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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.09.20
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Brian Batko
1:59
As we all predicted before the season, the Steelers are 8-0, best start in team history. Now what?
Utah Jim
2:00
I have zero understanding of defensive play design so can you please explain the logic behind linebackers covering wide receivers?
Brian Batko
2:02
On CeeDee Lamb's touchdown, with TJ Watt in coverage, the Steelers were in base 3-4 defense as they were for much of the day. Looked like Joe Haden went with Amari Cooper and Minkah Fitzpatrick picked up the tight end so there was no help over top. Nice play design by the Cowboys on that one, actually.
Greg
2:03
Run game a complete mess the whole day, 4th and 1 yard to seal the win and the Steelers ... run the ball. Why? I know "we should be able to run for one yard" but we were so bad all day why not RPO or stack 4 receivers on one side like the Claypool TD play or anything else?
Brian Batko
2:04
I didn't mind that call. Felt like the Steelers had momentum and if there were ever a time for the OL and ground game to just get the slightest bit of push needed to convert, that was it. Alas, it was not to be, and Mike Tomlin looked foolish. I'm sure it doesn't bother him too much, but the short-yardage issues that popped up should.
And believe me, had they opted to throw and not gotten it, there'd be someone else in here this afternoon asking why they didn't run.
Tina
2:05
Did you party with Zeise for his 50th birthday?  If so, is there anything you would like to share?
Brian Batko
2:05
No, but I hope Paul had a lovely birthday. I heard him on the radio that night so I have to assume he didn't party all that much.
Vasteeler
2:06
It's time to give Snell the bulk of the carries. Connor lacks elusiveness and break away speed.
Brian Batko
2:06
Yes, because Benny Snell has just looked so good since that season opener vs. the Giants.
Jud
2:07
Any idea on why JuJu would risk the ire and do the TO dance?  Is TO a mentor, hatred of Cowboys?
Brian Batko
2:08
JuJu is really trying to up his celebration game this year, and I suppose the T.O. homage was an obvious move if he scored in his first career game at Dallas. I didn't like it though. Not that I'm a curmudgeon or even someone who criticizes JuJu for this sort of thing, but the Steelers at that point were still behind and very much in danger of losing a game they were favored by more than two touchdowns. Probably not the best time for any look-at-me antics.
CaliPghFan
2:09
Why do you think the Steelers start out so slowly on offense? It looks like the passing game is more consistent than the running game. So why wouldn't they start off with a spread set and passing to open up the running game more? Go Steelers!!!
Brian Batko
2:09
They might have to do that, but let's not get too hung up on the past two weeks. It wasn't that long ago they put together a drive with 100 yards of offense that was masterful in scoring an early touchdown against Tennessee and keeping the Titans off the field.
Bert
2:10
In at least half their wins the Steelers have been a play or two away from losing. Do you agree that luck has been a key contributor to their undefeated record?
Brian Batko
2:12
Yes but luck factors into most games in the NFL, and every team's season at some point. Look at other teams' resumes and tell me how many have had multiple games in which they've dominated from start to finish? The Steelers had one, vs. Cleveland. The Ravens have done it a couple times, so credit to the for that, but guess what: they also lost to the Steelers. KC, Seattle, TB, NO, all have had plenty of go-either-way games themselves.
Southside Jimmy
2:13
Hey Brian...is Wisniewski’s release an indication of the Steelers’ faith in Dotson, Hawkins, et.al.?
Brian Batko
2:14
Kevin Dotson, yes. And I suppose, to an extent, J.C. Hassenauer as backup center. But they could always opt to bring back Stefen Wisniewski if he clears waivers. So I was surprised they let him go, but not shocked.
Tom
2:15
The 3 straight runs by McFarland that failed to pick up a first down.  Early in the game, where is Conner or Snell.  Just seems like a real haphazard strategy, if it is even a strategy?
Brian Batko
2:17
Their RB usage has been strange. McFarland looked good early in the season and then disappeared again. Snell hasn't been trusted with much work since his fumbling caused problems. But hey, again, there are also plenty of people today saying Conner doesn't have it anymore and they need to turn to the other guys.
