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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.06.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, not a lot of haps in the Steelers locker room today, but we can talk about any lingering feelings from their win over the Titans, what happened around the league yesterday, et al. Have at it.
62 Stack Monster
2:01
Brian, is "prima donna" a preliminary job requirement for WR in the NFL these days?
Brian Batko
2:03
Sure seems that way, doesn't it? The demeanor of George Pickens is worrisome, but you make a good point that he's far from an outlier when it comes to wideouts around the league. Stefon Diggs probably leads the moodiness power rankings, but Ja'Marr Chase, Davante Adams, Michael Pittman Jr., Garrett Wilson and AJ Brown all have had their moments this season. The difference with most of those guys is they're established players who have already accomplished a lot, whereas Pickens hasn't quite earned himself the equity to make up for this pattern of antics.
Tom
2:04
After the B. Jones penalty on the last drive, the Steelers chose to do a pop up kick. It was received at the 20 and returned to the near 50. With the strength of kickers legs, even with a 15yrd penalty a kicker can kick it to the goaline at least. Plus, we saw the coverage didn't do better anyways. How did you judge the coaches decision to kick it short?
Brian Batko
2:06
Hadn't spent a ton of time thinking about that, but you might be right that it wasn't the best special teams strategy. The penalty did put them in a tougher spot though.
George
2:07
BB, does Ray sit in a corner and pout in those instances where your chat was clearly superior to his, even if some aspects of your respective chats were beyond either of yours control? Or does he graciously join in on your resulting celebratory dance number?
Brian Batko
2:08
I can see George Pickens is gonna be a hot topic today. As for Ray Fittipaldo, when it comes to chats, he and I aren't fighting over them that's for sure.
Mike Brown
2:09
What do you make of George Pickens behavior?  It seems he’s been somewhat of a distraction since training camp.
Brian Batko
2:12
It really goes back before that, Mike. There were whispers about immaturity and attitude issues coming out of Georgia, before the draft. But OK, if you want to chalk that up to anonymous scouts bashing a guy for whatever reason, sure. Last year he had his outburst on the sideline in Atlanta, also a day they won, and the avoidance of reporters postgame is not a new thing either.
Jud
2:13
With the playoffs appearing to be a possibility, assume we are still likely to dismiss Canada?
Brian Batko
2:13
Unless they start looking like the Dick Vermeil/Mike Martz Rams, yes
Talent
2:15
It is widely believed that the Steelers' offense doesn't have enough talent.  The starting eleven are made up of 3 first rounders,4 second rounders,  3 third rounders, and a 4th rounder.  Is it really the talent....or does the coaching staff not know how to get the most out of the talent?
Brian Batko
2:16
I don't think I agree with your premise there, Talent. Some people say that, and I even get those questions in my chats and mailbags from time to time, but I would not say it's widely believed, for the very reasons you state.
RAM
2:17
What do you think the chances are that Broderick Jones stays on the right side? He seems o perform well on either side so I’m glad to see him in there somewhere.
Brian Batko
2:18
Probably a better chance for the rest of this season than long-term. I still think he's the left tackle of the future, but you're right that his encouraging play on both sides is, well, encouraging. Gives you a lot of flexibility as you build this line in the present and down the road.
PghFNinCALI
2:18
Steelers are 5-3, Last year at this time they were 2-6. The offense looks worse than last year, yet the W-L record is better. Why does it feel like they are sooooo bad?
Brian Batko
2:20
Well, you may have seen that incredible stat about them being outgained yardage-wise in every game, so that's part of it. Not sure I agree that the offense looks worse than it did at this time last year. I also don't share your sentiment that it feels like they are so bad. Bad, yes, but not so bad. Eight games into the 2022 season they'd been beaten senseless by the Bills and Eagles while also losing to Zach Wilson and Mac Jones at home. That's bad.
steeler in nc
2:21
Thanks for the chats. Which direction do you see kenny moving, better, same or worse. Do you think Pickens has a beef with keny's performance?
Brian Batko
2:24
Obviously, you want everyone on the same page and morale to be good all around, but if Pickens is mad at anyone in particular, you hope it's Matt Canada and not the QB. Otherwise, that stuff can fester. See Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham and that whole mess in Cleveland. As for Pickett, I'd say...same. Jury still out.
