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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.06.23
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Titan in Charlotte
2:49
Good day Brian! Injuries are always part of the game. What options do you see losing Holcomb for the year? Is Robinson ready for a bigger role?
Brian Batko
2:50
Cole Holcomb is not easy to replace. In retrospect, let's give Omar Khan some credit for that 11th hour move to sign Kwon Alexander. Imagine where they'd be right now had it not shaken out that way. It's especially difficult to absorb a season-ending injury to an every-down player two days after the trade deadline.
Say Hey Kid
2:51
A few weeks ago all the expert talking heads were bemoaning the mediocre North division. It’s the toughest in the NFL. Steelers could win 11 or win 8. I think we will have a good idea in the next three weeks where the season is headed.
Brian Batko
2:52
Agreed. I was never buying the notion that the division was overrated. And all along I thought the Steelers go win 9 or even 10 games but still miss the playoffs because of the strength of the AFC. I continue to believe that will bear out over time.
Marc from Germany
2:52
Hi Brian! I never made too much of the Pickens Diva talk, 'cause hey that's how receivers are. But missing an easy touchdown, he usually makes in his sleep and then acting out...is that a problematic quality of immaturity?
Brian Batko
2:54
Perhaps frustration with himself was a contributing factor, yes. And I can understand that from a competitor, but only to a degree. If indeed his social media posts were indicative of unhappiness, that's not really explained by disappointment in yourself.
Dan
2:54
I feel like Pickens is our only legitimate weapon on offense right now. I know he is being doubled quite a bit, but most big play receivers are. What do you feel is the best solution to get him more receptions? Maybe more 50/50 balls or just better scheming to get him free?
Brian Batko
2:56
It's a multitude of things. Gotta do some stuff scheme-wise to help him out, gotta throw him open at times if you're Kenny Pickett, and gotta be better yourself if you're George Pickens. Because we know this offense almost certainly can't afford to force-feed someone and risk turning it over. I understand teams devoting attention to take him away, but last I checked, the NFL's three receiving leaders are Tyreek Hill, AJ Brown and Stefon Diggs. You think opposing secondaries aren't focused on them?
Max Kolbe
2:57
Have you every noticed when players comment on fellow teammate's bad behavior they say, "That's just George being George."  Wouldn't it be more honest if they simply said that's just George being a horses backend?  Of course George is just a pseudonym (wink).
Brian Batko
2:58
Yes, I have, and that's another layer to this discussion. The next time Pickens speaks publicly, he should just say he was mad at himself, and wished he would've done more to contribute to the win, which is why he looked unhappy. But any player causing a distraction in any way also puts his teammates and coaches in a spot where they get answer questions about it, too.
Scuba Steve
2:58
Riddle Me this Batman...why is Jaylen Warren not the Steelers featured running back? No knock on Najee Harris, but, Warren's talent...even to the untrained eye...just jumps off the page.
Brian Batko
2:59
Might be something to a guy of his size standing up to a feature role workload, but hey, let's just keep it real, of course there's also something to team dynamics at play with a first-round back compared to an undrafted guy. It's a business.
Zeno
3:00
Who is the Steelers backup P and K in case of injury during a game?  Thanks
Brian Batko
3:00
Great question in light of the Texans using a backup RB to kick their game winning FG yesterday. We saw this come into play a couple years ago for the Steelers, and while Pressley Harvin handled kickoffs, they didn't have anyone capable of place-kicking. Might have to ask around about that.
3:01
OK friends, that's all the time we have for today. Thanks for another super, scintillating, sensational chat. And yes, that is a college hoops reference on opening day. Cheers to those who celebrate.
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