JotCast | Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.14.19

Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.14.19

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Brian Batko

12:26

Not sure, I wasn't in California last night

Philip R

12:26

Am I destined to suffer the plight of that Dan Marino fellow?

Brian Batko

12:26

Yep

But you aren't as good as he was

Franco

12:26

if Tuitt out long term, how much does this impact this defense thats playing the best it has in years?

Brian Batko

12:28

It would definitely hurt. Tyson Alualu impressed me last night, but Stephon Tuitt was a beast the first five games. And the trickle-down effect of the DL rotation would likely mean a little more Dan McCullers, a sprinkle of rookie Isaiah Buggs, and obviously more Javon Hargrave, whose 63 percent snap share last night was a season high.

Hank

12:28

Why do you not go to the games to cover them? Get interviews contemporaneous to the event etc?

Brian Batko

12:29

Because I live in a bubble at my home.

Just kidding. We had Gerry Dulac, Ray Fittipaldo, Gene Collier, Joe Starkey and photographer Peter Diana there last night. I join them at every home game and will also do so for the divisional road games.

Steeler in Virginia

12:30

How long is Washington supposed to be out? It would be nice to have him back after the bye.

Brian Batko

12:30

Week to week, but aren't we all?

Clinton

12:31

Clock management issues yet again for Tomlin. Your thoughts on Tomlin not calling times outs before 3rd and 19 for the Chargers before half or before the 4th down play.

Brian Batko

12:31

Just picking nits. He was happy with that halftime lead given who he was starting at QB, and I don't blame him.

Jorge

12:32

More carries for Benny Snell going forward and less for Samuels, when healthy and Conners?

Brian Batko

12:32

Sure. I remember back during preseason when he wasn't gaining many yards and people wanted to write him off, call him a wasted pick, say he shouldn't make the team over Trey Edmunds. Yeah, I think Benny Snell is just fine.

But Samuels should still be involved, for sure. Have to see how he recovers from his knee issue. He's still the best pass-catching back here.

Scuba Steve

12:33

Through six games Ju Ju has only 25 receptions. I understand the QB situation has been less than ideal...but was he truly a star because of Ben and a number one receiver whose name I won’t mention.

Brian Batko

12:34

Obviously, both of those men helped him succeed. But have you already forgotten his touchdown against the 49ers? That was all him. And the touchdown against the Ravens? Excellent play by JuJu. He's still really good, folks. Is he a top-10 receiver in the league? Maybe not. But only 10 guys are.

12:34

Call me crazy but we need a guy like Gary Kubiak to come in and coach us when Tomlin goes to Skins to be the second 10 million dollar coach man. I’ll explain. He will hire an extremely expertises NFL staff and will take us back to fundamental football offensively which has been lacking on O for some time. What I mean is use of a full back, misdirection plays, play action, sprinkle in some no huddle and crossing rub routes and whoala!

Brian Batko

12:35

Tom in Dallas

12:35

I may have lost count, but it seemed liked the defense had their hands on at least 4 other Rivers' passes that could also have been intercepted. If one or two of those were pulled in, this game would have been more of a blow out. Agreed?

Brian Batko

12:36

Yeah, Mike Hilton dropped an easy one. He couldn't believe it. But I'm with you, they were all over Rivers. TJ Watt is truly a sight to behold the way his motor is constantly running, he's jumping at passes, getting back on his feet, pushing again to try to collapse the pocket. He might be the Steelers' best player regardless of position.

Quick Nic

12:36

Chances of a new special teams coach next year?

Brian Batko

12:36

I don't know, but special teams were great last night. Let's give Danny Smith props when they're due.

12:37

Brian - Are number 6 jerseys trending today?

Brian Batko

12:37

No. 6 SHIRSEYS are getting printed up with the quickness

SpeechDr

12:37

Ben seems very involved on the sidelines post-injury, but was noticeably absent last night. What or who decides when he travels with the team at this point? Does he just do home games?

Brian Batko

12:38

It's probably up to the training staff to a certain degree, and then to the player at some point depending on the individual injury. Steven Nelson also wasn't there and he practiced with limited reps all week with a groin injury. I imagine it's a case-by-case basis and don't think it's a big deal either way.

Cliff

12:39

Will you hear about the injuries to Connor, Haden, Tuitt, Nelson et al early this week or will the Steelers go radio silent with the week off?

Brian Batko

12:39

They won't go radio silent. There will be post-practice interviews tomorrow and Wednesday with coaches and players. But I can't guarantee you they'll be forthcoming about injuries.

Guest

12:39

Top needs in next draft?

Brian Batko

12:40

Edge-rusher, assuming Bud Dupree isn't re-signed. Wide receiver if James Washington doesn't show much the rest of the year. Maybe some young blood on the OL.

Quick Nic

12:40

What record wins AFC North?

Brian Batko

12:40

Uhhhh, 9-7?

East End Greg

12:40

How would you evaluate Joe Haden’s year to date?

Brian Batko

12:41

He got paid a lot of money. On the field, he's been good, but probably not as good as Steven Nelson.

John S.

12:41

Any comment on late pass call that was intercepted? Gave SD a spark and hope when offense was chewing up yards and clock.

Brian Batko

12:42

That was a curious call. Not a good throw by Duck, but also not a good job by Johnny Holton on allowing the DB to pick it off so easily right in front of him. In general, though, I don't have a problem with offenses continuing to attack. There's a place for being aggressive and a time for being conservative. I actually thought the punt was a good decision on 4th-and-1 given the way things were going.

Chris

12:42

Really like this kid duck any chance at all steelers let him play the rest of the way

Brian Batko

12:42

I don't think so

BamBam Murray

12:43

After last nights game do you see Benny Snell getting more first team reps and replacing conner as the starter

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