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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.03.25
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Brian Batko
2:36
Fashion statement. Even those who don't really like playing with them in keep them around for the swag factor. It's a real thing. Google it.
Smp
2:36
Which team has more promise at this point, the 10-3 team or this one? This year’s team at least seams to be putting together half’s and quarters of real contenders. What say you.
Brian Batko
2:38
Eh, that's a little apples to oranges because the sample sizes are rather different, but I'll go last year's team. Quite simply, there's a big difference between being 10-3 and 5-3. I hear you, though. The Rodgers Effect feels a bit more real to me than The Russ-Aissance.
Limas Sweed
2:38
Brian, appreciate the chats. I know trading for a WR is going to come up, so here’s my twist.  My question for you is if you could trade for one of these former Steelers WR to help this team who would it be? AB, Hines, Plaxico, Santonio or Martavis Bryant (with his A game). I’m rolling with Hines for productivity and locker room accountability. Who are you taking?
Brian Batko
2:39
Antonio Brown in his prime, pre-headaches, is basically impossible to deny, Limas. And you are a close second.
HeHateMe
2:39
Will we get a wr before the deadline?
Brian Batko
2:40
I think signing MVS is most likely, followed by trading for one, followed by a stand-pat. Something to consider is that onboarding a new pass-catcher with Aaron Rodgers, master of the nuances and hand signals and timing, is probably even more difficult than your typical moving train.
Lou
2:41
Brian, why do you think the Steelers didn’t go for runs or tush push type plays from inside the 5?  Seems like it would be way easier than the pass strategy and JJ Watt thinks so too.
Brian Batko
2:42
Ray was pounding the table for this in the press box as it unfolded (not literally) and I don't necessarily disagree. The Eagles do it. And Jaylen Warren barely broke the plane even once they did score. Perhaps they just felt like the Colts weren't ready for it the first time but would be if they pulled it out again.
Pittfan
2:42
Hi Brian. I've heard the word simple used in describing the Steelers defensive scheme yesterday by both media and players. Part of the reasoning for simplifying the scheme was injuries and new players. Do you believe the Colts prepared for the defense most opponents say never changes and got caught by surprise?
Brian Batko
2:43
Yeah that could be part of it. Shane Steichen offenses have had as much success against them as anyone, too. So if there were ever a time to throw a curveball, break your own tendencies, etc., that was it. But this is such a week-to-week league. They've now put that plan on tape for the Chargers to study, so a counter-punch has to be ready. It's so, so, so important to have good players no matter what you do schematically.
STEEL72
2:43
Brian, there was a moment later in the game in which the Steelers were driving and Aaron was forced to call a timeout. This action seemed to unnerve both Tomlin and Arthur, causing both of them to walk out onto the field-- an pretty unusual move for Arthur. Do you know what the breakdown was? Did Skrownek not know the play? Something else?
Brian Batko
2:44
I was confused by that too, not sure what happened there, but they scored nonetheless. Still, I hate using timeouts on offense. Never know when you're going to need them late for defense or a 2-minute drill.
NY Steel
2:44
Tomlin does this every year. Wins some big games, does just enough to keep the team in the mix but it never feels like they are elite (ie. could win a SB). This was true even with Ben in his prime from 2010 to 2020 when he got the Steelers to only 1 AFCCG.  How does this cycle ever end? When Tomlin finally decides to retire? Any chance he ever hires a better staff, develops young players better, and makes other changes? Or are we forever stuck with this pattern?
Brian Batko
2:46
Everything about this franchise needs to be better for the cycle to end, NY Steel. Coaching, roster-building, players, you name it. I'm not ruling out that this year could be the year to break the pattern, as you say, and win a playoff game. But as I've said from the beginning, I'll believe it when I see it. Just as I said I'll believe it when I see it for the Steelers to have a losing season, which was all the rage to predict this time a week ago.
Stairwayto 7
2:47
Why was DK benched most of the second half.  I was a the game and he seemed irriatted that he was open on several routes and he was ignored.   Steelers played tampa 2 most of the second half  and didnt see much problem in deep balls. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:48
He played all but 11 snaps, so benched is a stretch. I don't know if he was irritated or not. Most elite WRs aren't going to be thrilled when they have 2 catches for 6 yards on 4 targets in a game. But they had a nice lead and were in a spot that they could run the ball a lot. Like I said earlier, he'll be back.
