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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 10.30.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, despite the Steelers losing 20-10 to the Jaguars yesterday, the sun did come up today. Kind of. It's pretty gray here in Pittsburgh, but hey, let's discuss.
Gracie
2:01
55 games and counting without going over 400 yards on offense. Is this unheard of in the NFL?  What is an average middle of the road day for total yards?  Won't ask you on how to fix the problem though!
Brian Batko
2:02
Right around the 330-345 range, I'd say.
and thank you
Dan
2:03
Seeing as the Steelers are basically in the entertainment business do you expect them to make big changes at the end of the season? I’m not on the fire Tomlin bandwagon but I do believe a change needs to be made at offensive coordinator. The offense has been excruciatingly painful to watch the last 3 seasons, anything but entertaining
Brian Batko
2:04
Yes, Dan. I'd be positively stunned if they don't move on from Matt Canada, unless they suddenly start scoring 30 a game, rolling up 400 yards with regularity and reach the AFC championship or something.
mrbig
2:05
A lot are saying this loss wasn't on Canada. Mitch threw into triple coverage, but Canada called that same play THREE TIMES! Most NFL teams are gonna recognize that, yes?
Brian Batko
2:06
Regardless of whether or not it's a good play call, you still shouldn't make that throw. I'll say this much for Trubisky, though, when he comes into these games in relief and the Steelers trailing, I think he's playing more aggressively with intent. Didn't go his way yesterday, obviously, but he probably didn't wanna sit idly by rather than trying to engineer victory. If he were better at doing that, he wouldn't be an NFL backup for the third year in a row, so it is what it is.
Ralph
2:08
Wouldn't 31 of the other 32 NFL QBs put that first throw in DJ's hands? Equal blame on DJ for not hauling it in. Don't confuse me with a Canada defender, but he has to be thinking 'I design the best first play call of my career and the QB throws high and the WR can't haul it in...'
Brian Batko
2:11
You're kind of a sight for sore eyes here, Ralph. I tweeted that Kenny Pickett threw that ball high and got absolutely swarmed by people telling me I'm dumb and a hot take artist and stuff. So now I know there's one other person out there who thought it was at least somewhat on Pickett.
Soft Tissues
2:12
The Steelers have had a lot of soft tissue injuries in the past few years (TJ, Cam, Diontae, Friermuth, and now Minkah). These are all veteran players that sit out the preseason games and often take off Wednesday practice. Why? Get this…to avoid injury! Sitting all week then going all in on Sundays leads to more injuries than practicing. When will Tomlin learn this?
Brian Batko
2:14
The Steelers actually play their starters more than most teams in the preseason, and you're simply wrong about the Wednesday practice stuff. Sure, some guys do typically have off Wednesdays, but not the ones who have dealt with groin/hamstring issues. Cam Heyward and TJ Watt had plenty of days off during camp, but in-season, it's usually Patrick Peterson and Isaac Seumalo who get the Wednesday rest.
NC Steeler Fan
2:15
Good morning Brian.  I’m sure you’ll get this a lot today: Canada needs to go, it’s ridiculous and unwatchable but there were some angles shown in the first half where it didn’t look like Pickens was running a hard route and was not open at all.  Are these scheme issues, player personality problems or just Jags are that good of a defense?  Also, if Najee would hit it with some burst in the beginning might help or he might just break one of the OL’s backs.  Just so frustrating
Brian Batko
2:17
Might sound like a broken record, but when you only muster 10 points and you go 3-and-out that many times, it's some of all of that. They stink on offense and don't do much right.
I survived 80s Steelers
2:18
We Steelers fans are spoiled. But after yet another uninspired offensive performance should I just call it a year and tend to fall yard work on Sundays?
Brian Batko
2:18
No, I hate yard work. Just watch different teams maybe. Or read a book.
Vito the big man
2:19
I remember back from Chuck Noll’s last few seasons Joe Walton was the OC and I think the Steelers current offense is worse. That’s hard to do given the rules favoring scoring. Ripe the band aid off and make a change! Enough already!
Brian Batko
2:19
Your complaint is logged and filed, Vito the big man.
RD
2:21
Brian, if Pickett doesn't play, do you think it's possible that Trubisky might have a little better luck moving the offense? The problems on offense are many and Pickett's confidence seem to be part of the problem
Brian Batko
2:22
Well, I'll say this, Trubisky played fairly well last year in that Carolina game, which was the only time he got a week of first-team reps as the backup filling in as opposed to being the starter. So perhaps that threads the needle between "QB1 who plays too tentatively because he wants to keep the job" and "thrown in mid-game for clean-up duty and plays too aggressive to a fault"
the real guest
2:22
Brian, Before the game I truly thought the Jags D was just what the Steelers O needed. I mean 31st ranked pass D without their starting S and CB. But I forgot you don't have to cover WRs if the QB can't get the ball to them. My mistake. Now I know that every D is a challenge for the Steelers O because the Steelers O is on its' way to the bottom. Agree?
Brian Batko
2:24
Not really. I think the counting stats for the Jags pass D were misleading. Their run defense has been so good that teams kind of have no choice but to throw, and some of those big numbers have been propped up by game script/garbage time. We knew they were taking away the ball a lot, too. You're right though that missing their most physical outside corner and their Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety should've been more of a challenge to replace. Steelers let the next men up get the job done.
Rocky,
2:25
Do you think Mason will get a chance to replace Kenny during the injury time off?  He can't be any worse than Mitch.  Thanks, Brian!
