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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.19.24
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hey everyone, Steelers are sped up this week and we're hearing from the coordinators as we speak and as they prepare for the Browns. Shoot your shots.
DannySmithsGum
12:00
What do you think the overall feeling is in the locker room right now? Confident, riding high, taking it a game at a time? I feel like this team has had something different to them in the last 10 years.
Brian Batko
12:01
I'd say they're confident, riding high and taking it a game at a time. But no, in all seriousness, nothing too obvious as far as that goes. The team seems pretty locked in and aware of the fact that what they've done so far has put them in position to do even more and potentially some special things.
Tampa Too
12:02
Brian. What do you think about putting Fields in when you are first and goal  at the 6 yard line? It seems he gives an added dimension of being able to run and/or pass.
Brian Batko
12:03
Arthur Smith isn't going to tip his hand as to when, how and where on the field the Steelers will get into that, for obvious reasons, but he just walked out of the media room here on the South Side after saying how much he thinks that wrinkle with Justin Fields can and did help them Sunday. It's unique, but in a sense, it's not that unlike other aspects of an OC's job. When to call a run play, when to call a pass play, when to dial up a play-action deep shot, etc. Gotta have a feel for the game.
Eric Carr
12:05
Brian I sincerely hope Micah Parsons and PFF have noticed how much TJ is getting double and triple teamed this year when it's time to vote on DPOY! Do you think he'll get the respect from the voters this year that he doesn't always get?
Brian Batko
12:06
I don't know, Eric. His numbers have tailed off lately and you don't need me to tell you it's a stat-driven league, including awards voting. Watt's now tied for seventh in the NFL in sacks, but other numbers in his ledger plus the anecdotal performances should keep him near the top of the conversation there.
Yogi in Yonkers
12:07
Brian please give us a fearless prediction. What percentage of the crowd will be waving terrible towels Thursday night?
Brian Batko
12:08
Why is this question in bold, Yogi? Are you yelling at me? But you also said please. I'm confused. Maybe 40% given the state of Browns football and state of Steelers football.
kachemak
12:09
I read where Darnell Washington can't catch. I think he has debunked that observation don't you?
Brian Batko
12:10
Not sure I'd ever seen much of a narrative that he can't catch. To me it was more about his ability as a pass-catcher to run routes, get open against NFL defenders, et al. His hands are massive and he showed how soft they can be as a rookie last year in camp. But the way he's been so smooth getting downfield even at his size has been a pleasant surprise.
BobbyandRose
12:11
How much of the Steelers' apparent red zone issues are the product of reconfiguring with Wilson as the starter (Fields seemed to offer totally different options) versus just overall poor coordination down there? Meaning is there room to adjust or is this just a weakness now?
Brian Batko
12:12
There's always room to adjust. I'd say Russell Wilson's lack of mobility might be considered a weakness, at least compared to Fields, but I don't view this as an issue that can't be fixed.
Connor H.
12:13
Hey Brian, what is it exactly that I do? I don't block. I don't catch. I'm not a core STer. Is my spot on the roster in danger?
Brian Batko
12:14
Connor Heyward is the definition of a core special teamer, so not sure what we're even talking about here.
Old Crow
12:17
Hi Brian, thank you for the chats. I don’t understand the underutilization of Freiermuth in the passing game. Is this by design (e.g. not sending him out on passing routes) or is he not getting separation,…?   Without a true number two receiver, I expected more action for him. Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:19
Pat Freiermuth's production has taken a dip since Russell Wilson replaced Justin Fields, that's for sure. Throughout his career, Wilson hasn't exactly been known to pepper his top tight end with targets. The last TE to catch more than 50 passes from him in a season was Jimmy Graham back in 2017. Still, I think better and bigger games are ahead for Freiermuth as the weather turns here and the deep shots aren't quite as tantalizing.
Yates
12:21
Brian-  Perhaps it is time to narrow options for Arthur Smith.   83 has been offering nothing beyond penalties.  15 is better option now than 83. 84 has not been used much in pass game and is clearly the 3rd best RB option.  Keep 80 in to block for more targets for 88.  Figure out how to get 19 the ball in open space as opposed to low probability wheel routes. And swap snap count of 11 and 18. They need to start to build continuity and fluidity with fewer players.  If you have counter to my plan I will be happy to engage in point counterpoint.
Brian Batko
12:24
Connor Heyward hasn't offered much, no, but I do think he can still be effective as a short-yardage target, contested catches over the middle, what have you. Ben Skowronek is indeed a factor. With you on Cordarrelle Patterson. The targets that have gone Washington's way have been pretty darn effective, but yes, more from Freiermuth is probably needed. Calvin Austin got a chance to make a guy miss in space Sunday but didn't get it done. And yes, Mike Williams likely offers more of a ceiling than Van Jefferson.
NRBQ
12:25
Is it time to be concerned about RB depth? NH & JW are 1 injury away, CP has been there already... ?
Brian Batko
12:26
Eh, not really. Patterson doesn't need to take any carries away from those guys, in my opinion, but he's still fine as a depth option. And Jonathan Ward looked like he had some juice in camp. He's still around.
