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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.11.19
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Thumper95
2:27
Hey Brian: Minka stating his case as potential DPOY?
Brian Batko
2:29
The counting numbers are definitely there. Tied for the league lead in picks. Plus, voters will take into consideration the way he's transformed this Steelers defense. But Aaron Donald is still doing Aaron Donald things. Stephon Gilmore doesn't get stats because he's just a lockdown corner. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are very good. But Minkah is in the conversation, no doubt.
Lloyd
2:29
More of a fun fact, but Trey Edmunds the running back now has as many career interceptions as his brother Terrell who has been a starting safety for 1.5 seasons...
Brian Batko
elcid97
2:30
Hi Brian! One of the really obvious differences with how we're playing defense is how few times Bud and TJ drop into zone coverage. Would you say that's a change in scheme/ philosophy or is it greater confidence that the secondary can cover? Either way, it's paying dividends - esp for Bud's career!
Brian Batko
2:32
Some of both, I'd say. This defense is playing really well with the amount of pressure they're generating, even without Stephon Tuitt and in the times they're bringing four when they go nickel. Then, that extra DB - whether it's Mike Hilton or Cam Sutton - is doing his job in coverage on the slot more often than not. Minkah's presence is also allowing them to do some different things with the way he can cover.
Heavy Sigh
2:32
Mike Tomlin informed, in his post game conf., us that he is calling plays on offense, including the "play-action at minus six" that resulted in a safety for LA. Was it his call to put Rudolph in shotgun on 3-inches too ?
Brian Batko
2:32
I think he meant that he signed off on that play. Obviously, Randy Fichtner has not lost play-calling duties or anything like that.
JSteel
2:32
Why so little respect for BJ Finney? I feel like he always performs admirably when called on. Sometimes I feel like he is even superior to Foster. Didn’t get the decision to put Feiler at LG especially since he is taller. All we heard about all week is how Aaron Donald uses his stature to his advantage to gain leverage. Wouldn’t Finney’s shorter stature be better than Feiler’s length?
Brian Batko
2:33
Tomlin's explanation was that they wanted to emphasize pass protection, so they basically put a tackle at guard in Matt Feiler. Finney is fine. He's a handsomely paid backup, all things considered. Got the job done in place of Ramon Foster against Indy. Clearly, they opted for length over leverage, but Feiler's guard history helped, too. He knows what he's doing there and played well.
Gregg
2:34
Is the moral of the cautionary story that is Donte Moncrief for the Steelers to only sign players in FA that were cut by their former teams so that our comp picks won’t be endangered?
Brian Batko
2:35
Sort of. Or it's like renting a player. Unless they change that rule/process, which they probably should.
Avoid LLoyd
2:36
Brian,  sure seems like the lionshare of our WR fumbles happen when these guys are running sideways instead of upfield.  What gives?  Catch the ball and hold the ball, we didn't do either very well yesterday.
Brian Batko
2:37
Yeah, the fumbles have been brutal. It's an unfortunate byproduct of guys trying to do too much, and you're never gonna knock them for effort on those plays. Need to do a better job with ball security, no doubt. But with one practice before playing the Browns, there's not a whole lot of time to harp on that issue.
Brian in CA
2:37
Overall d is exceeding expectations, but looks suspect vs the run.  Is Cleveland going to run over them?
Brian Batko
2:38
That's the big worry vs. these Browns. The OL ain't great, but Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are ballers. Todd Gurley ripped off a couple nice ones early. Marlon Mack was slicing them up at times two weeks ago. Not to sound like every football coach ever, but there are a reason sayings become cliches. It starts with stopping the run this week.
Titan in Charlotte
2:38
Do you know if coaches watch other teams for a way to improve? Example Steelers watching the 49ers film for improvements in their running game?
Brian Batko
2:39
It's certainly a copy cat league, as they say, but this time of year I think it's more about learning everything you can about your opponent in a given week.
Steeler1974
2:39
How many more drops is Tomlin going tolerate? Juju seems to drop a couple each game now. Rudolph would have had a way better stat line and we may have even scored a time or two more.
Brian Batko
2:40
What's he going to do, bench them all and run the single wing? I'm sure he's not happy about it. But as he just said in his press conference a couple hours ago, it doesn't do much good talking to receivers about receiving. They just have to go out and do it.