Upstate NY Fan
2:48
Sometimes it feels like the Steelers are taking on "pre-Dan Rooney" tendency of trading for veterans instead of developing rookies....which perhaps is a natural outcome of free agency.  Does the team's "win now" philosophy directly conflict with the "building through the draft philosophy?"
Brian Batko
2:51
A little bit, I suppose, but by and large I think they've done a decent job of marrying those two schools of thought. There are teams out there that have tried to go "all-in" and instead have just knee-capped themselves with future draft resources. Say what you will about some of the individual choices the Steelers have made, such as signing Darius Slay or trading for Mike Williams a year ago, but I don't have too many gripes with the process.
FirstTimeLongTime
2:51
Brian - is the solution really just simplifying the defense?  It was great to see TJ finally making splash again.  But how about the great TE mystery again, Muth seems to make positive plays yet is now the 3rd targeted TE and we're scheming up touches for Jonu.
Brian Batko
2:52
Man the TEs are going to ebb and flow each week. That's been my gut feeling from the moment they assembled this group, particularly once Darnell Washington began living up to his hype as a receiving threat. Again, Rodgers' M.O. is to take what the defense gives him, throw to who's open and sometimes that might be Freiermuth, other times Jonnu, sometimes Roman Wilson, other times Ben Skowronek.
Ty Hink
2:52
BB! Dugger with the game ball! Awesome, insanely hard to play that many snaps w a team after basically having a day and half. Keep him and Ramsey as the safeties and we'll be fine
Brian Batko
2:53
Shades of Eric Rowe, who amazingly was never a member of the Steelers' 53-man active roster despite starting three games for them in the regular season and a playoff game. That HAS to be a record that will never be broken.
Rocky B
2:54
Was the hurdle/fumble by Roman the dumbest thing you’ve seen in awhile?  He had the first down and we were in easy FG range to bleed the clock and essentially seal the game. I just don’t know what these guys are thinking sometimes.  
Oh wait…. I just remembered the Kaleb Johnson kickoff blunder
Brian Batko
2:55
It was not good situational awareness by a young guy trying to make a play. That's what he's thinking, to the extent that he's thinking at all and just playing the game instinctually the way he has for as long as he can remember. Bet it's not a mistake he'll make again anytime soon.
Nick
2:55
Why do the steeler players stay in a hotel night before home games ?
Brian Batko
2:56
This is common practice across the NFL and even big-time college football. Pitt does the same. Basically, they're having meetings, last-minute game prep, team bonding, that sort of thing. Plus it streamlines the itinerary, travel schedule, etc.
Takoma Tom
2:56
The Steelers can beat any team as long as they get 5 or 6 turnovers.  Great win but there’s still lots of warts to be removed.
Brian Batko
2:56
*there are still lots of warts
Bruce
2:56
Am I crazy or has Darnell's hands gone from being C tier to this year being A tier? Obviously a ton more targets to show off but that catch yesterday behind the back grab was legit and it's not like Rodgers are throwing pillows.
Brian Batko
2:57
Yeah, Rodgers had a ton of praise for Washington in general but his hands specifically. Those mitts are massive. With gloves on, I imagine they're kind of like magnets.
Canton-Bound
2:57
Hey Brian, thanks for all the great Steelers coverage… Is a trade for another Guard possible? And do you think a trade of any kind will materialize before the deadline?
Brian Batko
2:58
Not sure they'll easily find an upgrade over Spencer Anderson, who's young and athletic, or Andrus Peat, who's old and humongous. In all seriousness, I feel like they're comfortable with those two as backups or else they would've shored up the depth behind Isaac Seumalo earlier than this.
Steelers70
2:58
Roman Wilson was starting to get more snaps on offense and then tries to leap a defender causing a turnover. Wilson already had the 1st down and showed poor judgment with the leap. Will this impact his playing time moving forward and is possibly trading for a WR before tomorrow?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:59
I don't view it as that kind of mistake, to be honest. Mike Tomlin would rather say whoa than sic'em, right?
Gary
2:59
How was the weekend Bats &$ how’s the family doing, what did you  $ the family dress up has during halloween
Brian Batko
3:00
It was great, Gary, thank you for asking. My son was Sonic the Hedgehog and my daughter was Elsa from Frozen, but every day is Halloween for that girl. She wears costumes more often than not. I dressed up as a curmudgeonly sports writer!
3:01
Thanks everyone for chatting today, Ray will be back tomorrow so keep an eye out for that. Talk to you next time.
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