Jus Sayin
2:18
Don't you think it would behoove the Steelers to pick up some 250ish pound back whose sole skill set is to pick up one yard? Seems like someone like Jaylen Samuels is not offering much to the team right now, and maybe there is a player out there who could take on a Jerome-Bettis-in-his-final-year type of role. Any idea if there’s anyone out there like that?
Brian Batko
2:19
No, they should just hand it to Robert Spillane in those situations and tell him Derrick Henry is playing nose tackle.
timmy
2:20
The defense has made a lot of clutch, high impact plays this year at important times.  However, there have been a good number of wide open receivers in just about every game, and in the last few games there have been extraordinarily wide running lanes (noting that injuries have likely had some impact on the latter point).  Do you think this defense is truly elite?
Brian Batko
2:21
Yes. Look at just about any number, metric, statistics, etc. Steelers haven't been perfect, but this is life in the NFL in 2020. Two weeks ago we said the turnovers were regressing, and then all of a sudden, they're back to 15 takeaways on the year and leading the league again. I can't think of a defense I'd want over this one right now.
Francis
2:22
Long time reader/first time chatter here, we once again see Mason isn't the answer to post Ben life, do you think that the team tacitly agrees with that conclusion now?
Brian Batko
2:22
Hard to say. They probably do, but then again, it's not as if they did much to address the position this offseason (other than resigning Josh Dobbs to be the No. 3).
Gene
2:23
How about Jordan Berry’s punting yesterday, he must have taken some good vitamins. Your thoughts on the improvement.
Brian Batko
2:23
Must've eaten some Vegemite, mate.
Emilio
2:24
Hi Brian, has re-signing JuJu become a high priority. It seems the offense only moves through him.
Brian Batko
2:25
Don't know, but I'd guess the idea of at least franchise tagging him looks better and better given the way he's playing. It's one thing to draft younger, cheaper players to replace guys headed for big payouts, but yeah, right now it's hard to shake the feeling that he's far and away the team's most reliable target.
Theo
2:26
Great chat as always, Brian. Wondering what is going on with the defense? They looked really bad against a bad team
Brian Batko
2:27
Give Garrett Gilbert some credit, he played well. So much better than I expected. Mike McCarthy should be kicking himself for not turning to Gilbert a week earlier against Philly.
Mercury
2:27
I know he has missed some time with injuries, but why isn’t Derek Watt used more as a blocking back, especially on 4th and 1.
Brian Batko
2:29
He wasn't even active yesterday. Been a weird year for him. And, given his contract, a disappointment, frankly.
Silly-in-Philly
2:29
Sup Bats?  Been a minute.  No ducking me.  Huge Tomlin fan and love how he “never lives in his fears”.  However, not kicking that late fg in fear of it being blocked is sorta “living in his fears”, right?
Brian Batko
2:30
I disagree. To me, the whole concept of that phrase/cliche/Tomlinism that you don't make decisions based on what's more conservative or less likely to lose you the game. You do what you can to win the game, or in this case, put it away. I wonder if Tomlin wishes he would've never introduced that one into the lexicon at this point.
Jones
2:32
Steelers scripted series, play selection, and general style/tempo of offense does not seem to be working at all. Almost all of our success comes when Ben spreads them 5 wide and reads the defense and calls the play himself based on what he sees. Is there  a way to imbed some of that in the way we come out of the gate? Can't wait until the third quarter every week to score points.
Brian Batko
2:33
As I said earlier, they almost have to look into that at this point, right? But there's also something to be said for traditional football ideas like coming out and trying to establish the run, being two-dimensional etc. I don't think Mike Tomlin and company are about to move to the air raid offense.
jeffe
2:33
I'm just not seeing the best from Minkah.  I don't think it is him.  He was fantastic last year but this year he seems to have settled in with "the Steelers Way".  At least it seems so until the final play of the game.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:33
I think ... I think I have no idea what you're talking about, Jeffe.
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