Joe
2:40
Been a fan since the 70s. I am really shocked fans are not more level headed in their view of the team. To lose your hall of fame QB and still be in it is really amazing. With the win last night do you believe 9-7 is possible. And if so regardless if they make the playoffs does Tomlin finally get consideration for coach of the year?
Brian Batko
2:41
Fan is short for fanatical. Our job as reporters is to be level headed while the fine people on the other side of this chat can react and overreact and fire everyone after each loss. Tomlin may very well be in that conversation if they keep this up. A lot of other coaches are doing a nice job, though. Belichick, Harbaugh, Kyle Shanahan come to mind from the teams with the best record.
Jack 58
2:42
The ongoing awful NFL officiating clearly benefited the Steelers yesterday but what goes around... Did you think Goffs fumble was actually a incomplete forward pass. Edmunds play at the goal line could have been called pi imo but was still a nice change for TE.
Brian Batko
2:43
I did, but the replay showed me why the call was upheld. Looked like there was juuuuuuuuuuuust enough inconclusivity (new word I just made up) there to call it a fumble.
rcc prof
2:43
Brian, welcome to my neighborhood. In my neighborhood, I resign Dupree now that he's finally an impact player. I draft a tight end in the 2nd round who can catch the ball, and a shifty runner who doesn't go Letang
Brian Batko
2:44
I don't want to live here. In my neighborhood, we're still letting Bud walk and replacing him with an edge-rusher in the second round.
Jon Snow
2:45
I think one of the most under reported stories is the great play of Davis. His signing is a key to this defense playing as well as they have. Do you know for how long he is signed.
Brian Batko
2:46
I'm going to assume you mean cornerback Steven Nelson, and if so, I agree. He's signed for two more years after this one. But as for Sean Davis, if he doesn't get hurt, do the Steelers still trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick? I wonder...
Batko Fan
2:46
Is it worth it to franchise Bud?
Brian Batko
2:46
Not in my humble neighborhood
Jeff
2:47
3rd and inches and we go shotgun?  twice!  why?
Brian Batko
2:47
I dunno!
574Fan
2:47
Thanks for chatting, Brian.  Seems like Bush has been quieter in recent weeks and it also seems a little early to hit the "rookie wall".  With Barron (finally, maybe) coming on, does Bush's role diminish?
Brian Batko
2:48
Yeah, he's been quiet. Still reading and reacting quickly to the run, so that's good. Still playing a lot. Just not making those splashy plays. Jack Doyle put him in the blender on that one touchdown last week. But Vince Williams barely saw the field yesterday. Only 11 snaps vs. the Rams, same number as Isaiah Buggs.
Robert
2:49
Do you agree that a lot of the troubles with the run game and passing can be attributed to the VERY poor offensive line play?  Sacks, a safety, no run lanes?  Peer snaps.
Brian Batko
2:49
Pretty much. As solid as they've been in pass pro (against teams that don't have Aaron Donald) they just haven't been able to win at the line of scrimmage in the run game. They'd hoped things were coming together after that Chargers game, but one step forward, two steps back.
Ken Ward
2:50
Hi Brian, I believe that MR and the offense are close to being decent, assuming a running game is sustainable. It is not small feat to have won the last 5 out of 6 games. The D looks really solid and potentially a top 5 D. What say you? Thanks
Brian Batko
2:51
I don't know how close they are, Ken. Rudolph looked better yesterday, but his receivers looked worse. Even JuJu continues to have drop issues. Still a lot to fix on that side of the ball, but I have trouble poking holes in this defense. It's excellent.
James from Philly
2:51
Hey Brian! Thanks for the chats. Do you consider this Tomlin's best coaching performance since he has been in Pittsburgh?
Brian Batko
2:52
You're welcome, James. You might be the most polite person from Philadelphia. Anyway, I'd have to really sit down and look at that. He's had a lot of good seasons in 13 years at the helm. This one is completely different, though, and there's so much to be said for the way he kept this thing from spiraling out of control, even with the caveat that Kevin Colbert and company delivered him a game-changer in the form of Fitzpatrick.
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