34russellhof
12:26
I continue to wonder why pre snap Minkah is positioned 30 yards down the center of the field. Other than a shoestring tackle on Henry last week he is out of every play. If Wagner, Shell, or Troy were utilized like this they would have had short careers.  Way too much money being paid to him to waste his talent. Bring back Lebeau.
Brian Batko
12:27
They want him to use his instincts to patrol the deep third of the field and make quarterbacks think twice about trying to swing for the fences. That, in turn, allows the Steelers to be more aggressive in front of him, so his impact certainly does go beyond the box score. But therein lies the balance of finding the right way to play "Minkah Ball" on the back end.
Luke
12:28
How much credit can we give DC Teryl Austin to last week's win / the defense continuing to overall perform well? How do we even assess that with a hands-on defensive coach in MT? Clearly the pair is working well together, I just don't even know how to assess Austin.
Brian Batko
12:31
No matter how much Mike Tomlin calls throughout a game, Teryl Austin certainly is a significant contributor to building the game plan each week, so I say give him credit when the defense plays well and criticize him when they don't, much like any DC. Really everyone on that staff deserves props for doing what they just did to the Ravens.
artie bridge
12:31
Hi Brian.  The Steelers 8 -2 record ties them with Minnesota and Philadelphia, is a game behind Detroit and Kansas City, half game behind Buffalo.  Do you think that is an accurate assessment of where/how the season is likely to end?  And what are the implications for post-season play?
Brian Batko
12:32
Wish I knew, artie, I wish I knew. I could see the Steelers dropping some games down the stretch here, no doubt. Even Cleveland on the road isn't a layup to me, then you've got the high-powered Bengals offense, the Eagles in Philly, the Ravens at their place and the Chiefs. It's nice to be 8-2 but things can turn on a dime.
Steeltree
12:33
Brian - Fields slide at the end of the game is a prime example of what’s missing in his game- the mental/bigger picture aspect.  Wilson’s INT was prime example of he having mental part down but lacks the physical talent    As such I’m hopeful moving forward that MT tries  to use both of their strengths to leverage the max out of both.
Brian Batko
12:35
That was a mental mistake but I'm not gonna make it more than what it is. Josh Allen did the same thing a yard short in the evening window, albeit not the same critical juncture of the game. It's an instinctual thing for quarterbacks and perhaps now there will be more emphasis on being cognizant of that "where the slide starts" rule. Russell Wilson's interception was a physical mistake more than a mental one? Not sure about that one, Steeltree.
The Eman
12:35
I need help, Brother BB. Mrs. Eman asked me a simple question for which I didn’t have an answer: Why does Lamar Jackson play so much worse against the Steelers than he does against the rest of the league? A good answer from you will make me look like a football genius!
Brian Batko
12:37
They're in his head, Mrs. Eman, which could be due to the uber-physical way they've played him or just be a result of their general excellence defensively. Also, did you know Mr. Eman once saved me from a burning building and then helped an old woman cross the road? He's a football genius and a great humanitarian.
NY Steeler
12:37
Hello, Mr. B.  I am not absolving QB Wilson on that INT.  But is it just me or did Washington just not make a play on the ball?  I'm not saying he would have caught the pass, but with his height advantage and the DB right behind him, at the very least he'd have gotten a hand or two on it resulting in either a catch OR a deflection out of the endzone.  after all, we've all been asking for Washington to get targets in the endzone!  What say you?
Brian Batko
12:39
Yeah, he probably could've tried to play DB on that and break it up. Looked like he was thrown off by the trajectory of the throw. With those knees, I'm also not sure how much quick-twitch jumping ability Washington has at the ready.
The man from Lovetron
12:39
Let’s just start running more routes on early downs for #80. Maybe those extra few inches make him easier to see for Russ. That seam route looked nice didn’t it.
Brian Batko
12:39
Yes, yes it did. I wonder if Russell Wilson to Darnell Washington is the biggest height difference in completion this year? Someone research please.
TXSteeler
12:40
Isn’t it past time for the Steelers to stop giving snaps and touches to Patterson over more productive players like Warren and Harris? Is this just an Arthur Smith thing due to their past together?
Brian Batko
12:41
Arthur Smith definitely has a soft spot for Patterson but he played 12 snaps and had two touches, both in the first quarter, so let's not make it more than what it is. Smith clearly went in a different direction the rest of the day.
Wrong Way Diontae
12:42
Who is TJs top competition for DPOY this season? Giving it to Garrett last year was a joke.
Brian Batko
12:43
Maybe Chris Jones from the Chiefs, maybe Pat Surtain the way he's locking down receivers for the Broncos (though George Pickens had his moments). I'll tell you who's a valuable defensive player though, did you see what happened to the Ravens when Roquan Smith came out? It was like the seas parted. Although that drive ended with the aforementioned pick.
wiscoken
12:44
Through 10 games, hard to understand why Muth isn't a greater part of this offense, particularly in the red zone.  Also a bit surprising that we don't see as many two and even three TE formations (which Arthur has deployed in the past), as Muth is spending a fair amount of time on the sideline rotating time with Washington.  Is this all a function of the OL deficiencies and simply needing better blocking from Washington?
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