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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.23.20
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Gravel
2:33
Brian - Not sure with your travel you got to see game last night but the Raiders seem like they might be for real......Derek Carr was impressive.  Which sleeper team do you think is being overlooked?
Brian Batko
2:35
I've always liked Derek Carr. I used to work the sports desk at the P-G, which meant long nights and not getting done until midnight-ish. So by the time I got home, the only games on were those Fresno State late-night West Coast tilts, and I thought Carr was a stud back then. Anyway, I digress. My sleeper team isn't even in the AFC. It's the Cowboys!
Bert
2:35
I thought James Conner looked extremely determined yesterday. Do you agree?
Brian Batko
2:36
He always looks determined, both in-game and on Zoom when we interview him. "All business" would be putting it lightly. I don't think I've seen James Conner smile since Pitt.
Buddy
2:36
If a PI occurs, does the quarterback and receiver get credit for all the stats they would have received if it was a completion?
Brian Batko
2:37
No, Buddy, they do not. Hidden yardage.
Buzzard Bill
2:37
Hey Brian, I noticed in yesterday's game that in the third and fourth quarters, with the game well in hand, the Steelers were still throwing these possession 5 yard passes instead of working on their weak running game. And 18 carries is not enough for Conner, who could have exceeded 100 yds with a few more carries.  What gives and why don't they work on the running game in game conditions when they have the chance?
Brian Batko
2:38
Because the Steelers are just as comfortable letting Ben throw a short pass to Eric Ebron to move the chains as they sticking it in Conner's gut, such as when Ben threw a short pass to Eric Ebron to move the chains instead of sticking it in Conner's gut. Joe Starkey had a good column on that very subject from yesterday's game: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2020/11/23/ben-roethli...
Going forward
2:38
Just when Conner, Ben & the O was getting it's rhythm Finctner kills it with his weekly Latrobe RB tryouts & his obsession with Jet Sweep/ Bubble Screens with Ray Ray make me say, despite the good things, was nice to see actual screens though, Finctner is the weak link & doing the D no favors... thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:39
I'm just wondering what the Latrobe RB tryouts are and whether I can get in on that action.
iowasteelersfan
2:40
As much as I want to belive winning #7 is the ultimate goal, part of me also really wants to go undefeated along the way as it is less common to do so in the history books.  What are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:41
That's a really good question! But I do think winning a Super Bowl is the greater achievement, because in this hypothetical, going 16-0 in the regular season only to lose in the playoffs kind of makes you a punchline more than anything. Add to the fact that the Steelers could pull back into first place for most all time, and that's a much better outcome, even if you go, say, 15-1.
PAMMY WHAMMY
2:41
Why the lack of sacks against Jacksonville? Granted there were four picks from pressure up front, but I expected more from that stat line.
Brian Batko
2:42
Jags have had success in the past limiting the Steelers from sacks. So, maybe credit Doug Marrone and his staff/OL for a somewhat successful game plan as far as that goes. Their tackles are talented in Jawaan Taylor and Cam Robinson. High-pedigree guys.
Ralph LA
2:42
I know that all positions get competed, but is Jordan Barry now at least  meeting expectations?
Brian Batko
2:42
I'd say so.
Artie Bridge
2:43
Brian, Anthony McFarland has shown nothing in his limited use to this point.   Kerrith Whyte impressed me more last year as a speedster type who could break one.  Any thoughts towards making a change at this spot?  And why isn't Samuels seeing any acftion?
Brian Batko
2:44
Let's not go so far to say he's shown nothing, Artie. He looked like he had some juice in Week 3 against Houston. But yes, I said going back to the draft that the McFarland pick was a head-scratcher, and it's looking like he's a similar player to Whyte in that if you block it up for him, he can make a big play. If you don't, well...

As for Jaylen Samuels, he wasn't much in the game plan to begin with this season and this week he was out with a quad injury.
jud
2:45
How much do you interact with other Sportswriters these days?  Seems like this environment would hurt your profession as well.  Feedback, insights, angles all helped by peer interaction.
Brian Batko
2:46
Missing out on the player interaction is worse, but yeah, I miss my colleagues on the beat. Ray Fittipaldo and I still see each other pretty regularly to tape our podcast when we're able to go into the office. And then when I do cover games, I see the other writers, albeit from a distance. Sitting next to Gerry Dulac in the press box yesterday was the first time I'd seen him in months I think. We all see each other on Zoom still, but it's not the same.
Jeff
2:47
Thanks for the chats B.  I had a chance to watch the game a couple times (Covid life) and when focusing in on the O line i noticed Pouncy getting blown up...often.  No matter how good the guards are blocking you arent getting much up the middle when that happens.  I get he is Bens BFF but he seems to be the most consistent underperformer in the run game.  Agree?
Brian Batko
2:48
Yeah he just doesn't seem to get much push anymore. There were a couple run plays for the Jags yesterday where their OL managed to man-up and just blow the Steelers off the ball. Feels like you rarely see that from the Steelers. But hey, this is the NFL, and you can't possibly be elite at every single position group. The Steelers have enough other areas working in their favor, even the other aspect of blocking, pass protection. Three straight games with no sacks.
Mark
2:49
I know it isn't really football question, but was I seeing things on JuJu's jersey yesterday where several of the letters on his name were filled in in black?
Brian Batko
2:50
I think you were seeing things, Mark.
Buster
2:51
Does anyone know what the Jags were thinking when their punt team intentionally took a delay of game penalty on 4th and 1 that didn’t aid them in any way, then sent their offense back out on 4th and 6 before then switching back to their punt team?
Brian Batko
2:51
Beats me, Buster. Doug Marrone had plenty of other questions to answer yesterday after the game, such as about his job security and QB situation.
Air Conditioner
2:52
10-0!!! Woohoo! Too bad the Chiefs didn't lose. Anyway, some thoughts about Ebron and what he might be doing now that the tight end situation is getting hot? Might McDonald come back for Ravens?
Brian Batko
2:54
What Ebron is doing is playing a ton of snaps, including 70 yesterday. That's not just a season high but also the fifth most in his career. And with McDonald, the first thing is you just hope he's OK, especially now that he has missed two games and two full weeks of practice with COVID. It does sound promising for him to return, though.
San Diego Steeler Fan
2:54
I have read several AFC offensive ROY articles and none of these mention Chase Claypool as a candidate. This boggles my mind, what does one have to do to even get mentioned  I mean 8 TDs 39 receptions for 559 yds I will compare his stats with any AFC rookie.  Show me someone better.
Brian Batko
2:56
Don't forget about the two rushing TDs. But hey, Justin Jefferson has almost 300 more receiving yards. Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy also have more. James Robinson has been a beast running the ball for the Jags. But come on, the front-runner has to be Justin Herbert. He's been a monster for the Chargers. Eighth-best passer rating in the league and 299.9 yards per game!
Guest
2:57
how would you rate the steelers pass rush against jacksonville? pittsbugh bill
Brian Batko
2:57
I'll give it a 7.5/10. Maybe that's on a curve, too, given how dominant they often are.
The Dude
2:58
With Joe Burrow out and the Steelers likely to have clinched,what are the chances the Bengals game on Monday night gets flexed out?
Brian Batko
2:59
While that would be great, both for us writers and for the rest of the country who might want a better game, there is no flex scheduling for MNF. Maybe by next year there will be. Hopefuly.
3:00
OK, now I'm making typos and misspelling words like hopefully, so it's time to go. Fun chatting with you all, especially those who submit a million questions under different names and think I won't notice. I see everything. Have a happy and healthy holiday, folks.
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