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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.26.21
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Brian Batko
2:01
Hi everyone. The bye week has come and gone for me. Didn't get much done around the house, but I did finish Squid Game, so that was good. Let's get to your questions.
Gregg from Shaler
2:02
Hi Brian, I am a Penn State alum and die hard fan. After last Saturday, I actually hope that James Franklin leaves for another job. I'm with Ziese that he's a very good coach but not an elite one. In my dream scenario we hire Urban Meyer to replace him. What say you? Do I have hope of either happening?
Sorry, thought this was All Sports Chat....
Brian Batko
2:02
Why can't it be? Let the record reflect right now that you can ask me about anything you please. And I might answer.
2:04
As for James Franklin, I don't agree with you two. If you keep knocking on the door, eventually you'll knock it down. He's knocked on the door enough for me at PSU. Do I think he's overrated in some circles? Sure. I'm not the biggest Franklin fan. But I wouldn't wish him away.
SMF
2:04
Good response from Tomlin on USC HC job earlier.  Actually John Gruden is available and he has much less baggage than the usual USC HC.
Brian Batko
2:06
Yeah, that response was something else. Like, literally. That was something other than what you normally hear from coaches in that situation, even Tomlin himself when asked two years ago about another job, albeit one at the NFL level. That's why I wrote about it the way that I did earlier https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/10/26/Mike-Tomlin-us...
Kevin
2:06
Hi Brian,  is Claypool's route tree limited ?  Can he be a significant weapon from the slot ?
Brian Batko
2:07
I go back and forth on whether Chase Claypool would be good in the slot. On one hand, love his physicality, willingness to fight for the ball, and his YAC ability. On the other hand, is he quick enough to get off the press and get open? I lean toward yes, actually, and I think he should be used more there. That would open up the other outside spot for James Washington, who's truly in now-or-never territory.
ev
2:08
Why posit a question about head coaching vacancies at LSU and USC when all they are were just that, rumor and speculation? Was there any hard proof that Tomlin would be interested?  I loved Tomlin's response btw
Brian Batko
2:10
Boy, is this a perfect question for a reporter. Thing is, there's a lot of nuisance and plenty of layers to it. It's one of those philosophical discussions about journalism, albeit on a fairly insignificant level when you're talking about sports. To your point, no, there was no "hard proof" or even legitimate reportage that he was interested or vice versa. When someone predicts that Aaron Rodgers would love to be a Steeler next year, and that Tomlin would love to have him, we don't turn around and ask him about that at his weekly press conference...
2:11
Then again, I think too many of us are guilty of always assuming we have all the answers. We know what Tomlin's going to say. Well, do we really? Today was Exhibit A. I absolutely, positively, 100% did not expect him to go off like that. But go off he did. Basically, I didn't think it needed to be asked. But I have no problem with it being asked. It got a great answer.
Jud
2:11
Who is your MVP for this team so far this year?  Watt?  Ben?
Brian Batko
2:12
Hmm haven't given that a ton of thought, to be honest. I can tell you it's not Ben Roethlisberger. Probably Cam Heyward for me.
Surley
2:14
How come the Steelers don’t put the captains C on their uniforms like other teams?  I’m happy they don’t. It looks dumb. Hockey yes. Football no
Brian Batko
2:17
Didn't Gerry Dulac get this question in his chat last week? Yes, I read the other chats. I do advanced scouting on you scoundrels. And someone sure is a dog with a bone on this topic. Anyway, I do not know. But I can google it, and I did. Didn't find much, sorry.
ToothlessLB
2:18
Where is Devin Bush? He should be leading our team in tackles and he is pretty far down the list. Where are the splash plays? I hope he can pick up his play. Agree?
Brian Batko
2:20
He seems to be getting washed out of the play far too often. That didn't seem to be as much of an issue for him as a rookie. Not sure if it's a mental or physical thing for him right now, or both. He needs to pick it up. I think he can.
Brian in VA
2:21
Peyton and Eli are about the best thing to happen to NFL in a while.  Even bad MNF games are entertaining.  Just a recommendation for fellow Steelers fans as we endure a mediocre season
Brian Batko
2:22
I agree, for the most part. If they have on a guest I don't care about too much, might change back to the main broadcast. But yeah, more often than not, they pick good guests, use them to their advantage and produce a superior viewing/listening experience.
Guest
2:23
Brian,Before folks demand the ILBs and secondary walk the plank they should remember the DL is missing 2 excellent starters and their backups are not headed to the pro-bowl. Light infantry gets blown apart if it doesn't have heavy artillery to protect it. I hope Tuitt's knee is healing fast and I hope DL is a top priority in next year's draft and/or FA.
