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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 11.24.25
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Brian Batko
10:48
I can't really disagree, Les. The primary argument against it is just that Tomlin always stabilizes the organization, turns in a competitive product, and you're taking a leap of faith with any other HC you'd hire in his place. But even those assertions are falling short now when you look at last year's total collapse, the embarrassing losses in the playoffs and the success of new coaches such as Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald (last year).
Earl.Campbell
10:48
What is it going to take to get a clean sweep of the coaching staff?
Brian Batko
10:49
The best needle I can try to thread is that earlier suggestion of taking some power away from Tomlin while leaving him installed as the CEO of the team. If this season ends much the same way yet again and they don't want to move on, that's what I see as the only way to exhaust all options.
Adam
10:50
Are they so desperate to get something out of Jonnu Smith that they are going to run him now?  It’s looking Matt Canada ish.  0-6 yard passes and jet sweeps.
Brian Batko
10:50
Yeah that was sort of bizarre. I'm all about trying to take advantage of the Bears missing their top three ILBs. No issue with that game plan. But those kind of felt like wasted plays.
Gruff
10:51
During practice do the Steelers go over what is and what isn't an illegal formation? How is this so hard? This is covered in midget football & points to a lack of detail on the coaches part. these pre-snap penalties are just ridiculous
Brian Batko
10:51
They do. Mistakes still happen even at this level. I'm not saying it's acceptable but it's not exactly the same as the Kaleb Johnson gaffe on kick return Week 2. There are levels to brain farts and attention to detail.
Lou
10:52
Brian, it seems that when the D plays better it’s because it was “simplified”. So why not stick to that? As for the O, shouldn’t it also be clear after like 5-6 years of this that this style of play isn’t working out? I don’t get it and most fans don’t either.
Brian Batko
10:53
Funny you should ask, Lou, because Ray and Carter are discussing that on today's North Shore Drive show
Rocky Mtn Yunzer
10:54
Deja vu all over again Bats.  Mediocre talent, mediocre (at best) coaching, mediocre execution = Mediocre Team.  Assuming they can beat The Fish and Da Browns, could this be the year where Tomlin loses his winning record streak?
Brian Batko
10:54
It certainly could be just looking at the upcoming games on paper. But I will never predict it. I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. They find a way to beat the Bills, Lions or Ravens ... I'm pretty sure.
Chipped Ham Sammich
10:55
Given the amount of dead wood and holes in this lineup, is going after the next franchise QB this offseason the right move? Our bigs (OL/DL) are either old or lousy. Can’t win without talent in the trenches…
Brian Batko
10:57
Yeah CHS, I imagine that calculus is being revisited each week by the front office who need to take a more 30,000-foot view of this team at all times. But I can't shake the notion of the Steelers insisting upon drafting a QB with the draft here in Pittsburgh. It might feel like backwards logic, but I cannot shake it.
Jana
10:57
It feels like the Steelers are wasting a year when KC, and the Bills aren’t what they usually are and Lamar Jackson is obviously hurt in some way.  Also the Colts and the Patriots can be beaten.  But we can’t seem to take advantage of the situation!! What are your thoughts???
Brian Batko
10:59
Doesn't really matter because it's not as if the Steelers were going to get a QB to compete with those teams in a down year anyway. What I'm saying is I'll still be stunned if it's not Mahomes, Allen or Jackson in the Super Bowl from the AFC. Maybe Herbert or Maye if one makes "the leap."
Lee In SC
10:59
Hi Brian,

It’s looking like it will take 10 wins win the North/make the playoffs. This means the Steelers need to win 4 of the next 6 games.

I do not see that happening.

I see 2 nearly certain wins (Cleveland, Miami).
I see 2 almost certain loses (Buffalo, Detroit).

This means they need to sweep the Raven which we almost never do.

I guess my questions are:

1)    How many wins do you see the Steelers getting in the remaining 6 games?
2)    If they miss the playoffs or again get in and are one and blown out is it finally time to blow things up and do a rebuild? And I do mean blow it up. The O is in the midst of being rebuilt while the D is aging and not up to the standard.

Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
11:01
OK, I'll just put it on record one last time to end today's chat. 1) Three. Which would mean my preseason prediction of 10-7 was WRONG. 2) I need to think about it more. I really do. And while you may interpret that as me being too pro-Tomlin, it's actually me coming around more to the opposite side than ever before.
11:02
Sorry everyone, so many questions I don't have time to get to, but I do appreciate all the readers and interest every week with these. And on the bright side, Ray will be here tomorrow, so don't miss that. Thanks for being here.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
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