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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.09.20
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Alex B.
2:34
I try to see the positive in everything and I believe all these close games give the Steelers the confidence  that they can overcome adversity in any games with that being said they do need to right some  of the wrongs and get out to a smoother start. What say you ?
Brian Batko
2:35
They need to lose a game at some point here. Honestly, that's what I think they need to prepare them for a Super Bowl run. I might be stupid. But. You asked.
TP Ranger
2:35
Hi Brian. Looking at the Ravens' schedule down the stretch, they don't play a team with a winning record after the Steelers on Thanksgiving. They do have the Titans the preceeding Sunday. The Steelers play three teams with winning records after Thanksgiving. They can't expect much help against the Ravens late in the season.
Brian Batko
2:37
Yes, part of being in the AFC North this year is that everyone else in your division gets to play the NFC Least, as well. And the AFC South, which isn't all that daunting either. The Ravens are at New England next, and I'll never count out Bill Belichick in a Sunday night home game against a team that everyone will be picking to win. And the Ravens-Titans rematch should be fun, too.
AG8R
2:38
Do you think yesterday's performance was a result of 3 straight road games?  How much does playing at home next week help them to have a less lethargic performance?
Brian Batko
2:38
Sure that could be part of it. Road games aren't as challenging in 2020 as a normal year, but still, you have to travel to the airport, fly to your destination, get acclimated to unfamiliar territory, etc. So absolutely, coming home for the first time in a while can't hurt against the Bengals.
MD
2:39
Why is Claypool ever off the field?  Shouldn’t we constantly want to threaten the defense?  All these different packages of personnel confound me, not defenses.
Brian Batko
2:40
He's been playing more and more pretty much every week. I wouldn't want him on the field more than JuJu right now, though. And for all the talk of different offensive formations, it seems that the four-WR one-TE look is quickly becoming by far their most effective.
Buster
2:41
Any idea why Conner was off the field for much of the game yesterday? Did the coaching staff think a lesser opponent was a good time to give McFarland and Snell some reps?
Brian Batko
2:41
That could be. I've been waiting for them to get McFarland more involved. You used a fourth-round pick on the guy and now you're in all-in mode for a Super Bowl, might as well get something out of him, right?
daniel
2:42
What has happened to Vance McDonald? Few years ago, he was a decent receiving TE. But since then he has transformed to a blocking TE with no receiving interest.
Brian Batko
2:43
He seems to have aged, and quickly. Didn't look great to me in camp and now it's very clear that Ebron was brought in partially because McDonald has lost a step. To listen to McDonald, though, he doesn't have a problem with it. Said last month he's happy to block every play if that's what they want, and admits that Ebron is a much better receiving threat.
david
2:43
Fichner is having bad couple weeks. We are playing catch up football in the 2nd half and he just lets Ben play backyard football with empty sets. I don't think we can win a SB with this kind of football. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Brian Batko
2:44
Put it this way, if I had to bet my life savings on a team to win the Super Bowl right now, I don't think I'd pick the Steelers. A little more offensive consistency and balance would be nice, indeed.
tiger stripes
2:44
The only worse thing the Steelers could have done yesterday (besides losing) was to get a few key guys hurt in that ugly game. Any concerns on that front (Ben's knee?) and do we have a chance to get some of our key guys back (Hilton, NT) for the next week.  We need to shut down the run better to have a more balanced defense.
Brian Batko
2:45
That's a good point, the best part of yesterday wasn't even the win, it was the lack of injuries. Probably their cleanest game all year from that standpoint, although it could've been the opposite had Ben's knee exploded. I think Hilton will be back next week but not Alualu. That's my initial prediction.
Gary from SoCal
2:46
Looks like we were more lucky than good this weekend. Among the breaks that went our way, they got called for a critical qb helmet contact and we didn't get called when Heyward horse collared the QB with less than 2 minutes left. Agree?
Brian Batko
2:48
I do agree. Reverse the roles yesterday and every question in this chat would be about officiating. To Mike McCarthy's credit, he took the high road when asked about that. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, not so much. He said the penalties were "BS" and I can't say I blame him.
STEEL72
2:48
At some point we must address the elephant in the room. How on Earth are we going to replace Ben? Whenever he looks injured, we all see our season go up in flames. Mason Rudolph? Nice guy. Decent manager. Bats, what do we do?
Brian Batko
2:49
Call Eli Manning. Tell him we've got great skill players, an elite defense and one of the league's best coaches. This is how you win your third and final ring!
Buddy
2:50
Enjoy the chats! What is the job of the people, on the sidelines, who wear the large red "X" on their shirts? How about the ones with the verticle yellow and black strips?
Brian Batko
2:51
You mean the chain gang? The sticks crew? They gotta move the chains, they gotta keep the sticks mov ing.
Bobkat Brisko
2:51
Do we chalk yesterday’s performance up to “they were due for a bad game”? It just felt a little uncharacteristic in the play calling early in the game. If the run isn’t working, why would you not put the ball in your best asset and have ben make the play on 4th and 1? I’m all for Running the ball to make a statement but I’m questioning as to why things aren’t working and fixing them in-game isn’t applied in critical decisions like a 4th and 1. Ben was good all game up to that point. Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:52
I wouldn't necessarily say they were due for a bad game, considering they played pretty poorly at times the last couple weeks. But as for the ground game, they need to get something going there before they turn into the 2019 and second-half-of-2018 Steelers. That means the backs themselves, who didn't have any fine moments, as well as the OL.
iowasteelersfan
2:53
How on earth are the Fire Tomlin people expecting to be taken seriously?  We're 8-0 and while far from perfect - we're doing just fine with Tomlin.  How would you suggest we respond to them?
Brian Batko
2:54
The most appropriate way to respond is by writing a 10,000-word essay outlining all your reasoning, and imploring them to read it before any further discussion.
Kevin
2:54
Hi Brian, Is the current starting OL still the Steelers best group. Pouncey seems to be having growing problems in run blocking this season.  Gallimore gave Pouncey a very long afternoon.
Brian Batko
2:55
I think it's still the best group. They have continuity on their side and Ben's comfort level with Pouncey can't be overlooked. It's similar to the situation they've been in the last year and a half. Just gotta play better.
574Fan
2:56
Did DeCastro come back too soon?  It seems like we ran the ball better with Dotson.  DeCastro was one of the best all-around guards for years.  Makes me think something is off with him.
Brian Batko
2:56
He seemed fine last time we talked to him, after the Titans game. Plus, with the way Dotson was playing, they had no reason to rush him back.
Renegade
2:57
Worried that Wisniewski fills a need for Raven’s. He also can bring scheme intel to them. Do you think Wisniewski’s days are past, or a short term move where Steelers hope to re-sign?
Brian Batko
2:58
Ah, these are the things you worry about when you're 8-0. Must be nice, isn't it, Steelers fans? Stop and smell the roses.
2:59
And with that, my laptop is getting all sorts of bogged down, probably from too much chatting over the last 24 hours. Ray Fittipaldo will be back from Dallas and with you all tomorrow afternoon. Gerry Dulac on Wednesday. Enjoy the week.
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