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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.16.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, no Steelers action yesterday but the AFC North is only getting tighter after the Ravens, Browns and Bengals all won. Let's talk about that and whatever else is on your mind.
PghFninCali
2:01
Hi Brian. Happy Monday!!!
If Kenny Pickett had come out in the draft class with CJ Stroud (or vise versa) would the Steelers have taken Kenny Pickett?.. asking for a friend
Brian Batko
2:01
Happy Monday, indeed. Steelers are headed your way this weekend and so am I, which will be fun. My guess is no.
Paul from Beaver Falls
2:02
I think it’s pretty obvious that Pat Pete is washed.  Can the Steelers ask him to stop talking to the media.  He talks a good talk but just can’t back anything up.
Brian Batko
2:02
He IS the media, Paul. Patrick Peterson has his own podcast (with former Steelers corner Bryant McFadden). They can't asking him to stop talking to himself.
Ken
2:04
Brian, this is a serious question so please don't laugh.  What would Canada have to do to keep his job at the end of this year?  Do you think it is possible?
Brian Batko
2:06
It's honestly not a bad question, Ken. At least it's a new flavor of the same old drink when it comes to Matt Canada stuff. But I think they'd have to put up a 400-yard game, maybe a 30-point performance, and probably go deep in the playoffs. He's dug a hole.
Alan from Indy
2:08
Brian, seems like when KP lines up under center it telegraphs a guaranteed hand off. Is this on his ability, the O line or Canada? All of the above?
Brian Batko
2:09
Part of that is just football commonalities. It's better to run from under center than in shotgun. But I see what you're asking. Kenny Pickett is 30th in the NFL in play-action pass attempts, so it's just not something they're getting to a lot. That can be QB preference, OC preference or a combination, but probably more so Pickett's comfort level in throwing from shotgun rather than turning his back to the defense or a straight drop-back from under center.
Artie Bucco
2:10
The Steelers really need to access their coach staff’s limited capabilities. Please hire Leftwich as OC. AR2 should be on board as he’s a former Steeler player and successful OC. Bring back Munch to teach blocking to the OL and finally bring in an experienced  DC with a new vision. Their Defense is stale and gives up too many yards.
Brian Batko
2:13
Byron Leftwich got fired in Tampa after their offense couldn't do much of anything last season. I'm not saying that makes him a bad OC, and he's certainly got a better NFL track record in that chair than the Steelers' current play-caller, but let's not pretend he's some can't-miss perfect fit.
Heart in Pittsburgh
2:14
Hi Brian. If the offense fails to satisfactorily move forward by season's end will Matt Canada lose his job because of his own ineptitude or will he lose it because the Steelers need someone else to try and get the most out their investment in Pickett? Or will he get fired because he is becoming so much a distraction?
Brian Batko
2:16
Probably a combination of the first two, most of all, with maybe a sprinkle of your third suggestion. I don't think the Steelers will ever make decisions based on momentum from their fan base, but hey, the paying customers are essentially your constituents in this league. That's why Mike Tomlin never criticizes the fans and says all the right things about that aspect of it. But Canada has not presided over a good product on the field and it only makes sense to change one major variable in the Pickett equation to see if there's more to unlock there.
Chase Claypool
2:18
I have box of ugly sweaters that I'm putting up on Ebay... 1st dibs
Brian Batko
2:18
Sure, I'll take one
Scott via Kentucky
2:20
Do the Steelers use virtual reality to train with. I was thinking VR or AR would be great tools for a qb.
Brian Batko
2:20
Not that I know of, Scott.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:21
Do they need an upgrade over Mason Cole? He hasn’t been good enough.
Brian Batko
2:21
I think they can get through this season and he's still their best option at C, but I'm looking at trying to improve that spot this offseason.
"Stale"ers
2:22
It's a fact that NFL coaches get stale.  I feel it happened with Tomlin 10-12 years ago.  We are the same average team every season now with no chance of winning a Super Bowl.  How many more average seasons would you give Mediocre Mike before you are ready for a change?
Brian Batko
2:23
Hmm well 12 years ago seems like a stretch considering they were in the Super Bowl in 2011.
AFC North
2:25
Where do you now see the Steelers finishing in the division?  I see Cincinnati winning it, Baltimore coasting in second place, and the Steelers finishing in 3rd with another postseason without a win.  The only reason I don't think 4th is I expect the Brownies to Cleveland things up and finish last again.
