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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.21.24
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Brian Batko
12:47
Jeff M
12:47
Do you get the sense that the Steelers physicality is playing a big role in most of their wins? A few time this year (LAC, LVR & NYJ) it looks like teams were completely worn down as the game went on.
Brian Batko
12:48
That's every year, Jeff. You listen to the national analysts who truly follow and are plugged into every team and they always praise the Steelers' physicality. But hey, it wasn't looking so good early in that game when Breece Hall was slipping through tackles like a greased pig. Mike Tomlin wants his team's toughness to show late in games and late in seasons. More often than not, it does.
Cain
12:49
Brian what can the Steelers do to become a dangerous team in the AFC? Whether it’s another player at a skilled position, etc etc
Brian Batko
12:51
Continuing to put games like that on film, being two-dimensional on offense and making teams respect the passing game would go a long way. And I'd say adding another legitimate starting-caliber WR could help with that, too. But it's getting late early on that front with Amari Cooper and Davante Adams gone. You'd need to thread the needle a bit with someone who isn't gonna expect to eclipse George Pickens as the No. 1 target but can take attention away from him more than the current cast can.
little flounder
12:51
Even though everything worked out would it not have been better to kick the field goal before the two minute warning rather risking a 4th and 1
Brian Batko
12:52
Loyal readers of my chats know I'm usually a go-for-it guy. Old-school football is for the birds, little fish!
J.W. Heaney
12:52
The passing game looked much improved after Russell Wilson got his sea legs...knocking of 11 months worth of rust
Brian Batko
12:53
Yes it did, but I knew Wilson still had the arm strength and accuracy. Been seeing that since OTAs and I didn't think he lost it after the injury. What I was more pleasantly surprised by was his movement after that calf mishap. He was a far cry from Fields, as Tomlin acknowledged last Tuesday, but he was more spry than I anticipated. That's enough mobility to work with.
Atlanta Dan
12:54
Hi Brian Thanks for the chat.  Before the game last night numerous national NFL media types claimed there was major internal opposition to replacing Fields with Wilson and after the game Albert Breer at SI.com wrote “most folks in that building thought Justin Fields gave them the best chance to win. They still probably do.”  Does Breer have it right or is this just a member of the media who does not cover a team on a daily basis not backing down from a hot take?
Brian Batko
12:56
It was an intriguing week to me from that perspective. He wasn't the only one barking up that tree. Dianna Russini of The Athletic was reporting that as well. Jay Glazer basically relayed Tomlin's own words that it was an unpopular move in some ways. ESPN's Jeff Darlington added to it, as well. And then the kicker was Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico laying it out there pretty bare on the broadcast that Tomlin knew he was risking ruffling some feathers. I wouldn't call it much ado about nothing or a one-writer crusade, Dan.
the real guest
12:58
Brian, Isn't it amazing how the deep threat opens up the running game?
Brian Batko
12:58
And the running game opens up the deep threat, yes.
K-ville fan
12:58
Thanks, Brian, for the chats.  Do you think the Steelers will actually institute any offensive packages that have both Wilson and Fields in the backfield?
Brian Batko
12:59
No, but I think the possibility of Fields packages is a real one moving forward. And I believe Tomlin would love to have that wrinkle at his disposal.
Scorp
1:00
Is it me or does Queen look like the next Devin Bush?
Brian Batko
1:00
Not a great night for him, Scorp, I agree. But let's not say things like that.
Mark
1:00
I saw MT yelling at the offensive coordinator on the sideline when we were cloe and going for a touchdown, What was he saying? any idea?
Brian Batko
1:00
"Let's score a touchdown!"
1:01
OK folks, as much as I'd love to keep chatting with you all while you're on a Steelers-induced high, I've gotta try to pull my life together after yet another late night covering prime-time football. And then another next week. Oh, joy. Thanks for joining and engaging. Ray Fittipaldo will be back in the batter's box tomorrow.
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