Brian Batko
2:25
You know, I've been thinking about that, and if Stephon Tuitt can return to full form this group might not need many reinforcements for next year. Remember, Cam Heyward is playing as well as ever. Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley were brought back on two-year deals. And Tuitt isn't going anywhere, again, assuming good health. If someone like Isaiahh Loudermilk or Carlos Davis can blossom, too? No need to replenish in the draft just yet. There will be other needs. Receiver, OT, OG, CB, SS ... oh, and you know, QB.
Buzzard Bill
2:26
After the James Conner situation where he was not offered a second contract, do you think the Steelers would be a bit gun shy about taking a player like Pickett for such a key position?
Brian Batko
2:26
Nope. Don't have a lick of anything to do with each other. Pitt produces pros just like other schools, sometimes the Steelers happen to draft one, sometimes they don't. Some will pan out, others won't. Thank you for spelling Conner correctly, Buzzard. Which brings me to...
Art from NC
2:26
Hi BB- anything in the works for this week as far as new defensive schemes to address the run defense? The Clowns are either going to have a career backup or a one-armed bandit QB'ing, and running the ball is their strength to begin with. Can't have another defense like in the second half of the Water Buzzard's game......................
Brian Batko
2:27
I just wanted to point out that a person had Buzzard in his name and then a chatter had Buzzard in his question, back-to-back. What are the odds? We'll get a sense of what the Steelers plan to do after we talk Thursday with DC Keith Butler, who no doubt won't tell us anything about what the Steelers plan to do.
Gino
2:28
Hey Brian, can you give your opinion about the college quarterbacks coming out for the draft and which of them might fit into the Steelers’ system?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:31
Sure, Gino. Although I must acknowledge I haven't been poring over their film. That will come after the season. But as I've written in a previous mailbag, I think fit in the Steelers system doesn't matter so much. In fact, we don't necessarily know what the Steelers system is anymore, given how long they've built around Ben Roethlisberger. I believe they should get with the times and move toward a more mobile QB, a factor Tomlin himself has mentioned prior to three straight games now, I believe. Good news is basically all of this year's projected top passers have some wheels. Bad news is they've all got a lot to prove the rest of this season.
Buster
2:32
Have you watched any of the Manning brothers MNF broadcasts? If so, what do you think? BTW, Marshawn Lynch has to be the worst interview ever.
Brian Batko
2:32
I'm mad I missed Marshawn on there. Sounds like he was electric. Obviously, Marshawn is on a whole other planet, but one critique I would have is that things do occasionally get a bit clunky with their guests. Probably a lot of it being due to audio timing, delay, stuff like that. The Drew Brees fourth quarter last night suffered from that.
Mike from DC
2:33
Is it possible the Steelers aren’t as bad as people are saying? The Packers, Raiders, and Bengals all look like playoff contenders
Brian Batko
2:34
Yeah, I guess. But also two of their wins have come against Teddy Bridgewater and Geno Smith, so that goes both ways. In 800 years, historians will still be trying to crack the code of how these Steelers won at Buffalo in Week 1.
2:36
For real though, if the Steelers get out to, say, a 6-3 record by beating Bridgewater-Geno Smith-Case Keenum-Justin Fields-Jared Goff over five straight weeks, that will be good for them but not at all an indication of the overall health of the group ahead of a murderer's row finish to the schedule.
TJ
2:36
why are we blitzing at such a low rate? Yeah when you can get pressure with the front four i get it but that hasn't always been the case this year. Blitz rate is very low
Brian Batko
2:37
To me, there are a few reasons. Less confidence in a reconfigured secondary. More confidence in TJ Watt to wreck games. No more Vince Williams as a really good and savvy blitzer at ILB. So, I think it' mostly personnel-based as opposed to a change in mentality.
RJT
2:38
Without Tuitt and Alualu are the Steelers capable of holding the run game in check against the Browns?  Unfortunately I think the browns are going to run all over them.
Brian Batko
2:39
Yeah, they're capable. Doesn't mean they will, or even that it's likely. Tomlin today said he likes the progress being made by Loudermilk. But he also said they're challenging Isaiah Buggs to "step up," which I interpreted as: Dude, you need to be a LOT better. Naturally, I foresee the Browns having a great deal of success on the ground. But the games aren't played on paper or in Post-Gazette chat rooms, now are they?
Mike in CLE
2:40
Hi Brian- more likely candidate for head coach post-Tomlin era- Byron Leftwich or Eric Bieniemy? Both great OCs currently.
Brian Batko
2:40
Byron Leftwich. Bieniemy is three years older than Tomlin, so not sure why you'd assume he'll be a candidate after Tomlin.
Guest
2:41
How about a Pirate question? It looks like 2022 will be another dismal season for Pirate fans. Do you think the young prospects will start arriving in 2023 with some hope of competitive baseball in Pittsburgh?
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