Brian Batko
2:26
I think Baltimore might win it. Obviously they didn't play well and John Harbaugh didn't coah well in that loss to the Steelers, but consider everything that went wrong for them in that game and they still probably win it if not for Lamar Jackson losing his mind and throwing that pick. So, don't hold me to this, but Ravens 1, Bengals 2, Steelers 3, Browns 4
Stillers97
2:27
Hi Brian! Here’s the hot-button question everyone wants an answer to: What is this team’s insane obsession with Gunner Olszewski? He’s getting paid to fumble the ball every time he suits up at this point. An out of football shape Denzel Mims could offer more than Gunner…
Brian Batko
2:30
There's a decent chance this is the end of the road for him when Diontae Johnson and Anthony McFarland return from IR. But, then again, they could also cut Rodney Williams and Godwin Igwebuike instead. Yes, both those guys are on the active roster.
wiscoken
2:31
Hi Brian, if you were to predict 1 to 2 noticeable changes post the bye (vs. pre bye) what would they be.  JPJ getting more time is a given... perhaps Jaylen getting more reps that Najee or the OLine largely letting go of the failed zone blocking scheme?
Brian Batko
2:31
Uptick in playing time for Joey Porter Jr., yes, but another rookie too: Keeanu Benton. At least that's what I'd do.
Nate in Iowa
2:32
Hi Brian, love the chats!  Do you think Kenny will ever be a top 10 QB?  I'm starting to lean toward him being "just a guy".  A serviceable starter who will win you games but never get you to the promise land - at least not without a lot of help.  What is your gut feeling on how Kenny will turn out?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:33
No, I don't think he'll ever be a top-10 QB. Gut feeling is same as yours I guess but I'm not ready to declare he's a JAG just yet.
Vito the big man
2:33
It might be time for the Steelers to think about a rebuild. Another 9-8 season isn’t winning. Trade TJ Watt for 3 #1 draft picks and send coach T. out of town for a #1 draft pick. Rebuild the OL & DL and hire a young OFFENSIVE head coach. The rules dictate scoring.
Brian Batko
2:33
No, Vito. Just ... no. If you could run 10,000 simulations, perhaps that plan of attack would prove wise, but it's not gonna happen.
SW Steel
2:35
Riddle me this, Bat-man.. I get that Tomlin and the Steelers brass won't fire Matt Canada during the season.  Any chance they "accept his resignation" though?  ..PS.. i hope you appreciate my bad joke, as much as I appreciate your chats.  Thank you, sir.
Brian Batko
2:35
You're a joker, all right.
Sharon Cox
2:37
Purdy finally had a bad game. Line couldn't block, they couldn't run the ball and what happened? He got rattled and he was pretty bad. Sound familiar? Pickett is most pressured QB in league and they aren't good at running it. I think folks should hold off on the bust talk until things are better around him, including the scheme and play calling. What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:37
Sure, that's fair. He's actually second, though, behind Daniel Jones. But Jones didn't even make it to Week 6 physically, so your point is well-taken.
Jake
2:38
There was a post game Press Conference w Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniels who I believe is one of the great offensive minds in the game. Anyway, someone asked him if Tua had changed the play at the LOS. His response was I hope so, he can see what the defense is about to do at the moment more than I can. Is Canada simply too thick headed to let Pickett change plays or???
Brian Batko
2:39
I don't know all the specifics of the Mike McDaniel/Tua play you're referring to, but believe me, I've seemingly heard every single in and out of the Kenny Pickett/Matt Canada audible/check/alert from the end of that Ravens game. And I think both guys would tell you Pickett did have the autonomy to do what he needed at the line of scrimmage on that touchdown vs. the Ravens, and while he didn't completely change the play, he didn't need to - obviously.
Baghdad_Ben
2:40
Some teams considered to be "really bad" either beat or took it to the final gun against "really good" teams yesterday (e.g. Giants, Browns on the bad side...). Is this really just a league of who can lay an egg least often?
Brian Batko
2:42
To some degree, yeah. Parity is big in the NFL and has been for a while. We know that. Coaches are paid a lot of money to come up with good game plans, as the Giants clearly did last night. What also sticks out to me is that I don't know if there are a ton of "really bad" teams. I think there are teams with really bad offenses, really bad defenses, really bad QB situations, really bad weapons, or some combination. But in a salary cap league, you're always gonna have strengths and weaknesses on any roster.
putinbatch
2:42
is it just me or is it hard getting excited (as others are) about the return of Diontae and Muuuth? They don't seem to throw to Muuuth anyway and everyone's saying he can't block. Maybe DJ will draw attention from Pickens, but he will mostly just bring a lot of drops, running the wrong direction, & drive-killing penalties.
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