&3 before we do something.  WE are not scoring enough points!!  18.4 is what we are averaging, that's way to much pressure on a defense!!  Start Russell!!
Brian Batko
3:00
I don't really agree with all of that but it was a pretty solid rant.
Black and Gold Forever
3:00
Just a comment. As much as I wanted to yrll some choices words at the TV last night I'm glad I'm not a Browns' fan.
Tom
3:01
Ummmm,  at least we are not the Browns?!
Brian Batko
3:01
That's a good place to pull the plug this week. Perspective. Thanks, all. Ray will be back in the chat chair tomorrow after Mike Tomlin's weekly news conference. Enjoy!
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