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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.18.21
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Brian Batko
11:00
Hi everyone. The Steelers are off this week, but the chat is not. Let's talk ball.
Scott
11:01
Is it just me or was Terrell Edmunds terrible last night? He seemed to be out of position and taking bad angles and missing tackles. He looked like an undrafted rookie free agent making his first start.
Brian Batko
11:02
No, it wasn't just you, Scott. He was bad. Figures, because I wrote Thursday that he was having his best season of his career so far. Had only missed one tackle coming into that game, per the advanced stats, so it was not a good night for him.
Yankton Ern
11:02
Can someone please hide Roethlisberger’s helmet or game pants?  He is so inconsistent and inaccurate.  Am I wrong?
Brian Batko
11:04
Anyone who has read me or listened to our podcast this season knows I've been pretty critical of Ben. I thought he looked relatively sharp last night, at least until the second half, especially the fourth quarter. The consistency is a real issue, whether it's game to game or even drive to drive. Then again, he didn't get a ton of help from his receives in that one. Let's be honest, he needs to be a good game manager at this point in his career, and he was for a while against the Seahawks. Can't afford to make those big mistakes.
Mountiansteel
11:04
So will Stephen Tuitt play this year?
Brian Batko
11:04
My guess is yes.
Justin
11:05
Hey Brian, do you expect Tuitt and/or Banner to be back after the bye? Would Banner instantly step in and start? I assume Tuitt would greatly help with the run defense, considering it seemed like Collins was gaining 5-7 yards every carry after half attacking between right guard and right tackle.
Brian Batko
11:06
Zach Banner, yes. He was inactive last night, but he's back on the active roster as of Saturday and I expect he'll get a helmet in Week 8. But will he start at RT? Depends on the health of Dan Moore Jr., who left that game early last night. If the Steelers were ever going to try to work their way back to the original projected starting five, with Chuks Okorafor at LT and Banner at RT, using the off week would be a good time to do it. As for Tuitt, I don't see his return being imminent. Answer to the previous question was more of a "yes, eventually."
Guest
11:07
saw open receivers on bens mis hap replays, are you seeing more of this. He seems to be telegraphing like a rookie as of late. Just nerves?
Brian Batko
11:09
No, I wouldn't say it's nerves. Don't think that's the right word. But I do think it's natural that when you aren't as mobile as you once were, it's easier to get sped up, maybe make a bad decision, things of that nature. Some of that can probably be attributed to the new O-line, which is not nearly as stout in pass pro as the old O-line. But it's getting better.
Jarvis Ragdoll Jones
11:11
What is the story with James Washington? Is he in the doghouse for his alleged trade request? I figured his snaps/targets would go up significantly with JuJu on the shelf. Has Ray-Ray passed him on the depth chart?
Brian Batko
11:12
Good question, Jarvis. I meant to ask Mike Tomlin about that postgame but just didn't get around to it with everything else going on in that wild ending. Highly doubt it's a "doghouse" situation, as you suggest. Tomlin kept talking Tuesday about how it's such a big opportunity for Washington. Then he goes out and plays 8 snaps to Ray-Ray McCloud's 52. I know McCloud is the one who's been practicing in the slot all year, so he is the backup to JuJu, but perhaps during the off week they'll incorporate more ways to use Washington, either inside or move someone else there so he can play outside.
Jud
11:14
Would you agree...Norwood's stock appears to be trending up?  Sutton seems to be struggling...due to injury perhaps?
Brian Batko
11:16
Yes, stock up for Tre Norwood. He's had a role since Week 1, when he was the primary nickel, though lately he'd been playing more in the dime with Arthur Maulet handling slot duty. Only 15 snaps for Norwood vs. Seattle, but two of those were extremely significant plays he made on third downs. Not sure Cam Sutton is struggling. Some tackling issues last night maybe, but who among us? Thought his coverage was good in his first game back.
Shane in Colrain, Mass
11:17
What can they do about the tackling problem before the Browns game?
Brian Batko
11:18
Nothing really in practice. Not at this point in the season. That's just the nature of it in the NFL. These guys are pros. They don't need to be reminded of how to tackle, whether it's in the meeting room or on the field. Just need to go do it better. Or maybe they need to be "challenged" by the coaching staff, if you will.
John in SC
11:19
Is there a worse game clock manager than Mike Tomlin? Once again, he showed his total lack of understanding clock management. Tied game, minute and a half left, already in field goal range with Seattle still having 2 TOs left. So instead of running time off the clock, Ben throws long to both Johnson and Claypool. Incomplete. Stop the clock. What’s worse Claypool flagged for interference which pushes us out of FG range. Fortunately Ben gets the 10 yds back and we still kick the FG. Difference is Seattle has time left to tie/win the game.
when will Tomlin ever learn?
Brian Batko
11:20
Yeah, there probably is.