Brian Batko
2:27
Don't really understand the infatuation with fans and some media wanting to give Mason Rudolph a chance. If you've been touting him all along over Trubisky or even Pickett, then OK, I guess you're consistent in your belief there. But otherwise, it seems like people are just impatient and have short memories. Can't be any worse than Mitch? He couldn't lead the offense to a win against the winless Lions in 2021. We've actually seen plenty of Rudolph over the years and so have the coaches. I just made the case for why Trubisky starting might not be the worst thing, and why his second-half performance isn't necessarily a harbinger of what's to come.
Say Hey Kid
2:28
It’s obvious that our O line is offensive. Even though our pass blocking is mediocre to poor, the run blocking is even worse. Our D line isn’t much better. Next draft, every pick an OL or DL. The trenches almost always win games.
Oh by the way maybe Frank knows how to scheme up our offense. Can’t be worse than Matt.
Brian Batko
2:29
Frank Ocean?
Lou
2:30
Hey Brian.  What does the league do to hold refs accountable for bad calls? Do they get a fine? Suspended?      A ref must get some kind of something if they look at tape after a game and they see that, by the rules, they called roughing the passer when it doesn’t meet the criteria and they failed to do so when it does.
Brian Batko
2:30
Yes, of course they have evaluators who evaluate the officiating and officials themselves.
Dr No
2:31
Study the tape for last four games and you’ll notice that a ridiculous percentage of Mason Cole’s shotgun snaps arrive at the QBs ankles. Often, this throws off the entire play. Why the heck isn't someone on the Steelers’ coaching staff tending to quality control issues like this? In the NFL, you cant let small things like this fester…
Brian Batko
2:32
Trust me, they are. Mason Cole is very well-liked in the locker room and has a certain degree of cache as a vet and starter and leader, but the coaches know what they're seeing and hold him accountable just the same.
Steel Town Danny
2:32
All four of the AFC North teams have winning records.  With the Ravens at 6-2 and the others at 4-3.  Looking at the remianing schedule it looks the Steelers will go 5-5.  Wins vs. Titans, Cardinals, Packers, Patriots (at home), and split with the Bengals.  Looks like another (groan) wining season at 9-8 and no playoffs.  Please say it ain't so Bats, talk me off the ledge...
Brian Batko
2:34
Well, Danny, I was initially thinking 9-8 again going into the season, then changed to 10-7 as my official preseason prediction after seeing how they fared in August. But yeah, at this point, the slightly-above-averageness has been so consistent that I need to see something else before I believe it and project it. Same goes for a sub-.500 season: When it finally happens, I'll be wrong, but until then, I'll believe it when I see it.
2:35
PSA: As a quick aside, the Post-Gazette's current offer of 3 months for just 99 cents expires tomorrow, so now would be a great time to invest a bit for the remainder of this Steelers season. Here's the link to subscribe if you'd like to check it out: https://pittsburghpost-gazette.cmail20.com/t/t-l-vyhllg-jjjudlkuhi-y/
Ken
2:35
Hi BB, you know, I don't agree that the Steelers lost the game because of the refs.  However, what I am curious about is why doesn't the NFL allow the coaches and players to criticize the refs?  The union should take it to court as a freedom of speech infringement.  Bet you they would win.
Brian Batko
2:37
Hi Ken, I'm with you. Losers whine about the refs, winners win the game. Mike Tomlin made it a point to start his presser today by saying they want to win games more definitively, and that's what good teams do, they don't leave a play here and there in the hands of the officials to alter the outcome. I give him credit for that. But to your point, they do allow coaches and players to criticize them within reason. When you go off like Diontae Johnson and imply, however facetiously, that the refs are cheating for pay? Yeah, you can't do that and expect no repercussions. I'm sure the NFLPA does represent them in some way if needed, but there's likely wording/policies in place to prohibit questioning the integrity of the game.
Boiler G Dog
2:38
Hey Brian. I would think the offensive ineptitude of the Steelers would wear thin on the Rooney family, Kahn, and Weidl. They don’t want to fire MC in the middle of the season. I’m like, WTH is it going to hurt? Move Sullivan to OC and let er rip. It’s a dumpster fire for the next 10 games if you don’t. II feel like it’s Groundhog Day every week with the offense.
Brian Batko
2:41
Hey BGD. I've addressed this before in the chat, plenty of times actually, but I acknowledge that each passing game of an offense that scores one touchdown (or less!) makes it more tempting to reach for that button. Still, do they really want to tempt fate? Can it be worse? It could be. It really could. And as far as QB coach Mike Sullivan, who's to say if he even would want that play-calling duty at this point in his career. This goes back to my primary, most pointed criticism of the Steelers this offseason: If you're gonna bring back Canada, you should bring in more of a heavy-hitter to add to that offensive staff who could take the reins if things go as poorly as they have.
Gregg from Shaler
2:42
Brian - I get the grim reality that an in season coordinator change of a 4-3 team is not happening. But why not bring in some consulting coaches that can help with game planning and play calling. Canada seems completely out of ideas. He’s like a QB signed off the streets who can only run 25% of the playbook. When will Omar Khan have enough input (not control, I know that’s not going to happen) to persuade Rooney that Tomlin needs to be directed to bring in some legit talent
Brian Batko
2:45
Same church, different pew with this question, but I'm a sucker for anything Shaler. They sort of did that this offseason with offensive assistant Glenn Thomas, but his play-calling resume isn't significantly better than Canada's, if at all. While a more accomplished offensive mind could help, it would certainly be a distraction at this point. And you have to keep in mind this isn't a video game. These are real people you're dealing with on a day-to-day basis, and personal dynamics to consider, for whatever that's worth.
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