Jason
2:25
I’ve seen more than a few articles talking about a trade involving TJ. Have you seen any of these articles and so you put any weight behind them?
Brian Batko
2:26
No and no. Also, the trade deadline is past now, so unless they're suggesting a postseason deal for a draft pick or something, that doesn't even make sense. But hey, the NFL Internet in 2023 is a vast place, so I'm sure someone out there somewhere is touting that idea.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:27
The Steelers have the least amount of cap space of any team in the division yet are the only one with a starting QB on a rookie deal. How is that possible? Next season only the Browns will have less but it’s close.
Brian Batko
2:30
The humongous cap numbers for Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson haven't kicked in yet, but eventually the other three teams will be more hamstrung by those deals. Also the Steelers are paying TJ Watt/Cam Heyward while the Ravens and Bengals don't have a non-QB duo making that type of money.
Pablo
2:31
Hey Brian! Do you see some increased reps for Mark Robinson with the injury to Holcomb? If so, how do you think he'll look in an expanded role? Seems like he can hang in there as a run defender. How did his pass coverage abilities look in training camp, preseason, practice, etc?
Brian Batko
2:32
Hey Pablo. Mark Robinson should have a bit of a role now, but I think more so it's just every-down responsibilities for Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts close to that. Not a great situation. We'll see if the Steelers do anything creative with hybrid type guys like Keanu Neal/Miles Killebrew, or even go to the practice squad where Mykal Walker has a surprising amount of NFL experience.
2:33
As for Robinson and how he looked, it's not a good sign that they went and got Kwon Alexander a few days into training camp, is it?
Big Bill
2:35
I like the one-two punch with Najee and Warren but feel the mix of touches should be more like 65-35 in Warren's favor. What do you think is the ideal "division of labor"?
Brian Batko
2:36
Let's say 50-50. Each week he makes plays, but part of me still thinks a big factor in Warren's effectiveness is the change-of-pace thing that catches a defense by surprise.
AZBill
2:37
For all those who were clamoring for Joey Porter, Jr to start.....maybe we saw the reason the coaches were holding off on starting him.  Didn't he have the most penalties Thursday night?  And as I recall, in the off season practices he did a lot of holding and pass interference.  Maybe he isn't ready for a starting spot.
Brian Batko
2:37
He wasn't perfect, but geez, tough crowd. Joey Porter Jr. and the way he matched up with DeAndre Hopkins, if you don't think that's better CB play than the Steelers have received all season from Levi Wallace/Patrick Peterson, I don't know what to tell you.
Gene
2:38
Do you think Jones will be the starter at RT the rest of the year?
Brian Batko
2:38
No, I think Mike Tomlin goes back to Chuks Okorafor for this game but with a quick hook...
Steve in NC
2:39
Hello Brian, is the fact Minkah was not put on IR last week indicative that his hamstring injury is not believed to be a month long recovery like Muth's and Dionte's?
Brian Batko
2:39
That's my interpretation, but we'll see what Mike Tomlin says tomorrow, if anything.
David
2:39
Hi Brian. Just a comment. Ever since the Steelers were 11-0 in 2020, they have gone 24-22-1. Just an average record, for an average team, coached by someone who is now average. Sad that is now the standard.
Brian Batko
2:41
Don't necessarily disagree, but come on, they did start 11-0 that year and won the division title. Cherry picking from the end of that run is just a way to push an agenda.
Chuck from Michigan
2:42
Hi Brian, love your chats and insight!  What is the real story behind Chuks Okurafor?  Is he “banged up”
Brian Batko
2:43
No, he said he's not injured at all. Chuks himself explained that he was benched for something he said at the end of the Jaguars game. Mike Tomlin when asked said he wanted a spark and to see what Broderick Jones could do. So, either the player is misunderstanding the situation or the coach is not being entirely truthful.
Ralph
2:45
Do you have any insight to what Chucks said to get benched? It had to be pretty bad to replace a started with someone who never played the position. I am guessing it was something like: "Hey Kenny, when a receiving is open in the end zone, you're supposed to throw the ball to him."
Brian Batko
2:47
I do not, but the way he spoke about it postgame gives us some context clues. If he'd simply mouthed off to the Jaguars players, I imagine he would've just admitted that. Plus, since when does Tomlin punish guys for that sort of thing anyway. Makes me think he crossed a line with his own team in some way, though I give him credit for even going into it as much as he did.
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