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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.02.20
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Brian Batko
1:53
Hey everyone, it's only 1:53 but let's start this up now, right? I'm sure you're all pretty juiced after that win and ensuing Avery Williamson trade. So let's get to it.
Steelers Fan 911
1:53
Brian, any word from the team about the health of Heyward and Alualu? If not good news would the team be looking for a trade?
Brian Batko
1:54
Our Gerry Dulac tweeted that Cam Heyward isn't believed to be serious, but Tyson Alualu could miss some time. Definitely doesn't sound season-ending for Alualu, but I suppose short-term IR is always an option in 2020. That would force him to miss three games minimum before he can return.
Jared
1:55
Thoughts on Buggs? I thought he did a sensational job in the 2nd half. HUGE 4th down stop on the turnover machine, Jackson.
Brian Batko
1:56
Anytime you're getting credit from Tony Romo for stopping Lamar Jackson on a fourth-down stop, you did good. I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes for Buggs going into this year, and I'd say even the Steelers haven't been all that impressed with him given that they sat him down in favor of Hank Mondeaux just last week. But he put his metaphorical hand in the proverbial pile, literally.
Ryan from Philly
1:56
Hey Brian! Thanks for the chats. Looking at the injuries to Alualu and Heyward. I know Tomlin would never admit to doing it, but say they are healthy, wouldnt it still be smart to sit them for the next three games? Gives two important veterans a chance to rest mid season. I assume they would play up the seriousness of the injuries to make it happen
Brian Batko
1:57
I see where you're coming from Ryan, but no, I don't go that route if I'm the Steelers. And I don't think they will. Sure, the schedule looks soft in the coming weeks, but Mike Tomlin teams have had trouble in the past playing down to bad teams. If the Steelers can lock up that lone playoff bye, that'll be a great time to rest.
V. Fontaine
1:58
I don't understand the COVID rules and not allowing Williamson to report until Saturday. I could understand if he was signed off the street but he's coming from another NFL team that has to follow the same testing rules that the Steelers do.
Brian Batko
1:59
If I'm not mistaken, the NFL originally was shortening the time to join your new team if you get signed or traded from one of the other 31. But given all the COVID-19 issues the league's been having, they decided to be a bit more strict. Can't say I blame them. Dude just had to go through an airport and who knows what else on his way here.
Retire21
2:00
The Steelers and Ravens were both supposed to have bye weeks ahead of their first game only Baltimore did and I think it showed, no? Also, the Titans after their tough game with the Steelers for smoked yesterday. Maybe time this week to take the points on both Pittsburgh  and Baltimore this week?
Brian Batko
2:02
Yes, it showed. John Harbaugh was 10-2 after an off week and he certainly had the Ravens ready to go. Steelers wouldn't let you forget about that scheduling adjustment before or after the game, via their Zoom interviews. Subtly ticked off. Best way to handle that is win, and they did.
Francis
2:02
Great chat as always, Brian. Obviously we're looking at Ben's last year, he can barely throw the ball without needing his elbow massaged on the sideline after a series. Do they just ride with Rudolph as the starter next year?
Brian Batko
2:04
It just started, Francis. Lot of time to go downhill. And some would say it did with your question. To me it's hardly likely, let alone obvious, that Ben's elbow is cooked. And by the way, if for whatever reason he hangs it up after this year - maybe because he won a third ring? - I think the team would look elsewhere for its succession plan. Or at the very least bring in legitimate competition.
Alan F
2:04
Great win yesterday!  With injuries to both Alualu & Heyward, how soon will Colbert sign Dontari Poe? Or Tim Jernigan? LOL!
Brian Batko
2:06
Why stop there? Domata Peko is on his couch, too. But when the Steelers have a vacancy on their defensive line, the first call always seems to go to L.T. Walton. Remember though, they've got rookie seventh-round pick Carlos Davis still on the 53.
Brian in VA
2:07
How’s LeVeon’s rap career going?
Brian Batko
2:08
Haven't seen him drop anything new since "Hugh Hefner" and I don't think he can knock off Tech N9ne as the best Kansas City hip-hop artist.
Bob in TN
2:08
How do you see them using Avery Williamson?  Will he replace a starter?
Brian Batko
2:09
Not right off the bat, I don't think. Dulac just wrote about the scheme fit, which you should check out rightchea https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/11/02/pittsburgh-ste...