Kirby H
11:21
What is going on with Tuitt? Not that he’s going to be a savior for the rush defense but its getting pretty frustrating not exactly knowing what is going on with him. Is there some sort of family tragedy that happened thats been kept pretty private? Or is it really just an injury he’s recovering from? Honestly I get Tomlin doesn’t want to spill the beans on players sometimes but cant he at least tell you guys some sort of timeline?
Brian Batko
11:23
Kirby, respectfully, where you been? Yes, one of his brothers died tragically this summer while with their mother. That was a lot for him to work through this offseason. Then he got hurt and needed surgery just before the season, which is why he's been on IR. We can take another crack at asking about a timeline, sure.
Michael
11:25
Can't/shouldn't the Steelers use Claypool inside to get Washington more snaps outside?  Claypool has the body and speed, but not the combat catch skills of Washington.
Brian Batko
11:26
21-58-66
11:27
Brian - Thanks for the chats.  Increased participation by Freiermuth last night, but still short of the sticks on third down?  Are they expecting him to get the extra yards to the marker with a defender all over him?  No chance.
Brian Batko
11:28
You're welcome. Not sure what's up with all these pass patterns being so shallow in those situations, unless it's putting less pressure on Ben to thread a needle past the chains and more emphasis on pass-catchers getting YAC.
Brian
11:30
Good Morning fellow namesake! Great win last night. Did not see much of Washington as the game went on. Injury situation?
Brian Batko
11:32
Whoa, you were named after me? That's pretty cool. Also, how old are you? Not sure if Washington wasn't 100% or what, but he didn't even enter the game as questionable. Practiced fully Friday. Makes me think that wasn't it. Still weird that he was such an afterthought behind McCloud. My hunch is that division of labor changes the rest of the way as they adjust to no JuJu.
Tom in Dallas
11:33
I recorded the game and was fast forwarding through the game and not listening to the commentary between plays.  I didn't notice James Washington playing late in the game.  Was he injured, or just was not involved in any plays?
Brian Batko
11:34
I was listening to the TV broadcast throughout as well, no mention of an in-game injury. And the Steelers always alert us if a guy is banged up. That never happened.
Joe
11:34
Hi Brian  - back to the line, why not try Joe Haeg at right guard?  The eye test on Turner is not good, regardless of any PPF grade.  Just looks slow and overmatched.  Thanks
Brian Batko
11:36
That's a valid question. I do think Haeg CAN play guard, but don't believe he's taken any reps there since he's been a Steeler.
MrClean
11:38
Hi BB.... I really think a huge part of the defensive problems especially against the run is D. BUSH...... the guy does not make plays. He gets pushed around and misses the gaps all the time. Inside LB's should lead the team in tackles. Cam has more tackle this season than #55... Schobert isn't any better. I watched Bob Pompeani's post game and everyone on the show said these 2 LB's are weak.. Another hole to fill next year. What's your thoughts BB?
Brian Batko
11:40
Yeah, Devin Bush came into this season with a lot to prove, especially coming off the injury. Remember, the Steelers have to make a decision on his fifth-year option this offseason. Normally you'd think that's a slam dunk for a top-10 pick, but I'm not sure that's the case with Bush. Not sure I see it as a huge hole at this juncture, though. He's under contract next year regardless of whether they exercise his option for 2023. Buddy Johnson is a young guy in the system, too, and known for his run-stopping coming out of college.
Bernard
11:41
Thoughts on Claypool's development as his second season progresses?  He seems to be be playing a less prominent role than many expected.  He also makes some silly mistakes, at least two big penalties last night and a drop.  Just maturation?
Brian Batko
11:43
He's not playing a less prominent role. Getting a ton of snaps, especially now with JuJu down. But he isn't taking the leap in production many expected, myself included. Week 5 seemed like a breakout for him, and yet he didn't build on it last night. He had mistimed jumps, mental lapses, etc. I'm not as down on him as others, but he needs to make more plays. And I think he will.
Jay
11:44
Morning Batsy.  How involved is coach Tomlin on offense?  I see most defensive minded coaches have an established OC to help oversee one side.  I don't recall many instances where coach Tomlin gets involved with the offense like he does with the defense.
Brian Batko
11:46
Morning, JayBird. I get the sense he's mostly hands-off with that. But I do think the other offensive assistants have their share of input with Matt Canada. New QBs coach Mike Sullivan is one of those veteran assistants/former OC guys, so he brings some experience there. WR coach Ike Hilliard and TE coach Alfredo Roberts have been around a long time too.
Winning
11:47
Is it just me or is comforting knowing Joe Haeg is going to go in and hold things down?
Brian Batko
11:47
I sleep well at night knowing that Joe Haeg stands guard.
Chris
11:47
Maybe just a bad night, but Dan Moore looked terrible, as did Green @ Center.  This is a terrible defense and they were still walking our O-Line back.  What say you?
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