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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.11.24
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Brian Batko
1:28
I've had that thought in other games this year, too. The overall QB play has been much more encouraging than it was in the early days of Pickett/Trubisky, whether it's Fields or Wilson. And that belief seems to be percolating through the rest of the team, as well. Confidence is a heck of a drug in sports. Could turn on a dime in this league because it always can, but these guys have it at the moment.
Pittfan
1:28
Hi Brian. I’d like to give JPJ the offensive line consideration. He’s only noticed when he does something bad. I’m sure the majority of the time he’s fine. Unfortunately, when he’s noticed it’s usually a critical situation. Is Tomlin putting too much faith in him?
Brian Batko
1:31
No, I wouldn't go that far. Otherwise you're doing what, putting more faith in Donte Jackson on the other side? This defense is at its best when they can rely on Porter in 1-on-1 matchups. He'll be OK I think.
PATOSC
1:31
Brian-not so much a question but I think we need to give Coach T some love. Took a lot of heat coming into the year and also the QB situation. At this point gotta give him an A+.
Brian Batko
1:33
Don't disagree with you there. Sean Payton was my Coach of the Year front-runner but they've lost two games in a row, albeit on the road at Baltimore and KC. Very impressive comeback by Dan Campbell's Lions last night, too.
Retire21
1:33
Best stat of the day?
4 TDs.
0 FGs
Brian Batko
1:34
Commanders were 0 for 1 on fourth down after coming in 11 for 11. That's a good start, too.
Frank
1:35
What is the expectation for Cory Trice returning?  Very impressed with him at Purdue. Great length, great speed. Bad luck with injuries all that is preventing him from being an excellent corner
Brian Batko
1:35
I think they're itching to get him back. CJ Henderson is the placeholder now and obviously if Donte Jackson's hamstring injury is serious, they'll need to go in a different direction at corner. My gut feeling is Cory Trice is getting close.
Benson DuBois
1:36
If the Ertz catch was ruled a first down on the field, would it have been overturned?
Brian Batko
1:37
To quote Mike Tomlin, "We'll never know will we?"
Rob
1:37
What has happened to Minkah Fitzpatrick? I rarely hear his name called on game day anymore
Brian Batko
1:39
Great question, Rob. I don't think he's washed up or anything. But also not seeing the guy who uses transcendent instinctual safety play to change games left and right. Which is what the Steelers paid him for. So somewhere in the middle of those two extremes is where he is these days, I suppose. But he's such a key piece of the defense that you probably just have to hope water finds its level there eventually.
Tom in Dallas
1:39
I don't know that there is a stat, but Cam did it again Sunday.  After a strong rush, he raised that big paw of his and tipped a pass.  I know everyone looks at sacks as a benchmark for HOF candidates, but it seems to me, watching him all these years, the number of tipped passes is a significant number for a lineman.  What are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
1:41
Oh yeah, he's one of the best at that. Calais Campbell might be the king but Cam isn't far behind. He does it in training camp and practice, too. I can't remember if it was Fields or Wilson who said they've never had so many passes tipped in camp. He has three on the season now. I was a bit surprised to see Keeanu Benton has five passes defended.
Doug
1:41
Biggest weakness on this team???  Secondary, OLine, then?
Brian Batko
1:43
For at least one game, they flipped the script. Broderick Jones played pretty well I thought. The outside corners did not. Run defense wasn't the issue this time around. The relative lack of weaknesses is one of the reasons to be optimistic about this team.
Kev Man
1:43
Brian, your thoughts on the RB rotation.  Definitely want Patterson in there in short yardage situations.  Najee has been very good this year but would like to see him hit the hole harder 100% of the time. Happy Veterans Day to my fellow Vets!
Brian Batko
1:44
Good call, Kev Man. Thank you to them for their service. As for Cordarrelle Patterson, that's probably his ideal role for this team. On the kick returns, he certainly appeared to have lost a step. Not sure that's his wheelhouse anymore but he can still be a big, physical, push-the-pile back with good vision.
Jack from Farrell
1:44
Any chance Tuitt comes out of retirement?
Brian Batko
1:45
Stephon Tuitt, James Harrison and Troy Polamalu are waiting for the call.
NY Steel
1:45
In all 3 games with Wilson, it feels like the OL is giving him very little time. Is that accurate? Should the Steelers have more quick passes in their game plan to deal with that?  And more importantly, do they need a new OL coach next year?  Meyer never seems to make the group gel very well.
Brian Batko
1:47
He's been rushed at times, but you're never gonna have all day back there for an entire game. Part of what makes Wilson the QB he is or has been over the course of his career is his escapability, extend plays and throw it deep. I'd be careful about veering too far in the other direction. As for a new OL coach, that's difficult to evaluate. Pat Meyer has presided over some promising individual developments and others, the jury is out.
epiballo
1:48
Hey Brian - thanks for the chat! Probably way too early, but how bad does the injury to Highsmith look? Do you think Smith and Herbig can fill the void?
Brian Batko
1:48
I think they're up for the challenge. Wouldn't trade Alex Highsmith for either guy full-time as a starter, but the nice thing about the Nick Herbig/Preston Smith duo is they're very different players. That should give Tomlin and Teryl Austin a good deal of versatility in game-planning even with Highsmith down.
the real guest
1:48
Brian, The gauntlet begins, one down eight to go.
Brian Batko
1:51
And none of these games are going to be easy, at least on-paper. Maybe Cleveland at home. Going to the Browns has been a bit of a house of horrors for the Steelers regardless of the personnel involved. Should be fun.
Bill from Virginia
1:51
I have lived outside of DC for 47 years. Listening to their fans whenever they are good (thank God for Dan Snyder) is beyond sickening. Thank you Steelers and Steelers Nation. Like the commentator said with all those beautiful towels waving Myron Cope would have been proud and having it happen in DC is sweeter. So enjoyable going to work today!
Brian Batko
1:52
As someone who was half-listening to the broadcast in the press box, I thought Ian Eagle and Charles Davis did a fantastic job, as usual. I have some Virginia-based relatives who are Washington fans, so I wouldn't mind seeing them have a little bit of good mojo go their way for once in a long time.
Mike Williams
1:52
Thanks for the chat Mr. Batko.  Did you and everyone else see I ran the correct route at the end of the game for the touchdown?
Brian Batko
1:52
Touche, Mike, touche. That should've been my first question to him postgame. "So I guess you ran the right route this time?" But alas...
Stash
1:53
BB, if DBs could catch, especially in the stadium vs. on the South Side, they'd be diva WRs. It's quite simple, actually. Your thoughts, if any?
Brian Batko
1:53
No thoughts, just wanted to let you have the final word here, Stash. And you did not disappoint, so thanks for that.
1:54
OK everyone, gotta jet. Hope you're all enjoying the  run the Steelers are on right now. The vibes are high, the chats are painless and things of that nature. Ray Fittipaldo's back in the saddle tomorrow. We'll talk soon.
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