Jeff
2:10
Thanks for the chats B sqared.  When is it time to give Davis another shot?  I guess it could be worse but not much.  Yesterday was one of the games Edmunds should have racked up tackles and i didnt see it.  He looked to be the one that got caught shallow on some deep ballls.  Seems we are waiting for him to have anything more than an average impact and i am not sure we are even seeing that
Brian Batko
2:12
Interestingly enough, Sean Davis actually played two snaps yesterday, his first two since rejoining the Steelers. I didn't notice it in real time, but sure enough on the rewatch, there he was in the goal-line package on Gus Edwards' 1-yard TD and he subbed in again on one of the final plays of the first half when the Ravens had third-and-10.
2:13
AS for Edmunds, he only payed 74% of the defensive snaps yesterday, one week after playing 84%. They really seem to like replacing him with Cam Sutton at times in the base defense, even more than they were doing with Mike Hilton.
Theon
2:14
Brian, what changes to playing time can Spillane expect going forward after this trade?
Brian Batko
2:15
In Nashville, Mike Tomlin said they only wanted him playing about three-fourths of the snaps in his first NFL start. In Baltimore, he played 87%, so that might end up being his season high, once Williamson gets acclimated. Even 75% might be a tad high if Williamson proves to be a good fit.
Goldstar
2:16
Why do you answer questions like the one from Francis?
Brian Batko
2:17
Who am I to say what's a bad question or a good question? I also post comments/questions from those who think the Steelers aren't good or want to complain about a certain player/coach. Doesn't matter to me. The Steelers don't sign my checks.
Greg
2:17
Thanks for your insightful chats Brian! Spillane seemed more than solid yesterday. Do you see Williamson as a starter for us? Taking Spillane's role? Rotating with Spillane and V Williams? Hoping we avoid another Nick Vanett one year rental mishap here.
Brian Batko
2:18
I can't compare Williamson to Vannett. The Steelers gave up basically nothing to get him. A two-round pick swap two years from now. They're taking on a little bit of extra salary that they can't roll over until next year now, but when you're 7-0, it's all about this year.
SOD_CT
2:19
I am sure this will be the first of many Williamson's questions but thoughts on the trade?  I know Spillane has played well but seems like Williamson could be an upgrade.
Brian Batko
2:19
Far from the first.
MG
2:20
Will the Covid protocols be any different for the Steelers this week now that they know they played against a guy yesterday, Marlon Humphrey, who tested positive?
Brian Batko
2:21
Out of an abundance of caution, they're staying away from the facility today, I believe. Granted, it's a "Victory Monday," so guys probably weren't required to be there anyway. A few players were slated to speak to us via Zoom, but that got scrapped. And Tuesday is the usual players' day off anyway, so they've got some time to get test results back and feel better about the whole situation as long as those are all clear.
TP Ranger
2:22
Hi Brian. I don't understand how Humphry tested positive yet played Sunday. I am assuming the test was done postgame? Also, this could seriously impact the Steelers offense if several starters contracted the disease.
Brian Batko
2:23
Yes, it could, but I don't believe the NFL has found much if any evidence of on-field transmission through competition. As for Humphrey, from what I understand, he could've tested negative up until Sunday, and then due to the incubation period of the virus, the result that came back from Sunday morning's test was positive. Believe that happened to the player from Green Bay who found out today as well.
Adam
2:24
Did the Ravens get screwed with the clock on the long pass play or with the no foul call on the final play?
Brian Batko
2:27
I don't think so. The clock was a non-issue to me (and the refs) while the final play was so bang-bang. Did Minkah Fitzpatrick hit him a little high? Maybe, but nothing egregious. I wouldn't have called it in the first quarter so I'm not calling it in the fourth either. Loyal chatters know my thoughts on criticizing officiating. To paraphrase the late Sean Connery, losers whine about the refs, winners go home and ... uh, eat some cake.
Butler, Keith
2:28
Brian, I’d like to employ your chat to formally apologize to Mr. TJ for our public disagreement.  He was right, I was wrong, and it won’t happen again.
Brian Batko
2:28
That's just a daggum part of the daggum game.
Dr.P
2:29
Did anyone ask Coach Tomlin about not using any timeouts on final Baltimore drive to give Ben some time in case Baltimore scored?
Brian Batko
2:30
No.
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