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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.11.24
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Brian Batko
12:53
Hey everyone, let's get started on today's Steelers chat. Had some technical issues earlier but looks like everyone's in their seats and waiting patiently now.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:54
Brian:  Nice win, but the defense was a close spot away from blowing another late lead.  When you look at how recent opponents have fared against other teams, their best offensive outputs of the last month or so are against the Steelers (examples: Colts, Cowboys, Jets, Giants, and even the Commanders).  Are the Steelers just not getting enough out of their very expensive defensive players or is it schematic like continuing to give up the middle of the field to a team exploiting you with slants and crossers?
Brian Batko
12:55
Some of both I'd say. Really, to me, the secondary was the primary issue yesterday. Gotta just hope your studs like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr. have better days ahead. As far as the schematics of it, that's what the Steelers have been a lot. Bend but don't break. And trust your All-Pros to make splash plays more often than not. When it works, you get the Giants finish. When it doesn't, you get the Cowboys finish.
Russ is Cookin"
12:56
Hi Bats - any updates on Highsmith? Praying for a sprain and nothing more serious!!
Brian Batko
12:56
ICYMI Gerry Dulac reports it's likely a 2-3 game absence. That would be dodging the worst fears from seeing it in real time.
Surley
12:57
Why even have mouth guards if players don’t wear them and let them dangle from their face mask.  It looks stupid.
Brian Batko
12:57
Look good, feel good, play good, Surley. It's become part of the gameday swag, no doubt.
Jim Bow Dean
12:58
A lot of people claiming a 5th was too much for Williams. At least before the game.  However, they probably don’t have a 6th in 2025 because of the Fields trade and had two 5ths. Wasn’t it logical compensation?
Brian Batko
12:59
Yeah it was understandable. But people always want the best bargain. Especially when you consider Diontae Johnson went for a bag of chips and an iced tea. Wouldn't have shocked me if the Jets dealt Mike Williams for a 7th, maybe with a conditional to improve it to a 5th, but they had a bit more reason to keep him around given the Allen Lazard injury. Teams such as the Steelers may have lost some leverage with that.
Mike
12:59
Hey Brian.  Great win yesterday.  Wilson looks to be the real deal.
Brian Batko
1:00
Yep, I'll admit he's looked a lot better than I expected given the rocky start with the calf injury. I knew he still had the arm strength, touch, accuracy, etc., particularly on the deep ball. But the little 3rd-and-4 scramble yesterday to move the chains? And he didn't get wrecked or tweak his calf again? That's a pretty darn positive sign for how much he has left in the tank.
J in Md
1:01
‘Hi Brian, what is the protocol for signing a player this late in the season should someone on the active roster be placed on IR for the remainder of the year? Is it next man up on their practice squad or can they sign anyone else now the free agency has passed, or is it not allowed? Thank you!
Brian Batko
1:02
They can still sign off other practice squads, I believe. The one post-deadline thing that changes is all players released now are subject to waivers. You don't want any backdoor, handshake deals to circumvent not being able to trade.
Souderm
1:02
When can we expect Van Jefferson to slide down the depth chart ?
Brian Batko
1:04
Mike Williams certainly showed what he can do when he gets more opportunities. I think he'll overtake Van Jefferson as the WR2 at some point. Maybe not in the next two weeks because of having two games in five days with Thursday Night Football, but after the Browns they'll have extended time to shuffle the deck.
Spjack
1:05
Wonder what George Pickens skeleton is made of? Reminds me of Mr. Elastic from the fantastic 4 with that twisting catch in the end zone! What do yo think BB? Also everyone better have their heart and blood pressure meds refilled and on hand the next 8 weeks are going to be killer!
Brian Batko
1:05
I don't believe that aliens exist and are walking among us, but if they do and they are, George Pickens would be at the top of my list of potential extraterrestrial life forms. He's like a human Gumby figurine. It's tough to wrap your head around.
Southside Jimmy
1:06
Hey Brian.  Were Boswell’s shorter kicks by design, weather conditions (wind) or some other factor?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
1:07
Not sure, Jimmy. Chris Boswell, Danny Smith and the boys usually play it pretty coy on that front. Washington's kicker wasn't booming them either, but he also was signed off the couch after three years out of the league.
CJ
1:07
The fake punt was just another in game coaching blunder by the honorable Michael Tomlin , yes the play was there but there was no reason to attempt it, the Steelers had all the momentum and the failed play changed the momentum to Washington,
Brian Batko
1:08
Couldn't disagree more, CJ, with all due respect of course. Why not try to get even more momentum? I thought it was brilliant given how much it appeared to be a spot for a run-of-the-mill punt. And James Pierre probably catches that, what, 8 or 9 out of 10 times? I give them credit for having the intestinal fortitude to go for it there.
Farmtastic
1:09
Omar Khan looks like a genius this morning. Diontae who? Levity aside, it took long enough to find another receiver but I'd trade Diontaes drops and drama for one big Williams catch per game. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
1:10
In this offense with this quarterback, Mike Williams. And then when you factor in how much Diontae Johnson had become a headache in that locker room, it's a no-brainer, actually. Now watch him put up eight catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns Sunday in his old stomping grounds.
TJ
1:10
Does my organization send video of me being held to the league office so the referees understand what constitutes holding?   If so, why does it continue to happen without penalty?
Brian Batko
1:11
You'll be OK, buddy.
Frosty
1:11
Brian, a lot of chatter how a lot of Russell's passes were off-the-mark.  I'm wondering how much the weather & wind contributed to that -- any first-hand observations?  Hard to tell when we're watching the tube and the announcers aren't saying anything.
Brian Batko
1:12
We're in the press box, so tough to really get a feel for the windy conditions, but that could've been a factor. Jayden Daniels looked fairly sharp, though. I actually had more of an issue with some of the throws Russell Wilson didn't make. Either couldn't see guys open or just didn't want to take the chance. But hey, once again, he shakes off all that and makes the biggest throws when it counts.
TVC15
1:13
Is the defense going to be the weak link as the Steelers finish the 2nd half of their schedule?
Brian Batko
1:15
They're about to see some really potent offenses. I still think this unit has as good a chance of slowing down those teams as anyone in the NFL, but easier said than done. Gotta say, I don't love the whack-a-mole issues of run defense, pass defense, etc. We'll see if they get it straightened out by Sunday when Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry show up.
Ryan
1:16
Great game yesterday.  What are the keys to defeating the Ravens?
Brian Batko
1:17
Mmm I gotta go establish the run, stop the run, win the turnover margin, ya know?
Steeltown
1:17
Brian, love the direction this team is heading, but really don't understand the reluctance to move TJ around. Keeping him where he is allows the offense to set up blocking schemes to take him out of the game. Why don't we counteract that?
Brian Batko
1:19
It's a comfort thing for Watt, I think. And tough to argue with how well it's worked for this long. But if they do want to elevate, perhaps they will get more creative with those wrinkles and use it as an ace up their sleeve. It paid dividends vs. the Giants, throwing off Daniel Jones ahead of that last play when the strip-sack came.
GMJoe
1:20
For years, "book" was not to field a punt inside the 10 (or fair catch). Now it's happening all over. Hard to see any upside to this. What's your take?
Brian Batko
1:20
You have to trust your returners to some extent, too. Calvin Austin III had a questionable decision on that one where he took a huge hit, but he was one week removed from making the biggest play of his career, so might've been feeling his oats in a sense.
Brian in VA
1:21
What roles do you see Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell filling for the incoming Trump administration?
Brian Batko
1:22
Head of Small Business Administration because business is boomin' and I think I'd want Le'Veon Bell to have some sort of role where you can make good use of his vast understanding of economics.
KJ
1:23
Hey Brian, thank you for the chats! Is there any word on how Patrick Queen's shoulder is today? He was shown several times on TV during the late stages of the game kind of rubbing it and favoring it, yet he never came out.  And for all of his critics, Queen sure looked comfortable in the Steelers' defense yesterday and he was all over the place! Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
1:26
Mike Tomlin didn't mention him postgame at all and Patrick Queen seemed fine when I saw him in the locker room. He was all over the field for sure.
STEEL72
1:27
Hey, Brian. I can't put my finger on it, but yesterday was the first time in a long, long time that the good old feeling of BELIEF was present. No doom and gloom, but the sense this Steelers team will get it done. It was a welcome feeling.
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